Abraham Lincoln actually said...

"The advices which have been received from him have not hitherto been sufficiently conclusive to determine me to recognize the revolutionary Government."

"The Secretary of State has submitted to me a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 5th instant."

"I have not received any representative from the revolutionary Government, which has not yet been recognized, because such a proceeding would in itself be an act of recognition."

"No definitive measure or proceeding has resulted from these communications."