Abraham Lincoln actually said...

"I deem it proper to add that on the 17th day of November last an Executive order was made upon this subject and delivered to the vice-president of the Union Pacific Railroad Company."

"Since then the company has represented to me that upon actual surveys made it has determined upon the precise point of departure of their said branch road from the Missouri River."

"I have made the order of which a copy is herewith, and caused the same to be filed in the Department of the Interior."

"I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do, upon the application of the said company designate and establish such first above-named point on the western boundary of the State of Iowa east ..."