Abraham Lincoln actually said...

"In transmitting to Congress the accompanying copy of two letters, bearing date the 14th of February, 1861, from His Majesty the Major King of Siam to the President of the United States, and of the Pre..."

"This possession and control of the telegraph lines is not intended to interfere in any respect with the ordinary affairs of the companies or with private business."

"I transmit to Congress a copy of an instruction from Prince Gortchakoff to Mr. De Stoeckl, the minister of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Russia accredited to this Government, and of a note of th..."

"By virtue of the act of Congress, takes military possession of all the telegraph lines in the United States."