November 9, 2025
A newly donated handwritten word from 1861 sheds gentle on Lincoln’s stance towards racial prejudice within the White Home is now on show on the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
A easy letter of advice written by Abraham Lincoln in 1861 is providing a uncommon glimpse into the humanity and social consciousness of a president navigating a deeply divided nation. The doc, just lately donated to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum by non-public collector Peter Tuite, is now on show in Springfield, Illinois. The word, written simply weeks after Lincoln’s inauguration, was a plea on behalf of William Johnson, a younger Black man who had served Lincoln faithfully as his valet and driver. Regardless of his loyalty, Johnson confronted rejection from different White Home staffers due to his darker pores and skin tone.
“The distinction of shade between him and the opposite servants is the reason for our separation,” Lincoln wrote within the March 16, 1861, letter to Navy Secretary Gideon Welles, in accordance with The Related Press.
The president’s request was simple — he hoped Johnson would possibly safe a place beneath Welles’ supervision. Nonetheless, the Navy Secretary responded that no roles have been out there on the time. Nonetheless, the letter stands as an early and private instance of Lincoln’s empathy, particularly exceptional throughout a second when the nation was teetering on the point of civil struggle.
Christina Shutt, govt director of the Lincoln museum, known as the word “a chunk of historical past with layer upon layer of that means.” She added, as reported by the Related Press, “We see him attempting to assist a buddy. We see that even the brand new president can’t casually hand out jobs. We see points of sophistication and shade inside the White Home.”
Johnson ultimately discovered a place on the Treasury Division later that 12 months. He remained near Lincoln, shaving him each day and even accompanying him to Pennsylvania for the Gettysburg Deal with. When Lincoln fell ailing with smallpox shortly after the journey, Johnson cared for him — solely to contract the illness himself and die in early 1864.
Historian James Conroy famous that the letter displays Lincoln’s constant compassion towards others, no matter race or standing. “No one can query that Lincoln was a really kindly man, very empathetic, attempting to assist folks when he might,” he stated.
After Johnson’s demise, Lincoln personally dealt with his remaining wages and paid for his coffin.
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