Rare First National Bank check, 8.25 x 3.25, filled out in another hand and signed by Johnson as president, "Andrew Johnson," payable to William Slade for $632.77 (for May accounts), June 18, 1867; endorsed on the reverse by Slade, "Wm. Slade." In fine condition. William Slade (died 1868) was the African-American White House messenger, valet, and steward during the Lincoln and Johnson administrations; at the time, this was one of the highest posts available to a black Washingtonian. The Vermont Transcript reported on the death of Slade on March 20, 1868: 'He was a colored man…appointed by President Lincoln [as] Messenger at the White House, and President Johnson made him Steward, giving him the disbursement of all the moneys expended there.' This check was evidently written to pay for the White House household bills overseen by Slade for the month of May.
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