WILLIAM SLADE¹William Slade (1815–68) was a senior White House servant, a Washington, D.C., African American community leader, and a correspondent with Frederick Douglass during the Civil War and Reconstruction eras. He served as usher and valet in the Lincoln White House and was promoted to steward, responsible for the Executive Mansion’s finances, by Andrew Johnson in August 1865. John E. Washington, (New York, 1942), 114–18; Natalie Sweet, “A Representative ‘of Our People’: The Agency of William Slade, Leader in the African American Community and Usher to Abraham Lincoln,” , 34: 21–41 (2013). TO FREDERICK DOUGLASS

Washington, D.C. 29 July 1867.

MR FREDERICK DOUGLASS

MY DEAR SIR

I hope you will be surprised at this proposition, I make to you—in a and confidential manner
Their are great many Persons that are of the opinion that the Freedman’s Bureau, () are not Conducted as they ought to be, and the object of this note is to know if I secure the appointment of you at the head of the Bureau will you accept (in the place of Genl Howard)²Oliver Otis Howard. Now with regard to Genl Howard, he is a good man, yet at the same time he is timid and lacks moral courage and I must confess I know of no man—white or colored would be better adapted to the Place than your Humble Self.
Hoping this will find you and yours in good Health I am truly Your Friend

MR SLADE

P.S. Let me hear from you at your ealiest Convenience

[P.P.S.] Keep this Private & Confidential

ALS: General Correspondence File, reel 2, frames 290–91, FD Papers, DLC.