treatment of william johnson, a valet/barber who accompanied the first family on their journey from springfield to washington in 1861. at first, johnson worked at the executive mansion as a porter, but the other african-american employees, who were all light-skinned, objected to his dark complexion so vehemently, lincoln reassigned him as furnace keeper and handyman, and tried to find him another post outside the white house. to secretary wells, he wrote in 1861, "the bearer that is william is a servant who has been with me for some time and in whom i have confidence as to his integrity and faithfulness. he wishes to enter your service. the difference of color between him and the other servants is the cause of our separation. if you can give him employment, you will confer a favor on yours truly." lincoln landed him a job at the treasury department and to enable him to earn extra money, the president facilitated his efforts to moonlight for others and johnson continued to work at the white house off and on. when johnson borrowed money to buy a house, lincoln guaranteed the mortgage. in 1863, johnson contracted smallpox and was unable to sign his pay voucher. while he was hospit