Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History
Benson Lossing, Ed.

---

Walker, Robert James 1801-1869

Financier; born in Northumberland, Pa., July 23, 1801; graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1819. In 1826 he settled in Natchez, Miss.; was United States Senator from 1837 to 1845, being a Democratic leader in that body, warmly supported the financial measures of President Van Buren; and had great influence over President Tyler, counselling the vigorous steps which led to the annexation of Texas. During the administration of President Polk he was Secretary of the Treasury, and in 1857-58 was governor of Kansas Territory. He resigned, being “unwilling,” he said, “to aid in forcing slavery on that Territory by fraud and forgery.” In 1863-64 he was financial agent of the United States in Europe, effecting the sale of $250,000,000 of fivetwenty bonds, and defeating the second authorized Confederate loan of $175,000,000. He was an efficient advocate of the Pacific Railroad and of free-trade. His celebrated report in favor of free-trade was reprinted by order of the British House of Commons. He died in Washington, D. C., Nov. 11, 1869.