Dates: 1821-1869.

Scope and Content Note:

Seventy-two items and papers of Robert J. Walker (b. July 19, 1801–d. Nov. 11, 1869), United States senator from Mississippi, Secretary of the Treasury, and governor of the Kansas Territory.

The collection includes typewritten copies of fifty-one letters written by Walker, photostats of five letters written to him, and originals of thirteen letters to him. Forty-nine of the typewritten copies were made from originals in the possession of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Thirty of the copies were written from London to Salmon P. Chase (Mar. 24, 1863–Dec. 23, 1864), six to James Buchanan (Mar. 16,1848–Aug. 3, 1857), three to B. F. Butler (Jan. 12–May 31, 1846), and one to E. S. Fisher on the E. M. Yerger case (June 21, 1869). Among the original papers are the following letters to Walker:

  • Albert G. Brown, Jackson (2 items, July 1,1845, and Dec. 11, 1846)
  • Jefferson Davis, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Warren County (2 items, Nov. 30, 1846, and June 20, 1847)
  • John D. Freeman, Jackson (July 12, 1845)
  • W. A. Lake, Vicksburg (Oct. 23, 1845)
  • John J. McCaughan, Mississippi City (Mar. 28, 1844)
  • John J. McRae, Enterprise (July 1, 1845)
  • G. E. Plummer, Coffeeville (Aug. 29, 1842)
  • John A. Quitman, Natchez (Feb. 14, 1842)
  • W. G. Runnels, Vicksburg (Feb. 14, 1845)
  • Jesse Speight, Columbus (July 5, 1845)
  • T. M. Tucker, Jackson (Jan. 8, 1843)
  • "Letter D'Indication aux Correspondants de la Bank of London" (Feb. 29, 1864)

Two of the five photostats are of letters from Jefferson Davis (Aug. 24, 1846, and Mar. 18, 1848). One letter, dated December 9, 1845, concerns an appraisal of "Guano or Bird manure" for tax purposes on imports.