page_title: Robert J. Walker
section_title: Secretary of the Treasury (1845-1849)
hierarchical_section_title: Robert J. Walker / Career / Secretary of the Treasury (1845-1849)
caption_attribution_description: English: Engraved BEP portrait of U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Robert J. Walker
context_page_description: Robert John Walker was an American lawyer, economist and politician. He was in the Democratic Party. He was a senator from Mississippi from 1835 until 1845. He was the Secretary of the Treasury from 1845 to 1849 under President James K. Polk. He was the Territorial Governor of Kansas in 1857.
context_section_description: President Polk asked Walker to become U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. Walker was the Treasury Secretary during all of Polk's presidency (from March 8, 1845 until March 5, 1849).
  As Treasury Secretary, Walker was responsible for financing the Mexican–American War. However, he did not do a very good job.
  In 1853, President Franklin Pierce asked Walker if he wanted to be the United States Minister to China, but Walker said no.
caption: Bureau of Engraving and Printing portrait of Walker as Secretary of the Treasury
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