Overview of the Collection
Biography of Robert J. Walker
Scope and Content
Restrictions
Index Terms
Administrative Information
Detailed Description of the Collection
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Repository:
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G. W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport |
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Creator:
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Walker, Robert J. (Robert John), 1801-1869 |
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Title:
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Robert J. Walker Letters |
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Dates:
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1846-1848 |
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Extent:
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ca. 255 items |
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Abstract:
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Letters to C.W Lawrence,
Collector of Customs at the Port of New York, dealing with the interpretation of tariff acts and
enforcement of customs regulations, including information concerning import duties, drawbacks,
expenses for maintaining revenue vessels and customs property, and the names of many vessels. |
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Identification:
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Coll. 180 |
Born July 19, 1801 in Pennsylvania, Walker had a distinguished career as a United States
Senator, Secretary of the Treasury (1845-1849), and Governor of the Kansas Territory. In the
Senate he was considered an ardent supporter of American expansion and Texas independence.
As Secretary of the Treasury, appointed by President Polk, he worked for a more independent
treasury system, and the tariff bill of 1846 was largely a product of his "tariff for revenue only"
philosophy. A major development of Walker's term was the establishment of a warehousing
system for the various customs districts to handle imports.
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The letters in this collection were all signed by Walker as Treasury Secretary, between 1846
and 1848, and were addressed to Mr. C.W. Lawrence, who was the Collector of Customs at the
Port of New York during this period. They deal primarily with interpretation of tariff acts and
enforcement of customs regulations as applied to specific cases at the port. Included are details
about payments of import duties and drawbacks, and information regarding expenses for
maintaining of a warehouse on the "Atlantic dock" that was used by the customs district, and an
account of an appraiser being fired for "irregularities in performance of his duties." Walker also
authorized several payments for work done on a new revenue brig that was under construction in
1848. Numerous references are found to the tariff acts of 1842 and 1846. There are description of
articles being imported into New York, and the names of many revenue schooners and steamers
are also mentioned.
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Restrictions on Access
Available for use in the Manuscripts Division.
Restrictions on Use
Various copying restriction apply. Guidelines are available from the Manuscripts
Division. See also: Mystic Seaport's copyright notice.
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This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the G. W. Blunt White Library. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.
Persons:
Lawrence, C.W.--Correspondence
Corporate Entities:
United States. Dept. of the Treasury
Places:
New York (N.Y.)
Subjects:
Customs administration--New York (State)--New York
Customs administration--Officials and employees
Customs administration--United States
Embargo
Revenue
Tariff--United States
Document Types:
Correspondence
Occupations:
Public officers
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Preferred Citation
Coll. 180, Manuscripts Collection, G. W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport Museum,
Inc.
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The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.
Correspondence; 1846-1848.
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