[85]. The Hon. Robert J. Walker of Mississippi, Secretary of the Treasury under President Polk, appointed March 6, 1845.
[86]. Mrs. Yates.
[87]. James Buchanan Yates.
[88]. John Sullivan, Esq., an Irish gentleman of advanced years, long a resident of Washington, famous for his good dinners.
[89]. Mr. Upshur was killed by the explosion on board the Princeton, in February, 1844. See ante, p. [521].
[90]. Congressional Globe, Vol. 14, pp. 240, 271, 362. The resolutions may be found at page 332.
[91]. William R. King of Alabama. He was a Senator in Congress from that State for a period of nearly twenty-five years, from 1819 to 1844. He resigned his seat in the Senate and accepted the mission to France, to which he was appointed in April, 1844, by President Tyler. He was an accomplished statesman of broad and liberal views. A strong friendship had existed between him and Mr. Buchanan, from the time when the latter entered the Senate. Mr. King was at first under the impression that Mr. Buchanan had declined the judgeship, and on the 1st of January he wrote to express his gratification that the matter had taken this turn. But in fact the appointment was never offered.
[92]. This does not refer to Mr. Justice Grier, who became the successor of Judge Baldwin.
[93]. This refers to the measure for free trade in corn.
[94]. Mr. Bancroft informs me that he subsequently advised Mr. Buchanan not to open a negotiation for a reduction of the British taxes on tobacco, knowing that it would be a useless effort to endeavor to persuade England to change that part of her financial system.