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606 to be returned to the legislature, where he ably discussed the measures for internal improvement, the issues of that day, and demonstrating great abilities in the debates in which Alabama’s great men, like Judge, Curry, Meek and Cochrane, participated. He then devoted himself to his law practice, and in 1860 was a delegate to the Charleston and Baltimore conventions, where he was earnest in opposition to Douglas. He shared the sentiment of his State regarding secession, and after the ordinance was passed he was appointed by Governor Moore commissioner to urge the cooperation of Tennessee. In February, 1861, he accepted the secretaryship of war in the cabinet of President Davis, and began without delay the discharge of those highly important and delicate duties which confronted him during the first weeks of Mr. Lincoln’s administration. With wise foresight he penetrated the purposes of the Washington administration and announced that he had no confidence in Mr. Seward’s &quot;faith as to Sumter. &quot; Telegrams between himself and Beauregard, at Charleston, grew frequent, and at the critical moment he directed the demand for the surrender of Sumter. During the excitement at Montgomery which followed the fall of Sumter, several fervid speeches were made, and Judge Walker, participating, spoke impromptu and in a somewhat boastful spirit. His remarks, reported at the North with exaggerations, were construed as an official threat to float the Confederate flag over Boston and Philadelphia, and were used as an argument for the enlistment of Federal troops. Judge Walker continued in office until September 21, 1861—the period of enlistment—and then accepted a commission as brigadier-general, which he resigned in March, 1862. After the war he resumed the practice of law at Huntsville, where his death took place, August 22, 1884. His devotion to the principles of the secession movement, fidelity to important trusts, and honorable conduct at all