Slidell, John

John (1793-1871), an American politician. He was born in New York City and died in London. He was a graduate of Columbia, 1810, and studied law. In 1819 he opened an office in New Orleans. He became United States district attorney for Louisiana, sat in Congress, 1842-5, was appointed minister to Mexico, but was rejected by the Mexican government in 1845. He was a member of the United States Senate, 1853-61. He was an active participant in the formation of the Confederacy. In September of 1861 Messrs. Slidell and Mason were appointed commissioners of the Confederacy to France, ran the blockade to Havana, and took passage on the British steamer Trent. Captain Wilkes of the United States navy, in command of the Jacinto, overhauled the Trent and took off the commissioners. The British government, acting within its rights, demanded the disavowal of the act and the release of the commissioners. President Lincoln complied, and set Messrs. Slidell and Mason at liberty to proceed on their errand. They failed to secure French recognition of the Confederacy, but they did obtain a large loan, much to the subsequent regret of the French financiers.