Edition of 1920.See alsoJohn Slidell onWikipedia, and thedisclaimer.
SLIDELL, slī-dĕl',John, Americanpolitician: b. New York, 1793; d. London, 29 July1871. He was graduated at Columbia in 1810,studied law, and in 1819 removed to NewOrleans. From 1829 to 1833 be served as UnitedStates district attorney for Louisiana; was amember of Congress, 1842-45; and in 1845 wasappointed Minister to Mexico, but was notreceived by the Mexican government. In 1853 heentered the United States Senate, but resignedwhen Louisiana seceded in 1861. In Septemberof that year he was appointed as associate ofJames M. Mason (q.v.), commissioner of theConfederate States to France. The twocommissioners ran the blockade of Charleston, S. C.,and sailed from Havana on the English steamerTrent. TheTrent was overhauled 8 Novemberby Capt.Charles Wilkes (q.v.) with theSanJacinto of the United States navy. The twocommissioners were arrested and held for awhile as prisoners at Fort Warren in BostonHarbor. The act of Wilkes was disavowed bythe United States upon demand of the Britishgovernment, and 1 Jan. 1862 the commissionerssailed for England. Slidell's mission which,besides other things, contemplated recognition ofthe Confederacy by the French government,failed in its object, France refusing to move,either in that matter or in making a commercialconvention, without the co-operation ofEngland. He was successful, hawever, in securinga large loan for the Confederate States. Afterthe war Slidell settled in London. SeeTrent Affair.
