'John Slidell'

'John Slidell'

1859 Portrait of Democratic Louisiana Senator John Slidell

Captured by the Union alongside his fellow Confederate diplomat, James Mason, in the 1861 Trent Affair, John Slidell's intended post was making appeals on the South's behalf to the French government under Napoleon III. After being released, Slidell worked to encourage French action, though the nation largely based its decisions off the actions being taken by the United Kingdom. England remained neutral, despite persistent interest in mediating the conflict, with no such plan ever fully undertaken. Thus Slidell encountered little diplomatic success, though he generated sympathetic connections through French society. After the war, Slidell, as well as Mason, aided exiled Confederate officials leaving the U.S. settle in France and England.

Photograph by Julian Vannerson

Photograph originally in 'McClees' gallery of photographic portraits of the senators, representatives & delegates of the thirty-fifth Congress... Washington: McClees & Beck, [1859], page 186.'

Digitized by the Library of Congress

1859

No known restrictions on publication.

English

Still Image

Half-Portrait Photograph