Slidell, John, 1793-1871

American lawyer and politician.

Slidell was a Louisiana lawyer and politician who served in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, and as Confederate agent to France whose capture sparked the Trent affair.

American politician and diplomat.

John Slidell was a Louisiana politician, lawyer, and businessman. A native of New York, he graduated from Columbia University and worked in the mercantile business in New York City before relocating to New Orleans, La., where he practiced law and served as district attorney of the city. Elected to the United States House in 1842 as a Democrat, Slidell was appointed as minister plenipotentiary to Mexico by President James Polk. Slidell was elected to the Senate in 1853 and cast his lot with other pro-Southern congressmen to repeal the Missouri Compromise, acquire Cuba, and admit Kansas to the Union. During the U.S. Civil War Slidell represented the Confederacy to France and was one of two Confederate diplomats involved in the Trent Affair. After the Civil War Slidell moved to Paris, France. He died in England on the Isle of Wight.