John Slidell letters, 1842-1865 | Louisiana Research Collection

Scope and Contents: The collection consists of two letters written by John Slidell. In the first, written 1842 December 2 from New Orleans to Senator Robert J. Walker in Washington, Slidell asks Walker to use his influence with President Tyler for the retention of Kennedy, the incumbent, as Superintendent of the Mint in New Orleans. Slidell states that, Carpenter, whose nomination as Superintendent is before the Senate, is a decided Whig. He also mentions that the President's apparent change of policy and assures Walker that Louisiana will support him in the presidential election whoever may be nominated by the democratic convention. There is no choice between Van Buren and Calhoun. The second letter, dated 1865 March 15, was written by John Slidell in Paris to the Honorable J.P. Benjamin, Secretary of State, describing his interview on March 5 with the Emperor relative to the failure of France to recognize Confederate States. The Emperor states that he was ready in cooperation with England to recognize them, but England had evaded or rejected all overtures to that effect; he could not, without allies, engage in a war with the United States. He mentions a rumor, which Slidell denies, that the Confederate States favor a hostile movement against Mexico. The letter also mentions Mason and Mann, the former's visit to Lord Palmerston, and Gwin's colonization project in Mexico. Includes transcriptions.