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John Slidell letters

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John Slidell letters

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Title: John Slidell letters, 1842-1865

ID: LaRC/Manuscripts Collection M-151

Primary Creator: Slidell, John, 1793-1871.

Extent: 1.0 Folders

Arrangement: Collection is arranged chronologically with transcripts in one folder.

Date Acquired: 00/00/1954

Subjects: Benjamin, J. P. (Judah Philip), 1811-1884., Confederate States of America -- Foreign relations -- France., Confederate States of America -- Foreign relations -- Mexico., Confederate States of America -- History., Mint of the United States., Napoleon III, Emperor of the French, 1808-1873., Slidell, John, 1793-1871., Tyler, John, 1790-1862., Walker, Robert J. (Robert John), 1801-1869.

Forms of Material: Letters (correspondence)

Languages: English

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.

John Slidell (1793-1871) was a United States Representative and Senator representing Louisiana. During the Civil War, Slidell served a diplomatic appointment to represent the Confederacy in France. His mission to gain recognition of the Confederate States by France failed, as did his effort to negotiate a commercial agreement. France refused to move without the cooperation of England.

Repository: Louisiana Research Collection

Access Restrictions: Collection is open to the public. Due to fragility of the original item, patrons are asked to use the digital file. If access to the original is required, please make arrangements with a LaRC staff member.

Use Restrictions: Physical rights are retained by the Louisiana Research Collection. Copyright is retained in accordance with U.S. copyright laws.

Preferred Citation: John Slidell letters, Manuscripts Collection M-151, Louisiana Research Collection, Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118.

Processing Information: Collection processed in 1955.

Finding Aid Revision History: Finding aid information entered in Archon by LAC Group in 2011.