Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-08-03
pailp argus.

A LONDON despatch announces the death
of John Shdell, of Louisiana, one OF the
most conspicuous actors on the Southern
side In the late civil war. Mr.. Sidell was
not southern born as was popularity sup.
posed. He was a native of this city, and
was born In 1893. After receiving good
education he entered commercial life here,
but not meeting with the success he expect
ed he removed to New Orleans, stGdied law,
and was admitted to the bar. In the course
of twenty ysars he rose to the head of his
profession in theSou.hwest and became al
80 very influential public man. President
jackson recognized his abilities by appoint
ing him United States District Attorney.
He was frequently elected to the State Leg
islsture and vas Q Representive in Congress
from lS43 to l845. just before the out
break of the Mexican war in 1916 he was
sent by President Polk as envoy extraordin-
airy and minister pleni potentiary to Mexico,
to attempt the settlement of the questions
in dispute between the two countries. The
Mexicsns were Incorporating, however,
and he returned from his fruitless errand in
q few months. The Mexican war followed.
In 1853 Mr. Slidell was chosen United
States Senator for the unex PRED term of
Minister to Spain, and he was afterwards re-
elected for six years. He was not free
quent speaker in the Senate, but he served
on important committees, and exerted great
influence. President Buchanan offered
him the mission to France, which he declin-
ed. During the exciting sessions proceed
ing the great crisis of 1861 Senator Sldell
was an earnest partisan of the extreme
Southern or secession party. He declared
for withdrawal from the moment of Mr..
Lipcoln's election, and retired himself from
the Senate on the 4th February 1861, with
his colleague. On Withdrawing he made q
vigorous speech, threatening that the great
powers of EuroPe would break the "paper
blockade" on the Southern coast. In the
autumn of 1861 he was appointed BY
the Confederate President one of the
commissioners from the seeded States to
the European powers, and in company with
his colleague, MIR. John NJ. Msson, of Viz
gin!a, embarked at Charleston, and ran the
| blockade to Havana. la this port the com
missioners took passage for England in the
! British mail steamship Trent. On the 6tt
of November Captain Wilkes, of the United
States steam frigste Jan Jacinto boarded
the vessel, arrested both commissioners anC
their secretaries, and conveyed them to For
Warren in Boston Harbor, where they were
i'm risoned. The affair caused intense ex
element both in this country and Eng
and almost led to a war Secretary Wele
wrote letter of thanks to Captain Wilkes
and the House of Representatives passed ,
series of resolutions to the same effect Blu
Lord Psimerston made a peremptory &c
mand for the restoration of the prisoners
and Secretary Seward at length consented
to their surrender, though not without al
angry protest from the people. Publ,
opinion has since justified his action, as i
is evident that the seizure was untenable il
view of inter national law, and warlike com
plications with foreign power at the crit
cal period in the nations history were ex
eeedingly undesirable The com missioner
we're surrendered to Lord Lyons January
1862, and arrived in England a forsnigh
afterwards, but were not officially received
BY the British government Mr.. Sideli wen
to France to reside, and, it is understood
speedily attained great influence over tn
Emperor Napoleon. He was q frequen
guest of the Tu'leries and St, Cloud, AM
was admitted to terms of confidential init
macy. There is no question that he hs
much TO do with the shaping of the Empe
ror's Mexican policy, and his evident read
ness TO recognize Southern independence i
concert with Great Britain After the clos
of the civil war Mr.. Slidell continued to re
side in Paris. His daughter married
wealthy banker of that city ard became on
of the leaders in the fashionable world.
has been represented that Mr. Slidell wa
latterly engaged in some heavy fnancis
speculations with his son-in-lRw.