Pierre Soulé
Encyclopedia
Pierre Soulé was a U.S.
politician and diplomat from Louisiana
during the mid-19th century. He is best known for his role in writing the Ostend Manifesto
, which was written in 1854 as part of an attempt to annex Cuba
to the United States. The Manifesto was roundly denounced, especially by anti-slavery elements, and Soulé himself came under severe attack.
Soulé was born in Castillon-en-Couserans
, a village in the French Pyrénées
. He was exiled from France for revolutionary activities, allowed to return, then imprisoned several years later for his continued opposition to the government. In 1825 he escaped prison, and fled first to Great Britain
, then to Haiti
, and finally to the United States, where he settled down in New Orleans and became a lawyer.
In 1847, Soulé sat briefly in the United States Senate
as a Democrat
. He returned to the Senate from 1849 to 1853. He then resigned to take an appointment as U.S. Minister to Spain
, a post he held until 1855.
Soulé opposed Southern secession
before the American Civil War
, but supported his state, Louisiana
, after the war began. In 1861, he supported the organization of the Allen Rifles and gave an impassioned speech at a big barbecue in Thibodaux
in Lafourche Parish.
On May 18, 1861, Soulé was captured by Federal troops, charged with "plotting treason
against the United States government," and imprisoned in Fort Warren, Massachusetts
. Soulé was able to escape back into Confederate
territory.
After the war ended in 1865, he went into exile in Havana
. He eventually returned, and he died in New Orleans
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician and diplomat from Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
during the mid-19th century. He is best known for his role in writing the Ostend Manifesto
Ostend Manifesto
The Ostend Manifesto was a document written in 1854 that described the rationale for the United States to purchase Cuba from Spain and implied the U.S. should declare war if Spain refused. Cuba's annexation had long been a goal of U.S. expansionists, particularly as the U.S. set its sights...
, which was written in 1854 as part of an attempt to annex Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
to the United States. The Manifesto was roundly denounced, especially by anti-slavery elements, and Soulé himself came under severe attack.
Castillon-en-Couserans
Castillon-en-Couserans is a commune in the Ariège department in southwestern France.Pierre Soulé , U.S. politician and diplomat, was born there.-Population:-References:*...
, a village in the French Pyrénées
Pyrenees
The Pyrenees is a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural border between France and Spain...
. He was exiled from France for revolutionary activities, allowed to return, then imprisoned several years later for his continued opposition to the government. In 1825 he escaped prison, and fled first to Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
, then to Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
, and finally to the United States, where he settled down in New Orleans and became a lawyer.
In 1847, Soulé sat briefly in the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
as a Democrat
History of the United States Democratic Party
The history of the Democratic Party of the United States is an account of the oldest political party in the United States and arguably the oldest democratic party in the world....
. He returned to the Senate from 1849 to 1853. He then resigned to take an appointment as U.S. Minister to Spain
United States Ambassador to Spain
-Ambassadors:*John Jay**Appointed: September 29, 1779**Title: Minister Plenipotentiary**Presented credentials:**Terminated mission: ~May 20, 1782*William Carmichael**Appointed: April 20, 1790**Title: Chargé d'Affaires...
, a post he held until 1855.
Soulé opposed Southern secession
Secession
Secession is the act of withdrawing from an organization, union, or especially a political entity. Threats of secession also can be a strategy for achieving more limited goals.-Secession theory:...
before the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, but supported his state, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, after the war began. In 1861, he supported the organization of the Allen Rifles and gave an impassioned speech at a big barbecue in Thibodaux
Thibodaux, Louisiana
Thibodaux is a small city in and the parish seat of Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, United States, along the banks of Bayou Lafourche in the northwestern part of the parish. The population was 14,431 at the 2000 census. Thibodaux is a principal city of the Houma–Bayou Cane–Thibodaux...
in Lafourche Parish.
On May 18, 1861, Soulé was captured by Federal troops, charged with "plotting treason
Treason
In law, treason is the crime that covers some of the more extreme acts against one's sovereign or nation. Historically, treason also covered the murder of specific social superiors, such as the murder of a husband by his wife. Treason against the king was known as high treason and treason against a...
against the United States government," and imprisoned in Fort Warren, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. Soulé was able to escape back into Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
territory.
After the war ended in 1865, he went into exile in Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
. He eventually returned, and he died in New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
.