One, John Slidell, was accredited to France, while the other, James Mason, was a representative of Great Britain.  
In January 1862 two men were released from prison by order of Secretary of State Seward.  One, John Slidell, was accredited to France, while the other, James Mason, was a representative of Great Britain.  They were taken prisoner in the first place because they were known commissioners of the Confederacy.  For ten points, Union Captain Charles Wilkes of the ship San Jacinto captured Mason and Slidell from what British mail steamer, causing a rift in American and British relations?
In January 1862 two men were released from prison by order of Secretary of State Seward.  
Trent Affair