Pierre Soulé

Pierre Soulé (French: [pjɛʁ sule]; August 31, 1801 – March 26, 1870) was a French-born American attorney, politician, and diplomat in the mid-19th century. Serving as a U.S. Senator from Louisiana from 1849 to 1853, he was nominated that year as U.S. Minister to Spain, a post that he held until 1855.

He is likely best known for his role in writing the 1854 Ostend Manifesto, part of an attempt by Southern slaveholders to gain support for the U.S. to annex Cuba to the United States. Some Southern planters wanted to expand their territory to the Caribbean and into Central America. The Manifesto was roundly denounced, especially by anti-slavery elements, and Soulé was personally criticized for violating his diplomatic role.

Born and raised in southwest France, Soulé was exiled for revolutionary activities. He moved to Great Britain and then the United States, where he settled in New Orleans, became an attorney, and entered politics.