What was the outcome for the captured diplomats during the Trent Affair?

The captured diplomats during the Trent Affair were released after President Lincoln ordered their release. This incident involved the U.S. Navy capturing two Confederate diplomats, James Mason and John Slidell, who were traveling on the British mail ship, the Trent. The British government was outraged by the seizure of the diplomats, which they viewed as a violation of neutrality and British rights.

Lincoln recognized the delicate situation and the potential for a diplomatic crisis with Britain, which could have escalated into war. By choosing to release Mason and Slidell, Lincoln aimed to appease British public opinion and maintain diplomatic relations, prioritizing the Union's strategic interests over the immediate military gain of capturing these Confederate representatives. The resolution of the Trent Affair demonstrated Lincoln's careful approach to foreign relations during a critical time in the Civil War.