Bassett to Captain Davenport, January 16, 1872

Mr. Bassett to Captain Davenport.

Sir: In acknowledging the receipt of your communication of this date, in which> referring to the steamer Hornet, you do me the honor to ask information as to the departure of the Spanish men-of-war that have so long maintained a quasi state of blockade of that steamer here, defining your purpose to convoy her to Baltimore, and ask me also for any suggestion which I may have to make in this regard, I have the honor to state that during the night of the 1st instant a Spanish man-of-war came into this harbor, and, after having communicated with the Churruca, the Spanish gun-boat then and for some months previously here watching the Hornet, immediately put to sea. The Churruca herself left these waters abruptly on the morning of the 2d instant, thus freeing us from the presence of Spanish men-of-war in this harbor for the first time in more than eleven months.* * * *

I am, &c,