Mayorga to Robeson, November 29, 1871

Mr. Mayorga to Mr. Robeson,

Sir: I beg respectfully to inform you that I have received information from Port an Prince, Hayti, to the effect that my steamer Hornet is closely watched and blockaded by a Spanish man-of-war, whose officers have openly threatened to seize her as soon as she leaves said port. Under these circumstances, and as it now becomes necessary in the way of business for that vessel to leave said port and to enter upon another voyage, I am compelled to make you Known of the fact, that the conduct of the Spaniards is alarment, and inflicts the same injury as an actual seizure of the vessel, since it being prevented from leaving said port, she becomes useless for trade, and entails, besides, making great and profitless expenses.

I must, therefore, respectfully request you to inform me at an early day whether I can rely on the protection of the American Navy to enable the Hornet to leave Port au Prince, or whether, such protection being refused, I am to be thrown on my next and only available resource of giving up the vessel into the hands of the Spaniards, and standing on my rights as an American citizen for the enforcement of my claim for damages against Spain.

Trusting your honor will not misconstrue my expressions, I mean no threatening nor disrespectful language. But your honor will readily perceive the situation I am in, and being under the apprehension of great pecuniary loss, I desire to know what is the status of my interest before the government so as to guide my action.

It seems to me impossible that the United States Government can allow this state of things to continue. The Spaniards, by abstaining from an actual seizure of my vessel, seek to elude the interference of the United States Government; by blockading her they inflict the same, if not, as it may turn out, a greater injury. If this has no redress, it will be to my advantage to abandon the vessel. An early reply will oblige, sir,

Your obedient servant,