Robeson to I hereby agree and assent to this proposition, and all the terms and conditions thereof. J. M. MAYORGA. December 21, 1871, December 21, 1871

Mr. Robeson to Mr. Mayorga.

Sir: Referring to your letter of the 29th November, in regard to the steamer Hornet, and your personal representations upon the same subject-matter, to the effect that your only wish is that the vessel shall be allowed to proceed on a peaceful and lawful voyage to the United States, but that you are fearful of her seizure by Spanish cruisers in the event of her attempting such voyage, I beg to say that while the Department is not able, with the means at its command, nor willing, as a matter of public duty, to detail a naval vessel merely for the purpose of standing guard over and protecting your ship on all occasions and under all circumstances when you may conceive her to be in danger, yet, as you represent her now to be in effect blockaded “in the harbor of Port au Prince, I am willing, if you are also willing and consent to such action, to send a United States vessel of war to Port au Prince to bring your steamer Hornet out of the harbor, and into some convenient port of the United States, either Baltimore or New York, as the commander of the United States ship may find most convenient: provided your ship will be ready to sail from Port an Prince in twenty-five days from this date, and the United States vessel be not detained in that port on this duty more than three days beyond that time, it being understood and agreed that if the Hornet be not in all respects ready for sea at the date last mentioned, the commander of the United States ship shall be authorized to put a sufficient number of men and officers on board of her, and himself to bring her to the United States as aforesaid, and that in any event the Hornet shall be at all times, during the voyage from Port au Prince, and until she is brought into the United States harbor as aforesaid, under the general direction and control of the officer commanding the United States ship for the purpose aforesaid, the United States to assume no marine risks, however. This proposition is made to give you direct and actual relief from the situation in which you claim you are placed, and to remove your ship from its present position as a possible cause of irritation between the United States and any other power, but is in no way to operate as any release to the Hornet or her owners from any obligations or liabilities to which she or they may be legally subject or liable in the United States or elsewhere.

Yours, &c,