Hornet incident
The Hornet incident was an 1871 diplomatic incident involving Spain, Haiti, and the United States. In January 1871, at the height of the Ten Years' War between Spain and independence-seeking Cubans, the "Hornet", a small steamer flying the flag of the United States, arrived at Port-au-Prince, hotly pursued by two Spanish men-of-war. At that time the American Navy was not as formidable as it was in 1898. The "Hornet" was charged with being a pirate and with having on board contraband of war intended for the Cuban insurgents. The Spaniards, therefore, demanded that  the "Hornet" be given up to them. The United States Minister immediately interposed, declaring that the "Hornet" was a bonafide American steamer. For this reason, Haiti refused to deliver the ship, remaining firm in this decision despite the presence of the Spanish men-of-war in the harbor of Port-au-Prince and open threats made by Spain's representative. The Spanish Consul went so far as to address an ultimatum to the Haitian Secretary of Foreign Affairs on October 5, 1871, demanding the delivery of the "Hornet" within twenty-four hours. The dispute was assuming a very threatening aspect  for Haiti when the United States decided to relieve that country of all further responsibility in the matter. In consequence, the man-of-war "Congress" was dispatched to Port-au-Prince, with instructions to convoy the "Hornet" either to Baltimore or to New York. This steamer eventually left Port-au-Prince in January 1872, which put an end to the controversy between Haiti and Spain.