Haitian warships according to the Dutch government newspaper Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 12 January 1843

This official Dutch government newspaper reported that recently became known that a corvette flying Haitian colours captured several Spanish ships and that the governor of Cuba sent some warships to end these hostile acts. According to the item recognized the European countries the republic Haiti as an independent nation  with the expressive condition that she was never allowed to fit out any warships. During several years she respected this condition but suddenly it seemed to be forgotten while a frigate of corvette bought in the United States was fitted out by the republic. The commanding officer at the British station in that area (Antilles) sir James Yeo prevented however that this frigate was used. As soon as she left the harbour she was pursued by the British navy and attacked causing a lot of Haitian sailors killed and she was forced to return to the harbour. She was heavily damaged and not able to sail again and she was since then neglected and declined.

Recently fitted Haiti however again a corvette out without anyone noticing it despite the British watching carefully these waters. Caused by heavy weather the corvette was forced to enter one of the harbours on the Spanish island Puerto Rico and seized by the Spanish government and declared prize. Haiti immediately fitted out a new vessel and this was the vessel that captured 3 Spanish ships off Santander. The captain general of the Spanish Antilles don Geronimo Valdez received the tidings of this capture and ordered a frigate, a corvette and a armed steamboat which were at his disposal to join the ships at the station of Puerto Rico and to go towards Haiti .The complete strength of this squadron would consist of a 50 gun frigate, 1 corvette, 3 brigs, 2 steamboats and several smaller vessels against one Haitian corvette. It was a long time ago according to the Dutch newspaper that Spain fitted outs such a large squadron elsewhere.