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I. 'Like a Clap of Thunder from a Clear Sky'



“There’s a good time coming, boys,
A good time coming,
A good time coming;
War in all mens eyes shall be
A monster of iniquity.
In the good time coming.
Nations shall not quarrel then,
To prove which is the stronger;
Nor slaughter men for glory’s sake;
Wait a little longer.” - Stephen Foster, "There's a Good Time Coming"





Mr. Marcy to Mr. Robertson.

Department of State,

Washington, March 1. 1854,​


Sir: The announcement that the American seamen in whose behalf you have so strenuously exerted yourself have been denied exoneration, is most displeasing to hear. Be not disheartened, though, as M. Soulé is hard at work with Her Highness' Government to taking care that their freedom, as destitute American seamen, is promptly secured.

I am, sir, &c.,​

W. L. Marcy​



-W. H. Robertson, Esq.,

Acting United States Consul, Havana.


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Mr. Robertson to Mr. Marcy.​

Consulate of the United States,

March 6, 1854


Sir: Captain Bullock, of the steamship Black Warrior, becoming impatient, as he has a large number of officers and men on his hands at a very heavy expense, and was ignorant of the real charges of complaint that justified the proceedings against him and his ship, made a memorial to the Governor and Captain General, praying that himself , his officers and crew, should be permitted to leave Havana, as they are expected in New Orleans, and New York after. He is requesting a statement of the case, that he may report to his owners. Said memorial, at the captian's request, was denied by the Governor General of Cuba. Last evening I received a reply, of which the document herewith enclosed is a translation.
I have the honor to be, sir, with great respect, your very obedient servant.

WM. H. Robertson, Acting Consul.

Hon. Wm. L. Marcy,​
Secertary of State of the United States.


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[Translation]​



[L. S.]

Ever Faithful Island of Cuba – Office of the Governor and Captain General, Political Secretary's Office, Section Fifth.



The jurist to whom belongs the judicial investigation of the case of the steamer Black Warrior, has just reported to me as follows:
“Most Excellent Sir: The assessor ( legal adviser) has just dispatched the process that the preceding petition refers to, advising your excellency in it that the same shall return to the hands of the 'fiscal,' to whom belongs, as the representative of the royal exchequer, to plead the rights of the same; consequently, no decision has yet pronounced that is to be communicated to the captain of the steamer detained, and by him, spontaneously abandoned; so that the persons of the crew of said steamer, being in the enjoyment of their liberty, can make use of it as they may choose either to remain in or leave this country, your excellency's permission being first obtained. But in regard to the process, it is necessary to go through the opportune proceedings before pronouncing the proper resolution, to the results of which must remain subjected the captain of the steamer ; giving to that end the necessary guarantee, as he should be made to understand.“

And, in conformity with his report, I transfer the same to your lordship for your information, and in reply to your communication of this date; in the understanding that, as your lordship will perceive, the officers and crew of said steamer are at liberty to transfer themselves where they please; but not so of Captain Bullock, for the reasons already expressed.

God preserve your lordship many years.
Havana, March 5, 1854.

El Marqis de la Pezuela.
To the Counsul of the United States in this city.


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Mr. Robertson to Mr. Marcy.​

Consulate of the United States,

March 14, 1854​



Sir: Enclosed herewith you will find a copy, with translation, of an official letter from the Captain General of Cuba. Orders were given by the collector of customs in regards to the “Black Warrior,” restoring to the owners the said steamer and her cargo, although, the orders enclosed and translated were rescinded by the Captain General and Governor of Cuba. A physical altercation took place between the crew of the Black Warrior and a Spanish soldier escorting said crew to the steamer, thereafter the altercation took a deadly turn. Captain Bullock and a small portion of his crew are shot dead. The steamer Fulton(where Bullock and crew were residing) and her own crew have begun to open fire on the Spanish soldiers in port, and I myself have been ordered to meet with the Captain General. This very well may be the last you hear from me. If that is indeed so, I apologise for my failure.




WM. H. Robertson, Acting Consul.​

Hon. Wm. L. Marcy,

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[Translation]


[L. S.]

Ever Faithful Island of Cuba – Office of the Governor and Captain General, Political Secretary's Office, Section Fifth.



I was at one time, willing, with good conscious, to allow the crew of the steamship Black Warrior, leave the port city of Havana, and the island of Cuba itself, with a slight change to the original fine of $6,529, and with conditions that they return items that did not appear on said vessel's manifest. Unfortunately, I now do say that is impossible. The crew of the steamer vessel Black Warrior attacked Spanish citizens in the streets of Havana as they were being escorted to the ship in which they arrived weeks before. The crew of the Fulton have committed crimes against the Captaincy General of Cuba, and therefore have committed crimes against the Spanish Empire. I have warned the Fulton that any attempt to leave the port of Havana will end in the ship's destruction, as there are weapons at mine own disposal that can dispatch a ship of the Fulton's size and dispose that ship quickly. The Consul William Robertson will hereby be detained, and await extradition to your United States, though he may not leave until the removal of a hostile ship residing in our own port. More of my soldiers have been killed attempting to bring these sailors of yours to see justice as would be given by the courts in Havana. Any more attempts to halt the justice of the courts shall be met with justice of the sword.

Havana, March 14, 1854.

El Marquis de la Pezuela.​

To the Consul of the United States in this city.





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Mr. Soulé to Mr. Marcy.​

U.S. Minister to Spain of the United States,​

March 18, 1854​



Sir: Although I have attempted to bring reason to the Spanish who have, in the name of their Governor of Cuba, in grievous error, taken it upon themselves to bring destruction to the steamship Fulton, and her crews(The crew of the Black Warrior also.)they will not relent in their claims that 'Spanish blood is stained upon American hands'. I have arrived at the conclusion, and am thoroughly convinced, that a state of war may soon exist between the Empire of Spain and our United States. I firmly believe as well that, in the progress of human events, the time has arrived when the vital interests of those United States are at hand. Under these circumstances we cannot anticipate a failure, unless possibly through the malign influence of foreign powers who possess no right whatsoever to interfere in the matter.

May I be so bold as to say, sir, that Spain's current financial state cannot withstand a war of the likes we could give to her.



In regards to some who may be anxious in the face of the word 'war' I would tell them this: We know that the President is justly inflexible in his determination to execute the neutrality laws; but should any other nation face the grievous injustice we have received from the Spanish Empire, no human power could prevent citizens the United States, those patriotic men of our country, from rushing forward in our republic's defense.

There was never so much merit in war as there is in this instance, I assure you of this face, and it is indeed a fact. Please inform his excellency, the President, of things as they are now in regards to Spain.


Pierre Soulé, U.S. Minister to Spain.
To the Secretary of State of the United States​
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