Haitian steam warship Salnave seized French merchant ships according to the Dutch newspaper De Curacaosche courant dated 20 February 1869

An item referred to tidings dated Havana, Cuba 31st January reporting that the steam warship Salnave of Haiti captured two French merchant ships in the have of St. Marc while they run the blockade. The French admiral forced the Haitian government to return the vessels while the blockaded of the Haitian coast. The appearance of a warships now and then in a harbour was not a blockade and so they were not allowed to seize ships in a harbour if Haiti could not secure a blockade.