[163] Warrant for the arrest of the Hornet.
United States of America,
State of North Carolina:
To the United States marshal for the district of North Carolina, or his lawful deputy:
Whereas information, upon oath, has been made by Denard Rumley to me, Allen Rutherford, United States commissioner, that the steamer Lady Sterling, alias Hornet and Cuba, or by whatever name called, has been fitted out and armed within the limits of the United States, and is now engaged in taking in coal and supplies in the Cape Fear River, at or near Smithville, North Carolina, for the purpose and with intent to commit hostilities against the subjects and property of Spain, with whom the United States are at peace, and particularly that the said steamer, her officers and crew, are fitted out, armed, and organized with intent to commit hostilities against the people and property of the island of Cuba in said island and upon the high seas, as a privateer;
These are, therefore, to command you, in the name of the President of the United States, to summon such force as may be necessary, and to seize, arrest, and detain in your custody the steamer Lady Sterling, alias Hornet and Cuba, or by whatever name called, so that you have it, and there before me to answer the charge of violating section 3 of the neutrality laws of the United States approved April 20, 1818, within the time prescribed by at Wilmington, in the State of North Carolina. Herein fail not.
United States Commissioner, District of North Carolina.