1872-December-31: Following two years of intermittent inquiry, Secretary Fish formally rejected Haiti’s claim to Navassa.

1872-December-31: Following two years of intermittent inquiry, Secretary Fish formally rejected Haiti’s claim to Navassa. Fish contended that he could find no evidence that Spain, France, or Haiti had ever exercised “actual occupation” or jurisdiction over the island before 1857. Although Minister Preston submitted a lengthy memoir attempting to prove Haiti’s historic title, Fish remained firm, insisting that the U.S. would continue to protect the American citizens possessing and occupying the island for its guano resources. This dispute would remain a point of contention in bilateral relations for several decades.