The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-02-09
THE CITY OF HAVANA.


~,.s.zxr..x~asczEx7~zexrrR
THE CITY OF HAVANA.
II was on beautiful afternoon that we
approached close to the rocky coast OF Gu
ba, and distinctly saw the towers OF Havana,
its capital city. The rainy season OF the
tropics had recently terminated, and the SKY
was brilliant, the air balmy, and the face OF
nature glowing with the richest and most
varied hues. 1t blew fresh and steady
breeze-dark heecy masses of clouds often
obscured the sun for few moments, and
dashed forth impetuous but transitory show
crs, as they were hurried along the face OF
Heaven. When they passed OFT, sunshine
and glorious rainbow would succeed, ana
we could discover their shadows flying over
the groves and fields of the island, and plung-
inr into the valleys, and envelopeing the tops
of the distant hills. Lofty cocoa-nut trees
grew along the shore, and negro huts reared
their humble roofs among the brushwood in
various directions. Some were situated IN
the midst of small cultivated spots, and o.
theirs on the outskirts of tracts OF land, in
tended for coffee and sugar plantations,
observed boats of an uncommon form sailing
close to the beach, and padding up little
creeks that intcrsected it. Birds OF radiant
plumage and strange notes. fiuttered around
our ship the bree2cs were loaded with
dense and exotic fragrance, such as had
never felt before, and every thing saw
told me that had reached new and pecu-
liar Cline We continued our course par
allel with the coast, till we reached the
mouth of the Havana harbour, which we en-
tered amidst the pcturesquencss OF splen-
did sunset.
The city of Havana lies near the western
extremity of Cuba its fine harbour, exten-
sive trade, prodigious wealth, and great
population, render it the most important and
interesting town in the West Indies, and
the key of the rich and noble island on
which it is situated. Havana is fortified
in such manner as to be impregnable, ex-
cept at its back part, which however, Is ac-
cessible only by a circuitous route through
the woods. In 1862 the city was taken by
! Lord Albemarle, after siege OF twenty-nlne
days; but several new batteries have been
erected since that time, and 1t now seems
doubtful whether an enemy could get pos
session oft, except by treachery.
The entrance to the harbour is defended
| by two forts and is so narrow that not more
than one vessel eau pass at time. Ihe fort
on the east side is named the Moro, and that
on the west the Panta, and both mount a
large number of heavy guns, and completely
command the adjacent seas. On the top OF
the former is lighthouse and watch tower
in which person stands from sunset to sun
rise, and halls every vessel that approaches
demanding of what nation she is, whence
she comes, and of what her cargo consists;
and any ship-master who does not hoist his
flag. or refuses to answer these questions, Is
fired upon and severely fned.-Formerly
during war very strong iron chain was
drawn across the mouth of the harbour anc
the stanchions to which its extremitIes
were attached, still remain.
On rounding the Moro-Castle, and enter
ing the harbour, an interesting scene pre-
, sents itself. In front, enc sees forest
masts, surmounted with the Hags OF all ma
tions and vessels of every description, from
the shlp of war to the coasting sloop, lie a
anchor around him. On one side IL higi
: ridp,. of rocks, crowded with formidable bat
teries, extends along the waters edge; ant
an the other are clusters of houses eancifull
PAINTED and adorned with verandas, terrace
and balconies; where groups of Spanish la
dies sit enjoying the sea breeze, and slave
, stroll idly, awaiting their masters CALL
little way off the antique towers OF a con
vent rise. with sober majesty, and in the dis
tance. snires of various architecture projec
intothe clear, balmy atmosphereabove, Will
the deep tolling of their bells comes upo
the ear with varying loudness. Small boat
with paintedSawnings glide about in ever
, direction, conveying people to and from I'll
different vessels; and the snatches OF oaroa
rous Spanirds which reach the ear as the
pass and re-pass, forcibly remind the stran
ger that he is in a foreign land. But tn
=, vessel in which he is passenger has scarce
= " time to let down her anchor, before tn
:. custom house barge, decorated with the ma
tional flag, and manned by ten rowers' come
along side. Her commander steps on boart
!. and REQUESTS the manifest and a list OF TIL
! crew. talks broken English, asks the late: