Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1827-05-29
From The Ne,o York Daily advertiser.
CUBA IN 1827.-LETTER Nv.

The rock on which the Moro stands is of the same,
and is very high This place is supposed to be one
ct the strongest in the world Nature has given it
base OF nearly an hundred feet above the sea- in ad
dpion to what art has effected. Indeed, the former
has done most of the work. The Moro, can mount
from 200 to $50 guns-at present it sgarrisoned by
about 500 troops. On the top of the immense rock
already mentioned, is the light house, elevated
considerable distance above the highest part of the
iortlfication. At times in the winter when the
North wind blows, the sea is so heavy as to reach
1t. and as the rock projects far into the water an
occurrence of this kind produces scene of uncom-
mon sublimity and grandeur.
Immediately behind this is the Cabana little
stronger fortificaton. elevated sufficiently above it
TO command it. This place can contain from 600
to 700 pieces of artillery and garrison 10000 SOL
ders. At present there are but five companies or
800 troops. Fort Principe also is capable of gar
rlsonlng from 600 to 500 men. Another Fort called
" No. Four" situated at the head of the bay, on
commanding eminence, can garrison 800 troops.
The APOSTLES, directly at the foot of the Moro,
and would itself command the entrance into the
harbour-and if, in addition to Theses the forts at the
Punta, opposite. be taken into the account, it will
be seen that Havana has the means of making most
powerful resistance against any invader, should there
be internal peace and harmony.
There are in and about Havana, 1900 troops, all
of whom have been sent from Spain. They are well
month for wages. from which are usually deducted
about IS for their uniform. SC. They have been
sent from pin for various causes. some because
they are faithful. and some because they had fought
for the constitution The fir, year Of their arrival
they are US ally subject 10 the fever aud no small
number fall thus sacrificed. Spain however, must
/ have Spanish soldiers. as she can never trust the
islanders, and ferdinand has Disseminated regi
ment Cuba affords good place for tomb 1t is
supposed that 10000 soldiers might be raised in the
island. in case of union and emergency. But so
! great is the apprehension of the Government to-
ward the natives. during the past winter, 1T was
found necessary to send large body of troops from
| Havana to Matanzas, because they were command
ed by Cuban officers.
The troops parade every day. either in the Plaza
de Armas or estramaros. Their common dress is
white coarse linen. with black cloth cap and vel
low tassels Their full uniform. however. is a eath-
er cap with leather, blue cloth coat. and white
trowsers laced with white and plated buttons they
are always remarkably clean. Com w. OF the
u. States Navy, told me that he never saw finer
troops nor did he think If possible to drill men more
perfectly. Some of the other officers found, did
not concur entirely with the Commodore. as to their
ability to withstand charge of British force of equal
number inasmuch as in mass, they not as stout
men the latter.
AS to the ability Of foreign power to take Havana
there is great difference Of opinion. The troops
own country against their will, might. in case of ar
instruction, either join with the rebels. If foreign
power should csme, or might create such discomfort
as TO render the efforts of their officers unavaiIlng
IT, in addition to this. the dissatisfaction and jea
lousy of the natives be considered, it will appea
possible, that without much expense, either OF trea
:. sure or blood, Havana might fall The Cabani
: being commanded by an eminence within distance
might possibly be taken, and then the Moro mus
= fall. as we'll as the other forrcsses The walls
the city would be protection, as the houses Out
on side would completely shelter the approach OF be
M segers. BY cutting off the supplies of the city 10
=, provisions and water, 1.-THE work of an hour an
IL driving the inhabitants of the suburbs within tn
ne walls, famine must inevitably follow-and to tamln
on captuation The climate, so fatal to foreigners {
the north is less SO TO Spaniars. from the mothe
country /; and hence, in this respect, there Woui
be no advantage to the latter. Should Havana fal
Cuba becomes an easy prey. The English coul
probably take it as easily as they did in l762.
At that time the Eaglish forces fitted out to
,nanti Of the earle of Albemarle. Their number wa
lOO9O. The fleet was entrusted to Admiral Pt
cocke and consisted of 10 ships of the line, IL fr
rates, and $50 transports. They mored IN sight Q
the Qualifications on the 10th June. l76e. Oppose
to this were in the harbor, IA Spanish ships OF til
line A post was seized on the high ground aireaa
mentioned, although in consequence OF hghtness
the earth this was effected with infinite difficulty
The soldiers and sailors were obliged to drag tn
cannon up the declvity on the east Of the preser
Cabanas, and being exposed to the heat OF the burr
ling sun, many of them dropped down dead. In
batteries were finally opened The garrison, IN a
tempting to destroy them, had been repulsed wit
great slaughter: but the principal battery took fir
accidentally, and thus the labor Of 1000 Of the bt
siegers was lost in few hours. Two thirds OF tn
soldiers and sailors had by this time become unfit io
service, yet the besiegers pressed on, and MN
Having been sprung, which threw down part of tn