Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1839-06-28
HAVANA, June 8, 1899.

JAMES G. BENNETT, Esq:
have received your Herald Of the ll'h and 18th
ult for which permit to be much obliged. The
information given in general is great; but more par
ticuarly that Of the Anniversaries. Yet alter all,
having lived so long among people who have none
Of those bic sings almost inclined to think that
the ssword is governed too much" For instance,
here have politicians, but the ship OF State Is
manned and governed by a set Of people whose OH
GERS are either hereditary or of royal appointment
OF course we have caucussings, nor do We even
attempt to mend the royal mandates. IL any one
wishes for Office he must endeavort TO get either
through some powerful friend ar NO that shining
pow cfrui agent, through some influential mnister
and as our Queen requires votes, think she dis
penses her favors equally than your President
In religion have only one and that must be atten-
dcd to by its cergymen IN public. Our laws allow
of no meetings of any societies for the promotion
Of religion, reform, temperance, or even the seventh
commandment. In fact each reforms himself,
and this is IS il ought be, for il each would do
in your country, there would be no need OF these
societies There is no law, however, against any
man or woman addressing the Supreme Being in his
or her own way at home-or against being retired,
temperate, or as chaste as one pleascs. The chur.
ches are open daily and ven may 90 o let il alone.
There is only true religion, which Is based on
the golden rule like the Catholic; but in my opinion
so much fanatcism has crept IN, and particularly
IN the United States, that better way there would
be 10 do away with all sectaran principles and begin
anew. Many millions OF volumes might be burnt;
when writing the whole duty Of man toward his
Maker, and toward his fellow men, on less paper
than this letter contains and putting IN Practice
reformation would greater than has been known
in the world up t. the present time.
In regard to temperance we are all temperate
here except foreigners. Some sixteen years have
lived an this island, and have never seen but two
drunken Spaniards There was imported into this
city last year 800, 100 gallons Of winc which Is the
prime pal drink Of this people, and the most Of this
comes from Spain it is pure, and not mixed, as in
your city, with New England rum, whiskey, scoke
berries &c. do not believe pure wine, taken mo-
derately. hrrts any one, particularly il taken ia
Iig IL he r..1C
81 all costing, sy the cask, some six cents per bot
tie; my first coming here used TO take from two
t. four glasses Of brandy rum and water daily, but
found IL did me no good, and without any friend
urging me 10 Join temperance society, left II oil
gradually, and now do not take glass 81 distilled
liquors once a month; with my dinner use about
one.fosrth TO half bottle Of pure Spanish claret
diluted with water. and when thirsty drink lemo-
made, orange water, orgcat. Ga liquor like milk
made from Almonds aud ice water. The best bitters
in the mornin. Is either cup ~ good coffee or
large glass Of milk fresh from the cows this last
luxury think YOU do not have in New York. but
here cows driven nto the city before daylight;
the climate induces one TO rise early, end glass 81
milk can be had taken from the animal 10 your pre-
Thus you see that man is the osy brute that makes
brute ofhimsclf by drinking 10 and although
think the temperance society has done much good,
vet a. | before observed, ii each one would take
upon himself to correct his habits, there would be
no need of any thing in the shape Of societies for
form. We have had the name 81 beng lIcentious,
but do not bcUeve we are more Nlthed lhan YOU
are in New-York. AZ any rate we do not make such
aconfounded noise about IL as you do there
This city contains 100000 Inhabitants, and there
is none &C that theving, robbing, hoase.breakng,
knocking down and dragging out, you boast Oft -
quiet and peacable. We some times have masque-
rades three nights in succession. in which all the
white population who inclined, Join, without any
actidert happening 70 mar their mirth People are
too law to break into houses, and having fire insu
RANGES, are not inclined 10 burn them. In fact We
are a peaccable people, and religious people, in our
own way, and the best Of II all -, government will
not allow us to have publicly, but one way. This
is Of our being quiet, chas,e temperate,
&C.
The priests will not let us have the bible printed
In the Spanish tongue. person Of my acquaintance
brought some here-thev wero detained al the Gus
tom House. and there was some talk 81 burning them
and him together; but alter while he was allowed
10 send them again to New York. There Is law
prohibiting the introduction Of all books, pamphlets,
and bills of exchange and bills Of ading printed,
ina foreign country in the Spanish language This, u
presume, In order to keep oat abolition tracts that
might BE- sent from England and the United states 70