The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-05-20
Correspondence of the Heraldl
HAVANA 9Th MAJ 1910


The following letter from correspondent is interest
ing
tCones ponderce of the Herald1
HAVANA, 9TH May, 1872.
To JAMES GORDON BENNETT, Esq
EDITOR THE New ioRK HERALD -
DEAR SRA residence of few months in this
island during the last winter, has enabled Inc to
quire some information respecting Its institutions,
the character of its inhabitants, and their presen,
disposition, which perhaps are too often neglected
by the passing traveller. who, satisfied with the
balmy breezes, the soft climate, and the beautiful
scenery of the . Queen OF the Antias," returns
home after winter In Cuba, knowing rs little OF
the political and social state OF this our nearest
neighbor on the ocean he did when he first ar
rived, even though he might have read the books of
few fanatics who think that, after having abused
the people Tor their customs, and the existence of
slavery, betrayed the secrets of half dozen fan-
hes and persons TO whose intimate society they
found admission under the mask of friendship, and
copied perhaps some. vague official documents and
statistics previously printed, they have given to the
world a full knowledge OF the island of Cuba
While upon the subject, 1t may not be out of place
to mention, that the obnoxious English consul, Mr.
Turnbull, has at last been removed by his govern
ment, to the general satisfaction of the authorities,
the people, and OF his own countrymcn
The island OF Cuba, In commercial point OF
view, snow in crisis, caused by the low prices of
It's produce sugars and coffee, and this renders very
materially sensible TO the people the high duties ex-
acted by the Spanish government in order to keep
up, not only very expensive establishment, civil
military, Dut also 10 pay the drafts OF the
tiers at home on the ntendency, which are redeem
cd to the extent of three to five millions of dollars
every year The following calculation, given to me
by respectable Spanlard, true, it appears to
be according TO official documents, offers indeed a
picture to which the aforementioned taxation of En-
gland, including the income tax, does not approach.
The value, sand he, " at present prices, OF nearly
one million of boxes of sugars which we perhaps
export In year, added to that of the coffee tobac-
co, molasses, and other produce, is eighteen
twenty mil lions of dollars only, while the con-
trbutons for the last twelvemonth have been
about twelve millions and the law expenses,
which a peculiarly imposed upon
this country by vicious system of the administra-
ton otjusce, are at least four millions more; thus
leaving small proportion indeed of the production
as the real income OF the people, This startled ne,
and was not suypriseu few days afterwards to
hear that Mr.. Mariategu a Spanish merchant
understand much connected in trade with the Uni
ted States, and member of the $ Junta de fomen-
to-, corporation which has IN its attrbutons the
right to represent TO the supreme government, and
forms thus the last link between absolute despotism
and the system of colonial councils had been in
duced by the present circumstances to Introduce
resolution in that body to the following effect
g that this corporation shall appoint a com
| mlttee OF Its members who, after taking into
consideration the position of the island, the taxes
which weigh upon Its agriculture and the state of
its commercial intercourse with all countries, incu-
ding Spain, shall prepare representation TO the Co
vernment, and propose the measures which in their
opinion necessary TO avert the run impending
| upon the country
| This has awakened the minds of many parties TO
the existing state OF things, and looking forward to
the possible results of the inquiry, it may of
your readers Americans, prove matter OF salts
faction 10 think that our intercourse with this coun-
try may acquire greater importance if SPAIN yield
| ing to wise policy should adopt a more liberal
| tariff for American produce, and by giving TO the
| trade and shipping of the United States decided
preference should IN return stipnate for some adj
| vantages for the productions of this island. Our
| government at home should be kept alive to those
interests and IL will certainly be matter of policy
| political well commercial, on the part of the
United States, to seize the first opportunity TO bring
| nearer,by more active commercial intercourse the
people of this island to Atlantic cities and to
| our shores in the gulf of Mexico. Providence
seems to have marked on the map of the
| world the relations which should exist be.
| tween the two countries; the difference of the
climate and the productions, renders free trade
mutually advantageous-et US hope that the present
circumstances will not be lost to attain part of that
] object.
| On my return TO New York. in few days. !
| may collect some of my notes on Cuba which may
perhaps, find room in the columns of the " nhuen-
tla Herald" It some remarks upon the agricultural
system of the island can prove of interest to your
| readers. An AMERICAN.