The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-12
mo- rl1r rnIron or rlE uNloN


The city of AIaanzas, your readers know is situa-
ted the extremity OF the beautiful bay bearing its name
about sixty miles to the eastward OF Havana II contains
population according to legal estates of about OoOO
inhabitants Matanzas rs surrounded by the most de-
ghtful aud productive portion of the island of Cuba.
Many portions OF the country in the neghborhood Of the
city are highly cultivated and afford 10 the soourner, es-
peclaiy IN summer the most agreeable retreat from the
dust and turmoil OF the city There, too, one rs sure to
hnd refreshing breese in any direction you rise rap
IDLY IN advancing from the coast TO greater or less exc
vaton OF one TO two thousand feet The bay, though
not completely land locked, contains one OF the nest
harbors in the world The least knowledge OF us wa
tiers will enable the mariner 10 find safe anchorage
without the assistance OF pilot 1t embraces an area OF
about eighteen square miles, quite surrounded oy loily
hills some OF them rising is sad three thousand leet
above the sea, aordng unmistakeabe guides 10 vessels
approaching Cuba, and Offering as the eye gains closer
view, of the richest and most picturesque landscapes
which ever greeted mans enthusiasm, Three beautiful
streams dgned here by the name,o rivers, converge In
different directions from the bay OF Maanzas-the San
Juan, the Yumur and the Carnmar; These hmpld
waters breaking Their way hrough ,he mountain IN
and beautiful freaks of nature to be found IN the world
They have been visile again and again by travellers
from all countries but do not ecollect to have any
very elaborate descriptions OF them, do propose my
self to supply this desdeatum | have no power--no
faculty to do am that is not fashionable is
mode, to wander the rich and to my eyes un-
matched scenery of this island The traveller here is
numbered by thousand obstacles which the peculiar laws
oil the country throw in his way The machinery OF pass
ports alone extremely annoying, and especially as the
possession of OF these royal avos is necessarily
brought into contact with sefsuhcent officials who de-
light in making known their authority But after all, to
a phosophc American, who knows the sole end OF all
these checks to be put money in the hands OF the officials
and that is custom old the OF the Castians
who never change, they can do no other harm than
draw few dollars from his purse But II Is not lash
onable to visit Cuba and this being advise all
thusastc young in the United States, who have de-
ermned to visit the classic soil OF Italy, TO go as usual 10
Paris and spend their time and by no means to come to
Cuba To athat class, am bound TO say, do not come
here for he who here, must earn hls views by la
Dor 1t is work TO travel in Cuba-work which you per-
form and for which you get other pay than the in
herent pleasure OF beholdng most charming region of
the western, not the eastern, hemisphere. If could
think of living fifty years. should regard my knowledge
magnitude feel sure will be enacted here within that
period He who the island and then, will see
the great change which the prostraon OF its present ru,
ers and the organization of new powers will effect
must not be understood ntimatng future union with
the United States.
The public mind is sensitive or | would not give this
disclaimer. The United States have disposition to
disturb existing relations with Spain, except so lar
these relations may be improved by more liberal COM
mercial treaties hope, most sincerely hope, IN this
respect there may be changes and it is not too much to
calculate that even Spain cannot escape The influence OF
the all pervadng principles OF free trade which are so
rapidly, would believe efeeting the conquest OF the
world The two first commercial States, (and they hap
pen as well to be first stability, wealth, and neli-
gence, in commerce,) are presenting too many ey-
licences OF the superiority OF this great principle to justify
in believing that their efforts will be confined to them
selves bu nave wandered lar away from my PuT-
pose, which was to give YOU some idea OF the city OF
Matanzas, with which the United States have an extern
sve commerce. far beyond what is well understood by
your readers The singular OF Matanzas is translated
into English by the word slaughter 1t derives its name
from bloody encounter between the Dutch and Spanards
It's principal fort diapdated, certainly in no con
diton to answer its original purpose OF commanding the
beautiful bay upon which it is situated, was commenced
one hundred and foysx years ago, in l70l and on the
occasion of ''layng the sone the captain gene
raj from the Havana with the Bishop, and other high
dignaries, were present Mass said and other de-
monsraons made peculiar to the faith OF the Spaniard5
do not know of what this structure has been to the
government, except in few Instances 1t has served to
hold in check for time American prisoners. Mr. Cross,
the United States vice consul at this city in lsil served
out lat days in this caste yet pointed at by Amer
who knew before or have learned while here the
circumstances attending that very unuslable act OF
the Spanish authorities. Mr. Cross innocent OF wrong
completely as the best citizen OF Nlaanzas; and
yet indulge hope, in common with all Americans here,
that the government of the United States will not only
investigate his case, but submit to her Catholic Ma
jesty's government for consideration. Our grievances
with Mexico have been great indeed but do not think
when shall have squared accounts with that people,
that arrangements will be complete with the race
Spain is more enlightened. civilized, more Courage
Gus, more honorable than Mexico, and will not fail to
render unto Cazar the things that are Cezars All that
is required is apoper representaonone that shall con-
vince without wonndng the sensblliiles OF that over
sensitive The government and people OF SPAN
have many forms and ceremonies that are annoying to our
business, and scarcely less So imagine, to our dplo
macy They have idea that nothing can be well done
which is done quickly We impatient OF delays; and
wrong, perhaps in the rapldy and npetuosy OF our
movements, the Spanards are IN their vexalous pro-
crastinations In many instances charge these de-
lays to deliberate design to postpone the ends OF justice
and in this are liable TO do them injury But have again
wandered from the city of Matanzas, but only to give
ulerance suggestions which seemed necessary in de-
scrbing it, Ii has long been the depot OF Americans IN
the island the country around II first cultivated by
Americans and American enterprise hrs developed ITS
commercial city, among which 1t already
holds important rank. 1t numbers yearly an average
entrance of 450 American vessels and its list of exports
show at the great advantages possesses as depot
for the products OF the island Its exports OF sugar have
reached high four hundred thousand boxes, and OF
moasses sixty thousand hogsheads These the prin
clpal items but large amounts OF colee honey tobacco,
staple articles OF shipment The country in the neigh
borhood of the city far productive than any other
portion of the island land il its commercial enterprise
was as great, il would rival Havana, which
il possesses many advantages Considering its great
advantages il is by such place should be-
Ii has railroad extending southeasterly into the coun
try about 30 miles, and this road is tapped by branch
road. which In OF construction to Coeseo The
Coleseo road passes through the most extensive
district perhaps in the island, and II is estimated that It's
completion will bring TO this city addition OF nearly
one hundred thousand boxes to Its annual receipts. A
large portion of this goes to Havana via Car
denas The great profits of these roads, more than the
commercial pride of the city, has stimulated project for
a railroad from Maanzas 10 Havana and entertain 1T
tie doubt of the final construction OF this work. 1t Will
greatly add to the importance OF Matanzas in the way OF
imports for with such facilities OF transportation, articles
imported and not wanted here, may be sent TO Havana
with very little additional expense This, however, ap
plies chiefly to the European imports OF light articles, OF
which there is very large consumption in the island
Until the present year there has been any differ
ence in the value of money between the two ces--no
exchange though the latter negocates nearly all the bills
.bar Europe or United States This he's