The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-11-06
Americana In CHIN.

The white people Of Cuba having found their
commercial interest not only benefited by intimate
relations with the Americans, but their slave-own-
ing interests apparently identified with those Of the
planters of the United States, they aged tho
latter to settle amongst them-suffered not their
national preudces to stand in the way of those in
terests, nor the ancient exclusive laws and pre-
scriptve ordinances of the country TO be raked up
for preventing the establishment of foreigners
amongst them.
In IT'S the Spanish government had so far ia
vored the North American merchants exclusively,
as to issue decree authorizing them to receive
specie in exchange for their produce in times of
scarcity of provisions in Cuba. OF late years the
governors affected TO consider this favor of IT'S
evidence of the settled policy Of the State to give
peculiar encouragement not only to the traders,
but 10 the settlers of the Union in Cuba.
This indulgence TO them was considered privi-
lege that made naturalization in their ustih-
able, and IL has been accorded 10 them virtually
though not nomnally, for many years past.
strange state of things arose from this con-
nivance Of the laws which forbade the establish
ment of foreigners in Cuba. As the latter were
not supposed by the laws to exist, there were no
provisions in them for subjecting strangers to those
imposts to which Spanish subjects were liable.
Consequently the American settlers were exempt
from variety of taxes, personal contributions and
other imposts which the former had TO pay
This immunity drew great numbers of settlers to
Cuba from the Southern States of America, 80 that
districts on the northern shores of the island
in the vicinity, especially. Of Cardenas and Matan-
zas, have more the character Of American than
Spanish settlements.
The prosperity of the island has derived no small
advantage from those numerous American estab-
lishments. Improved modes Of agriculture, of fab
rication, Of conveyance, were introduced by the
Americans. Several railways have been made. In
the course Of ten years less than ten have been
carried into effect. At the opening of the first,
from Havana to Guines, in 1881, was present. To
American enterprise and energy, solely, have
reason 10 know this great undertaking was indebt-
ed. The loan for il was made in England but the
projectors, the share jobbers, the engineer, and
the overseers, were Americans. The expense OF
the Cuban railways, il is said, has not exceeded
seventeen thousand dollars the English mle--in
round numbers, three thousand four hundred
pounds serling-while the expense Of those Of Bel
GUM and Holland is estimated at more than double
that amount.
The substitution in Cuba of the old grinding mill
rudely constructed of wood, by steam engine ma
chinery, is also chiefly due TO the Americans. To
them, therefore, Cuba is indebted for the various
improvements in the fabrication of sugar, and
modes of conveyance Of the produce of its panta-
tons which enabled the proprietors to compete 80
successfully with those Of the English colonies
Cuba, ever since ! knew il, has been slowly but
steadily becoming Americanised. Madden's Island
Of Cuba.