Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-09-21

the changeabls seasons. hurricanes, and the
immense direri and indirect taxation to which
the planters are subjected. The great increase
may be estima, cd from the fact in S42. 6I7,-
GAS boxes were exported, and in lS47. ], 81. :
81. The exports for the last fiscal year en-
ding with November. were 1,2l0,917. OF
other articles during the same time, were ex-
ported 70s,94i arrobds (25 lbs.) of coffee,
2O5. $50 hogshead OF molasses, II ,909 pipes
of rum, 4.647,737 pounds of tobacco, i A.
239 boxes (thousands) OF segars. and SCI 1876
quintals of copper ore.
The cultivation of coffee has nearly been
destroyed. Nothing shows the great decline
of the trade more than the fact thai, in 1887,
2,133,567 arYobds were exported. while in
1848 there We're only 7S0, 591.- The conse.
quenee is, that great portion OF the cafefat
are now abandoned. and the land appropriated
10 grazing, sugar estates, or rice plantations.
The tobacco crop rapidly increases, and will
as long as the passion Tor Havana and Prln-
c;pe segars shall last The plant is peculiar;
ly different from our own, maturing in less
lime, and The soil is able always 10 bring Two
crops per annum. In 1912 the crop was s.
942.833 lbs; in 1S47 it rose 10 more than
9 900 900. That of 1848 was somewhat d.
min;shed by a season unusually unpropltlous,
and by hurricanes. aas s7 f,-.sst
The following table shows. that there has
been gradual increase Of exports for many
years, and of consequent prosperity:
Yearly av. of i'm Increase during Per eentagc
1929 to ESQ $50 $50 e' @ar" teF
s 1879 sss3 s5s es5s5
1873 to 1917 50,I49'797 I,O76,l52 81 "
The number of arrivals during 1847, at lis
ports, was 374O, and the number of clearan
ces 3346. The amount Of American tonnage
employed in trade with it is 476,773 tons.
Such are the resources of Cuba, and from
them it is customary 10 conclude that the Is
land has enjoyed paternal government, and
enlightened care from the crown of Spain.--
Such is not, however, the case; for, of all
countries in the world, it is probably the most
and worst governed. All power is in the hands
of two officers, the Captain General, civil and
military governor, and the lntendente, respon-
sble directly to the Spanish crown, who has
charge of the fiscal affairs and commerce
crowds of greedy Spanards in every employ
ment; an army of 10000 men quaitered on
population of / 100000; vexatous taxes, in
Engagements on natural right, monopolles Of
everything, unblushlng bribery, fragrant cor
ruption, constant espionage, aud an eclesIasti-
cal system behind that of England in The times
of the Tudors, are lis principal features, Ri
gid censorship Of the press, want OF all pro-
vision for education, and a degraded and
worthless nobility, arrest the attention Of eve
ry stranger, and make him wonder how any
race, intelligent as the Cuban Creoles, can re-
main quiet and see their beautiful island do
ing nothing for itself, and wastingis treasures
upon people which prize it only as means
of supporting sloth aud want Of energy. This
wretched state of affairs points to a reaction,
but, when,it comes, Cuba, with her popula-
ton of 100000, and her immense resources,
must win her own freedom, or, if she do not,
will deserve to be enslaved. 40