The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-08-25

500, except when the wind known 81 norte blows,
during which the instrument shows rapid declen-
sion.
So fertile soil is not known TO exist In any other
portion OF the globe. Ii has been known to produce
three crops year, and in ordinary seasons two
may be relied on. The profusion Of its flora, the
variety of its forests unsurpassed; while the
multitude Of its climbing shrubs give luxuriant
richness to its scenery, which contributes to make
it one of the fascinating countries in the world
Nowhere is life SO easily supported, and is man SO
delicately nurtured. In addition to the plantain,
the yucca of two varieties, the potato, yam, In
dian corn, rice, melons, chestnut, cocoanut, pine
apple, amana or custard-apple, medar, banana,
orange, lemon, shadock, and lime, abound. The
growth OF the forests comprise the mahogany tree,
cedar, hgnumvit@, various kinds of ebony, the
noble palm tree, and mum erous woods for building.
On this island, capable of supporting in opulence
population equal To that of SPAIN are strewn less
than million and half of men, of which six or
seven hundred thousand white, two hundred
thousand free negroes, mulattoes, and zambos,
while the rest slaves. Il is supposed that but
two fths of the island is cultivated, the rest being
wilderness, uninhabited, and despoiled, by ruthless
Spanish avarice, of the glorious forest trees which
| struck the early navigators with 80 much amaze
ment
The chief riches of the island result from its ex-
ports, which consist of sugar coffee, tobacco, wax,
cocoa, molasses, honey, rum, maize, &c. The first
OF these is infinitely the most important, and is
probably the only one which is regularly ncrcas-
ing, in spite of the changeable seasons, hurricanes
and the immense direct and indirect taxation to
which the planters are subjected. The great in
crease may be estimated from the fact that in l842
6l7 ,64S boxes exported and in l847, 274 8ll
The exports for the last fiscal year ending with No
vember were l,2lO,9l7 Of other articles, during
the same time, were exported 70S ,94l arrobas (25
lbs) of coffee, 205 559 hogsheads of molasses ii 9O9
pipes of rum, 4,647,7s7 pounds Of tobacco, l4l 23s
boxes (thousands) of cigars and SOL 500 quintals
of copper ore.
The cultivation of coffee has nearly been de-
stroyed. Nothing shows the great decline of the
trade more than the fact that in 1887 567 AFRO
bas were exported, while in 184S there were only
70S,4 9l. The consequence is, that great portion
OF the cqfetal are now abandoned, and the land ap-
propriated to grazing, sugar estates, rice plan
tations. The tobacco crop rapidly increases, and
will long the passion for Havana and Prin-
cipe cigars shall last The plant is peculiarly diff
ferent from our own, maturing in less time, and the
soil is able always to bring two crops per annum.
In 1912 the crop 5942 1873 lbs in lS47 it rose to
more than 9 200 900. That of lS4S was somewhat
diminished by season unusually unpropitous and
by hurricanes.
The following table shows that there has been
gradual increase of exports for many years. and of
consequent prosperity:
Yearly .naly az, g. Of Increase %s. rsr ss ..ss
1929 to 1882. $3O92O,lll ......... ...
1888 to 1897. 36,3l4,956 $5,395,745 Jasper CT
1888 to 1872. 4s,073,6l5 12,759,659 25.s Z"
tn n
The number of arrivals during ls47, at its ports,
3,74O, and the number of clearances 3,346
The amount of American tonnage employed in
trade with it is 476,773 tons.
Such are the resources of Cuba, and from them il
is customary to conclude that the island has en-
joyed a paternal government and enlightened care
from the crown OF Spain Such is not, how
ever, the case for of all countries in the world il
is probably the most and worst governed. All
power in the hands of two officers the captain gen
eral, civil and military governor, and the nten-
dente, responsible directly to the Spanish crown
who has charge Of the fiscal affairs and of com
merce-crowds of greedy Spaniards in every en-
ployment-an army of twenty thousand men
quartered on population of 500, 000-vexatious
taxes, infringements natural right, monopolies
of every thing, unblushing bribery, fragrant cor,
ruption, constant espionage, and ecclesiastical
system behind that of England in the times of the
Tudors, are its principal features. Rigid censor
ship of the press, want of all provision for educa
ton, and degraded and worthless nobility, arres,
the attention of every stranger and make him won
der how any race, intelligent the Cuban
Creoles, remain quiet and see their beautiful
island doing nothing for itself, and wasting its
treasures upon people which prize it only as a
means of supporting sloth and want Of energy.
This wretched state of affairs points a reaction
but, when il comes, Cuba, with her population Of
800 900, and her immense resources, must win
her own freedom, or, if she do not, will deserve TO
be enslaved.