The primitive Republican. (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-1852, 1851-11-06
Editor & Proprietor.
NEW SERIES, VOL. 2 No 50.
The Captain-General of Cuba.

The n. Y. Courier and Enquirer has let
ter from Havana, giving long and interest
ing history of the high dignitary who now
holds the rcins of power in Cuba. From this
account we learn that Don Jose de Ia COncha,
Captain-GencFal Of Cuba, is the son Of a
Brazilian General who was killed in the strag-
gle for freedom in that country, and who is
indebted for his present elevation, partly to
the influence which his brother has acquired
at the Court of Spain, and partly to his own
talents, which have been displayed to greater
advantage since his attainment to the position
which he at presentoccupies. tits lOngsincc
Cuba has had so efficient and popular Vice
roy. Shortly after his assumption Of the
reins of government in Cuba, his attention
was directed by an official to the licenses
which had been granted by the l2st govern
I. lis which should be exchanged fer
tiioso Dcafing his signature:
"And how much, said the Captain Gcner-
| al, will this produce me?" About one
hundred thousand dollars, may it please your
Excellency." Andhow much Will produce
to your about ten thousand, if it please
your Exccllency." But itdoes not please
my ExcelIency shall give upmy hundred
thousand dollars, and you, of course, cannot
complain of giving up you ten Let the l.
cense stand good"
Though laws have been enacted in Spain
for the suppression of the slave trade, yet it
is well known that it is at present carried on
IN Cuba extensively, but at the same time Sc
cretly. 1t would not do for any Capt. Gen
eral to attempt putting stop to it altogether,
and former Viccroys were in the habit Of re-
ceiving large dOuceurS in consideration of
their winking at the illegal traffic. The foi-
lowing story is related Of Gen. Concha:
Shortly after his arrival, the owners of two
slavers, which had just put into port, present
ed themselves at the palace, and having sue
cecded in obtaining an interview with His
Excellency, each offered q bag Of golden ounc-
es. what does this mean, gertlemen?" =
May tpleasc your Excellency, we have Two
cargoes of slaves just arrived, and this IS lie
usual compliment We have paid your prcde-
cessOrs on such occasions" Impossible,
gentlemen No Spanish General could have
received money in such a manner. Impo5-
sible! Take away your gold Immediately,
and never let me hear such SANDER again.
And bark We, gentlemen; am content that
what I have heard should remain private
with Don Jose de la Concha; but take
care that no official information reaches
the Captain-General upon such matters, or
l you will lose your slaves, every black Of
5 them
Don Jose is about IS years of age-slight-
y bald, with a severe and rigid expression of
}, countenance, occasionally relieved bya sweet
Il a. IL AZ 81
0 mouth Heis about the middle height, well
e made, and disappearance dignifed and grace
full. He speaks French fuentIy Int with .
e strong Spanish accent, and his conversation
g in private has an earnestuess approaching t,
T excitement The selfpossessed graeiousnes,
, of his manner IS instanccd By the following
anecdote:
tits the custom when he appears in publ
y for all within his sight to uncover. An A
u mcrican, with whom have slight acquaint
. ance, was near the palace one morning, wheI
! he descended, accompanied by several officers
d All hats were off in an instant, save that 0
&c the American, who, with Yankee thought
lessness and Indifference, but with no pointe,
le intent kept his hat on as he went on his way
1t so happened that his way and that of tn
nc Viceroyal party convergcd, and when the,
were nearly opposite, the Capt-G eneral look
nc ing round met his eye and saw his coveret
lr head. Hating slightly, Don Jose raised hi
chapeau and made him pointed and court
he eous bow. Human nature, Yankee nature
ne c1uld notresist this; he barred blushing brow
on the instant, and ever differ, on the appear
is ance of His Excellency he bowed withou
n, blushing
IT,