The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-09-04

Cua~A Glance az the IsiAnd-It. Population, Pro-
duess and Resources


From the Bedford Mercury.
cuD.-A Glance az the I.i4nd-It Population, Pro-
ducts. and hsso0fcss-
The island OF Cuba is likely 10 form subject OF deep
interest tor some time to Its position, population
pfojucs and are therefore matters OF especial
attention. :, .
breadth and lis surface about 1000 Eng
lsh square miles The eastern part is very mountain.
ous OF the peaks from 1000 10 5000 feel
above the level OF the The valleys in the eastern
department are exceedingly picturesque and fruitful
Cuba discovered by Columbus on the 9th October
1892. In 1919 Havana was founded. The cultivation Of
the susar-cane was introduced about $780, and slaves
began TO be imported about four years after When first
discovered the island had Indian population OF aboa
100000 The greater part persisted under the hard
ships imposed by the Europeans.
Only lew -bfeeds remain in the eastern depart
ment In 1855, the expectation OF sugar from Havana IN
year was comparatively nconsderable. The English
took Havana IN 1862. and It up again IN 1863 IN
exchange Tor other Possessions and advantages During
The SIEGE great numbers OF the British fell victims TO the
eoo Many were also poisoned or assassnaled by The
Cubans
few days sail of the Atlantic ports OF the United States
and two and half days by steam from New Orleans
The soil is generally fertile, producing the sue in
the highest perieclon-no part OF the world is more
favorable TO It's growth and, indeed, the climate and sol
admit OF the cultivation OF all kinds OF tropical fruits and
productions which might be cultivated IN quantity &c
reach times the present amount, as, OF twenty-tou
millions OF acres, comprising the surface of the island
only two millions under cullvatlon-abo three NIL
lions being IN natural pasturage hve hundred thousand
in artificial pastulage, fourteen millions IN woodlands
and the (our and half mions) are barren lands
The principal agricultural productions are the sugar
cane, coffee moasses honey, rum, tobacco, wax, rice
cocoa and cotton also Produced, with many othe
MINOR articles
In 1871, when the number of sugar estates on tn,
island amounted to 1888 upon which were employed
according to the census, but persons, giving
average of ll2 hands 10 each esa.ehe expectation o
sugar from all the ports OF The island amounted TO abou
$50 900 boxes.
~ ,g ~ 10
lies Of coffee produced however this article is no
extensively cultivated il ten years since
when upwards Of fifty millions pounds weight was ex
ported from the different parts OF the island Last year
the favorable during the last few years, showed bu
export of thirty. five millions pounds OF coffee Brazi
has been able 10 furnish this product at lower rate
and, consequently, that OF Brazil has taken the place
Cuba coffee in the markets OF the United States; there
fore, sugar is produced in many parts where COTE,
cultivated the hands have been turned owe
10 estates in the fertile regions in the neighborhoot
OF Cardenas, &c.
Alter coffee. tobacco is the next article OF conse
luence produced There are various kinds, which de-
rive their qualities from tue peculiares OF the soil II
which they are cultivated.
The most esteemed is that which is produced in The
Vuelia Abaio about one hundred miles OF Havana
in the jurisdiction OF New Fllipana; of this the fines
Havana cigars made. II costs from 40 to 100 dollars
per bale, according TO the quality and the crop. Some
years The very INFERIOR SO that It Is impossible tor
manufacturers always to supply the same quality OF
cigars.
The mex, to the tobacco Of the Vuel,a Abajo is that
called tpaTtdO, some OF winch Is very gOOd and
used in making those cigars of which astonishing bar.
gains very often made.
The other articles OF consequence produced are wax
honey, and rice The two first of these Articles
ported in very large quantities the last mentioned article
is produced to the amount OF 900 tierces about "a
millions of pounds, but is insufficient for the consump.
lion of the island that large quantities Of rice i'm
ported from Charleston, Savannah, Spain, South Amer
ica, and lalerly from Manilla however. that from
Charleston is most esteemed, and from that place the
largest quantity is imported. Wax is produced 10 the
nf ahnuf on n0n nnnI1 md hon rha
amount of two million gallons. Cotton is little cult.
valed-65o bales being about the amount produced.
The other vegetable articles all kinds OF tropical
fruits, sweet potatoes, yams, arrow root cocoa, Indian
corn castor OIL and different kinds OF woods, such
cedar, mahogany, lance wood, and other hard woods
used by turner's, &C.
owned in the island and there about 100000 horses,
50 600 mules, and large number of smaller animals
The annual product of the vegetable and animal crea
ton on moderate calculation, may be set down at about
In minerals the island is very rich OF copper mines
no less than Ia have been discovered in the island
81 The department, is in the central, and As in
the western The mine al Cobre. worked by an Eng.
ish company has shipped from $1,000 TO $4,000 tons per
annum, valued two and half 10 four millions OF dol
lars The other departments have not yet shipped
than about 1900 tons per annun Coal, lron sill
yer, and amianthus have been discovered.
The value of lis agricultural productions ls49
S62 ISL 035 The exports during the period were
S27, 3so,s2l of which s,7oo.224 were to the United
States Its import. during the period were $780,
los 3i3 Of which S72s0 2l4 were from the United States
The OF American tonnage employed in the trade
with the island during the period sol 266 tons
The total amount OF taxes levied upon the American
with the island in the shape Of duties upon i'm
ports, tonnage duties, and duties upon exports, exceed
"a 900 900 annually There $50 miles OF railway in
operation the island OF the sgt 900 900 OF annual
imports, according to official documents, $40, 900 900
provisions, lumber, fabrics Materials &c, which
the or the other OF the United States could furnish
readily than any other country but through the
and restrictions imposed by Spanish policy, no,
the United States