Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1851-05-22
The Island of Cuba.

The Queen of the Antilles" has, of late
years become an object of interest to the u
nited States, and the Proclamation of Presi-
dent Fillmore, having suggested to the Wash
ington Telegraph, that some account of it
would be interesting to their readers, we
make use of it's columns for the benefit of
ours. The proximity of Cuba to our terrific
ry, the value of its productions, and the COM
mercial advantages which our people would
derive from it's annexation, have caused 1t to
be regarded by some of them as a prize that
must be won; and the only question with
them is as to the manner In which that de-
srable end is to be attained. We trust,
however, that it never will be ATTEMPTED, by
other than honorable means; that neither am
biton nor cupidity shall urge our citizens to
the violation of international law and good
faith in the premises; and that the distinction
between the systematic invasion of the peace
ful territory of friendly nation, and the rem
dering disinterested aid to people endeavor-
ing by revolution to effect their political G.
Emancipation, may be strictly observed.
Cuba is the largest and most important OF
the West India Islands 1t is situated be-
tween the seventy-fourth and eighty-ftth de-
grees of longitude west from Greenwich, and
the nineteenth, and twenty-third degrees of
north latitude. 1t is about seven hundred
miles in length, and seventy in breadth and
contains, together with its dependencies, 32,-
6O7 squares miles-being nearly equal in ex-
tent to Great Britain. 1t commands the ell
trance to the Gulf of Mexico, whence 1t has
been called the key of the West Indies. The
climate is delightful, and very healthy for
which reason it is quite favorite resort for
invalids. Even on the top ofthe Grande An
tilla. the chief range of mountains running
through the middle of the island from end to
end. there has scarcely ever been Ice, and
then only few inches thick. The seasons
are not distinguished as summer and winter,
but as the wet and dry; though the periods at
which they begin and end are not very well
defined The rainy season generally begins
in Nav, but sometimes in April, and occa-
sionally not till June.
The soil of Cuba is very fertile, but. as In
other tropical countries the people are TOO Ia
zy to cultivate it to any great extent. The
chief agricultural productions are sugar, COT
fee, tobacco, manioc, maize, and-mosque-
toes. The work on the plantations is done
almost althogether by negroes, whose Condi-
ton is far worse than that of the slaves IN
our country. The whipping-post is In con-
slant use. As an instance of the great fer
tility of the soil, Turnbull states, that, IN the
district of Sagua la Grande, cabaLler'G OF
land which is nearly equal to thirty-three a.
cres. has been known to produce 2oU,OOO
mounds of the fair colored muscovado sugar
of that country being nearly equal to four
moderate sized hogsheads per acre. What
wonld this be in the hands of experienced
planters
There are in the island several excellent
copper. iron, and coal mines, which would be
very productive if well worked. Small quan-
titles of gold and silver have also been found.
Since the introduction of bees, about sixty
years ago, honey and wax have formed I'M
portant articles OF trade. Manufactures have
been much neglected.
Ofdomestic animals, the OK, the horse, and
the pig are the most useful, and form large
part of the wealth of the land. The oxen are
SO numerous that many Of them have run wild;
and they are hunted for the sake OF their
hides and tallow, which are sent to SPAIN
OF domestic fowls, the cock and hen are the
most numerous though the goose, turkey,
peacock. and pigeon are we'll known. There
are many fine turtles oil the island, from
which the best tortoise-shells are made,--