Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-08-14
fFrom the Union.l
lFrom The UnlonI
Cuba-A Glance at the Island-Its Population,
Products, and Resources.

Il
miles; its breadth varies from % to 80 miles The
greatest distance get from the is about 43
miles About two-thirds of the island from so so
miles in breadth, and it its surface about
1000 English spare miles The eastern part is very
mountainous; and Of the peaks from 1000 to
5000 feet above the level of the The valleys in
the eastern department are exceedingly picturesque and
fruitful Cuba discovered by Columbus on the 9th
of October, 1892 In 1919 Havana founded. The
cultivation of the sugar introduced about $780,
and slaves began to be imported about four years alter
When first discovered the Island had Indian popula
ton of about 200 000 The greater part pershed
under the hardships imposed by the Europeans Only
lew half breeds remain in the eastern department In
1855 the expectation of sugar from Havana in year
was comparatively inconsiderabe. The English took
Havana IN 1862, and gave 1t up again in 1853, in
change for other possessions and advantages. During
the siege great numbers of the British fell victims the
ronit0. Many also poisoned assassinated by
the Cubans
The position of the island admirable being within
few days sail of the Atlantic ports of the United
States and two and half days by steam from New Or
leans.
The soil is generally ertile producing the sugar
In the highest perfection; part of the world
favorable for its growth and indeed the climate and soil
admit OF the cultivation of all kinds of tropical fruits
and productions which might be cultivated in quantity
to reach ten times the present amount, OF twenty
million comprising the surface of the isand only
two millions under cultivation, about three millions
being in natural pasturage, five hundred thousand in
artificial pasurage, fourteen millions in woodland and
the rest, four and hall millions are barren lands In
.
barren one fourth in woodland and the remaining
ourths equally devoted cultivation and pasture
Supposng the island be divided into 70 parts Is
would represent the of the western department. 81
the central department. and % the eastern OF the cu
tvated land onehaf is in the western department,
sixth in the central, and wosixths in the eastern de-
partment The principal agricultural productions are,
the sugar cane, Coffee moasseS, honey, rum, tobacco
wax, rice: cocoa and cotton also produced, with
many other minor articles.
In 1871, when the number Of sugar estates on the
lu
according the census, 35, ,701 persons, giving
erage of IL hands each estate the expectation of
sugar from all the ports of the island amounted to about
$50 600 boxes, according to tie customhouse returns,
which would allow, upon average, $50 boxes to each
estate, boxes TO each hand however making allow
for the sugar entered the custom-house,
the article then paid export duty OF 81 per box, and
also taking into consideration that which consumed
in the sand the produce of each estaIe upon avege
might be about 900 boxes, to each hand; nor does
this amount appear too great TO allow, when the best
In louisiana where the best lands produce about
5000 pounds the acre. the average produce OF each
hand is about 5000 pounds.
Besides the cultivation Of the sugar cane, large guam
titles of coffee produced. However, this article is
extensively cultivated as it ten years
since when upwards of fifty millions pounds weight
exported from different ports of the island. Last
year (the most favorable during the last few years.
showed but an export of thirty-6ve million pounds Of
scotee. Brazil has been able to furnish this product at
lower and consequently that of Brazil has taken
the place of Cuba coffee in the markets OF the United
States: therefore sugar not produced In many parts
where coffee cultivated, the hands have been
turned to Estates the fertile regions In the
neighgorhood of Cardenas, sc.
The climate and soil of Cuba in general not so
favorable Tor e cultivation of coffee for the sugar
cane tobacco, and other articles however, the eastern
district appears be well suited TO the production Of
coffee, the crop there being certain and the quality
OF the bean infinitely superior. A hllly or rather
mountainous country to be the most favorable to
the tree.
The most esteemed is that which is produced in the
Vuelta Abao, about hundred miles west OF Havana.
in the jurisdiction of New Filipino of this the finest Ha-
cigars made. 1t costs from $40 10 Sl2O per
bale, according 10 the qaty and the crop Some years
the crop is very ineror that 1t IS Impossible Tor
manufacturer always to supply the quality of cl-
gars. The the tobacco of the Nuelta Abajo
that called Patdo,p Of which very good, and
is used in making those cigars OF which astonishing bar
gains very often obtained There is another tobac
grown in the western department. in which the two
classes mentioned grown. 1t has coarse leaf and
called g De Vuelta Arrba " also the tobacco grown
in the eastern department goes by that name, OF which
there two kinds the Santiago de Cuba tobacco and
the Yara. The Yara tobacco is sometimes very fine,
and of this the best Principe cigars made. Many
persons Rave the Vueta Abao seed in the States,
but have they been able raise tobacco from il in
any respect similar in flavor the original kind The
soil gives the flavor and its cultivation cannot be extend
ed even in Cuba.
The other articles of consequence produced are, wax,
honey and rice The two first of these articles are ex
Gle = produced to the amount oil 10000 tIerces, or
about 24 million of pounds but is insufficient for the con-
sumption of the island that large quantities OF rice
are imported from Charleston Savannah, Spain South
America, and lattery from Manila however, that from
Charleston is esteemed, and from that place the
largest quantity is imported Wax is produced to the
amount of about 500 900 pounds and honey to the
amount Of two million gallons. Cotton is little cultiva
ted, $50 bales being about the amount produced.
The other vegetable articles are, all kinds oil tropical
fruits sweet potatoes, yams arrowroot cocoa, Indian
corn, castor oil and different kinds of woods such as
CEDAR mahogany ancewood and other hard woods used
by turner's, &c.
Cattle, to the number OF about 900 900 head, are
owned in the island and there about 200 600 horses
90 600 mules, and large numbers OF smaller animals.
The annual product of the vegetable and animal crea
tion, a moderate calculation, may be set down at
about SO, 900 000.
In minerals the island very rich; of copper mines,
less than ia have been discovered in the island 81
in the department. Is in the centra and 40 IN
the western The mine Coore, worked by an English
company has shipped from 27 900 43 900 tons per
annum valued at two and half to four and hall MILL
lions Of dollars The other departments have not yet
shipped more than about 2 900 tons per Coal,
iron. silver, and amianthus have been discovered.
The revenue of the island, according TO Mr.. I. w.
Wilson. from whose valuable work upon Cuba we have
compiled most Of the foregoing, is about Sl2 600 OOO
The population is about 200 900. But our limits are
exhausted.
I5-Dr Reid, traveller through the highlands OF Peru,
found lately in the desert Of Ataeama the dried remains
of an assembage of human beings or GOO In number,
men, women and children seated in semcircle as when
alive and staring into the burning before them
They had been buried; life had not departed before
they thus around; but Rope gone; the Spanish
invader hand and being lett, they had