American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-04-26
AMERICAN TELEGRAPH
WASHINGTON,
SATURDAY AFTERNOON, APRIL 20.
CUBA.


CUBA.
This "Queen Of the Antilles" has, Of late
years, become an object of interest to the peo-
pie of the United States; and the Proclamation
of the President has suggested to us the thought
that some account of it will not be without in
terest to our readers. It's proximity to our ter
rtory, the value of its productions, and the
commercial advantages which our people would
derive from its annexation, have caused it to
be regarded by some Of them as prize that
must be won; and the only question with them
is as to the manner in which that desirable end
is to be attained We trust, however, that it
never will be attempted, by other than honor
able means; that neither ambition nor cupidity
shall urge our citizens to the violation of inter
national law and good faith in the premises;
and that the distinction between the systematic
invasion of the peaceful territory of friendly
nation, and the rendering disinterested aid to
people endeavoring by revolution to effect their
political emancipation, may be strictly OBJ
served
Cuba is the largest and most important of the
West India islands 1t is situated between the
seventy fourth and eighty fifth degrees of longi-
tude west from Greenwich, and the nineteenth
and twenty-thrd degrees of north latitude. 1t
is about seven hundred miles in length, and
seventy in breadth; and contains, together with
its dependencies, 32,807 square miles-being
nearly equal in extent to Great Britain. It
commands the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico,
whence it 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
lnVallds. Even on the top Of the 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 lines thick. The seasons are not
distinguished as summer and winter, but as the
wet and the 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 occasionally not till
June.
The soil of Cuba is very fertile, but, as in
other tropical countries, the people are too lazy
to cultivate it to any great extent. The chief
agricultural productions are sugar, coffee. to-
bacco, manioc, maize, and-mosquitoes. The
work on the plantations is done almost alto /
gether by negroes, whose condition is far worse
than that of the slaves in our country The
whipping-post is in constant use. As an in
stance Of the great fertility of the soil, Turn-
bull states, that, in the district of Sagua la
Grande, q ca6allerta Of land, which is nearly
equal to thirty-three acres, has been known to
produce 2s0,000 lbs. of the fair colored musco-
vado sugar Of that country; being nearly equal to
four moderate-sized hogsheads per acre. What
would this be in the hands of experienced
planters!
The people of Cuba are made up of Creoles
and negroes, Of whom the latter form about
one-third. The Creoles, like their ancestors,
the spaniards, are intelligent, but indolent; as
for the negroes, they are not allowed to be
either the one or the other.
There are in the island several excellent cop
per, iron, and coal mines, which would be very
productive if well worked. Small quantities of
gold and silver have also been found. Since
the introduction of bees, about sixty years ago.
honey and wax have formed important articles
of trade. Manufactures have been much ne
elected.
VI uOhcstIC dHlHla!S, the OK, the horse, and
the pig are the most useful and form large
part Of the wealth of the land. The oxen are
50 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, pea
cock, and pigeon are well known. The English
game-cock is much priced for its pugnacious
propensities. 1t will be remembered that Santa
Annals chief amusement, when at Havana, was
cock-fghtiug.
There are many fine turtles on the shores Of
the island, from which the best tortoise-shells
are made. Fresh fish, Of various kinds, abound.
Snakes and other reptiles are not numerous.
but noxious insects of all kinds are found in
large numbers.
We shall, in our next, give some account Of
the Government Of the island.
MARKET.-Pretty girls and flowers were al
most as plenty in the Centre Market this morn
ing as Goals at Newcastle. We heard no com
MI in4 90 n o,,t oP 90. Al.