Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-12-09
MISCELLAN Y.
Political Condition of Cuba.

Political Condition of Cuba.
The following extract from letter from
well informed Havana correspondent of the
New York Times, gives much Interesting in
formation in regard TO the present condition
of Cuba:
"A stranger applying himself to learn some
thing of the sentiments of the people of this
Island, and of the public institutions, and of
the operations of The Government and the
administrations of the laws, finds, while he
cannot in brief period master the subjects
of his inquiry, frequent occasions to modify
his earlier impressions. The notorious habit
of the Island Government to employ spies,
produces feeling of insecurity and conse-
quent caution and timidity that repress all
free expression of opinion and communica-
tion of facts having any relation TO the pub
lie interests, if it is proper to Use such an ex-
preston where there is no public. 1t is no,
uncommon TO find that persons who at first
profess entire satisfaction with the present
state OF things, on acquiring confidence in
your discretion ard good faith, will disclose
that they live in a state of insecurity and
terror which nothing would enable them to
endure but the prospect of fortunes, and hope
OF relief. From the best opinions can gath
er, IL seems that less than one-tenth OF the
productive capacity Of the Island has been
developed. Men intimate with its resources
and with those of other countries, are enthu-
siastic in their descriptions Of its latent min
eral and agricultural wealth.
The policy of the government has been ex-
iremely liberal to The producers of sugar,
with the purpose Of building up nnd fostering
that interest us lhesmost productive Of rev.
enue to the crown. Great privileges have
been secured 10 the sugar planter, such as
exemption from all direct lakes except tlhes
and immunity from the sale of their estates
by any process TO satisfy the claims of credi-
tors. Very many of the planters are large
borrowers Of money, aud have been in
formed by capitalists that owing to this last
provision, the current rate of interest on thei,
loans is not less than fifteen per cent, at the
same time that the notes on merchants and
retailers are readily discounted at SIX per
cent. There is no limit to the rate of inter
est established by law. A very large capital
is required TO make sugare estate But
when the requisite money is at hand, the pr-
ces of land are SO low that 10 begin from the
foundation is The preferable way for plants
er to establish himself. This accounts for
pay.
But the more usual way Of getting posses
sion of estates is to purchase them in full
operation by paying five or ten per cent. down
and paying certain sum, frequently as low
as two-and-a-half per cent. per annum,
till The whole be paid. An estate, such
as is sold in this way, consists of land me-
gr0es, horses, mules, calte, hogs, machinery,
and everything aPpertaning TO complete
establishment. | have heard of sales where
the first crop would reimburse the first pay
ment, and each successive crop provide for
the current payment, and leave the purchaser
from three to four times as much for his
income. Thus an estate was sold for $780,
OOO-S5O, 600 being paid down, and in ninety
days the maturing crop produced $4,000,
and the remaining $400 900 of the purchase
money was payable in annual installments
of $4,000 without interest, and the annual
product continues not less than $50,000.-
| ,.e IL, r. -
five years. and on majority Of estates no,
oftener than once in len years. When es-
tates are sold, they are always sold entire, ss
above described. The negroes and other
stock are not valued separately unless they
are separately sold.
The rule as to treatment of negroes is said
to be plenty of feed and plenty Of work.
} The slaves are driven to the field at dawn, af-
ter breakfasting, before it is light enough TO
work have rest and dinner at noon, work till
dark. then have supper and are locked up to
sleep. Marriage is unknown among them
The African trade is now fourishDg, after a
nearly total interruption under Concha, who
refused the usual bribes, and exerted himself
, TO prevent the Importation of slaves with Sc
much success that their value increased about
fifty per cent. The pecuniary resources Of
the Government are immense, aside from the
;. ordinary sources of revenue. The public
property in Havana alone, that might be sold
without endangering the public safety, is worth
e more than S. 100000. The Monastic Estates
now in the possession of the Government, are
9 worth as much more. 1t is true that public