New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-09-08
slavery In Cuba

In spite of treaties and prohibitions, the
snye trade still flourishes in Cuba, and forms
rich source of income for the Spanish officials who
share indirectly in its profits. We learn by pri-
yate letter from trustworthy person, that some
six weeks since 500 negroes were dsembarked at
Oftigosa and that Cahedo, the Captain. General,
pccketed $3i per head for copniving at the act.
No wonder the Cubans desire to be freed from
Government which adds to perfect des ootism such
corruption as this.
The character Of slavery in Cuba is in some re-
spects worse than in our own Southern States.
OF its main features an Intelligent German, who
recently visited the island, gives an interesting ac-
count lie says that slaves there are taken care of
about as well as work horse, in Europe Marriage
is unknown among them. They are without all re-
liei,us or mental Instruction Every year priest
baptizes the whole lot of children born on the
plantation, and Sunday afternoons they are made
to say an Ave Maria, the creed and pater noster.
They always work with an oyeSseer standing over
them with a heavy whip. The lowest oyerseers
are themselves slaves, and have the right to in
1ict three blows. The white overseers have the
right to nhict twenty FIVE blows, punishment
slave no has not been punished and even men of
four score are met with who still have 70 submit
to the scourge. The women are logged by their
husbands in the presence Of the head oyerseer.
At 10 in the morning the oxen of the planta.
ton are driven under shelter from the heat. But
the slaves continue to work without interruption
through the day. They are also kept late at
night. On some plantations they are highly
favored if they are allowed to sleep two whole
nights in a week. The master is not allowed to
nfict the punishment of death, but In case OF
great crimts must hand the slave over 20 the
authorities, when he may renounce his property
in the negro, which frees him rom responsibility
for costs Of trial food sc. But this is almost
never done. Useless and incOrrigibl negroes are
got rid of Sin a more simple way without troubling
the authorities" Prostitution is universal on the
plantations beginning at the age Of 10. But
the woman who has mulatto child is liable to
City blows Of the whip.
At in the evening all the slaves who are not
destined to night work, are shut up by families in
stalls, where they tleep on boards. Each family
has pig TO fat, and little piece Of land which is
cultivated on Sunday afternoons. Every slave re-
ceiyes yearly two suits Of linen, blanket and a
wooden cap. Bread they do not receive, but have
three rations daily Of bananas, mangoes, sweet pO
tatoes, corn, died'fsh, and dried beef, which is
imported from Buenos Ayres.
The freedom of an unborn child can be bought
for twenty-five dollars, and fathers often adopt
this way Of emancipating their children. Many
slaves escape into the mountains; such are ex.
posed to the pursuit Of bloodhounds, and are also
betrayed by vultures lowering over their places Of
refuge. Many hang themselves with the idea that
after death they will find themselves. with the
same bodies as before, at home in Africa. Byws
Of stopping this practice, the owners have the re-