The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-06-29
A Brief History Of C,nba

l. AUGUSTUS B. LoNGsrREEr.
t A Brief History of Cuba.
f AS there is strong probability of Cub;
= becoming sooner or later one of the State
OF the Union, it is well that something b,
known of her history.
cuba IS one of the oldest parts of Amer
lea, dating its age from the time of its dis
, covery by Europeans. With the execution
OF llayti and some small unimportant is
lands, it was the first place discovered by
Eoiuln1us IN his great voyage. 1t was on
the 18th of October, 1892, that Columbu:
landed on the little island of San Salvador
and sixteen days later, October 2s, he dis.
covered Cuba. lie gave to it the name OF
Iuond, IN honor Of Juan, eldest son of Fer
dlnand and Isabella. This name was after
ward changed to Santiago, after St. James,
the celestial patron Of the Spaniard.,
VINO IS popularity supposed to have been
IN the Spanish service, and to have
slam great many Moors, Mexicaps.
and Protestants. Perhaps he has retired
from that service, which may account for
the very small number of victories won bv
the Spanish arms during tlle last two cen
tuTles When Ferdinand died, it was deem
eu proper 10 compliment his memory bv
giving to the island the name of Feruan-
dina.
In after days, when the inhabitants were
supposed to be particularly strong in their
regard for the Virgin Mary, the namc of
Ave Maria was bestowed upon Cuba, by
way OF slgnalizing their devotion to her.
spanish geographers have called the island
lie Lengua de Pyaro, or the Sparrow's
Tongue, because Of its form and the rouph-
..,,nn,s g. 49,: Duc rtroupl, all tbSs,
wh1n tHs epssen pa's the the yha4e ga4 a. it were
the Pagan name Of Cuba has clung to it.
and is now, and has been for long time,
the only one by which it is known to the
world. Nor Christian nor Spauiard has
been able to displace the Pagan and Indian
appellation. What the natives called it
when Columbus first trod its soil, that is
now its name, with perhaps some corrup-
ton or diminntion, but not enough to az
feet the truth Of the general proposition.
1t is strange instance Of tenacity, when
we recolect how very generally native
names have given way to those of Europe
an origin.
Columbus died in the belief that Cuba
was part of the continent Of Asia, which
he had sailed to the west in the hope and
expectation of arriving at-a belief in con-
formity with the geographical knowledge
of that age, but which exerted very pref
judicial effect on his fortunes, and was in
furious to the cause Of scientific discovery.
Diego Columbus, son and successor of the
great admiral, founded the first Spanish
settlement in Cuba, in 1911. He sent Di-
ego Velasquez-the same gentleman who
cuts so awkward fgurein in the history of the
conquest of Mexico-to Cuba, with several
hundred men. In three years very ex-
tensive examination Of Cuba was made.
Several towns were founded, either in the
centre of the island, or on its southern
coast The original Havana was on the
south side of Cuba. It was founded in
1915, and was called San Cristobal de la
Habana !; but the name and scat of gov
ernment were transferred to the present
Havana, which was founded in 1919,
though it did not become the capital until
thirty years later; and it was not until
1889 that it was declared to be such by the
government Of Spain. Baraeoa, the first
place settled on the island, was originally
the capital; and thesdignity was conferred
on Santiago da Cuba in 1922. Hauana
owed its rise to a misfortune. 1t was taken
and burned by the French, in 1888, and when
rebuilt it was fortified. These Notifications
made it comparatively safe place to visit,
which, with the excellence of the harbor,
caused the treasure ships to touch there on
their way to Spain for food and water. The
town grew in importance, and ultimately
became the greatest place in the island, a
position which it has ever since maintained.
The French, however, who seemed to have
! had q, sort of spite against the Havana,
took it a second time, in 1854, and destroy.
ed it; but this did not prevent the seat oi
: government from being maintained there
. The Spaniards were then looking to the
J. North, and ittwas absolutely necessary that
3 they should have port on the northern
shore Of the island Besides, the bueea
8 ,';ers, as they, were afterward called, were
= beginning their attacks on Spanish settle
ments and Spanish commerce, and: the fort
0 at the Havana were - ought 1afotd pro
8 e(tettion.. The great lions aofssth,
q town wsfe asectSd inS Sths last years sof th.
j sixteenth Ssntnty, .@shsI Philip. the seeopi
= Ieallsd. Havana tils, ksyof thez Indies. -
!. s{ Iha sEDeiisk took jamaica from til
Il spani inas:sn tnwellss time, ttiinns after Whicl
! 1they nads ~ unsae esudpls sattas sn Haya