The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1857-02-02

Fr-Weoky Paper ............. Q
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CUBA.-fIaif the Island is covered with for
est comprising many precious woods and much
valuable ship timber. Some Of this portion is
mountainous and of little present value. But
with the extension of railways, and the modi.
Hcatons ofCustoms' mrestrictions, ,sthe natural
growth is likely to become valuable for ex-
change ia foreign traffic; and when the forest
is subdued, the highlands will afford pleasant
and healthful retreats from the burning heats
and fatal fevers Of the coast. At one point
the range exceeds highth Of seven hun
dred feet. The summit commands view OF
the sea in all directions. The mountains of
IIayti are visible from it to the East; and
.Southcrly, in the dim distance, the Blue Hills
of ia naica are 1iscerncd, rising still more
loftily from their seemingly vc-washel base
Bold and PERCEPTIONS crags alternate with
gentle slopes that invite to occupation equally
by their sightliness and salubrty.
OF the untimbcred lowlanl more than half
remains in a state of nature-ts verdant sur
face here and there relieved with the stately
palm. the Towering aloe and the oleander, or
the wild orange tree, at once fragrant with
the fresh blossoms and glowing with the ma
tured golden fruit. Two ffths of it only are
cultivated; hut even that extent of tage.
yielded in l854-besides the home supply Of
sugar, coffee, tobacco, fruits, &c, an aggregate
product for export amounting in value to thir-
ty two millions, seven hundred thousand dol
lars, and exceeding the imports in the sum Of
one million three hundred thousand dollars.
The white population Of Cuba is about six
hundred thousands; the blacks nearly, if not
quite million. The Island Yields n revenue
of &l3,OOO,0O0, only one half Of which is re.
quired for support Of the local administration,
leaving between SIX and seven millions for an
hual remittance TO Spain There exists no
parallel instance Of like liberal recompense for
protection eXtende to colonists remote from
the seat Of empire. The foreign commerce of
the colony is larger than that Of the parent
country. In 1878 commercial freedom was
proclaimed the direct trade having been pre-
yiously limited to few Spanish ports; and
though the boon was subsequently sought to
be revoked, and at intervals was heavily en-
cumbered by accumulative taxation, in twen-
ty-two years the exports of the Island were
quadrupled. Cuba is much more largely en-
gagged in trade with the United States than
with Spain. It's imports from Spain in 1854
were S9054,0OO, and $7,867 600 from the U
States; but its exports to this country, the
same year. are valued at l64l 900, while
only S3,6l5,0O0 were sent to Spain. A more
liberal tariff would greatly expand the trade
with the United States. The consumption Of
American -four in Cuba is especially limited
by the burdensome tax Of nine and half dol
lars barrel when imported in American bot
toms. In 1851 the exports to the United
States reached S13222 900, having increased
threcoid within a period Of ten years; but the
trade would seem now TO be rather declining
Proudly may Spain point to the prosperity of
'.n"hH::-the sh,rs that crowd her harhors the
wealth accumulated on her soil, the revenue
accruing from her commerce Ito confute those
who condemn her colonial policy, and contend
y that her right to sovereignty over the Island
is forfeited by the abuses she perpetrates in
exercising it.
l'he United States is inte: estcd chiefly to
procure a relaxation Of the commercial re-
Strictions that depreSs the trade of Cuba and
check the development of her resources. Ac-
QUESTION of the soil would tend to aggravate
the acrmony of dangerous sectional excite
ment at home, which it is the true policy Of
this government to allay. In time of war
with either of the great maritime powers, the
ownership of the Island would impose on us
. the costly and difficult task of its protection,
and expose it to the hazard of conquest by an
enemy. These evils seem incident to the
pOSSeSSlOn Oh Ouud Dy TIE y Hlleu IotdteSJ even
with the voluntary consent of Spain. If ac !
guired by force, besides encountering these
DANGERS, we should inevitably incur the tenn
porary sacrifice of a profitable trade, and might
chance to receive the troublesome appanage Of
a Colony Of emancipated blacks claiming the
equal privileges of freemen. Spain attaches
little value to the maintenance of slavery on
The ISLAND. Her laws now existing require
only to be executed to- relieve from Serflom
very large portion of the laborers held in
. bondage. The importation of Africans since
1920 has been effected in defiance of a solemn
Treaty, for entering into which Spain received
large peculiarly indemnity from Great Brit
am. Nevertheless during the last thirty five
years. the importation has scarcely fallen short
of an average Of six or seven thousand a year.
Then there are numerous apprentices long
since entitled to their freedom, hut held in
slavery, consisting Of Africans rescued from
slave ships and carried into Cuban ports by
British cruisers These Spain is bound by
Treaty to make free alter an apprenticeship OF
three years, during which they are expected
to acquire the habit of labor and learn bow 10
gain an honest living. Altogether. the mum
Der Of blacks thus entitled to freedom pursu-
Ant to treaty stipulatons. may be- reaSona ly
eStmat ID to exceed 100000. faithful *
ecution of the Spanish laws, would increase
the Tree colored population to formidable
magnitude, aud possibly would give it 3
numerical preponderance over the whites II
is obvions, therefore how easy Of execu ior
would be the project OF "Africanizing'' Cuba
which the Spanish government is s4ia to hav,
IN contemplation in case a general ar ning Q
the blacks shall be deemed necessary to pro
tect the Colony from predatory invasion.
1t is the insecurity Of the slave property i
Cu5a,-the right of the master to the servic