Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1861-03-29
Affairs In Havana.

From the Cuban Messenger of the 10th
We make the following summary Of Cuban
news:
RELIEF OF THE CUBAN PEOPLE.
The meeting Of painters, merchants and
other parties invited by the Government to
give their opinion, and information i'll regard
to the suffering of the poor people ofthc ls-
land, in consequence OF the recent and long
continued drouth, and what would be the
rpoet proper way to remedy the evil, or pre-
vent its being greater i'll future assembled on
Sunday last at the City Council Rooms, be-
ing presided over by the Mayor, Scnor Man-
tii!a The assembly was not as numerous as
might have been expected under existing cir
cumstances nor did all the principal parties
who could illustrate the subject attcned as it
was much desired. The majority Of the per-
sons present, and several communications
that were received from those who were una
bic to attend, and wished to lay all the intOr-
nation collected before the meeting, testified
to the facts we have already mentioned i'll
previous numbers, viz: that the suffering
among the poorer classes, and particularly SO
in the country, is really very great, and
daily increasing. and that there no chance
of an immediate relief to them, even it we
should now have abundant rain unless that
relief is furnished IRON abroad; us the crops
of corn. rice plantains, potato cs, yams, peas,
&c, have nearly all been destroyed, and con-
sequcntly cannot supply necessary food Tor
men or cattle during the Presentyear 1hcrc-
fore it was recommended that these most I'M
portaut articles, viz: rice cOru, corn-mcal, po-
tatccs. beans, and other similar vegetables,
should be allowed to come into the Island
from aboard free duties. In regard to flour,
i 1,1-0 fI0TIY Of M
that. in order to protect the interest OF many
they thought proper to recommend that
in case the duties on foreign flour should be
reduced as proposed, that it should not go in
to effect before six months time. We be-
licve that the Government will shortly decide
on the subject
business IN HAVANA.
The general condition of our money mark
eft is about the same as it has been since the
commencement of the year, with the exccp-
ton. perhaps, that there is stillmore stringen-
cy, ~ must be expected from the past that
the transactions in dscountsare becoming diff
fcult from day to day, and even with mort
cyages and market securities as guarantees IN
proportion of four to one, We know OF cases
where paper has been refused; therefore, trans
actions of any importance are limited to Pri-
vilened parties in our principal banks and the
discountng of bank coupons.
The week that has just passed has been
one Of greater importances, perhaps. than any
of the previous ones! merely from the fact
that the transactions in native as we'll as in
forei$.n produce have been on more exten-
sivc Scale. The news from the United States
in regard to the alteration in the tariff, cs-.
pecially in respect to sugar, moiasses, and to-
bacco, created some excitement before 1T was
explained that the bill had not received the
| sanction of the Executive in Washington,
and speculation has been consequently check
/ ed. The continued arrival of vessels, too,
with assorted merchandise, both from Europe
and the United States, which helPstoaccumlu-
|. late brge quantities Of goods that we're quite
| scarce last month, must consequently affect
| the general aspect ofthe market Still: trans
actioas of almost every kind are limited on
! account of the still continued scarcity OF
money.
sells bringing assorted cargoes, principally
from Spain aud our wharvcs are daily OBJ
strueted with Spanish produce and merchan-
disc; ;snost of which scarcely finds Purchns-
ers, Unless exceedingly low prices, or on time
! wheIEthe rates are somewhat reasonable
i s Edward NJ. Tidba11, Of Winchester,
tE.N A,.kA kEne h