The Portland daily press., 1868-11-14

The Instruction i'm Cuba.
[Copy OF private letter Received By Geo. 5. Hunt,
from M. Moll, Esq, Hayana.]
HAVANA, Nov. z, 1868.

HAVANA, NV. u AOoo'
The instruction, in my opinion, is not so
serious as I at first believed. In the beginning
the rumor here was that the insurgents had
risen to the cry of "Viva la Indepenca," and
"Down with Spain" This cry was NEST fear
full and full of sad consequence, in view of the
diversity of races forming the population of
the Island, who would without doubt have be-
come involved in bloody struggle 1t is now,
however, asserted that the Revolutionsts de-
clare for the union of Cuba with Spain, with
the reforms promised by the Provisional Junta
OF Madrid, which reforms have been very well
received by all the parties existing in this Isl
and. 1t appears to ME that when the new
Captain-General arrives who has been APP
pointed for the Island, and who is the person
named to establish the new order of things
here,-then the insurgents will probably lay
down their arms, for if, having obtained the
very reforms they demand, they persist in
keeping up disturbance in the country, in all
probability vigorous warfare will then be
carried on against them until they are dis
pe-sed and destroyed.
The Captain General who now governs the
Island could do much, but it appears as though
he were not equal to this emergency; he seems
guided by an exaggeratedly monarchial spirit,
and wishes to effect at the point of the bay
onet what he might carry out peacefully and
without the shedding of SO much blood.
Fortunately, the insurgents occupy section
of country where there are no Sugar Estates
and they cannot consequently injure the crops
the principal employment Of the inhabitants
of that part of the Island being cattle raising
There exists, no doubt, certain degree Of
general uneasiness, because nothing is posi-
lively known of the state of affairs nor the
| probable issue of present difficulties, and on
| this very account all the owners of Sugar Es-
tates are hurrying to get their crops off and to
begin grinding as early as possible, SO much sc
| that within fortnight almost all the Estates
| will have commenced operations-se that the
| instruction, instead of interfering with the
| manufacture OF Sugar, will have the contrary
| effect of perhaps increasing the quantity made
the grinding will undoubtedly commence
earlier than it otherwise would.
| The Banks here, which are always very tim
| id, abstained from discounting paper at any
rate, but they now begin to change their minds
| and do some business at a 10 per cent
Private discounters are also taking some pa
| pers, but at rates as high as 2 and per cen
| per month. .....-.-
Buyers of imported goods are improving the
| opportunity to buy at prices ruinous to the
sellers.
The vital question here, which is the aboli
ton of Slavery, is resolved in Spain in man
ner satisfactory for this country, for it will bt
as gradual as it was to be desired.
In view of the foregoing circumstances
| firmly believe, not only that the present croI
will be harvested and made without Interrupt
ton, but that quiet and prosperity will soon be
established in the Island.
Exchange on London is low for the season
which shows that capital is not being hurried
| ly withdrawn from the country.
The central and Western sections of the
Island are completely quiet, and give no sup
port to the instruction.