The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-18


The First European Town In the New World
PORTO PLATA, Sept B. 1859.
Columbus upon his second visit TO Hspani0la
weighed anchor for the secure haven Of La Plata.
Adverse winds besetting his voyage along the coast
he put into harbor ten leagues eastward. Struck
with the advantages OF the position he here estaD
lished the first European town in the New World,
which he named Isabella, IN honor OF the Queen.
To-day this ancient city no longer exists Forests
of mahogany and lOgw0od once more cover the site
where nearly four centuries ago the first efforts Of
Spanish colonization were made. The ruined pill
lars Of the church, the magazine part Of the resi-
dence OF Columbus and the old fort, almost lost in
the prouson of vegetation, all that is left to mark
the spot After career OF unexampled prosperity
and afluence misrule and oppression resulted in
bitter wars and an overthrow Of the power
Of Spain. Subsequent history is filed with
revolutions bloodshed and devastation. st. Do
mingo, so rich in soil and vegetation; exhausted
and ruined by the unsettled state Of society," srug-
giles for bare existence. Her present career Is
retrograde one; her population Is diminishing and
her extensive savannas and fertile hlsides lie
waste bounteous nature provides for the few
wants of the people a subsistence and the profits
OF primitive and feeble EFFORT at agriculture sat-
isfy the small demands for money.
PORTO PLATA AND THE OPEN PORTS.
The result OF this condition OF things is almost an
entire humiliation OF trade This port ana st. DO.
mngo City are the only two principal outlets to the
island. A very small trade is accomplished also at
the open ports of Aqua and SANTANA. Porto Plata s
the only port the northern side Of the island
and the proceeds Of the Custom House here are the
main source OF revenue to the government. The
town itself Is small and very uninvtlng; 1t has
small harb0r well protected by reefs; vessel anchors
some distance from the shore; all cargo Is put on
hos ar ia Ran hv 1fnhf VUhr
not themselves approach the shore within fifty yards
owing to the shaowness Of the water on the beach
have very novel mode Of conveying cargo from
shore to lighters and Utce versa. THIS is done by
depth by bullocks which are manGuvred by ropes
passing through the cartilage OF the All this
trouble, Inconvenience and expense could be saved
by pier run out to sufficient depth OF water to
allow vessels to lie along side. Although Porto Plata
is Of the early towns OF the island the Spaniars
upon being driven out OF the country, completely
destroyed It. The modern town. composed OF about
thousand inhabitants has been entirely rebuilt
The people of the place are mixture OF Spanish,
Germans and French. The town depends almost en-
tlrey upon Santiago, about sixteen leagues in the
interior, for its business. or this inferior city
produced in the vicinity The shipments are almost
exclusively to Hamburg This year the tobacco crop
quantities already come in it Is estimated that the
production for export VIII reach 10000 Quntas,
ooooVo POUNDS ane country AROUND Ia, this CITY Is
ably fertile. The country, owing to the scarcity Of
population, produces little.
There Is considerable talk of building O railroad
from santiago to this place to carry the tobacco crop
to the seashore. Concessions have already been
granted by the government for this important enter
prise. Like all other new undertakings, some per-
sons wiser than any one else very propnetically
declare that the work will not pay. This
remains to be seen. BY opening fresh incen-
tives to industry the production Of the
country might be increased. The most serious ob
staces in the way OF success would be the insecurity
OF the government. may here introduce some sta
tiscs In relation to the island OF ST. Domingo. The
principal revenues OF the government are obtained
from duties on exports. imports and sealed paper
licenses fees, &c.
COMMERCIAL STATISTICS.
1t s difficult to obtain q clear statement OF the
trade and financial statistics OF the country. No
public records are kept from which a tabular
list might be compiled. The only accounts are
those kept at the Custom Houses and these are OF
the simplest character. From this source, with the
assistance of Senior Durocher, Collector or the Port
amount OF reliable material, from which an idea may
be obtained in relation 70 the present commercial
and financial condition OF the island OF St. Domingo.
VIII give this Information for each year separately
as the data accessible is not OF character to admit
OF q system or classification.
now established are Porto Plata St. Domingo City,
SANTANA and Aqua. For the year ending June 3d.
1858, the expectation from Porto Plata was 35,O 00
quintals Of tobacco.
From st. Domingo City-Exports, sI47b75; i'm.
ports. ssl7, JIG; revenue, $685., 900.
For the year ending June 80, 1867
Exports. Imports.
Porto Plata $409, 107 $780, 600
st. Domingo. 227,SoS 4ls,54S
Excess Of imports, $685., ess.