the history of cuba

8/9/2019 The History of Cuba

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The Project Gutenberg EBook of History ofCuba; or, Notes of a Traveller

in the Tropics, by Maturin M. Ballou

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Title: History of Cuba; or, Notes of a Travellerin the Tropics

Being a Political, Historical, and StatisticalAccount of

the Island, from its First Discovery tothe Present Time

Author: Maturin M. Ballou

Release Date: June 14, 2010 [EBook #32812]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1


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[Pg i]


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ENTRANCE TO THE HARBOR OF HAVANA.

[Pg ii]

SIXTH THOUSAND.

HISTORY OF CUBA

OR,

Notes of a Traveller in the Tropics.

BEING A


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POLITICAL, HISTORICAL, ANDSTATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF THE

ISLAND, FROM ITS FIRST DISCOVERY

TO THEPRESENT TIME.

BY

MATURIN M. BALLOU

L'ile de Cuba seule pourrait valoir un royaume.

L'AbbRaynal.

ILLUSTRATED.

BOSTON:PHILLIPS, SAMPSON AND COMPANY.NEW YORK: J.C. DERBY.

PHILADELPHIA: LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO &

COMPANY.

1854.

[Pg iii]


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Entered according to Act of Congress, in theyear 1854, byPHILLIPS, SAMPSON & CO.,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of theDistrict of Massachusetts.

Stereotyped byHOBART & ROBBINS,New England Type and Stereotype Foundery

BOSTON.[Pg iv]

TOHis Friend,FRANCIS A. DURIVAGE, ESQ.,As a small Token of Regard forHIS EXCELLENCE IN THOSE QUALITIES WHICHCONSTITUTE STERLING MANHOOD; AS ATRUE AND WORTHY FRIEND; AS A RIPESCHOLAR, AND A GRACEFUL AUTHOR,This Volume

ISCORDIALLY DEDICATEDBYTHE AUTHOR

[Pg v]


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PREFACE.

The remarkable degree of interest expressed

on all sides, at the present time, relative to theisland of Cuba, has led the author of thefollowing pages to place together in this form aseries of notes from his journal, kept during abrief residence upon the island. To these hehas prefixed a historical glance at the politicalstory of Cuba, that may not be unworthy of

preservation. The fact that the subject-matterwas penned in the hurry of observation uponthe spot, and that it is thus a simple record ofwhat would be most likely to engage andinterest a stranger, is his excuse for thedesultory character of the work. So critically isthe island now situated, in a political point of

view, that ere this book shall have passedthrough an edition, it may be no longer adependency of Spain, or may have become thetheatre of scenes to which its formerconvulsions shall bear no parallel.

In preparing the volume for the press, the

author has felt the want of books of reference,bearing a late date. Indeed, there are none;and the only very modern records are thosewritten in the desultory manner of hurriedtravellers. To the admirable work of the


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learned Ramon de la Sagra,a monument ofindustry and intelligence,the author of thefollowing pages has been indebted for

historical suggestions and data. For theprivilege of consulting this, and other Spanishbooks and pamphlets, relative to the interestsand history of the island, the author isindebted to the Hon. Edward Everett, whokindly placed them at his disposal. Wherestatistics were concerned, the several

authorities have been carefully collated, andthe most responsible given. The writer haspreferred to offer the fresh memories of apleasant trip to the tropics, to attempting alabored volume abounding in figures andstatistics; and trusts that this summer book ofa summer clime may float lightly upon the sea

of public favor.M.M.B.

[Pg vi]

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

The Island of CubaEarly colonistsIsland aboriginesFirst importation ofslavesCortez and his followersAztecsThe law of racesMexican aboriginesValley of MexicoPizarroThe end of

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heroesRetributive justiceDecadence ofSpanish powerHistory of CubaTherovers of the gulfHavana fortifiedThe

tyrant VelasquezOffice of Captain-generalLoyalty of the CubansPower ofthe captain-generalCupidity of thegovernmentThe slave-tradeThe Britishtake HavanaGeneral Don Luis de lasCasasDon Francisco de ArranjoImprovement, moral and physical, of

Cuba,CHAPTER II.

The constitution of 1812Revolution of LaGranjaPolitical aspect of the islandDiscontent among the CubansTheexample before themSimon Bolivar, the

LiberatorRevolutions of 1823 and 1826General Lorenzo and the constitutionTheassumption of extraordinary power byTaconCivil war threatenedTaconsustained by royal authorityDespair ofthe CubansMilitary ruleA foreign pressestablishedProgramme of the liberal

partyGeneral O'DonnellThe spoilsInfluence of the climate,

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CHAPTER III.

Armed interventionConspiracy ofCienfuegos and TrinidadGeneral Narciso

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LopezThe author's views on the subjectInducements to revoltEnormoustaxationScheme of the patriotsLopez's

first landing, in 1850Taking of CardinasReturn of the invadersEffect upon theCuban authoritiesRoncali recalledNewcaptain-generalLopez's secondexpeditionCondition of the InvadersVicissitudesCol. CrittendenBattle of LasPozasSuperiority of courageBattle of

Las FriasDeath of Gen. EnnaThe fearfulfinale of the expedition,

CHAPTER IV.

Present condition of CubaSecret treatywith France and EnglandBritish plan forthe Africanization of the islandSale of

CubaMeasures of General PezuelaRegistration of slavesIntermarriage ofblacks and whitesContradictoryproclamationsSpanish duplicityACreole's view of the crisis and theprospect,

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CHAPTER V.[Pg vii]

Geographical position of the islandItssizeThe climateAdvice to invalidsGlance at the principal citiesMatanzasPuerto PrincipeSantiago de CubaTrinidadThe writer's first view of Havana

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Importance of the capitalIts literaryinstitutionsRestriction on Cuban youthsand educationGlance at the city streets

Style of architectureDomesticarrangements of town housesA wordabout Cuban ladiesSmall feetGrace ofmanners and general characteristics,

CHAPTER VI.

Contrast between Protestant and Catholic

communitiesCatholic churchesSabbathscenes in HavanaDevotion of thecommon peopleThe Plaza de ArmasCity squaresThe poor man's operaInfluence of musicLa DominicaTheTacon PaseoThe Tacon TheatreTheCathedralTomb of Columbus over the

altarStory of the great Genoese pilotHis deathRemoval of remainsTheformer great wealth of the church in CubaInfluence of the priests,

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CHAPTER VII.

Nudity of children and slavesThe streetof the merchantsThe currency of Cuba

The Spanish army in the islandEnrolment of blacksCourage of SpanishtroopsTreatment by the governmentThe garroteA military executionThemarket-men and their waresThe milk-

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man and his mode of supplyGlasswindowsCurtains for doorsThe CampoSanto, or burial-place of Havana

Treatment of the deadThe prisonThefish-market of the capital,

CHAPTER VIII.

The story of Marti, the smuggler, 108

CHAPTER IX.

The lottery at HavanaHospitality of the

SpaniardsFlatteryCuban ladiesCastilian, Parisian and American politenessThe bonnet in CubaLadies' dressesThe fanJewelry and its wearCulture offlowersReflectionsA most peculiarnarcoticCost of living on the islandGuinesThe cock-pitTraining of the

birdsThe garden of the worldBirds ofthe tropicsCondition of agricultureNight-timeThe Southern CrossNaturalresources of CubaHer wrongs andoppressions,

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CHAPTER X.

The volante and its belongingsTheancient town of ReglaThe arena for thebull-fights at HavanaA bull-fight aswitnessed by the author at ReglaAnational passion with the Spanish people

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Compared with old Roman sportsFamousbull-fightersPersonal description ofCuban ladiesDescription of the men

Romance and the tropicsThe nobility ofCubaSugar noblemenThe grades ofsocietyThe yeomanry of the islandTheir social positionWhat they might beLove of gambling,

CHAPTER XI.[Pg viii]

A sugar plantationAmericans employedSlaves on the plantationsA coffeeplantationCulture of coffee, sugar andtobaccoStatistics of agricultureThecucullos, or Cuban fire-flyNovelornaments worn by the ladiesThe Cubanmode of harnessing oxenThe montero

and his horseCurious style of out-doorpaintingPetty annoyances to travellersJealousy of the authoritiesJapan-likewatchfulnessQuestionable policyPolitical condition of Cuba,

145

CHAPTER XII.

Tacon's summary mode of justice, 161

CHAPTER XIII.

Consumption of tobaccoThe universalcigarLady smokersThe fruits of CubaFlour a prohibited articleThe royal palm

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West Indian treesSnakes, animals, etc.The Cuban blood-houndMode oftraining himRemarkable instinct

Importation of slavesTheir costVariousAfrican tribesSuperstitious beliefTattooingHealth of the negroesSlavelaws of the islandFood of the negroesSpanish law of emancipationGeneraltreatment of the slaves,

CHAPTER XIV.

Pecuniary value of the slave-trade toHavanaThe slave clippersFirstintroduction of slaves into CubaMonopolyof the traffic by EnglandSpain'sdisregard of treaty stipulationsSpanishperfidyPresent condition of SpainHer

decadenceInfluence upon her AmericanpossessionsSlaves upon the plantationsThe soil of CubaMineral wealth of theislandThe present condition of thepeopleThe influences of AmericanprogressWhat Cuba might be,

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CHAPTER XV.

Area of CubaExtent of cultivated anduncultivated landsPopulationProportionbetween the sexesRatio of legitimate toillegitimate birthsRatio between birthsand deathsAgricultural statistics

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Commerce and commercial regulationsCustom-house and port chargesExportsand importsTrade with the United States

Universities and schoolsEducationCharitable institutionsRailroadsTemperature,

CHAPTER XVI.

Retrospective thoughtsThe bright sideand dark side of the pictureCuban

institutions contrasted with our ownPolitical sentiments of the CreolesWarfootingLoyalty of the colonyNative menof geniusThe Cubans not willing slavesOur own revolutionApostles of rebellionMoral of the Lopez expeditionJealousyof SpainHonorable position of our

governmentSpanish aggressions on ourflagPurchase of the islandDistinguishedconservative opinionThe end

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[Pg 9]

THE

HISTORY OF CUBA

CHAPTER I
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The Island of CubaEarly colonistsIslandaboriginesFirst importation of slavesCortezand his followersAztecsThe law of races

Mexican aboriginesValley of MexicoPizarroThe end of heroesRetributive justiceDecadence of Spanish powerHistory of CubaThe rovers of the GulfHavana fortifiedThetyrant VelasquezOffice of captain-generalLoyalty of the CubansPower of the captain-generalCupidity of the governmentThe

slave-tradeThe British take HavanaGeneralDon Luis de las CasasDon Francisco deArranjoImprovement, moral and physical, ofCuba.

The island of Cuba, one of the earliestdiscoveries of the great admiral, has beenknown to Europe since 1492, and has borne,successively, the names of Juana,[1]Fernandina, Santiago and Ave Maria, havingfound refuge at last in the aboriginalappellation. Soon after its discovery byColumbus, it was colonized by Spaniards fromSt. Domingo, but was considered mainly in the

light of a military dept, by the homegovernment, in its famous operations atthat[Pg 10] period in Mexico. The fact that itwas destined to prove the richest jewel in theCastilian crown, and a mine of wealth to the
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Spanish treasury, was not dreamed of at thisstage of its history. Even the enthusiasticfollowers of Cortez, who sought that fabulous

El Dorado of the New World, had no goldenpromise to hold forth for this gem of theCaribbean Sea.

The Spanish colonists from St. Domingo foundthe island inhabited by a most peculiar nativerace, hospitable, inoffensive, timid, fond of thedance and the rude music of their own people,yet naturally indolent and lazy, from thecharacter of the climate they inhabited. Theyhad some definite idea of God and heaven; andwere governed by patriarchs, or kings, whoseword was law, and whose age gave themprecedence. They had few weapons of offenceor defence, and knew not the use of the bowand arrow. Of course, they were at oncesubjected by the new comers, who reducedthem to a state of slavery; and, proving hardtaskmasters, the poor, over-worked nativesdied in scores, until they had nearlydisappeared, when the home government

granted permission to import a cargo ofnegroes from the coast of Africa to labor uponthe ground, and to seek for gold, which wasthought to exist in the river-courses.[Pg 11][2]Thus early commenced the slave-trade of


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Cuba, a subject to which we shall haveoccasion more fully to refer.

Cuba became the head-quarters of the Spanishpower in the west, forming the point ofdeparture for those military expeditions which,though inconsiderable in numbers, were soformidable in the energy of the leaders, and inthe arms, discipline, courage, ferocity,fanaticism and avarice, of their followers, thatthey were amply adequate to carry out thevast schemes of conquest for which they weredesigned. It was hence that Cortez marched tothe conquest of Mexico,a giganticundertakingone a slight glance at which willrecall to the reader the period of history towhich we would direct his attention. Landingupon the continent, with a little band, scarcelymore than half the complement of a modernregiment, he prepared to traverse an unknowncountry, thronged by savage tribes, withwhose character, habits and means of defence,he was wholly unacquainted. This romanticadventure, worthy of the palmiest days of

chivalry, was crowned with success, thoughcheckered with various fortune, and stainedwith bloody episodes, that prove how thethreads of courage and ferocity are inseparablyblended in the woof and warp of Spanish


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character. It must be remembered, however,that the spirit of the age was harsh, relentlessand intolerant; and, that if the Aztecs,

idolaters and sacrificers of human victims,found no mercy at the hands of the fierceCatholics whom Cortez[Pg 12] commanded,neither did the Indians of our own section ofthe continent fare much better at the hands ofmen professing a purer faith, and coming tothese shores, not as warriors, with the avowed

purpose of conquest, but themselvespersecuted fugitives.

As the first words that greeted the ears of thePlymouth colonists were "Welcome,Englishmen!" uttered by a poor native, whohad learned them from the fishermen off thenorthern coast, so were the Spaniards at firstkindly welcomed by the aborigines theyencountered in the New World. Yet, in thenorth-east and south-west the result was thesame: it mattered little whether the strangerwas Roman Catholic or Protestant; whether hecame clad in steel, or robed in the garments of

peace; whether he spoke the harsh English,the soft French, or the rich Castilian tongue.The inexorable laws which govern races wererigidly enforced; the same drama waseverywhere enacted, the white race enjoying a


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speedy triumph. There were episodicalstruggles, fierce and furious, but unavailing;here Guatimozin, there Philip of Pokanoket

here a battle, there a massacre.

The Spanish general encountered a people whohad attained a far higher point of art andcivilization than their red brethren of the north-east part of the continent. Vast pyramids,imposing sculptures, curious arms, fancifulgarments, various kinds of manufactures, therelics of which still strangely interest thestudent of the past, filled the in[Pg 13]vaderswith surprise. There was much that wascurious and startling in their mythology, andthe capital of the Mexican empire presented asingular and fascinating spectacle to the eyesof Cortez. The rocky amphitheatre in the midstof which it was built still remains unchanged,but the vast lake which surrounded it,traversed by causeways, and covered withfloating gardens, laden with flowers andperfume, is gone. The star of the Aztecdynasty set in blood. In vain did the

inhabitants of the conquered city, roused tomadness by the cruelty and extortion of thevictors, expel them from their midst. Cortezrefused to flee further than the shore; the lightof his burning galleys rekindled the desperate


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valor of his followers, and Mexico fell, as a fewyears after did Peru under the perfidy andsword of Pizarro, thus completing the scheme

of conquest, and giving Spain a colonial empiremore splendid than that of any other power inChristendom.

Of the agents in this vast scheme of territorialaggrandizement, we see Cortez dying inobscurity, and Pizarro assassinated in hispalace, while retributive justice has overtakenthe monarchy at whose behests the richestportions of the western continent wereviolently wrested from their native possessors.If "the wild and warlike, the indolent and thesemi-civilized, the bloody Aztec, the inoffensivePeruvian, the fierce Araucanian, all fared alike"at the hands of Spain, it must be confessedthat their wrongs have been signally avenged."The horrid atrocities practised at[Pg 14] homeand abroad," says Edward Everett, "not only inthe Netherlands, but in every city of thenorthern country, cried to Heaven forvengeance upon Spain; nor could she escape

it. She intrenched herself behind the eternalCordilleras; she took to herself the wings ofthe morning, and dwelt in the uttermost partsof the sea; but even there the arm ofretribution laid hold of her, and the wrongs of


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both hemispheres were avenged by herdegeneracy and fall."

So rapid a fall is almost without a parallel inthe history of the world. Less than threecenturies from the time when she stoodwithout a rival in the extent and wealth of hercolonial possessions, she beheld herselfstripped, one by one, of the rich exotic jewelsof her crown. Her vice-regal coronet was tornfrom her grasp. Mexico revolted; the SouthAmerican provinces threw off her yoke; andnow, though she still clutches with febrilegrasp the brightest gem of her transatlanticpossessions, the island of Cuba, yet it isevident that she cannot long retain itsownership. The "ever-faithful" island hasexhibited unmistakable symptoms of infidelity,its demonstrations of loyalty being confined tothe government officials and the hirelingsoldiery. The time will surely come when thelast act of the great drama of historicalretribution will be consummated, and when, inspite of the threatening batteries of the Moro

and the Punta, and the bayonets of Spanishlegions, siempre fielwill no longer be themotto of the Queen of the Antilles.[Pg 15]

The history of Cuba is deficient in events of astirring character, and yet not devoid of


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interest. Columbus found it inhabited, as wehave already remarked, by a race whosemanners and character assimilated with the

mild climate of this terrestrial paradise.Although the Spanish conquerors have left usbut few details respecting these aborigines, yetwe know with certainty, from the narratives ofthe great discoverer and his followers, thatthey were docile and generous, but, at thesame time, inclined to ease; that they were

well-formed, grave, and far from possessingthe vivacity of the natives of the south ofEurope. They expressed themselves with acertain modesty and respect, and werehospitable to the last degree. Their labor waslimited to the light work necessary to providefor the wants of life, while the bounteous

climate of the tropics spared the necessity ofclothing. They preferred hunting and fishing toagriculture; and beans and maize, with thefruits that nature gave them in abundance,rendered their diet at once simple andnutritious. They possessed no quadrupeds ofany description, except a race of voiceless

dogs, of whose existence we have no proof butthe assertion of the discoverers.

The island was politically divided into nineprovinces, namely, Baracoa, Bayaguitizi,


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Macaca, Bayamo, Camaguey, Jagua, Cueyba,Habana and Haniguanica. At the head of eachwas a governor, or king, of whose laws we

have no record, or even tradition. An unbrokenpeace reigned[Pg 16] among them, nor didthey turn their hands against any other people.Their priests, called Behiques, were fanatics,superstitious to the last degree, and kept thepeople in fear by gross extravagances. Theywere not cannibals, nor did they employ

human sacrifices, and are represented asdistinguished by a readiness to receive theGospel.

The capital of the island was Baracoa,[3]erected into a city and bishopric in 1518, butboth were transferred to Santiago de Cuba in1522. In the year 1538, the city of Havana wassurprised by a French corsair and reduced toashes. The French and English buccaneers ofthe West Indies, whose hatred the Spaniardsearly incurred, were for a long time their terrorand their scourge. Enamored of the wild lifethey led, unshackled by any laws but the rude

regulations they themselves adopted,unrefined by intercourse with the gentler sex,consumed by a thirst for adventure, and braveto ferocity, these fierce rovers, for many years,were the actual masters of the gulf. They


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feared no enemy, and spared none; theirvessels, constantly on the watch for booty,were ever ready, on the appearance of a

galleon, to swoop down like an eagle on itsprey. The romance of the sea owes some of itsmost thrilling chapters to the fearful exploits ofthese buccaneers. Their coup de main onHavana attracted the attention of De Soto, thegovernor of the island, to the position andadvantages of the[Pg 17] port at which the

Spanish vessels bound for the peninsula withthe riches of New Mexico were accustomed totouch, and he accordingly commenced tofortify it. It increased in population by degrees,and became the habitual gubernatorialresidence, until the home government made itthe capital of the island in 1589, on the

appointment of the first Captain-general, Juande Tejada.

The native population soon dwindled awayunder the severe sway of the Spaniards, whoimposed upon them tasks repugnant to theirhabits, and too great for their strength.

Velasquez, one of the earliest governors of theisland, appears to have been an energetic andefficient magistrate, and to have administeredaffairs with vigor and intelligence; but hisharsh treatment of the aborigines will ever


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remain a stain upon his memory. A nativechief, whose only crime was that of taking uparms in defence of the integrity of his little

territory, fell into the hands of Velasquez, andwas burned alive, as a punishment for hispatriotism.[4] It is no wonder that under suchtreatment the native population disappeared sorapidly that the Spaniards were forced tosupply their places by laborers of hardiercharacter.

We have seen that the office of captain-generalwas established in 1589, and, with asuccession of incumbents, the[Pg 18] officehas been maintained until the present day,retaining the same functions and the sameextraordinary powers. The object of theSpanish government is, and ever has been, toderive as much revenue as possible from theisland; and the exactions imposed upon theinhabitants have increased in proportion asother colonies of Spain, in the western world,have revolted and obtained theirindependence. The imposition of heavier

burthens than those imposed upon any otherpeople in the world has been the reward of theproverbial loyalty of the Cubans; while theepithet of "ever-faithful," bestowed by thecrown, has been their only recompense for


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their steady devotion to the throne. But formany years this lauded loyalty has existed onlyin appearance, while discontent has been

fermenting deeply beneath the surface.

The Cubans owe all the blessings they enjoy toProvidence alone (so to speak), while the evilswhich they suffer are directly referable to theoppression of the home government. Nothingshort of a military despotism could maintainthe connection of such an island with a mothercountry more than three thousand milesdistant; and accordingly we find the captain-general of Cuba invested with unlimited power.He is, in fact, a viceroy appointed by the crownof Spain, and accountable only to the reigningsovereign for his administration of the colony.His rule is absolute; he has the power of lifeand death and liberty in his hands. He can, byhis arbitrary will, send into exile any personwhat[Pg 19]ever, be his name or rank what itmay, whose residence in the island heconsiders prejudicial to the royal interest, evenif he has committed no overt act. He can

suspend the operation of the laws andordinances, if he sees fit to do so; can destroyor confiscate property; and, in short, the islandmay be said to be perpetually in a state ofsiege.


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Such is the infirmity of human nature that fewindividuals can be trusted with despotic powerwithout abusing it; and accordingly we find

very few captain-generals whoseadministration will bear the test of rigidexamination. Few men who have governedCuba have consulted the true interests of theCreoles; in fact, they are not appointed for thatpurpose, but merely to look after the crownrevenue. An office of such magnitude is, of

course, a brilliant prize, for which the grandeesof Spain are constantly struggling; and themeans by which an aspirant is most likely tosecure the appointment presupposes acharacter of an inferior order. The captain-general knows that he cannot reckon on a longterm of office, and hence he takes no pains to

study the interests or gain the good-will of theCubans. He has a two-fold object in view,tokeep the revenue well up to the mark, and toenrich himself as speedily as possible. Hence,the solemn obligations entered into by Spainwith the other powers for the suppression ofthe African slave-trade are a dead letter; for,

with very few exceptions, the captains-generalof Cuba have connived at the illegalimportation of slaves, receiving for theircomplaisance a[Pg 20] large percentage on thevalue of each one landed on the island; for,


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though the slavers do not discharge their livingfreights at the more frequented ports, still theirarrival is a matter of public notoriety, and it is

impossible that, with the present system ofespionage, the authorities can be ignorant ofsuch an event. Nor can we imagine that thehome government is less well-informed uponthe subject, though they assume a politicignorance of the violation of the law. Believingthat the importation of slaves is essential to

the maintenance of the present high revenue,Spain illustrates the rule that there are none soblind as those who do not wish to see. It isonly the cheapness of labor, resulting from theimportation of slaves, that enables the plantersto pour into the government treasury fromtwenty to twenty-four millions of dollars

annually. Of this we may speak more fullyhereafter.

In 1760, the invasion and conquest of theisland by the British forms one of the mostremarkable epochs in its history. This eventexcited the fears of Spain, and directed the

attention of the government to its importancein a political point of view. On its restoration,at the treaty of peace concluded between thetwo governments in the following year, Spainseriously commenced the work of fortifying the


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Havana, and defending and garrisoning theisland generally.

The elements of prosperity contained withinthe limits of this peerless island required only apatriotic and enlightened administration fortheir development; and the germ of its[Pg 21]civilization was stimulated by the appointmentof General Don Luis de las Casas to the post ofcaptain-general. During the administration ofthis celebrated man, whose memory ischerished with fond respect by the Cubans,The Patriotic Society of Havana was formed,with the noble idea of diffusing educationthroughout the island, and introducing a tastefor classical literature, through hisinstrumentality, while the press was alsoestablished in the capital, by the publication ofthe Papel Periodico.

In the first third of the present century, theintendente, Don Alejandro Ramirez, labored toregulate the revenues and economicalcondition of the country, and called theattention of the government to the

improvement of the white population. But themost important concession obtained of themetropolitan government, the freedom ofcommerce, was due to the patriotic exertionsof Don Francisco de Arranjo, the most


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illustrious name in Cuban annals, "one," saysthe Countess Merlin, "who may be quoted as amodel of the humane and peaceful virtues,"

and "who was," says Las Casas, "a jewel ofpriceless value to the glory of the nation, aprotector for Cuba, and an accomplishedstatesman for the monarchy." Even thebriefest historical sketch (and this recordpretends to no more) would be incompletewithout particular mention of this excellent

man.

He was born at Havana, May 22d, 1765. Leftan orphan at a very early age, he managed thefamily estate, while a mere boy, with adiscretion and judgment which[Pg 22] wouldhave done honor to a man of mature age.Turning his attention to the study of the law,he was admitted to practice in the mothercountry, where for a considerable period heacted as the agent for the municipality ofHavana, and, being thoroughly acquainted withthe capabilities of the island, and the conditionand wants of his countrymen, he succeeded in

procuring the amelioration of some of the mostflagrant abuses of the colonial system. By hisexertions, the staple productions of the islandwere so much increased that the revenue, inplace of falling short of the expenses of the


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government, as his enemies had predicted,soon yielded a large surplus. He early raisedhis voice against the iniquitous slave-trade,

and suggested the introduction of whitelaborers, though he perceived that theabolition of slavery was impracticable. It wasowing to his exertions that the duty on coffee,spirits and cotton, was remitted for a period often years, and that machinery was allowed tobe imported free of duty to the island.

TheJunta de Fomento (society forimprovement) and the Chamber of Commercewere the fruits of his indefatigable efforts. Ofthe latter institution he was for a long time theSyndic, refusing to receive the perquisitesattached to the office, as he did the salaries ofthe same and other offices that he filled duringhis useful life. While secretary of the Chamber,he distinguished himself by his bold oppositionto the schemes of the infamous Godoy (thePrince of Peace), the minion of the Queen ofSpain, who, claiming to be pro[Pg 23]tector ofthe Chamber of Commerce, demanded the

receipts of the custom-house at Havana. Henot only defeated the plans of Godoy, butprocured the relinquishment of the royalmonopoly of tobacco. His patriotic serviceswere appreciated by the court at Madrid,


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although at times he was the inflexibleopponent of its schemes. The cross of theorder of Charles III. showed the esteem in

which he was held by that monarch. Yet, witha modesty which did him honor, he declined toaccept a title of nobility which was afterwardsoffered to him. In 1813, when, by the adoptionof the constitution of 1812, Cuba becameentitled to representation in the generalCortes, he visited Madrid as a deputy, and

there achieved the crowning glory of his usefullife,the opening of the ports of Cuba toforeign trade. In 1817 he returned to his nativeisland with the rank of Counsellor of State,Financial Intendente of Cuba, and wearing thegrand cross of the order of Isabella. He died in1837, at the age of seventy-two, after a long

and eminently useful life, bequeathing largesums for various public purposes andcharitable objects in the island. Such a man isan honor to any age or nation, and the Cubansdo well to cherish his memory, which, indeed,they seem resolved, by frequent and kindlymention, to keep ever green.

Fostered by such men, the resources of Cuba,both physical and intellectual, received anample and rapid development. The youth ofthe island profited by the means of instruction


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now liberally placed at their disposal; the[Pg24] sciences and belles-lettres wereassiduously cultivated; agriculture and internal

industry were materially improved, and anambitious spirit evoked, which subsequentperiods of tyranny and misrule have not beenable, with all their baneful influences, entirelyto erase.

The visitor from abroad is sure to hear thepeople refer to this "golden period," as theycall it, of their history, the influence of which,so far from passing away, appears to grow anddaily increase with them. It raised in theirbosoms one spirit and trust which they sadlyneeded,that of self-reliance,and showedthem of what they were capable, under liberallaws and judicious government.


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VIEW OF THE IMPERIAL DEL PASEO.

[Pg 25]

FOOTNOTES:

[1] In honor of Prince John, son of Ferdinandand Isabella. Changed to Fernandina on thedeath of Ferdinand; afterwards called AveMaria, in honor of the Holy Virgin. Cuba is theIndian name.

[2] "Thus," exclaims the pious Arrati, "beganthat gathering of an infinite number of gentilesto the bosom of our holy religion, who wouldotherwise have perished in the darkness ofpaganism." Spain has liberal laws relative to
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the religious instruction of the slaves; but theyare no better than a dead letter.

[3] Here Leo X. erected the first cathedral inCuba. Baracoa is situated on the north coast,at the eastern extremity of the island, andcontains some three thousand inhabitants,mixed population.

[4] The words of this unfortunate chief(Hatucy), extorted by the torments he

suffered, were, "Prefiero el infierno al cielo sien cielo ha Espaoles." (I prefer hell toheaven, if there are Spaniards in heaven.)

CHAPTER II.

The constitution of 1812Revolution of La

GranjaPolitical aspect of the islandDiscontent among the CubansThe examplebefore themSimon Bolivar, the LiberatorRevolutions of 1823 and 1826GeneralLorenzo and the constitutionThe assumptionof extraordinary power by TaconCivil warthreatenedTacon sustained by royal authority

Despair of the CubansMilitary ruleAforeign press establishedProgramme of theliberal partyGeneral O'DonnellThe spoilsInfluence of the climate.


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When the French invasion of Spain in 1808produced the constitution of 1812, Cuba wasconsidered entitled to enjoy its benefits, and

the year 1820 taught the Cubans theadvantage to be derived by a people frominstitutions based on the principle of popularintervention in public affairs. The condition ofthe nation on the death of Ferdinand VII.obliged Queen Christina to rely on the liberalparty for a triumph over the pretensions of the

Infante Don Carlos to the crown, and to assurethe throne of Donna Isabella II., and theEstatuto Real(royal statute) was proclaimed inSpain and Cuba. The Cubans looked forward,as in 1812 and 1820, to a representation in thenational congress, and the enjoyment of thesame liberty conceded to the Peninsula. An

institution was then established in Havana,[Pg26] with branches in the island, called theRoyal Society for Improvement, alreadyalluded to in our brief notice of Don FranciscoArranjo. The object of this society was to aidand protect the progress of agriculture andcommerce; and it achieved a vast amount of

good. At the same time, the press, within thenarrow limits conceded to it, discussed withintelligence and zeal the interests of thecountry, and diffused a knowledge of them.


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In 1836 the revolution known as that of LaGranja, provoked and sustained by theprogressionists against the moderate party,

destroyed the "Royal Statute," and proclaimedthe old constitution of 1812. The queen-mother, then Regent of Spain, convoked theconstituent Cortes, and summoned deputiesfrom Cuba.

Up to this time, various political events,occurring within a brief period, had disturbedbut slightly and accidentally the tranquillity ofthis rich province of Spain. The Cubans,although sensible of the progress of publicintelligence and wealth, under the protection ofa few enlightened governors, and through theinfluence of distinguished and patrioticindividuals, were aware that these advanceswere slow, partial and limited, that there wasno regular system, and that the publicinterests, confided to officials intrusted withunlimited power, and liable to the abusesinseparable from absolutism, frequentlylanguished, or were betrayed by a cupidity

which impelled despotic authorities to enrichthemselves in every possible way at theexpense of popular suf[Pg 27]fering. Added tothese sources of discontent was the powerfulinfluence exerted over the intelligent portion of


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the people by the portentous spectacle of therapidly-increasing greatness of the UnitedStates, where a portion of the Cuban youths

were wont to receive their education, and tolearn the value of a national independencebased on democratic principles, principleswhich they were apt freely to discuss afterreturning to the island.

There also were the examples of Mexico andSpanish South America, which had recentlyconquered with their blood their gloriousemancipation from monarchy. Liberal ideaswere largely diffused by Cubans who hadtravelled in Europe, and there imbibed thespirit of modern civilization. But, with a fatuityand obstinacy which has always characterizedher, the mother country resolved to ignorethese causes of discontent, and, instead ofyielding to the popular current, and introducinga liberal and mild system of government, drewthe reins yet tighter, and even curtailed manyof the privileges formerly accorded to theCubans. It is a blind persistence in the fated

principle of despotic domination which hasrelaxed the moral and political bonds unitingthe two countries, instilled gall into the heartsof the governed, and substituted thedangerous obedience of terror for the secure


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loyalty of love. This severity of the homegovernment has given rise to several attemptsto throw off the Spanish yoke.

The first occurred in 1823, when the Liberator,Simon[Pg 28] Bolivar, offered to aid thedisaffected party by throwing an invading forceinto the island. The conspiracy then formed, bythe aid of the proffered expedition, for whichmen were regularly enlisted and enrolled,would undoubtedly have ended in the triumphof the insurrection, had it not been discoveredand suppressed prematurely, and had not thegovernments of the United States, GreatBritain and France, intervened in favor ofSpain. In 1826 some Cuban emigrants,residing in Caraccas, attempted a newexpedition, which failed, and caused theimprisonment and execution of two patrioticyoung men, Don Francisco de Agero, yVelazco, and Don Bernab Sanchez, sent toraise the department of the interior. In 1828there was a yet more formidable conspiracy,known as El Aguila Negra (the black eagle).

The efforts of the patriots proved unavailing,foiled by the preparation and power of thegovernment, which seems to be apprised byspies of every intended movement for thecause of liberty in Cuba.


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We have alluded to the revolution of La Granja,in Spain, and we have now briefly to considerits effects on the island of Cuba, then under

the sway of General Don Miguel Tacon. Weshall have occasion to refer more than once, inthe course of our records of the island, to theadministration of Tacon; for he made his markupon Cuba, and, though he governed it with aniron hand and a stern will, as we shall see, yethe did much to improve its physical condition,

even as Louis Napoleon, despot though he be,[Pg 29] has already vastly beautified andimproved the sanitary condition of the city ofParis.

The first place on the island which receivedintelligence of the revolution of La Granja, andthe oath to the constitution of 1812 by theQueen-Regent of Spain, was Santiago de Cuba,the capital of the eastern department. It wasthen commanded by General Lorenzo, whoimmediately assembled the authorities,corporations and functionaries, in pursuance ofthe example of his predecessors,who,

without waiting for the orders of the higherauthority of the island, had, under similarcircumstances, prepared to obey the supremegovernment of the nation,and proclaimedthrough his department the Code of Cadiz,


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without any opposition, and to the general joyof Spaniards and Cubans. His first acts were torestablish the constitutional ayuntamiento,

the national militia, the liberty of the press,and all other institutions, on the same footingas in 1823, when King Ferdinand recoveredabsolute authority, and made arrangements forthe election of deputies to the new Cortes.

Tacon, who was not a friend to liberalinstitutions, and who was fixed in his idea thatthe new constitution would convulse thecountry, notwithstanding his knowledge of thestate of things when this law was actually inforce in Cuba, was quite indignant when heheard what had transpired. Knowing that hecould not compel General Lorenzo to abrogatethe constitution he had proclaimed, heforthwith cut off all communication with theeastern department, and[Pg 30] formed acolumn to invade it, and to restore the oldorder of things by force. This was a bold,impolitic and dangerous move, because thisresolve was contrary to the wishes of the

supreme government and public opinion, whichwould not fail to see treason in the act of Gen.Tacon, against the mother country.

Although the royal proclamation whichannounced to Tacon the establishment of the


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constitution in Spain intimated forthcomingorders for the election of deputies in Cuba tothe general Cortes, still he considered that his

commission as captain-general authorized him,under the circumstances, to carry out his ownwill, and suppress at once the movement seton foot by General Lorenzo, on the ground ofits danger to the peace of the island, and theinterests of Spain. The royal order, whichopened the way for his attacks upon the Cuban

people, after a confused preamble, confers onthe captain-general all the authorityappertaining in time of war to a Spanishgovernor of a city in a state of siege,authorizing him in any circumstances and byhis proper will to suspend any publicfunctionary, whatever his rank, civil, military,

or ecclesiastical; to banish any resident of theisland, without preferring any accusations; tomodify any law, or suspend its operations;[Pg31][5] disobey with impunity any regulationemanating from the Spanish government; todispose of the public revenues at his will; and,finally, to act according to his pleasure,

winding up with recommending a moderateuse of the confidence evinced by the sovereignin according power so ample.


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Although the captains-general of Cuba havealways been invested with extraordinarypower, we believe that these items of

unlimited authority were first conferred uponVivez in 1825, when the island was menacedby an invasion of the united forces of Mexicoand Columbia. In these circumstances, andemanating from an absolute authority, like thatof Ferdinand VII., a delegation of power whichplaced the destinies of the island at the mercy

of its chief ruler might have had the color ofnecessity; but to continue such a delegation ofauthority in time of peace is a most glaring andinexcusable blunder.

Meanwhile Tacon assembled a column ofpicked companies of the line, the provincialmilitary and rural cavalry, and placed them,under the orders of General Gascue, in thetown of Guines, hoping by this great paradeand preparation to impose on General Lorenzo,and strike terror into the inhabitants of thewhole island. He also adroitly worked by secretagents upon the forces at Santiago de Cuba,

and thus by cunning and adroitness broughtabout quite a rection in the public sentiment.[Pg 32]

Under these circumstances, if General Lorenzo,master of the eastern department, with two


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regiments of regular troops, all the nationalmilitia, all devoted to the new order of thingsand ready to obey his will, had marched upon

Puerto Principe, the capital of the centre,where the garrison was not strong enough tooppose him, and had there proclaimed theconstitutional code through the authority of theroyalAudiencia, Gen. Tacon wouldunquestionably have desisted from hisopposition, and relinquished the command of

the island. Cuba would then have enjoyed thesame political rights as the rest of Spain, andhave escaped the horrors of tyranny whichhave since weighed her down. But Gen.Lorenzo proved weak, let slip the goldenopportunity of triumphing over Tacon, andreturned to Spain in the vain hope that the

supreme government would sustain him. Inthe mean time, Tacon sent his body of soldieryto Santiago, their arrival being signalized bythe establishment of a military commission totry and punish all who had been engagedinnocently in establishing the fallenconstitution. The commandant Moya presided,

and the advocate Miret was held as counsel.

No sooner had this barbarous tribunalcommenced its proceedings, than no Creolebelonging to families of influence could look


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upon himself as safe from persecution, sincenearly all of them had hastened to obey theorders of General Lorenzo, and, like him, taken

oath to the constitution. Many men of rank,reputation and education, includ[Pg 33]ingseveral respectable clergymen, fell under theban of the military commission. Some werethrown into the prisons of Santiago de Cuba,some banished for a given period, and manyemigrated to avoid the horrors of a Spanish

dungeon, and the greater part in one way oranother were torn from the bosoms of theirfamilies. Of the soldiers who faithfully obeyedtheir officers, about five hundred werecondemned to work in the streets of Havana,with their feet shackled. Such are themeasures meted out by despotism to those

who have the misfortune to live under its ironyoke.

Tacon triumphed, yet the Cubans did notutterly despair. They cherished the hope thatthe Spanish government would recognize thelegality of their proceedings in the eastern

department; but they were doomed todisappointment. The Cuban deputies presentedthemselves in the Spanish capital, and offeredtheir credentials. But they were referred to acommittee of men profoundly ignorant of the


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feelings, opinions and condition, of the Cubanpeople, or deriving what few notions theypossessed from those interested on the side of

Tacon. The deputies were not allowed a seat inthe Cortes, and the government decided thatthe provisions of the constitution should notapply to Cuba, but that it should be governedby special laws. Since then, the island hasbeen ruled by the arbitrary will of the captains-general, without intervention of the Spanish

Cortes, without the intervention of the island,and, what is almost inconceivable, at firstthought, without the direct action even of thesovereign authority.[Pg 34]

Tacon, now that the royal authority hadsustained his action, was more despotic thanever. It is true that he introduced some legaland municipal reforms; that he embellished thecapital, and improved its health; but under himthe censorship of the press was almostprohibitory. The local ayuntamientos, which, atthe most despotic epoch, had frequentlyproduced happy effects, by representing to the

sovereign the wants of the country, were shornof their privileges, and their attributes confinedto the collection and distribution of themunicipal funds. Tacon is also charged withpromoting the jealousies naturally existing


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between Spaniards and Creoles, and withcompletely subjecting the civil courts tomilitary tribunals.

"In a state of agitation in the public mind, anddisorder in the government," says the authorof an able pamphlet entitled "Cuba y suGobierno," to whom we are indebted forinvaluable information that could only beimparted by a Creole, "with the politicalpassions of Spaniards and Cubans excited; theisland reduced from an integral part of themonarchy to the condition of a colony, andwith no other political code than the royalorder, conferring unlimited power upon thechief authority; the country bowed down underthe weighty tyranny of two militarycommissions established in the capitals of theeastern and western departments; with theprisons filled with distinguished patriots;deprived of representation in the Cortes; theayuntamientos prohibited the right of petition;the press forbidden to[Pg 35] enunciate thestate of public opinion, closed the

administration of General Don Miguel Tacon inthe island of Cuba, the most calamitous,beyond a question, that this country hassuffered since its discovery by the Spaniards."


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The liberal party of Cuba, denied theexpression of their views in the local prints,and anxious to present their wants and their

grievances before the home government,conceived the ingenious idea of establishingorgans abroad. Two papers were accordinglypublished; one at Paris, called "El Correo deUltramar" and one at Madrid, entitled "ElObservador," edited by distinguished Cubans.[6] It is scarcely necessary to say that these

produced no favorable result, and the people ofthe island became convinced that the mothercountry was resolved to persevere in the planof ruling Cuba with a rod of iron, indifferentalike to her tears and her remonstrances.

The programme of the liberal party wasexceedingly moderate, petitioning only for thefollowing concessions: 1st, That a specialministry, devoted to Cuban affairs, should beestablished at Madrid; 2d, That a legal organ ofcommunication between Spain and Cubashould be established in the island, torepresent the well-defined interests of the

metropolis and the colony; 3d, That somelatitude should be given to the press, nowcontrolled by a triple censorship;[Pg 36] 4th,That efficacious means should be adopted forthe complete suppression of the barbarous


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traffic in African slaves; 5th, That thegovernment should permit the establishmentof societies for the improvement of the white

inhabitants; 6th, That the island should berelieved of the enormous weight of thecontributions now levied upon her. None ofthese privileges, however, have been concededto suffering Cuba by the home government.

The first successor of General Tacon ruledCuba with a spirit of moderation andtemperance, seeking to conciliate the liberals,and giving hopes of great reforms, which asyet have never been accomplished. During theadministration of the Prince de Aglona, asuperior tribunal, the Royal Pretorial Audience,was established in Havana, to take cognizanceof civil suits in cases of appeal, and to resolvethe doubts which the confused system oflegislation produces at every step in theinferior tribunals. Gen. Valdes was the first andonly official who granted free papers to theemancipated negroes who had served out theirterm of apprenticeship, and who opposed the

African trade. He showed, by his example, thatthis infamous traffic may be destroyed in thecountry without a necessary resort to violentmeasures, but by the will of the captain-general.


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General O'Donnell, as captain-general,[7]instead of re[Pg 37]pressing, encouraged theslave-trade, and a greater number of the

unfortunate victims of human avarice wereintroduced into the island, during hisadministration, than during any like term sincethe conclusion of the treaty of 1817. Of coursehe vacated his post vastly enriched by thespoils, having doubtless received, as wasdeclared, from one to two doubloons per head

on every slave landed upon the island duringhis administration; a sum that would aloneamount to a fortune.

Of events which transpired during theadministration of Roncali and Concha we mayhave occasion to speak hereafter, but with thismore modern chapter in the history of theisland the general reader is alreadyconversant. It appears almost incredible thatan intelligent people, within so short a distanceof our southern coast, constantly visited by thecitizens of a free republic, and having theexample of successful revolt set them, by the

men of the same race, both in the north andsouth, weighed down by oppressions almostwithout parallel, should never have aimed aneffectual blow at their oppressors. It wouldseem that the softness of the unrivalled


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climate of those skies beneath which it isluxury only to exist has unnerved them, andthat the effeminate spirit of the original

inhabitants has descended in retribution to theposterity of the conquistadores.[Pg 38]

FOOTNOTES:

[5] "En su consecuencia da S.M. V.E. la masmplia ilimitada autorizacion, no tan solopara separar de esa Isla las personas

empleadas no empleadas, cualquiera que seasu destino, rango, clase condicion, cuyapermanencia en ella crea prejudicial, que leinfunda recelos su conducta pblica privada,reemplazandolas interinamente con servidoresfieles S.M. y que merezcan V.E. toda suconfianza, sino tambien para suspender la

ejecucion de cualesquiera rdenes providencias generales espedidas sobre todoslos ramos de la administracion en aquella parteen que V.E. considere conveniente al realservicio, debiendo ser en todo casoprovisionales estas medidas, y dar V.E. cuenta S.M. para su soberana aprobacion."From

the Royal Ordinance conferring unlimitedpowers on the Captains-general of Cuba.

[6] "La Verdad," a paper devoted to Cubaninterests, established in New York in 1848, and


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conducted with signal ability, is distributedgratuitously, the expense being defrayed bycontributions of Cubans and the friends of

Cuban independence. This is the organ of theannexation party, organized by exiles in thiscountry.

[7] General Leopold O'Donnell was appointedgovernor-general in 1843, continuing a littleover four years to fill the lucrative position. Hiswife was a singular and most avariciouswoman, engaged in many speculations uponthe island, and shamefully abusing herhusband's official influence for the purposes ofpecuniary emolument.

CHAPTER III.

Armed interventionConspiracy of Cienfuegosand TrinidadGeneral Narciso LopezTheauthor's views on the subjectInducements torevoltEnormous taxationScheme of thepatriotsLopez's first landing in 1850Takingof CardinasReturn of the invadersEffect

upon the Cuban authoritiesRoncali recalledNew captain-generalLopez's secondexpeditionCondition of the InvadersVicissitudesCol. CrittendenBattle of LasPozasSuperiority of courageBattle of Las
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FriasDeath of Gen. EnnaThe fearful finaleof the expedition.

We have noticed in the preceding chapter, theanomaly of the political condition of Cuba,increasing in prosperity and civilization,imbibing liberal ideas from its geographicalposition, and yet denied participation in thefew shadowy rights which the peninsularsubjects of the enfeebled, distracted anddespotic parent monarchy enjoyed. We haveseen that, in later years, the adoption of moreliberal ideas by Spain produced no ameliorationof the condition of the colony; and that, on theother hand, a conformity to the legalenactments of the mother country waspunished as treason. The result of themovement in the western department, underTacon, showed the Cubans that they hadnothing to hope from Spain, while the crueltiesof General O'Donnell increased the greatdiscontent and despair of the[Pg 39] people.They now became satisfied that the hope oflegal reform was but a chimera; and a portion

of the liberal party, seeing no issue from theirinsufferable position but that of revolution,boldly advocated the intervention of arms.

In 1848 a conspiracy was formed, inCienfuegos and Trinidad, with the purpose of


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throwing off the Spanish yoke; but it was soondiscovered, and crushed by the imprisonmentof various individuals in the central

department. The principal leader in thismovement was General Narciso Lopez, whosucceeded in effecting his escape to the UnitedStates, where he immediately placed himself incommunication with several influential andliberal Creoles, voluntary and involuntaryexiles, and established a correspondence with

the remnant of the liberal party yet at libertyon the island, at the same time being aided inhis plans by American sympathy. The result ofthe deliberations of himself, his correspondentsand associates, was to try by the chances ofwar for the liberation of Cuba. The disastrousresult of the expedition boldly undertaken for

this purpose is already well known.

Before sketching the principal features of thisattempt, we may be permitted to declare that,although we deplore the fate of those of ourcountrymen who perished in the adventure,though we readily concede that many of them

were actuated by lofty motives, still we mustcondemn their action, and approve of thevigorous measures adopted by the federalgovernment to suppress that species ofreckless[Pg 40] adventure in which the


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flibustiers engaged. No amount of sympathywith the sufferings of an oppressed people, nocombination of circumstances, no possible

results, can excuse the fitting out of a warlikeexpedition in the ports of a nation against thepossessions of a friendly power. The flag whichhas waved unstained in peace and war over afree land for more than three quarters of acentury, must remain spotless to the last. Thehopes of every free heart in the world are

centred on our banner, and we must see to itthat no speck dims the dazzling lustre of itsstars. No degree of pride at the daringgallantry displayed by the little handful ofinvaders of Cuba,a gallantry inherited from abrave ancestry who displayed their valor in theholiest of causes,must blind our eyes to the

character of the adventure which called itforth. We have tears for the fallen, as brothersand men; but our conscience must condemntheir errors. While, individually, we shouldrejoice to see Cuba free, and an integralportion of the Union, nothing will ever induceus to adopt the atrocious doctrine that the

ends justify the means. But let us pass to aconsideration of the recent events in therecords of the island.


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Many of the leading patriots of the islandundoubtedly believed that the government ofthe United States would second their efforts, if

they should decide to unite themselves to ourrepublic, and boldly raise the banner ofannexation. A portion of the Cuban liberalsadopted the motto, "Legal Reform orIndependence;" and these two factions ofthe[Pg 41] patriots did not henceforth act inperfect concert with each othera most fatal

error to the interests of both. Time andcircumstances favored the war and annexationparty; the people were more than everdiscontented with a government which sooppressed them by a military despotism, andby the enormous weight of the unjust taxationlevied upon them. We may here remark that

the increase of the public revenue, in the midstof so many elements of destruction and ruin,can only be explained by the facility with whichthe captain-general and royal stewards of theisland invent and arrange taxes, at theirpleasure, and without a shadow of propriety,or even precedent.

The consuming population of Cuba amounts toabout eight hundred thousand souls, and thetotal amount of taxes and contributions ofvarious forms is more than twenty-three


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millions of dollars, in specie, per annum! It ishardly conceivable that such a sum can beextorted from a population whose wealth is

precarious, and whose living is so costly. Withthis revenue the government pays andsupports an army of over twenty thousandPeninsular troops in the island; a vast numberof employs, part of the clergy and half theentire navy of Spain; the diplomatic corps inthe United States and Mexico; many officials of

rank at home in Spain; and the surplus isremitted to Spain, and spent on the Peninsulaon matters entirely foreign to the interests ofthe island itself. A precious state of affairs!

The colored population of the island, bothslaves and[Pg 42] free, hated the Spaniards,for good reasons. The war party, moreover,reckoned on the genius of a leader (Lopez)trained to arms,[8] equal in talents to any ofthe Spanish generals, and beloved by theSpanish troops, as well as by the Cubanpopulation; and they relied, also, as we havesaid, on the sympathy and ultimate aid of the

United States government. It is undoubtedlytrue that interested parties in this country,prompted by mercenary motives, increasedthis latter delusion by false reports; while theCuban conspirators, in turn, buoyed up the


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hopes of their friends in the United States, byglowing accounts of the patriotic spirit of theCreoles, and the extent of the preparations

they were making for a successful revolt.General Lopez was actively arranging themeans for an invasion, when, in 1849, theUnited States government threw terror into theranks of the flibustiers, by announcing itsdetermination to enforce the sacredness oftreaty stipulations. This, for a time, frustrated

the intended invasion.

In 1850 Lopez succeeded in effecting his firstdescent upon the island. Having succeeded inbaffling the vigilance of the United Statesgovernment, an expedition, consisting of sixhundred and fifty-two men, was embarked onboard two sailing-vessels and the steamerCreole, which conveyed the general and hisstaff. In the beginning of July the sailing-vessels left New Orleans, with orders toanchor[Pg 43] at Contoy, one of the MugeresIslands, on the coast of Yucatan; the generalfollowed, on the Creole, on the 7th. At the time

when the troops were embarked on the Creoleat Contoy, fifty-two of the number, who hadbeen deceived as to the nature of theexpedition, refused to follow the general, andwere left on the island, with the intention of


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returning to the United States in the twoschooners. General Lopez, after gaining someinformation from a fisherman he encountered,

resolved to land at Cardenas, on the northerncoast of the island, a hundred and twentymiles east of Havana. He calculated that hecould surprise and master the garrison beforethe captain-general could possibly obtainintelligence of his departure from New Orleans.His plan was, to master the town, secure the

authorities, intimidate the Spaniards, and then,sustained by the moral influence of victory,proceed to Matanzas by railroad.

Roncali, the captain-general, having receivedintelligence of the landing at Contoy,despatched several ships-of-war in thatdirection, to seize upon the general and hisfollowers. The latter, however, escaped thesnare, and effected his landing on the 19th.The garrison rushed to arms, and, while aportion of the troops, after immaterial loss,retired in good order to the suburbs, another,under the command of Governor Ceruti,

intrenched themselves in the government-house, and gave battle to the invaders. After asharp skirmish, the building being set on fire,they surrendered; the governor and two orthree officers were made[Pg 44] prisoners, and


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the soldiers consented to join the revolutionarycolors! Meanwhile, a body of one hundredinvaders seized upon the railroad station. The

engines were fired up, and the trains madeready to transport the invading column toMatanzas.

But now came a pause. General Lopez, seeingthat the native population did not respond tohis appeal, knew that as soon as the news ofthe taking of Cardenas should be circulated, hewould be in a very critical situation. In fact, thegovernor of Matanzas was soon on the march,at the head of five hundred men. GeneralArmero sailed from Havana in the Pizarro, witha thousand infantry, while two thousand fivehundred picked troops, under the command ofGeneral Count de Mirasol, were sent fromHavana by the railroad. Lopez saw that itwould be madness to wait the attack of theseformidable columns, unsupported save by hisown immediate followers, and accordinglyissued his orders for the rembarkation of hisband, yet without relinquishing the idea of

landing on some more favorable point of theisland.

That portion of the garrison which, in thebeginning of the affair, had retreated to thesuburbs, finding itself renforced by a


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detachment of cavalry, attempted to cut offthe retreat of the invading general; but thedeadly fire of the latter's reserve decimated

the horse, and the infantry, dismayed at theirdestruction, took to rapid flight. The Creoleaccordingly left the port without molestation,and before[Pg 45] the arrival of thegovernment steam-frigate Pizarro. The Spanishprisoners were landed at Cayo de Piedras, andthen Lopez, discovering the Pizarro in the

distance, made for the American continent,where the steamer was abandoned. GeneralLopez was arrested by the authorities ofSavannah, but liberated again, in deference tothe public clamor. The Creole was seized,confiscated and sold. The invaders disbanded;and thus this enterprise terminated.

A less enterprising and determined spirit thanthat of General Lopez would have beencompletely broken by the failure of his firstattempts, the inactivity of the Cubans, thehostility of the American government, and theformidable forces and preparations of the

Spanish officials. He believed, however, thatthe Cubans were ripe for revolt; that publicopinion in the United States would nullify theaction of the federal government; and that, ifhe could once gain a foothold in the island, the


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Spanish troops would desert in such numbersto his banners that the preponderance ofpower would soon be upon his side; and, with

these views, he once more busied himself, withunremitting industry, to form anotherexpedition.

Meanwhile, the daring attack upon Cardenas,while it demonstrated the determination of theinvading party, caused great anxiety in themind of General Roncali. True, he had at hisdisposal an army of more than twentythousand regular troops; but he was by nomeans sure of their loyalty, and he thereforedetermined to raise a local[Pg 46] militia; but,as he suffered only Spaniards to enlist in it, hearoused the jealousy of the Cuban-borninhabitants, and thus swelled the force ofopposition against the government. GeneralLopez was informed of this fact, and basednew hopes upon the circumstance.

The Spanish government, having recalledRoncali, appointed Don Jos de la Conchacaptain-general of the island, and the severity

of his sway reminded the inhabitants of theiron rule of Tacon. It was during hisadministration that Lopez effected his secondlanding at Playitas, sixty miles west of Havana.Several partial insurrections, which had


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preceded this event, easily suppressed, as itappears, by the Spanish government, butexaggerated in the accounts despatched to the

friends of Cuba in the United States, inflamedthe zeal of Lopez, and made him believe thatthe time for a successful invasion had at lengtharrived.[9] He was so confident, at one time,of the determination and ability of the Cubansalone to secure their independence, that hewished to embark without any force, and throw

himself among them. It was this confidencethat led him to embark with only four hundredill-armed men on board the little steamerPampero, on the 2d of August, 1851. This[Pg47] force consisted mostly of Americans, butembraced forty-nine Cubans in its ranks, withseveral German and Hungarian officers; among

the latter, General Pragay, one of the heroes ofthe Hungarian revolution, who was second incommand to General Lopez on this occasion.

Many of the foreign officers spoke little, if any,English, and mutual jealousies andinsubordinations soon manifested themselves

in the little band. They were composed offierce spirits, and had come together withoutany previous drilling or knowledge of eachother. It was not the intention of thecommander-in-chief to sail direct for Cuba, but


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to go to the neighborhood of St. John's river,Florida, and get a supply of artillery,ammunition, extra arms, etc. He then

proposed to land somewhere in the centraldepartment, where he thought he could get afooting, and rally a formidable force, before thegovernment troops could reach him. But, whenfive days out, Lopez discovered that thePampero was short of coal; as no time couldbe spared to remedy this deficiency, he

resolved to effect a landing at once, and sendback the Pampero for renforcements andsupplies. At Key West he obtained favorableintelligence from Cuba, which confirmed hisprevious plans. He learned that a large portionof the troops had been sent to the easterndepartment; and he accordingly steered for

Bahia Honda (deep bay). The current of thegulf, acting while the machinery of the boatwas temporarily stopped for repairs, and thevariation of the compass in the neighbor[Pg48]hood of so many arms, caused the steamerto run out of her course on the night of the10th; and when the morning broke, the

invaders found themselves heading for thenarrow entrance of the harbor of Havana!

The course of the steamer was instantlyaltered; but all on board momentarily expected


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the apparition of a war steamer from thechannel between the Moro and the Punta. Itappeared, afterwards, that the Pampero was

signalized as a strange steamer, but notreported as suspicious until evening. ThePampero then made for the bay of Cabaas;but, just as she was turning into the entrance,a Spanish frigate and sloop-of-war were seenat anchor, the first of which immediately gavechase, but, the wind failing, the frigate gave it

up, and returned to the bay to sendintelligence of the expedition to Havana. Thelanding was finally effected at midnight,between the 11th and 12th of August, and thesteamer was immediately sent off to theUnited States for further renforcements. As itwas necessary to obtain transportation for the

baggage, General Lopez resolved to leave Col.Crittenden with one hundred and twenty mento guard it, and with the remainder of theexpedition to push on to Las Pozas, a villageabout ten miles distant, whence he could sendback carts and horses to receive it. Among thebaggage were four barrels of powder, two of

cartridges, the officers' effects, including thearms of the general, and the flag of theexpedition. From[Pg 49] the powder and armsthey should not have separated, but havedivided that, against contingency.


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In the mean time, seven picked companies ofSpanish troops of the line had been landed atBahia Honda, which force was strengthened by

contingents drawn from the neighborhood. Themarch of the invading band to Las Pozas wasstraggling and irregular. On reaching thevillage, they found it deserted by theinhabitants. A few carts were procured andsent back to Crittenden, that he might advancewith the baggage. Lopez here learned from a

countryman of the preparations making toattack him. It was no portion of his plan tobring the men into action with regular troops,in their present undisciplined state; heproposed rather to take a strong position in themountains, and there plant his standard as arallying-point, and await the rising of the

Cubans, and the return of the Pampero withrenforcements for active operations.

As soon as Lopez learned the news from BahiaHonda, he despatched a peremptory order toCrittenden to hasten up with the rear-guard,abandoning the heavy baggage, but bringing

off the cartridges and papers of the expedition.But the fatal delay of Crittenden separated himforever from the main body, only a smalldetachment of his comrades (under CaptainKelly) ever reaching it. The next day, while


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breakfast was being prepared for them, thesoldiers of the expedition were suddenlyinformed, by a volley from one of the houses

of the village, that the Spanish troops wereupon[Pg 50] them. They flew to arms at once,and the Cuban company dislodged thevanguard of the enemy, who had fired, at thepoint of the bayonet, their captain, Oberto,receiving his death-wound in the spirited affair.General Enna, a brave officer, in command of

the Spanish troops, made two charges incolumn on the centre of the invaders' line, butwas repulsed by that deadly fire which is thepreminent characteristic of American troops.Four men alone escaped from the companyheading the first column, and seventeen fromthat forming the advance of the second column

of attack. The Spaniards were seized with apanic, and fled.

Lopez's force in this action amounted to abouttwo hundred and eighty men; the Spaniardshad more than eight hundred. The total loss ofthe former, in killed and wounded, was thirty-

five; that of the latter, about two hundred menkilled, and a large number wounded! Theinvaders landed with about eighty rounds ofcartridges each; the Spanish dead suppliedthem with about twelve thousand more; and a


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further supply was subsequently obtained atLas Frias; the ammunition left with Crittendenwas never recovered. In the battle of Las

Pozas, General Enna's horse was shot underhim, and his second in command killed. Theinvaders lost Colonel Downman, a braveAmerican officer; while General Pragay waswounded, and afterwards died in consequence.Though the invaders fired well and did terribleexecution, they could not be prevailed upon to

charge the enemy, and gave great trouble tothe[Pg 51] officers by their insubordination.The night after the battle, Captain Kelly cameup with forty men, and announced that theSpanish troops had succeeded in dividing therear-guard, and that the situation of Crittendenwas unknown. It was not until some days

afterwards that it was ascertained thatCrittenden's party, attempting to leave theisland in launches, had been made prisonersby a Spanish man-of-war. They were taken toHavana, and brutally shot at the castle ofAtares.

About two o'clock on the 14th of August, theexpedition resumed its march for the interior,leaving behind their wounded, who wereafterwards killed and mutilated by theSpaniards. The second action with the Spanish


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troops occurred at the coffee-plantation of LasFrias, General Enna attacking with fourhowitzers, one hundred and twenty cavalry,

and twelve hundred infantry. The Spanishgeneral attacked with his cavalry, but theywere met by a deadly fire, thrown into utterconfusion, and forced to retreat, carrying offthe general mortally wounded. The panic of thecavalry communicated itself to the infantry,and the result was a complete rout. This was

the work of about two hundred muskets; formany of Lopez's men had thrown away theirarms on the long and toilsome march.

The expedition, however, was too weak toprofit by their desperate successes, and had nomeans of following up these victories. Plunginginto the mountains, they wandered about fordays, drenched with rain, destitute of foodor[Pg 52] proper clothing, until despair at lastseized them. They separated from each other,a few steadfast comrades remaining by theirleader. In the neighborhood of San Cristoval,Lopez finally surrendered to a party of

pursuers. He was treated with every indignityby his captors, though he submitted toeverything with courage and serenity. He wastaken in a steamer from Mariel to Havana.


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Arrived here, he earnestly desired to obtain aninterview with Concha, who had been an oldcompanion-in-arms with him in Spain; not that

he expected pardon at his hands, but hoping toobtain a change in the manner of his death.His soul shrank from the infamous garrotte,and he aspired to the indulgence of the cuatrotiros (four shots). Both the interview and theindulgence were refused, and he was executedon the first of September, at seven o'clock in

the morning, in the Punta, by that mode ofpunishment which the Spaniards esteem themost infamous of all. When he landed at BahiaHonda, he stooped and kissed the earth, withthe fond salutation, "Querida Cuba" (dearCuba)! and his last words, pronounced in atone of deep tenderness, were, "Muero por mi

amada Cuba" (I die for my beloved Cuba).[10]

The remainder of the prisoners who fell intothe hands of the authorities were sent to theMoorish fortress of Ceu[Pg 53]ta; but Spainseems to have been ashamed of the massacreof Atares, and has atoned for the ferocity of

her colonial officials by leniency towards themisguided men of the expedition, grantingthem a pardon.

At present it may be said that "order reigns inWarsaw," and the island is comparatively quiet


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in the presence of a vast armed force. ToConcha have succeeded Canedo and Pezuelas,but no change for the better has taken place in

the administration of the island. Rigorous tothe native population, insolent and overbearingto foreigners, respecting no flag and regardingno law, the captains-general bear themselvesas though Spain was still a first-rate power asof yore, terrible on land, and afloat still themistress of the sea.[Pg 54]

FOOTNOTES:

[8] His reputation as a cavalry officer was verydistinguished, and he was commonlyrecognized as La primera Lanza de Espaa (thefirst lance of Spain).Louis Schlesinger'sNarrative of the Expedition.

[9] "The general showed me much of hiscorrespondence from the island. It representeda pervading anxiety for his arrival, on the partof the Creole population. His presence alone,to head the insurrection, which would thenbecome general, was all they called for; his

presence and a supply of arms, of which theywere totally destitute. The risings alreadymade were highly colored in some of thecommunications addressed to him from


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sources of unquestionable sincerity."LouisSchlesinger's Narrative of the Expedition.

[10] General Lopez was born in Venezuela,South America, in 1798; and hence, at thetime of his execution, must have been aboutfifty-two years of age. He early became anadopted citizen of Cuba, and espoused one ofits daughters.

CHAPTER IV.

Present condition of CubaSecret treaty withFrance and EnglandBritish plan for theAfricanization of the islandSale of CubaMeasures of General PezuelaRegistration ofslavesIntermarriage of blacks and whitesContradictory proclamationsSpanish duplicityA Creole's view of the crisis and theprospect.

Cuba is at present politically in a critical andalarming condition, and the most intelligentnatives and resident foreigners live in constantdread of a convulsion more terrific and

sanguinary than that which darkened theannals of St. Domingo. Those best informed ofthe temper, designs and position of Spain,believe in the existence of a secret treatybetween that country, France and England, by
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/32812/32812-h/32812-h.htm#FNanchor_10_10http://www.gutenberg.org/files/32812/32812-h/32812-h.htm#FNanchor_10_10


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which the two latter powers guarantee to Spainher perpetual possession of the island, oncondition of her carrying out the favorite

abolition schemes of the British government,and Africanizing the island. Spain, it issupposed, unable to stand alone, andcompelled to elect between the loss of hercolony and subserviency to her British ally, haschosen of the two evils that which wounds herpride the least, and is[Pg 55] best calculated to

secure the interests of monarchical Europe. Allthe recent measures of the Captain-generalPezuela are calculated to produce theconviction that the Africanization of Cuba hasbeen resolved upon; and, if his alarmingproclamation of the third of May has beensomewhat modified by subsequent

proclamations and official declarations, it isonly because the Spanish government lacksthe boldness to unmask all its schemes, whilethe Eastern war prevents France and GreatBritain from sending large armaments to Cubato support it; and because the national vesselsand troops destined to swell the government

forces in the island have not all arrived. But forthe existence of the war in the East, themanifestoes of the captain-general would havebeen much more explicit. As it is, they aresufficiently bold a

the history of cuba

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