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The tobacco of Cuba is celebrated throughout the world. The custom of smoking was borrowed from the natives of Hayti, and was introduced into Europe towards the end of the 16th century. The plant is indigenous to America, and the term tobacco is probably derived from Tabaco, a province of Yucatan, where it is said to have been first found by the Spaniards. The honor of introducing it into England, about 300 years ago, is ascribed to Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh. The name Tobacum Nicotiana is, of course, not classic Latin, the word Tobacum having been invented since the discovery of America; and Nicotiana is obviously derived from Nicot, (John,) who first introduced tobacco into France, in 1559 Some have derived the term tobacum and tobacco, from tabac, the name of the instrument used by the natives of America in smoking the herb; others from

Tobasco in Mexico.

250,000 arrobas. From 1794 to 1803, the amount produced fell, owing to the government monopoly and other causes, to less than half that quantity. The total production of tobacco, however, in the island, is believed to have been, from 1822 to 1825, a gain from 300,000 to 400,000 arrobas. During the government monopoly from 10 to 12,000,000 lbs. of tobacco were sometimes accumulated at Seville, where all the tobacco of Cuba was deposited, and the revenue arising from it, in good years, was about 6,000,000 piastres.

The best quality of tobacco comes from the Vuelta Abajo, the southeastern part of the island, and the seed from that place is sent over the northern and western parts. The tobacco lands of Cuba yield about 135 lbs. to the acre.

During the government monopoly of tobacco, factories were established in the island, the officers of which were required to buy up the crop at prices fixed by themselves. These officers, called Visitadores des Vegas, had the inquisitorial duty confided to them of superintending the cultivation of tobacco, and in doing this they committed all sorts of abuses. They reduced the buying price SO low that the unfortunate planters were brought to the very verge of ruin. To enhance the value of tobacco, by Humboldt says that the tobacco plant rendering it scarce, at one time they has been cultivated from time immemo- actually obtained an order from the rial by the natives of Oronoko. It is crown of Spain to burn, or otherwise not improbable that the Asiatics were destroy, large quantities of tobacco on acquainted with it long before the dis- hand. When by this operation they covery of America, as is supposed by had succeeded in raising enormously Pallas, Rumphius, and Louveiro, though the price of tobacco in Spain, they filled it does not appear that it was known in the market with large quantities which Europe before that time. Ulloa, however, has endeavored to show that the they had secretly withheld from desEuropeans learned the use of it from swindled its subjects out of immense truction, and thus the government the Asiatics. Columbus, on his arrival at Cuba, in 1492, beheld, for the first time, the custom of smoking tobacco among the natives.*

The most ancient statements we possess, on the quantity of tobacco which the isle of Cuba has produced, extend back as far as 1748. The Abbé Raynal, whom Humboldt considers "a much more exact writer than is generally believed," states that, between 1748 and 1753, the mean annual amount produced by the island was 75,000 arrobas. From 1789 to 1794 the annual amount was

* Irving's Life of Columbus, vol. i. p. 287.

sums

could not last long. In 1804 the raising of money. This system, however, of tobacco in Cuba had become so much reduced that 40,000 arrobas were imported that year from the United States, to supply the retail demand in Havawent from the United States to Spain.† na; and a still greater quantity also

Cuba is well known; and it would be a The immense fertility of the soil of bilities from the amount of its products. gross error to infer its agricultural capa

* Humboldt: Cuba, p. 215.

+ Turnbull's Cuba, p. 317. See also De Bow' Industrial Resources, art. "Tobacco."

Importations from the United States-Tariff of Cuba.

Under a good government Cuba would produce five times as much as it now does. With an area of about 34,560,000 acres, the greater part of which is of the first quality for cultivation, we find that a great portion of the island is entirely uncultivated ;* so that its immense agricultural resources are, as yet, far from being developed.

1826 to 1830.
1831 to 1835.

1836 to 1840.
1841 to 1845.

1846 to 1850.

113

Imported.
$15,412,689..
.16,756.348.
21,662,766..

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22,472,355.. .27,150,754..

24,099,646

..28.828,988

From 1846 to 1850 the exportations of domestic products were as follows:

1846. 1847.

1848..

1849.

1850.

.$21,587,564
27,296,954

25,312,553

.21,896,526

.25,043,154

The foreign trade of Cuba is chiefly with this country. Our exports to, and imports from Cuba, during the last eight

years,

Having thus far spoken only of sugar, molasses, coffee and tobacco, it remains for us briefly to enumerate the other agricultural products. Indian corn, which is indigenous, yields two crops a year. There are two sorts in the island: the maiz de frio, and the maiz de agua. Rice is also produced in considerable quantities, in many parts, particularly in the low lands on the coast. Beans of various kinds are raised. Wheat was formerly raised, but its cultivation is now 1846.. abandoned. Plantains and bananas thrive aston- 1849. ishingly. So productive is the plantain that 600 plants will maintain a family of ten persons. One acre of ground will produce enough to feed five persons a whole year. Vast quantities, as is well known, are exported to this country.

Cotton thrives in many parts of the island, and is raised at much less cost than any other product. It will grow well on the barren and stony grounds near the coast. Its cultivation has been neglected from the supposition that sugar and coffee were more profitable crops. In 1837, 26,987 arrobas were exported. Cacao thrives well in the island.

The fruits of the island are the pine, or anana, oranges of different kinds, lemons, limes, figs, strawberries, the nispero, melons of different kinds, the red and yellow mamey apple, and other fruits. Among the roots are the yuca of different kinds, and various species of the sweet potato.

TRADE. Havana, Santiago de Cuba, Puerto Principe, Matanzas, Trinidad, Baracoa, Gibara, Cienfuegos and Manzanilla are the ports of the island licensed for foreign trade. The amount of the imports and exports of Cuba, since 1826, is given in the following table. The figures under each head being the average annual amount.†

* McCulloch estimates that only one-seventh of Cuba is under cultivation.

1844.

1845.

1847.
1848.

1850.

1851.

have been as follows:

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This table is compiled from the official returns of our government. Without enumerating the different articles sufficient to say that nearly all our prowhich we export to and from Cuba, it is ducts go to Cuba in exchange for those of the island.

Without undertaking to give in full the present existing Cuban tariff, we will here present so much of it as relates to those articles of commerce most consumed in Cuba, which are imported enormous duties on each article, and the from this country. The table shows the mode of valuation, so exaggerated as to double and triple the amount of the duties, etc.

Summary of the importation of certain articles that have a large consumption in Cuba, produced by the United States, to which is added a classification of the prices on which they are valued by the tariff of Cuba, and the duties charged on them.

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Cabs, gigs, etc..

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Willow wagons, each.
Carts, each.

Cotton rope and cord, per piece...

Staves, per 1000.

Floor matting, per yard.

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150 00....33%

Per cent. the duty is 61⁄44 per cent. There is also $3 50....33% added, in every case, a balance duty of 37 50... 33 one per cent., determined by the amount 4 50.27% of the export duties. Tobacco exported 37 50.27% in foreign vessels, with a foreign desti10 00. .33% nation, pays a duty of 1214 per cent.* The articles admitted free of duty, are iron sugar kettles, steam engines and machinery for sugar works, rice mills, horses and mares.

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A foreign vessel of 300 tons entering one of the ports of Cuba, has to pay, before it can get out of it, the following enormous charges:

33% For tonnage duties, at 12 reals per ton, and

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For dredging machine, at 14 reals per ton,
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Custom-house charges, on visit of entry..
Assistance in discharging, at $5 50 per

day...

For an extract of the manifest.

For cocket of outward cargo.

For a translation of the manifest.
Custom-house officers' fees..

For the captain of the port.
For lighthouse dues..

550

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Tables, card, 1 leaf.

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For government dues.

66

For bill of health.

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$645 124

66 2 "

Candlewick, per arr.

Cotton hdkfs, per doz..

Ruled paper, 26 inch

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REVENUES.-The crown revenues of

6 00....33% the island may be divided into six

8 00.. 2.50.

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classes:

1st. Rentas Maritimas, which include 27% the duties on imports, exports and tonnage, and the local or municipal duties, which are levied at some of the customhouses of the island.

Potatoes, per bbl.

46 white, 26 inch.

64

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Mahogany chairs, per doz.

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Ordinary chairs

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Saddles.

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2d. Impuestos Interiores, such as the tax on home manufactures, the consumption duty on butchers' meat, the composition levied from hucksters and hawk20 00...27% ers, the sale of papal bulls and of stamped paper, the profits derived from the lottery, and the impost on cock-fights.†

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The Cuban planter, before he can export his products, must also pay an ad valorem duty of 24 per cent., if their destination be a Spanish port, and if the vessel bear a Spanish register. If the destination be foreign, and the vessel Spanish, the duty is 414 per cent.; and if both vessel and destination be foreign,

3d. Deductions from the Rentas Ecclesiasticus, particularly from those called the royal ninths, and the consolidated and the annual and monthly revenues fund, the sinking fund, the media annata, of the clergy.

4th. Deducciones Personales, such as the

contribution for exemption from military

* Turnbull, p. 102.

+ Gambling is also licensed.

Port Charges-Crown Revenues-Total Income-Taxation. 115

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1843.

10,394,057 3

1844.

10,480,252 7

1845.

9,192,078 4%

1846.

1847

1848.

1849.
1850.

.11,140,778 7%

12.808,712 7

12,922,573 5 .12,664,329

.12,248,712 6%

In the elaborate official document in

The following tables, as given in the Diario de la Marina for January 1, 1852, and which may be considered official, since every thing published in Cuba must first pass under the eye of the government, are the most complete connected account, we believe, of the revenues of Cuba that has ever been pub- the Diario de la Marina, from which we lished. The returns are in dollars and derive the figures of the above tables, reals. The writer in the Diario divides the writer labors to show that Cuba is all the revenues of Cuba into two one of the most prosperous and happy classes: the Rentas maritimas, or those countries in the world, even more so derived from the custom-houses, and the Rentas terrestres, which include all other revenues whatsoever, enumerated above under the heads 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th and 6th.

Revenues of Cuba, derived from duties on Imports and Exports, from 1826 to 1850 inclu

sive:

Importation
duties.

$3,782,409 5 reals.

Total Importation and

Exportation duties
$4,683,753 4%
5,659,879 7%

5,309,136 1%

than the United States. He endeavors to show that we are lamentably oppressed by taxation, and drops a tear over the heavy burthens of imposts that weigh down our people-" los impuestos que sobre sus habitantes pesan!"

From the last table above it will be seen that the people of Cuba have to sustain a taxation of about $12,500,000 annually, which is for the free population of the island (600,000) upwards of $20 per head, rich and poor. Now let us look at the "OPPRESSED" states of Ohio, New-York, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, and see how much the people of those states are taxed per head. The 5,426,033 6% following table, which we compile, will show the oppression:

5,193,967 7
5,027.095 31⁄2

4,795,465 2

4,792,178 6
5,235,371 6
5,098,288 6

1826

1827

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1828.

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sums are raised by taxation ostensibly and militia. Of the first there are, in for the purpose of improving the public ordinary times, seven regiments of inroads of the island, they are most of the fantry of the line, and five regiments of year impassable, so that communications light infantry; one battalion of eight by mail are tediously slow. Even the companies of artillery, one of which is writer in the Diario de la Marina, whom flying; one company of sappers; also, a we have quoted, complains that the brigade of two companies, and six of Junta de Fomento, or Board of Improve- disciplined militia, and four squadrons of ments, has for many years past done but royal lancers. The disciplined militia little for internal improvements, and includes three battalions of free colored that little chiefly in the jurisdiction of troops, and two regiments of dragoons Havana, notwithstanding that its re- (whites). The city militia is composed sources between 1824 and 1850 have amounted to the enormous sum of $9,836,836, or $346,307 annually. With all these means in their hands, says the writer, for the improvement of the public roads, 66 we have seen the public mail detained from three to four days for the want of bridges, boats, etc."

The writer, who thus exposes the Junta de Fomento, which body, since 1824, has had the handling of more than $9,836,836 for internal improvements, without making any, recommends that the Junta be suppressed, and its power and duties merged in those of the Captain-General. Whether the Captain-General would make a better use of the money intended for internal improvements, is very doubtful.

There is great obscurity in all the government returns of Cuba, as regards the gross amount of taxation. The official publications which are made, neither comprehend the whole range of taxes, nor is there generally affixed to each head anything more than the balance subject to the control of the general treasury; that is, after deducting the enormous rates allowed those by whom the revenues are collected, the balance is reported as the amount of tax levied on the people: so that the $12,000,000, officially reported as being the whole tax, is only the balance, after all expenses of collection are deducted. The author of "Cuba and the Cubans" estimates that the amount of money actually collected by the Cuban government annually, for taxes, is about double the amount officially reported. He shows this to have been the case for the year 1844, and the system is now the same.*

ARMY.-The Captain-General of Cuba is commander-in-chief of the army, which is divided into the regular troops

✰ “Cuba and the Cubans," pp. 167-181. We should, however, receive the statements of either side, in these matters, with some grains of allowance.

of eight squadrons of three companies,
each containing seventy men.
The vol-
unteer companias sueltas include eight
companies of white infantry and thirteen
of cavalry; also twenty-two of free color-
ed infantry, mulattoes and blacks.

These troops are distributed throughout the island; and as the regular army, with all its officers, is from old Spain, the Creole finds but little sympathy in those who are thus sent to enforce his obedience to the exactions of his unnatural parent. Havana, the key to the whole island, is garrisoned by six regiments of infantry, generally of the regular army, one regiment of infantry and one of horse, of the militia, and two battalions of free colored troops.

No one

RELIGION. The Catholic religion is the only religion tolerated by the government in Cuba. An effort was made, a few years ago, by England, to obtain permission to erect a Protestant church at Havana, but without success. can hold property or engage in any kind of business in Cuba, without first acknowledging, in writing, that he is an Apostolical Roman Catholic; but those who have tender consciences leave out the middle term, and it is winked at. The Creoles are said to possess less inimical feeling towards Protestants than the latter, in our northern States, exhibit towards Roman Catholics. The real secret of the matter is, that the Cubans care but little about religion of any kind.

The first cathedral in Cuba was erect

ed in 1518, by Leo X., at Baracoa, which was for a long time the most important place in Cuba. It now contains only 2,600 inhabitants. Adrian VI. removed it to Santiago de Cuba, in 1522. It being destroyed by fire, another was built, but in so bad a manner that it threatened to fall down upon the congregation and in 1672. The island remained without priests. They accordingly abandoned it another until 1690, when another was

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