Chapter I: Front Matter

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Produced by Chuck Greif, Broward County Library and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net

Etext transcriber's note:

Obvious typographical errors have been corrected; the original orthography, including variation in the spelling of names, has been retained.

The Index included at the end of this etext (which includes volumes 1 thru 4) appears at the end of volume four of The History of Cuba. It is provided here for the convenience of the reader.

One of the noblest names in Cuban history of a century and more ago is that of Francisco de Arango y Parreño, advocate, economist and statesman. He came of a family of noble lineage, and was born in Havana on May 22, 1765. Among the great men of his day in Cuba, who were many, he was one of the foremost, as the detailed story of his labors and achievements in the chapters of this History abundantly attests. He worked for the reform of the economic system of the island, for the development of agriculture on an enlightened basis, for the extension of popular education, and for the promotion of commerce. He urged upon King Charles III plans for averting the evil influences of the French Revolution, while securing the good results; and he set an example in educational matters by himself founding an important school. Recognized and honored the world over for his character, talents and achievements, he died on March 21, 1837.]

THE HISTORY OF CUBA

BY WILLIS FLETCHER JOHNSON A.M., L.H.D.

Author of "A Century of Expansion," "Four Centuries of the Panama Canal," "America's Foreign Relations"

Honorary Professor of the History of American Foreign Relations in New York University

_WITH ILLUSTRATIONS_

VOLUME TWO

NEW YORK B. F. BUCK & COMPANY, INC. 156 FIFTH AVENUE 1920

Copyright, 1920, BY CENTURY HISTORY CO.

_All rights reserved_

ENTERED AT STATIONERS HALL LONDON, ENGLAND.

PRINTED IN U. S. A.

CONTENTS

PAGE

CHAPTER I 1

Entering a New Era--The Freedom of the Seas--Progress of the Slave Trade--Clandestine Commercial Operations and Political Intrigues--The Genius of Governor Guazo--Attacking the British and French--Close of a Notable Administration--Shipyards at Havana--Havana Threatened by the British--Rivalries in Cuban Politics--Foundation of the University of Cuba--Change in Land Tenure--Copper Mining--Insurrections of the Slaves--Glimpses of Social Life in Cuba.

CHAPTER II 18

The Administration of Guemez--Introduction of Reforms--Sanitation--Economic and Fiscal Reforms--Monopolies in Trade--Further Fortifications--Controversies Over the Slave Trade--Disputes with Great Britain--Declaration of War--Conflicts in Florida--Two British Expeditions--Admiral Vernon in the West Indies--Attack upon Santiago--The War in Florida--Governorship of Cagigal--Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle--Accession of Charles III--British Plans for the Conquest of Spanish America--Some Interesting Literature.

CHAPTER III 41

Some European Alliances--A Period of Peace for Spain--Reasons for the British Attacks upon Cuba--The Family Pact Between France and Spain--Spain's Break with Great Britain--Declaration of War by George III--Havana Chosen as the Point of Attack--The Albemarle-Pococke Expedition--Preparations at Martinique--The Advance upon Havana.

CHAPTER IV 53

First Appearance of Yellow Fever in Cuba--Preparations to Resist the British Attack--Divided Counsels--Arrival of the British Fleet--Consternation of the Inhabitants--Velasco Chosen as Commander of the Defense of Havana--Beginning of the Attack--Heroism of the Spanish Commander--British Accounts of the Fighting--Raids and Counter-Raids--British Reinforcements from the American Colonies--British Tributes to Spanish Valor--Surrender of the City--The Articles of Capitulation.

CHAPTER V 80

British Occupation of Havana--Attitude of the Cubans Toward the British Conquerors--Departure of the Spanish Forces--British Views of the Conquest of Cuba--A Controversy Over Church Bells--Difficulties with the Spanish Clergy--Character of Lord Albemarle's Administration--Troubles Over Taxation--Plots Against British Rule--Corruption in Colonial Government--Political Disturbances in England--The Making of Peace--Restoration of Cuba to Spain.

CHAPTER VI 96

Far-Reaching Effects of British Rule in Cuba--A French Picture of Life in Havana--A British Tribute to the City--Character of the People--Economic Changes in the Island--The Commerce of Havana--Defenses of the City--Not an Impregnable Fortress.

CHAPTER VII 104

Departure of the British and Re-entry of the Spanish--The New Spanish Governor--Antagonisms Between British and Spanish--A Period of Reconstruction--Reclassification of Revenues--Military Reorganization of Havana--New Provincial Administration--Establishment of a Mail Service--End of a Noteworthy Administration--Reform in Police Regulations--Expulsion of Religious Orders--Suppressing Contraband Trading--Destruction by Earthquakes--A Disastrous Hurricane--An Administration Void of Complaints.

CHAPTER VIII 119

An Era of Peace in Cuba--Tribulations in Spanish Louisiana--Spain Still Lagging Behind Other Colonial Powers--Fear of a Republic--O'Reilly's Expedition from Cuba to Louisiana--His Success--Effects of His Severity--The Tragic Prelude to Spanish Rule--Louisiana an Appanage of Cuba.

CHAPTER IX 129

Administration of the Marquis de la Torre--One of Cuba's Best Governors--Cleansing and Paving the Streets of Havana--New Public Buildings--Harbor Improvements--The First Theatre--Trinidad, Santiago and Puerto Principe also Renovated--Founding of Pinar del Rio and Other Towns--Reforms in Government--Havana a Beautiful and Prosperous City--Turgot's Warning to Spain Unheeded--Interest in the North American Revolution--Tariff Reform--The Currency--Jurisprudence.

CHAPTER X 145

Rise of the United States--Spanish Interests Involved--Negotiations Over Florida--Alliance Between France and Spain--Cuba's Intense Interest in the War Against Great Britain--Disaster to an Expedition from Havana--Operations at Mobile--Cuban Reconquest of Pensacola and Florida--An Early Prohibition Decree.

CHAPTER XI 153

An Ill-Managed Armada--Neutrality Violated in Warfare upon Commerce--An Orgy of Privateering--Rodney's Exploits--Cagigal's Expedition to the Bahamas--Rodney's Menace to Havana--The First Newspaper in Havana--Negotiating for General Peace--Spanish Chagrin at American Independence--More Liberal Trade Laws for Cuba--Insurrection in Peru--Peace and Prosperity in Cuba--Wasteful Forestry--Visit of an English Prince--Improvements and Reforms in Havana--Foundation of the Sociedad de Amigos--Reign of Charles IV--Godoy, "Prince of the Peace"--Ecclesiastical Changes in Cuba--Economic Ills--Administration of Las Casas--A New Census--Disastrous Hurricane--The Society of Progress--Advance in Commerce, Agriculture, Literature and Education--Work of Francisco de Arango--The Tomb of Columbus.

CHAPTER XII 186

Influence of the French Revolution in Spain--Toussaint Louverture--Cession of Santo Domingo to France--The Peace of Basle--Panic and Chaos in Spain--Advantages Gained by Cuba--A Civic Awakening in the Island--Dr. Romay's Introduction of Vaccination--Defense Against the Slave Revolt of Santo Domingo--The Work of Santa Clara--British Capture of Trinidad--Fears for the Safety of Cuba--Administration of Someruelos--Founding of the Intendencia--Expansion of Commerce--The Slave Trade--Extent and Conditions of Slavery--Rise of the Emancipation Movement--Importance of Negro Labor to Cuba.

CHAPTER XIII 215

The Land Problem in Cuba--Lands Withheld from the Real Workers--Indolence Induced by Lack of Opportunity--Manners and Customs of the Cuban People at the End of the Eighteenth Century--Lawyers and Land Titles--Prices of Land--Live Stock, Sugar and Tobacco--Primitive Sugar Factories--Progress of Agriculture--Obstacles to Economic Progress--Restrictions upon Commerce and Travel.

CHAPTER XIV 231

Conditions Accompanying the Rise of Wealth--Strange Mixture of Immorality and Religion--Seclusion of Cuban Women--Amusements and Entertainments--The Bull Ring--The Cock Pit--The Beginning of Literary Activity and Intellectual Life--The Drama in Cuba--Musical Culture--Dancing--Architecture--Home Life--Backward State of Education--Printing and Publishing--Suggestive Articles in the Press--The Beginning of Cuban Literature.

CHAPTER XV 256

Rise of Relations Between Cuba and the United States--Early Interest of the United States in Cuba--Action of Congress in 1811--"The Ever Faithful Isle"--First Overtures for Annexation--George Canning and British Policy Toward Cuba--Policy of John Quincy Adams--Utterances of Jefferson and Clay--American Attitude Toward British and French Designs--Mexico and Colombia Restrained from Conquest.

CHAPTER XVI 267

Spain in Her Decline--The Napoleonic Wars--The Constitution of 1812--Revolt of Spain's South and Central American Colonies--Cuba the "Ever Faithful Isle"--Reasons for Her Loyalty to Spain--Origin of the Cuban Spirit of Independence--An Age of Intellectual Activity--The Rise of Cuban Literature and Scholarship--Refugees in Cuba.

CHAPTER XVII 278

The First Cuban Census--The Second Census and Humboldt's Comments Thereon--Distribution of the Population by Races--Effects of the Slave Trade on Population--The Census of 1817--Subsequent Enumerations--Discrepancies in Statistics--Character of the Negroes of Cuba--The Birth Rate.

CHAPTER XVIII 290

Early Records of the Slave Trade--Participation by the Portuguese, French and British--Statistics of Slave Importations--Illegality No Bar--Relations Between Masters and Slaves--Efforts to Ameliorate the Conditions of Slaves--Introduction of Chinese Labor--Free Negroes--Religious Training of Slaves--Punishments of Slaves--Fear of Servile Insurrections.

CHAPTER XIX 302

The Administration of Santa Clara--Someruelos--Great Fire in Havana--Architectural Progress--Fear of Invasion--A French Fiasco--Hostility to Napoleon--Loyalty to an Unworthy King--Napoleon's Designs upon Cuba--The Aleman Episode--Arango and the Chamber of Commerce--Conflict with Godoy--Arango in the Cortes--Arbitrary Administration of Cienfuegos--Opposition to Street Lighting--Political Changes--Cagigal's Diplomatic Administration--Mahy the Reactionary.

CHAPTER XX 319

Good and Bad Deeds of Vives--A Royal Decree that Proved a Boomerang--Dangers of the Slave Trade Perceived--Apprehension of Intervention by Other Powers--A Subtle Appeal for Patriotic Organization--Progress of the Spirit of Independence.

CHAPTER XXI 328

British Designs upon Cuba--Cuban Negotiations with the United States--The Mission of Morales--Annexation Sentiment--Attitude of the United States Government--Issuance of the Monroe Doctrine--Its Effect in Europe and America--United States Consuls to Cuba Rejected--Cuba Offered to England in Pawn--American Objections to the Scheme--Increase of American Interest in Cuba.

CHAPTER XXII 335

An Era of Revolution--Career of Simon Bolivar--His Observation of the French Revolution--Liberation of Venezuela--Miranda and His Work--Bolivar in Exile--Final Success of the Liberator--Influence of His Career upon Cuba.

CHAPTER XXIII 343

The "Soles de Bolivar" in Cuba--Administration of Villanueva--Oppression of the People--Vain Attempts to Suppress Patriotic Societies--Conspiracies for Freedom--Early Martyrs to Patriotism--The Black Eagle--Trouble with Mexico--The Tyranny of Tacon--His Conflict with Lorenzo--Victims of Spanish Despotism--Cuban Deputies Excluded from the Cortes--Manipulation of the Police--Propaganda of Freedom by Cubans in Exile--Tacon's Public Works--Dealing with Pirates and Smugglers--Origin of the Havana Fish Market--Tacon as the Champion of Virtue in Distress--End of a Bad Reign.

CHAPTER XXIV 366

Beginning of Slave Insurrections--David Turnbull's Pernicious Activities--O'Donnell the Despot--Roncali the Ridiculous--Causes of Slave Unrest--Story of One Uprising--Vacillating Course of the Government--Systematic Propaganda Among the Slaves--Some Serious Outbreaks--Savage Methods of Repression--A Reign of Torture and Slaughter--White Victims as Well as Black--An Appalling Record--Saco's Advocacy of Independence--Some Advocates of Annexation to the United States--Spain's Determination to Hold Cuba Fast.