| Etext transcriber's note: Many of the images may be seen at an enlarged size by clicking on them. 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. |
FRANCISCO DE ARANGO
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 theSlave Trade—Clandestine Commercial Operations and PoliticalIntrigues—The Genius of Governor Guazo—Attacking the British and French—Close of a Notable Administration—Shipyardsat Havana—Havana Threatened by the British—Rivalriesin Cuban Politics—Foundation of the University of Cuba—Changein Land Tenure—Copper Mining—Insurrections of theSlaves—Glimpses of Social Life in Cuba. | ||
| [CHAPTER II—] | [18] | |
| The Administration of Guemez—Introduction of Reforms—Sanitation—Economicand Fiscal Reforms—Monopolies in Trade—FurtherFortifications—Controversies Over the Slave Trade—Disputeswith Great Britain—Declaration of War—Conflicts inFlorida—Two British Expeditions—Admiral Vernon in the WestIndies—Attack upon Santiago—The War in Florida—Governorshipof Cagigal—Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle—Accession of Charles III—BritishPlans for the Conquest of Spanish America—SomeInteresting Literature. | ||
| [CHAPTER III—] | [41] | |
| Some European Alliances—A Period of Peace for Spain—Reasonsfor the British Attacks upon Cuba—The Family Pact BetweenFrance and Spain—Spain's Break with Great Britain—Declarationof War by George III—Havana Chosen as the Pointof Attack—The Albemarle-Pococke Expedition—Preparations atMartinique—The Advance upon Havana. | ||
| [CHAPTER IV—] | [53] | |
| First Appearance of Yellow Fever in Cuba—Preparations to Resistthe British Attack—Divided Counsels—Arrival of the BritishFleet—Consternation of the Inhabitants—Velasco Chosenas Commander of the Defense of Havana—Beginning of the Attack—Heroismof the Spanish Commander—British Accounts ofthe Fighting—Raids and Counter-Raids—British Reinforcementsfrom the American Colonies—British Tributes to Spanish Valor—Surrenderof the City—The Articles of Capitulation. | ||
| [CHAPTER V—] | [80] | |
| British Occupation of Havana—Attitude of the Cubans Towardthe British Conquerors—Departure of the Spanish Forces—BritishViews of the Conquest of Cuba—A Controversy OverChurch Bells—Difficulties with the Spanish Clergy—Character ofLord Albemarle's Administration—Troubles Over Taxation—PlotsAgainst British Rule—Corruption in Colonial Government—PoliticalDisturbances in England—The Making of Peace—Restorationof Cuba to Spain. | ||
| [CHAPTER VI—] | [96] | |
| Far-Reaching Effects of British Rule in Cuba—A French Pictureof Life in Havana—A British Tribute to the City—Characterof the People—Economic Changes in the Island—The Commerceof Havana—Defenses of the City—Not an ImpregnableFortress. | ||
| [CHAPTER VII—] | [104] | |
| Departure of the British and Re-entry of the Spanish—TheNew Spanish Governor—Antagonisms Between British and Spanish—APeriod of Reconstruction—Reclassification of Revenues—MilitaryReorganization of Havana—New Provincial Administration—Establishmentof a Mail Service—End of a NoteworthyAdministration—Reform in Police Regulations—Expulsion ofReligious Orders—Suppressing Contraband Trading—Destructionby Earthquakes—A Disastrous Hurricane—An AdministrationVoid of Complaints. | ||
| [CHAPTER VIII—] | [119] | |
| An Era of Peace in Cuba—Tribulations in Spanish Louisiana—SpainStill Lagging Behind Other Colonial Powers—Fear of aRepublic—O'Reilly's Expedition from Cuba to Louisiana—HisSuccess—Effects of His Severity—The Tragic Prelude to SpanishRule—Louisiana an Appanage of Cuba. | ||
| [CHAPTER IX—] | [129] | |
| Administration of the Marquis de la Torre—One of Cuba's BestGovernors—Cleansing and Paving the Streets of Havana—NewPublic Buildings—Harbor Improvements—The First Theatre—Trinidad,Santiago and Puerto Principe also Renovated—Foundingof Pinar del Rio and Other Towns—Reforms in Government—Havanaa Beautiful and Prosperous City—Turgot's Warningto Spain Unheeded—Interest in the North American Revolution—TariffReform—The Currency—Jurisprudence. | ||
| [CHAPTER X—] | [145] | |
| Rise of the United States—Spanish Interests Involved—NegotiationsOver Florida—Alliance Between France and Spain—Cuba'sIntense Interest in the War Against Great Britain—Disasterto an Expedition from Havana—Operations at Mobile—CubanReconquest of Pensacola and Florida—An Early ProhibitionDecree. | ||
| [CHAPTER XI—] | [153] | |
| An Ill-Managed Armada—Neutrality Violated in Warfare uponCommerce—An Orgy of Privateering—Rodney's Exploits—Cagigal'sExpedition to the Bahamas—Rodney's Menace to Havana—TheFirst Newspaper in Havana—Negotiating for GeneralPeace—Spanish Chagrin at American Independence—MoreLiberal Trade Laws for Cuba—Insurrection in Peru—Peace andProsperity in Cuba—Wasteful Forestry—Visit of an EnglishPrince—Improvements and Reforms in Havana—Foundation ofthe Sociedad de Amigos—Reign of Charles IV—Godoy, "Princeof the Peace"—Ecclesiastical Changes in Cuba—Economic Ills—Administrationof Las Casas—A New Census—Disastrous Hurricane—TheSociety of Progress—Advance in Commerce, Agriculture,Literature and Education—Work of Francisco de Arango—TheTomb of Columbus. | ||
| [CHAPTER XII—] | [186] | |
| Influence of the French Revolution in Spain—Toussaint Louverture—Cessionof Santo Domingo to France—The Peace ofBasle—Panic and Chaos in Spain—Advantages Gained by Cuba—ACivic Awakening in the Island—Dr. Romay's Introductionof Vaccination—Defense Against the Slave Revolt of SantoDomingo—The Work of Santa Clara—British Capture of Trinidad—Fearsfor the Safety of Cuba—Administration of Someruelos—Foundingof the Intendencia—Expansion of Commerce—TheSlave Trade—Extent and Conditions of Slavery—Rise ofthe Emancipation Movement—Importance of Negro Labor toCuba. | ||
| [CHAPTER XIII—] | [215] | |
| The Land Problem in Cuba—Lands Withheld from the RealWorkers—Indolence Induced by Lack of Opportunity—Mannersand Customs of the Cuban People at the End of theEighteenth Century—Lawyers and Land Titles—Prices of Land—LiveStock, Sugar and Tobacco—Primitive Sugar Factories—Progressof Agriculture—Obstacles to Economic Progress—Restrictionsupon Commerce and Travel. | ||
| [CHAPTER XIV—] | [231] | |
| Conditions Accompanying the Rise of Wealth—Strange Mixtureof Immorality and Religion—Seclusion of Cuban Women—Amusementsand Entertainments—The Bull Ring—The CockPit—The Beginning of Literary Activity and Intellectual Life—TheDrama in Cuba—Musical Culture—Dancing—Architecture—HomeLife—Backward State of Education—Printing andPublishing—Suggestive Articles in the Press—The Beginning ofCuban Literature. | ||
| [CHAPTER XV—] | [256] | |
| Rise of Relations Between Cuba and the United States—EarlyInterest of the United States in Cuba—Action of Congressin 1811—"The Ever Faithful Isle"—First Overtures for Annexation—GeorgeCanning and British Policy Toward Cuba—Policyof John Quincy Adams—Utterances of Jefferson and Clay—AmericanAttitude Toward British and French Designs—Mexicoand Colombia Restrained from Conquest. | ||
| [CHAPTER XVI—] | [267] | |
| Spain in Her Decline—The Napoleonic Wars—The Constitutionof 1812—Revolt of Spain's South and Central AmericanColonies—Cuba the "Ever Faithful Isle"—Reasons for Her Loyaltyto Spain—Origin of the Cuban Spirit of Independence—AnAge of Intellectual Activity—The Rise of Cuban Literature andScholarship—Refugees in Cuba. | ||
| [CHAPTER XVII—] | [278] | |
| The First Cuban Census—The Second Census and Humboldt'sComments Thereon—Distribution of the Population by Races—Effectsof the Slave Trade on Population—The Census of 1817—SubsequentEnumerations—Discrepancies in Statistics—Characterof 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—IllegalityNo Bar—Relations Between Masters and Slaves—Effortsto Ameliorate the Conditions of Slaves—Introduction ofChinese Labor—Free Negroes—Religious Training of Slaves—Punishmentsof Slaves—Fear of Servile Insurrections. | ||
| [CHAPTER XIX—] | [302] | |
| The Administration of Santa Clara—Someruelos—Great Firein Havana—Architectural Progress—Fear of Invasion—A FrenchFiasco—Hostility to Napoleon—Loyalty to an Unworthy King—Napoleon'sDesigns upon Cuba—The Aleman Episode—Arangoand the Chamber of Commerce—Conflict with Godoy—Arango inthe Cortes—Arbitrary Administration of Cienfuegos—Oppositionto Street Lighting—Political Changes—Cagigal's Diplomatic Administration—Mahythe Reactionary. | ||
| [CHAPTER XX—] | [319] | |
| Good and Bad Deeds of Vives—A Royal Decree that Proveda Boomerang—Dangers of the Slave Trade Perceived—Apprehensionof Intervention by Other Powers—A Subtle Appeal forPatriotic Organization—Progress of the Spirit of Independence. | ||
| [CHAPTER XXI—] | [328] | |
| British Designs upon Cuba—Cuban Negotiations with theUnited States—The Mission of Morales—Annexation Sentiment—Attitudeof the United States Government—Issuance of the MonroeDoctrine—Its Effect in Europe and America—United StatesConsuls to Cuba Rejected—Cuba Offered to England in Pawn—AmericanObjections to the Scheme—Increase of American Interestin Cuba. | ||
| [CHAPTER XXII—] | [335] | |
| An Era of Revolution—Career of Simon Bolivar—His Observationof the French Revolution—Liberation of Venezuela—Mirandaand His Work—Bolivar in Exile—Final Success of the Liberator—Influenceof His Career upon Cuba. | ||
| [CHAPTER XXIII—] | [343] | |
| The "Soles de Bolivar" in Cuba—Administration of Villanueva—Oppressionof the People—Vain Attempts to Suppress PatrioticSocieties—Conspiracies for Freedom—Early Martyrs toPatriotism—The Black Eagle—Trouble with Mexico—TheTyranny of Tacon—His Conflict with Lorenzo—Victims of SpanishDespotism—Cuban Deputies Excluded from the Cortes—Manipulationof the Police—Propaganda of Freedom by Cubansin Exile—Tacon's Public Works—Dealing with Pirates andSmugglers—Origin of the Havana Fish Market—Tacon as theChampion of Virtue in Distress—End of a Bad Reign. | ||
| [CHAPTER XXIV—] | [366] | |
| Beginning of Slave Insurrections—David Turnbull's PerniciousActivities—O'Donnell the Despot—Roncali the Ridiculous—Causesof Slave Unrest—Story of One Uprising—VacillatingCourse of the Government—Systematic Propaganda Among theSlaves—Some Serious Outbreaks—Savage Methods of Repression—AReign of Torture and Slaughter—White Victims as Well asBlack—An Appalling Record—Saco's Advocacy of Independence—SomeAdvocates of Annexation to the United States—Spain'sDetermination to Hold Cuba Fast. | ||
| [CHAPTER XXV—] | [385] | |
| Review of an Era in Cuban History—Progress in Inverse Orderfrom International to National Interests—Alienation from Spain—ContrastsBetween Cuba and Other Colonies, Spanish and English—UnconsciousPreparation for Independent Statehood—CubanInterest in the World and the World's Interest in Cuba—On theVerge of a New Era—The Promise of Cuban Nationality. | ||
| [Index to volumes 1 thru 4] | ||
ILLUSTRATIONS
| FULL PAGE PLATES: | |
| Francisco de Arango | [Frontispiece] |
| FACING PAGE | |
| Laurel Ditch, Cabanas Fortress | [58] |
| Havana, from Cabanas | [96] |
| In Old Havana | [130] |
| Tomas Romay | [192] |
| Juan José Diaz Espada | [272] |
| José Antonio Saco | [378] |
| TEXT EMBELLISHMENTS: | |
| PAGE | |
| Old Espada Cemetery, Havana | [52] |
| Atares Fortress, 1763 | [103] |
| Don Luis de las Casas | [175] |
| A Volante, Old-Time Pleasure Carriage | [238] |
| Monserrate Gate, Havana | [244] |
| George Canning | [258] |
| John Quincy Adams | [259] |
| Alejandro Ramirez | [311] |
| James Monroe | [329] |
| Simon Bolivar | [334] |
| Gaspar Betancourt Cisneros | [380] |