The English remained in possession of Cuba for something like six mouths, and during that time instituted many important and far-reaching reforms, so much so in fact that when the Spaniards regained possession, they found it very difficult to re-establish their former restrictive and tyrannous system.
For instance, the sanitary condition of Havana, which was atrocious even in those comparatively primitive days of hygiene, was vastly improved. All over the island, roads were opened. During the time of the English occupation, over nine hundred loaded vessels entered the port of Havana, more than in all the previous entries since the discovery.
The commerce of the island improved to a remarkable extent, and for the first time the sugar industry began to be productive.
If the British had remained in possession of Cuba, it is probable that that unhappy island would have been spared much of its misery and would have been as contented, prosperous and loyal as Canada is to-day.
It really seemed as if an era of prosperity had begun, when by the treaty of Paris, in February, 1763, most of the conquests made during the Seven Years' War were restored to their original owners, and among them unfortunately in the light of both past and future events, Cuba to the misrule of the Spaniards.
England, however, was eminently the gainer by this treaty, as she received from France all the territory formerly claimed by the latter east of the Mississippi, together with Prince Edward's Island, Cape Breton, St. Vincent, Dominica, Minorca and Tobago. In return for Cuba, Spain ceded to England Florida, while the Spanish government received Louisiana from France. On the other hand, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Pondicherry and Goree were returned to France.
It was impossible for the Spanish to undo in a day all the good that the English rule, short though it was, had accomplished.
Moreover, it was more than fortunate for Cuba that there followed not long after two governors of more than ordinary ability and humanity, both of whom had her interests at heart, and they caused a period of unwonted prosperity, most grateful to the Cubans, to follow.
The first of these governors, or to give them their rightful title, captain-generals, was Luis de Las Casas, who was appointed in 1790.
Now, for the first time in her history, Cuba really made rapid progress in commercial prosperity as well as in public improvements. Las Casas developed all branches of industry, allowed the establishment of newspapers, and gave his aid to the patriotic societies.