tnessed a single
evidence of this during his stay in the island,[51] and, while he would
be the last person to defend slavery as an institution, yet he is
satisfied that the practical evils of its operation are vastly overrated
by ignorant persons. It is so obviously for the planter's interest to
treat his slaves kindly, and to have due consideration for their health
and comfort--that he must be a very short-sighted being not to realize
this. What man would under-feed, ill-treat, or poorly care for a horse
that he expected to serve him, in return, promptly and well? We have
only to consider the subject in this light for a moment, to see how
impossible it is that a system of despotism, severity and cruelty, would
be exercised by a Cuban master towards his slaves. Let no ingenious
person distort these remarks into a pro-slavery argument. God forbid!

FOOTNOTES:

[47] The name _tobacco_ is said to have been that of the pipe used by
the native Indians to inhale the smoke with, consisting of a small tube,
with two branches intended to enter the nostrils.

[48] This highly-flavored and excellent fruit is so abundant in Cuba
that the best sell in the market at a cent apiece.

[49] "You never can cast your eyes on this tree, but you meet there
either blossoms or fruit."--_Nieuhoff._

[50] It is remarkable that the palm tree, which grows so lofty, has not
a root as big as a finger of the human hand. Its roots are small,
thread-like, and almost innumerable.

[51] "I believe the lash is seldom applied; I have never seen it, nor
have I seen occasion for it."--_Rev. Abiel Abbot's Letters._

CHAPTER XIV.

Pecuniary value of the slave-trade to Havana--The slave
clippers--First introduction of slaves into Cuba--Monopoly of the
traffic by England--Spain's disregard of treaty
stipulations--Spanish perfidy--Present condition of Spain--Her
decadence--Influence upon her American possessions--Slaves upon the
plantations--The soil of Cuba--Mineral wealth of the island--The
present condition of the people--The influences of American
progress--What Cuba might be.

Like Liverpool and Boston, in their early days, Havana has drawn an
immense wealth from the slave-trade; it has been the great commercial
item in the business for the capital year after year, and the fitting
out of ventures, the manning of vessels, and other branches of trade
connected therewith, have been the sources of uncounted pro