368 



MEXICO, CENTRAL A]SIEEICA, WEST INDIES. 



The negroes imported to replace the exterminated natives increased very 

 slowly, so that the losses on the plantations had to be incessantly repaired by fresh 

 consignments. Even in the middle of the present century, despite the con- 

 ventions signed with Great Britain, despite the laws interdicting the purchase of 

 blacks under the severest penalties, from 30 to 50 shiploads of bozales, or " raw 

 negroes," continued to be yearly smuggled into the island. The total number 

 thus introduced since the official abolition of the traffic iu 1820 is estimated at 

 about 500,000. This was actually more than the number openly imported during 

 the 300 previous years (1521 — 1821), which was estimated by Humboldt at 4l 3,500 

 and by Zaragoza at no more than 372,000. 



The black population did not begin to increase spontaneously till about the 

 close of the last century. Its growth, however, was then so rapid that in 1817 



Fig. 174.- -Political Divisions of Cuba befoee the Spanish Conquest. 

 Scale 1 : 12,000,000 



1. Quanahncabibes. 6. Macorijes. 11. Magon. 



2. Guanipfuauico. 7. Cubananan. 12. Omofai. 



3. Marien. 8. Haiiamana. 13. Camaguei. 



4. Habana. 9. Jagua. 14. Guaimaros. 

 5 Sabana 10. Guarauhaya. 15. Cayaguayo. 



16. Boyuca. 



17. Cueibi. 



18. Maniabon. 



19. Bani. 



21. Bayamo. 



22. Maiye. 



23. Maguanes. 



24. Guai-Maya. 



20. Guaoanayabo. 25. Barajagrua. 

 245 Miles. 



26. Sagua. 



27. Macaca. 



28. Bavaquitiri. 



29. Maisi. 



30. Baracoa. 



the coloured already outnumbered the white population. But the definite sup- 

 pression of the slave trade, followed by the war of secession and the abolition 

 of slavery in the United States, led ultimately to a similar measure in Cuba. 

 During the insurrection in the eastern districts the revolted planters themselves 

 emancipated and armed their slaves against the Spanish troops, and the gradual 

 extinction of slavery was officially decreed in 1880. Absolute emancipation 

 was proclaimed seven years later, when not more than 25,000 slaves remained to 

 be enfranchised. 



But the change was more apparent than real ; the blacks continued in a state 

 of virtual servitude, in which wages were merely substituted for board and lodg- 

 ing. In any case slavery in Cuba had always been of a milder form than in the 

 colonies of other nations. The slaves had been guaranteed the " four rights '* 



