SPANISH ISLANDS IN AMERICA. 



CUBA. ...The island of Cuba is situate between 20 and 25 degrees 

 north latitude, and between 74 and 85 degrees west longitude, 100 

 miles to the south of Cape Florida, and 75 north of Jamaica, and is 

 near 700 miles in length, and generally about 70 miles in breadth. 

 A chain of hills runs through the middle of the island from east to 

 west ; but the land near the sea is in general level and flooded in the 

 rainy season, when the sun is vertical. This noble island is supposed 

 to have the best soil, for so large a country, of any in America. It 

 produces all commodities known in the West Indies, particularly 

 ginger, long pepper, and other spices, cassia, fistula, mastic, and 

 aloes. It also produces tobacco and sugar; but from the want of 

 hands, and the laziness of the Spaniards, not in such quantities as 

 might be expected. 



The course of the rivers is too short to be of any consequence ; but 

 there are several good harbours in the island which belong to the 

 principal towns, as that of St. Jago, facing Jamaica, strongly situate 

 and well fortified, but neither populous nor rich; and that of the 

 Havanna, facing Florida, which is the capital of Cuba, and a place 

 of great strength and importance, containing about 2000 houses, with 

 a great number of convents and churches ; it was taken, however, 

 by the courage and perseverance of the English troops in the year 

 1762, but restored in the subsequent treaty of peace. Besides these ? 

 there is likewise Cumberland harbour, and that of Santo Cruz, a con- 

 siderable town thirty miles east of the Havanna. 



PORTO RICO. ...Situate between 64 and 67 degrees west longi- 

 tude, and in 18 degrees north latitude, lying between Hispaniola and 

 St. Christopher's, is 100 miles long and 40 broad. The soil is beauti- 

 fully diversified with woods, vallies, and plains ; and is extremely 

 fertile, producing the same fruits as the other islands. It is well 

 watered with springs and rivers, but the island is unhealthy in the 

 rainy seasons. It was on account of the gold that the Spaniards set- 

 tled here : but there is no longer any considerable quantity of this 

 metal found in it. 



Porto Rico, the capital town, stands in a little island on the north 

 side, forming a capacious harbour, and joined to the chief island by a 

 causeway, and defended by forts and batteries, which render the town 

 almost inaccessible. It was, however, taken by sir Francis Drake, 

 and afterwards by the earl of Cumberland. It is better inhabited than 

 most of the Spanish towns, because it is the centre of contraband trade 

 carried on by the English and French with the king of Spain's sub- 

 jects. 



MARGARETTA.... Situate in 64 degrees west longitude, and 1 1 

 degrees and 30 minutes, north latitude, separated from the northern 

 coast of New Andalusia, in Terra Firma, by a strait of 24 miles, is 

 about 40 miles in length, and 24 in breadth ; and being always ver- 



