48 



humboldt's cuba. 



is sought on the other side of the Atlantic ; that olive 

 oil of the most inferior quality is enabled to compete 

 largely with lard for domestic purposes ; and that of 

 forty millions pounds of meats imported, less than 

 three millions, or about seven per cent, only, is 

 imported from the United States: while butter and 

 pork, being subject to an equality of fiscal exactions, 

 are imported to the extent of more than ninety per 

 cent, from this country. 



The proximity of Cuba to the United States, and 

 the constant and frequent intercourse between them, 

 have been productive of the happiest effect upon the 

 industry of the island. Her infant coastwise com- 

 merce found, in our small vessels, a ready supply for 

 its needs ; and her steam navigation received its first 

 impulse and subsequent growth from our own. The 

 erection of machinery, and the application of steam 

 power to labor in all parts of Cuba, have also been, 

 in no small degree, the result of this proximity ; and 

 the influence of these, and many concurrent relations, 

 has been felt in every throb of her industrial system. 



The industrial relations of Cuba with Spanish 

 America have been injuriously affected by political 

 causes which have nearly destroyed sl once profitable 

 trade with the ports on the Gulf of Mexico, and the 

 Caribbean sea. The most important branch of com- 

 merce with them is the trade in jerked beef brought 



