GENERAL VIEWS. 



101 



but is increasing, notwithstanding the efforts of the 

 new government of Mexico against it; for of the 

 many vessels engaged in the contraband traffic with 

 Havana, but a small number are engaged in the 

 traffic with the more distant coasts of Caraccas and 

 Colombia. The necessary supplies of salted meats 

 (jerked beef), for the slaves in Cuba, are procured 

 from Buenos Ayres and the plains of Merida more 

 easily, and with less danger in these unquiet times, 

 than from Cumana, New Barcelona, or Caraccas. 



It is well - known that Cuba and the Archipelago 

 of the Philippine Islands have for centuries drawn 

 from the treasury of Mexico the sums necessary for 

 their internal administration, and for the preserva- 

 tion of their fortifications, their arsenals and their 

 navy yards. Havana has been the naval port of 

 Mexico, as I have stated in another work, 1 and 

 received annually (until 1808) from its treasury more 

 than one million eight hundred thousand dollars. 



1 " In the present state of affairs, (1803-4), the coast of Mexico is 

 a military dependence of Havana, which is the only neighboring- 

 port that - affords shelter to squadrons ; it is therefore the most 

 important point in the defence of the eastern shores of Mexico. For 

 this reason the government has expended enormous sums in its forti- 

 fication since its capture by the English. The court of Madrid, fully 

 aware of its own interests, has established the principle that in 

 order to preserve Mexico, the dominion of the island of Cuba must 

 '* "be maintained.' 7 — Humboldt. " Political Essay on New SpainP 



