180 



humboldt's cuba. 



which appertains entirely to the administration of 

 the revenue. By a royal decree of 23 March 1812, 

 three intendencies or provinces were created, viz.: 

 Havana, Puerto Principe, and St. Jago de Cuba, 

 which extend, from east to west, about 90, 70, and 

 65 leagues, respectively. The intendant of Havana 

 retains the title and prerogatives of sub-delegate- 

 superintendent-general of the royal treasury of 

 Cuba. Under this subdivision, the intendancy of 

 St. Jago de Cuba comprises that district, and those 

 of Baracoa, Holguin, Bayamo, Gibara, Manzanillo, 

 Jiguani, Cobre, and Las Tunas. That of Puerto 

 Principe comprises the district of that name, and 

 those of Nuevitas, Jagua, Santi Espiritu, San Juan 

 de los Remedios, Villa Clara, and Trinidad. The 

 intendancy of Havana comprises all that part of the 

 island lying west of the district of Cuatro Yillas. 

 The intendant resides at Havana. 



When the island shall become more advanced in 

 population and agriculture, it would seem to be more 

 convenient and more in conformity with the historic 

 recollections of the times of the conquest, that it 

 should be divided into five departments ; that of the 

 Vuelta Abajo, extending from Cape San Antonio to 

 the beautiful town of Guanajay and Mariel; Havana, 

 from Mariel to Alvarez ; Cuatro Villas, from Alva- 

 rez to Moron ; Puerto Principe, from Moron to the 



