CUBA. 



77 



The H a V A N A, 



W AS built by Diego de Velafquez, who conquered die llland of Cuba, 

 and fettled a~ little town here in J 5 1 1 . It was named originally 

 the port of Carenas-, but afterwards when the city, by its increafe oi wealth, 

 grew confiderable, it was called San Chrijiopher of the Ha'vana. In 1536 

 it was of fo inconfiderable a value, that being taken by a French pirate, he 

 accepted of fo fmall a fum as 700 pieces of eight for its ranfom. Some time 

 after it was taken by RngliJlOi and a fecond time by the French ; nor was 

 it till the reign of Philip II. of Spain tliat the importance of it was thorough- 

 ly underftood, or any care taken to flrengthen it : though what was then 

 done proved infufficient, and moft of the fortifications were in a very bad 

 condition, when Fr<?;zm Corf^z/ was there in 1666, and very little better 

 when he vifited it again 20 years afterwards. Since the acceffion of the 

 houfe of Bourbon to the throne of Spain, more pains have been taken there- 

 in. We (hall firft defcribe the city, and then the port, in the condition 

 they now are. 



The city of Havana^ which is properly ftiled The Key of the Wejl- 

 Indiesy lies in 23° 12' north latitude, and 82° 13' weft longitude from 

 dony fituated in the moft fruitful part of the ifland, and the only part where 

 there are any farms, the reft being almoft deftitute of inhabitants. It ftands 

 on the weft fide of the harbour, in a very beautiful and pleafant plain ; is 

 the reiidence of the governor and captain-general of Cubuy and of the royal 

 officers, as well as of an affefTor, for the affiflance of the governor and captain- 

 general of the Wejl Indies. The buildings are elegant, but not lofty, built of 

 ftone, and make a very good appearance, though it is faid they are but meanly 

 furnifhed within. Here are eleven churches and monafteries, and two hand- 

 fome hofpitals. Near the middle of the town is a fpacious fquare, furround- 

 ed with uniform buildings. The churches are rich and magnificent, the 

 lamps, candlefticks, and ornaments for the altars being of gold and filver ; 

 fome of the lamps are of the moft curious workmanfhip, and weigh near an 

 hundred weight. The Kecolk5is church, which ftands on the beft ground 



in 



