54 
[ Rep. ISTo. 564. ] 
Dr. Ramon de la Sagra, who presents the most favorable aspect of the 
cultivation, in general, of the staples of that island. The first diminishes 
the average product of an acre, in Louisiana, to 1,000 pounds of sugar; 
the second exaggerates the average product of an acre, in Cuba, to 2,038 
pounds of sugar; although he.had previously admitted that Humboldt 
was correct in limiting it to 1,116 pounds the acre, or 1,500 arrobas the 
eaballeria. 
The Louisiana plantation is stated 1,200 acres = ^50,000; improve¬ 
ments =: ^50,000; negroes 80, at i^600 each, rr ^48,000; total 148,000 
dollars. 
The Cuba plantation is allowed only 30 caballerias, or 981 acres, = 
^54,000; improvements = ^65,490 ; negroes, 90, at ^400 each, ^36,000; 
total 155,490 dollars. 
Of the Louisiana plantation, one-third, or 400 acres, is cultivated; 
giving to each negro five acres, and 5,000 pounds product in sugar. 
Of the Cuba plantation, one-sixth, or 196yV acres, is cultivated; giving 
to each negro 2^-^ acres, and 4,444 | pounds product in sugar, i. e. 555 f 
pounds less. 1 
The proportion of the annual expenses of the whole plantation is, for 
the negro in Louisiana, only 105 dollars; while for the negro in Cuba in 
ascends to 15dollars; i. e. 46 more. 
Hence, although the slave in Cuba may cost 50 per cent, less, and the 
ground he works may produce upwards of 100 per cent, more, the slave 
in Louisiana, both positively in sugar and negatively in money, may gain 
for his master upwards of 100 per cent, more ! 
Without reference to ihQ price of the sugar, or of the coffee, or of the 
cotton, it may, in the same way, be shown that on inferior soils even our 
slave labor wiW create much greater quantities at much less expense ! 
But when we admit the soil and climate to be equally productive, how 
infinitely superior are the products of American skill, capital, and econ¬ 
omy, combined; and when we still further contemplate the greater pro¬ 
ductiveness of most articles of tropical culture, acclimated withiri our ter¬ 
ritory, we may safely anticipate that, within twenty years, the southern¬ 
most sections of our Union will yield every tropical staple for the con¬ 
sumption of even the torrid zone itself. 
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, sir, your humble and obedient 
servant, 
HENRY PERRINE. 
To the Hon. Louis McLane, 
Secretary of State of the U. S. A., Washington City. 
Obstacles to the collection of information and plants in andfr 07 n Mexico. 
By IT. I’errine, M. D, To S. Fleet, editor. New York Farmer. 
Consulate United States of America, 
Campeachy, June 7, 1834. 
Dear Sir : I am just convalescing from a nearly fatal attack of inffam- 
mation and obstruction of the intestines, on the 26th ultimo, resulting from 
the corporeal exertion and mental agitation requisite to collect and trans- 
