PORTO RICO

PORTO RICO, a Spanish possession, one of that group of West India Islands called the Great Antilles, and the smallest of the four in population and extent, but yielding to none in fertility and general importance. It lies between N. Lat. 17. 56. and 18. 20., W. Long. 65. 40. and 67. 20., to the E. of Hayti, Cuba, and Jamaica, being separated on the W. from the first-named island by the Mona Channel, 75 miles in breadth, and having the Atlantic Ocean on the N., with the Caribbean Sea on the S. It is about 100 miles in length from E. to W., by 40 miles in average breadth, and contains an area of 3700 square miles. A chain of lofty mountains intersects it from E. to W.; the highest part, called Luguilla, at the N.E. extremity of the island, being 3678 feet in height. Valleys, levels of table-land, and gentle declivities, all highly fruitful, are everywhere found embosomed in these mountains, which are themselves susceptible of cultivation to the very tops. To the N. and S. of this interior ridge, between it and the coast, are those richly fertile valleys which produce the chief wealth of the island. They are formed by smaller ridges of hills, which run N. and S. from the principal chain, and they are much more level than the valleys among the loftier mountains. The valleys of the N. and E. coasts are the richest and the most picturesque, the pasturage there being always verdant and luxuriant, from the abundant supply of rain which they receive; whilst those of the S. coast, though more productive of sugar, are often parched by excessive drought. Few countries of the same extent as Porto Rico are watered by so many streams. Seventeen rivers, taking their rise in the mountains, cross the valleys of the N. coast and fall into the sea. Some of them are broad and deep, and navigable for 5 or 6 miles from their mouths, which, however, are much obstructed by bars. These rivers are well stocked with excellent fish, and their banks are nearly all under cultivation. The south, west, and east coasts are well supplied with water, notwithstanding the unfrequency of rain, by several large streams, besides numberless rivulets. The coasts of the island are indented with numerous bays and creeks; and in some places there are lagoons extending to the length of 8 or 10 miles. The climate of Porto Rico is tropical; but it is healthy, and more favourable to Europeans than that of the adjacent islands. There are two rainy seasons here, the first occurring in May and the second in September. In August the atmosphere is oppressively hot, the thermometer being frequently above 90° of Fahrenheit; and during the coldest season it is never below 70° at noon. In September the rains descend like a deluge, and the rivers swell and overflow their banks, completely inundating the low lands. In October the weather becomes cooler, and in the following month the N. and N.E. winds generally set in, diffusing an agreeable coolness through the atmosphere. When the fury of the north wind abates, the most delightful weather is experienced. Hurricanes, the scourge of the West Indies, sometimes visit this island, generally between the months

Porto Rico of July and October. The warmth and moisture of the climate foster a luxuriant vegetation. Ebony, cedar, lignum vitæ, mahogany, logwood, and other kinds of timber, grow in the forests; indigo, and many other valuable and medicinal plants, are also found in the island. Porto Rico exhibits a singular scarcity of indigenous animals. There are no venomous snakes or reptiles, no beasts of prey or indigenous quadrupeds of any kind to be found in the forests, scarcely any birds except parrots and water-fowl, and no noxious insects. But rats of an enormous size infest the country in great numbers, and sometimes commit dreadful ravages upon the sugar-canes.

The most valuable mineral productions of Porto Rico are copper, iron, lead, and coal. Gold is obtained from the streams; and there are two productive salt ponds. The principal employment carried on in the island is agriculture, as there are hardly any manufactures, and the mining operations, only recently commenced, attract little attention. Only about one-twelfth of the soil is under cultivation. Coffee, sugar, and tobacco are the crops principally raised; and there are also extensive farms for the rearing of live stock. The commerce of the island is very great. It is chiefly carried on with Spain and the United States; but also to a large extent with the other West Indian islands, with Great Britain and the British colonies. The quantity and value of the chief articles exported from the island in the years 1850 and 1855 were as follows:—

The total value of the exports was, in 1850, L.1,175,464, and in 1855, L.994,343. For the same years the quantity and value of the principal imports to Porto Rico were as follows:—

The total value of the imports was, in 1850, L.1,044,406, and in 1855, L.1,157,178. In 1850 there entered the various ports of the island 1206 vessels, tonnage 132,041; and there cleared 1179, tonnage 131,767. In 1855 there entered 1317, tonnage 167,203; and cleared 1276, tonnage 163,477. The dues collected at the custom-houses of the island amounted in 1855 to L.24,674, being an increase of L.9445 over the preceding year. The principal seaports of the island are San Juan de Porto Rico (the capital), Mayagües, Ponce, Guayama, and Arecibo. The government and laws of the island resemble those of the other Spanish possessions in America. The supreme power in military affairs is in the hands of the lieutenant-general, who is also president of the Audiencia Real, the highest court in the island. The military force of Porto Rico consists of a regiment of infantry, a brigade of artillery, and a body of cavalry, besides a militia comprehending seven battalions of infantry and a regiment of cavalry. The religion of the island is Roman Catholic, and it forms the see of a bishop, who resides at the capital. The public revenue in 1854 amounted to L.364,906, and the expenditure to L.356,706.

Porto Rico contains fifty-eight towns and villages. The largest place is San Juan de Porto Rico, the capital. It is finely situated on a small island on the north coast, which is connected with the mainland by a bridge. The streets are straight and regular, and the town is inclosed on every part by strong fortifications, which render it almost impregnable. It is considered one of the best and healthiest towns in the West Indies. Among the public edifices may be mentioned the cathedral, a large mass of building, which has never been finished; four churches, two chapels, three convents, an episcopal palace, and a seminary for the education of the clergy; the royal military hospital, a large stone edifice, and an establishment of the same kind for females; the jail, a house of correction, a large and handsome town-house, a beautiful theatre, a custom-house, an arsenal, and some others. The town has also several public schools, and a society for the promotion of the fine arts. There is an excellent and secure harbour, and a commodious wharf. This town was founded in the year 1514. Within a century afterwards it was twice taken and plundered by the English, who, however, could gain no permanent footing on the island, neither at these times nor at a later period under General Abercromby. The population is estimated at 30,000.

Porto Rico was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493, and was supposed at the time to contain 600,000 inhabitants. It was invaded in 1509 by Spaniards from Hayti, and the natives were soon exterminated by them. Towards the end of the seventeenth century the island was captured by the British; but it had to be abandoned soon after on account of the mortality among the troops. In 1820 a revolution was made in Porto Rico, with a view to a separation from the mother-country; but this movement was finally put down in 1823. The island is divided into seven departments, as follows:—

In 1855 the total population amounted to 500,000. More than half of the people are of Spanish descent; the remainder is nearly equally divided between Mulattoes and Negroes, and of the latter about two-thirds are slaves. It has been remarked that in Porto Rico there is none of that antipathy between the black and white races that exists in the United States and other countries.