Rambles by Land and Water; or, Notes of Travel in Cuba and Mexico Informative Summary

Overview:

This book details the author’s travels through Cuba and Mexico in 1844, offering insightful observations about their societies, economies, and historical significance. The author begins by describing his journey from New Orleans to Havana, highlighting the city’s architecture, social hierarchies, and unique characteristics. He then explores the island’s interior, showcasing its natural beauty, diverse landscapes, and plantations. The book delves into the political landscape of Cuba, analyzing its importance as a strategic location and examining the administration of General Tacon, who implemented significant changes to improve the island’s security and economy.

The author then travels to Mexico, visiting Veracruz and Tampico, providing detailed descriptions of these cities and their residents. He embarks on various excursions, including a canoe voyage up the Panuco River, during which he encounters ancient ruins and other historical artifacts. He explores the remains of several ancient cities, uncovering colossal heads, a “Sphinx,” and other fascinating relics. Throughout his journeys, he encounters a variety of characters, including the indigenous people of Mexico and their unique customs, the rancheros, and the arrieros.

Key Findings:

Cuba and Mexico are both strategically important locations with rich histories and cultures.
Ancient ruins in Mexico provide evidence of a highly advanced civilization preceding the Aztecs and Toltecs.
The author challenges the prevalent theory that the Gulf Stream originates from the Caribbean Sea, offering a new hypothesis based on the presence of asphaltum in the Gulf.
The author notes the widespread prevalence of corruption within Mexican government institutions, particularly the custom house department.

Learning:

Colonial History: Readers will learn about the Spanish colonization of Cuba and Mexico, understanding the impact of their rule and the subsequent revolutions that led to independence.
Social Dynamics: The book reveals the intricate social structures and hierarchies in both Cuba and Mexico, shedding light on the relationship between different races, classes, and cultures.
Ancient American Civilization: Readers will gain a deeper understanding of the ancient civilizations that existed in Mexico, exploring their advanced art, architecture, and religious practices.
The Gulf Stream: The book challenges existing theories about the Gulf Stream, offering a new perspective based on the author’s observations and research.

Historical Context: The book was written in 1845, amidst significant political turmoil in both Cuba and Mexico. Cuba was under Spanish rule, with growing tensions surrounding its future status. Mexico was facing instability, with ongoing struggles for power and the threat of war with France and the United States looming. The annexation of Texas was a major point of contention between Mexico and the United States.

Facts:

The Moro Castle in Havana is considered “the Gibraltar of America” due to its strategic location and strength.
General Tacon’s administration transformed Havana from a lawless city to one with greater security and order.
Cuba’s main exports are sugar, coffee, and tobacco, generating significant wealth for the island.
The Spanish conquest of Cuba resulted in the near-complete depopulation of the indigenous population.
The town of Regla, Cuba, was once a haven for pirates and smugglers, but Tacon’s administration suppressed this activity.
The city of Veracruz was ravaged by yellow fever in 1842, with a significant portion of the population dying.
The “chapoté” is a type of asphaltum found bubbling in lakes and the Gulf of Mexico, contributing to the author’s theory about the Gulf Stream.
The Mexican government implemented a law forbidding foreigners from engaging in retail trade, leading to a standoff with France.
The Mexican army is poorly disciplined, with its soldiers primarily consisting of indigenous people.
The Mexican government is rife with corruption, with widespread bribery and embezzlement.
The indigenous people of Mexico are primarily engaged in agriculture and live in poverty, often forced into servitude.
The “Rancheros” are Mexican-Indian people who work as cattle herders, known for their independence and skills.
The “Arrieros” are muleteers known for their honesty and trustworthiness, responsible for transporting goods throughout Mexico.
The Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan (present-day Mexico City), was renowned for its magnificence, wealth, and advanced civilization.
The ancient civilization of the Toltecs, who preceded the Aztecs, are credited with introducing many scientific and artistic advancements to Mexico.
The Aztec empire was an absolute monarchy, ruled by the Montezumas.
The Toltecs are believed to have built cities like Mitla, Palenque, and Copan.
The author concludes that the ruins of ancient American cities are far older than previously believed, likely predating the Aztecs and Toltecs.
The author believes that the ancient American civilizations originated in Asia, with evidence pointing to Tartary, China, or Japan.
The author notes that the indigenous populations of America share a universal tradition of their ancestors migrating from the northwest.

Statistics:

The population of Havana is approximately 185,000.
The Tacon Theatre cost $200,000 to build and can hold 4,000 to 5,000 spectators.
The annual exports of sugar from Cuba are about 650 million pounds.
The annual exports of coffee from Cuba are about 84 million pounds.
Cuba exports about 10 million pounds of tobacco leaves and 310 million manufactured cigars annually.
The total population of Cuba is over 1 million, with 420,000 whites, 440,000 slaves, and 150,000 free colored persons.
The annual revenue of Cuba is $12 million, with $4 million going to the Spanish government.
The population of Matanzas, Cuba, is around 20,000, with a majority of whites.
The population of Puerto del Principe, Cuba, is 24,000, with a larger proportion of whites.
The population of Santiago de Cuba is 25,000, with a smaller proportion of whites.
The population of Tampico, Mexico, is around 6,000.
The Mexican army is composed of over 12,000 soldiers, primarily indigenous people.
The ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlan (Mexico City) was over 200 miles in circumference.
The author notes that the plantain is cultivated extensively in Mexico and that a single planting of sugarcane can last for 15 to 20 years.
The author measured a 9-year-old sugarcane plant that was 21 feet tall and had 45 joints, yielding 12 pounds of sugar from 32 gallons of juice.
The author states that the Tamissee River is navigable for about 40 leagues.

Terms:

Volante: A two-wheeled carriage, common in Cuba, pulled by a horse or mule.
Mestizo: A person of mixed European and indigenous American ancestry.
Mulatto: A person of mixed European and African ancestry.
Zambo: A person of mixed African and indigenous American ancestry.
Chapetones: Europeans or foreign residents in Mexico, often considered a privileged class.
Rancho: A cattle farm or ranch, a common sight in Mexico.
Milpa: A small farm, often worked by indigenous people.
Cargadores: Porters or carriers, typically indigenous people, responsible for carrying heavy loads.
Aguardiente: A strong distilled alcoholic beverage.
Rebosas: A narrow scarf worn by women in Mexico and Cuba, often over their heads and shoulders.

Examples:

The American Sailor: A sailor in Havana mistakes ladies looking out of their grated windows for prisoners and gives them money, highlighting the cultural differences in the city.
The Cacique Hatuey: A cacique from Hispaniola, fleeing Spanish oppression, finds refuge in Cuba and rallies his people to fight against the invaders, highlighting the indigenous resistance against Spanish colonization.
The Tacon Theatre: The author describes this theatre built by Mr. Marti, who was granted a monopoly for its construction after helping the government.
The “American Sphinx”: The author describes the colossal sculpture of a turtle with a human head found amidst the ruins in Mexico, invoking comparisons to the Sphinx of Egypt.
The “Lady’s Room”: The author describes the uncomfortable “lady’s room” in the rancho, emphasizing the lack of comfort often experienced by travelers in Mexico.
The Attack of the Bandaleros: The author describes his encounter with a group of bandits who, instead of attacking him, invite him to share a meal, illustrating the unpredictable nature of society in the region.
The wild fig-tree: The author notes the impressive size and unique growth of the wild fig-tree in Mexico, where suckers from its branches touch the ground and take root.
The “Chapoté”: The author describes observing asphaltum bubbles rising to the surface of the lakes and the Gulf of Mexico, supporting his theory about the Gulf Stream.
The French Retailers: The author describes the French residents of Tampico who are forced to close their stores due to a government law prohibiting foreigners from engaging in retail trade.
Santa Anna’s Career: The author narrates Santa Anna’s tumultuous career, including his multiple revolutions, pronouncements, and the battle of San Jacinto, highlighting his volatile personality and the political instability in Mexico.

Conclusion: “Rambles by Land and Water; or, Notes of Travel in Cuba and Mexico” offers a unique perspective on 19th-century Cuba and Mexico, combining personal experiences, cultural insights, and historical observations. The book reveals the beauty and complexity of these regions, highlighting their rich landscapes, intriguing cultural practices, and the remnants of an ancient, advanced civilization. The author’s encounters with different groups of people, from the indigenous inhabitants to the powerful elite, offer a nuanced understanding of their social dynamics. The book challenges existing theories and encourages further exploration of the fascinating mysteries surrounding the origins of the ancient American civilizations.

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