Havana

first settled in 1519, was reduced to ashes by the French in 1538, and again in 1554. For about one and a half centuries Cuba was in constant danger from French, Dutch, English, and West Indian filibusters. In 1762 the English, under Lord Albemarle, took Havana, which, however. was by the treaty of Paris next EE restored to Spain. From 1789 to 1845 the island was a vast slave-trading center. Negro insurrections occurred in 1845 and 1848. In the latter year the United States offered $100,000,000 to Spain for the island. Rebellions against Spanish rule broke out in 1849 and in 1868. They were put down after long campaigns; but in 1895 another insurrection attained by 1898 formidable proportions. The United States battleship “ Maine,” while on a friendly visit, was blown up ir davana harbor, Feb. 15, 1898, and on April 19 the Congre of the United States adopted resolutions declaring Cuba independent.