in the central section, and San Juan de los Remedios on the north
coast. In July, 1515, the city of San Cristobal de la Habana was
planted, deriving its name from the great Discoverer, but this
name was transferred in 1519 to the present capital, and the
original town was called Batabano.

In 1518 the capital was fixed at Baracoa, which had by this time
become a city of considerable importance, and the diocese of the
colony. In 1522 both the seat of government and the bishopric were
removed to Santiago de Cuba, In 1538 Havana was reduced to ashes
by a French privateer; and to prevent a similar disaster in
future, the Castillo de la Fuerza, a fortress which still exists,
was built by Fernando de Soto, governor of Cuba, and afterwards
famous for his explorations in the southern and western portions
of North America, as well as for the discovery of the Mississippi.

Using a modern expression, this great fortress, added to her
almost perfect harbor, gave Havana a wonderful "boom," and the
city experienced a remarkable growth. The Spanish merchantmen were
actively employed in carrying the wealth of Mexico to the
Peninsula, and Havana was a convenient port for them to secure
supplies of provisions and water. In 1549 Gonzales Perez de Angulo
was appointed governor of the island, and he was so impressed with
the beauties of the city, that he chose it as his residence.
Several of his successors followed his example, and in 1589 it was
legally made the capital of Cuba.

EARLY GOVERNMENT OF CUBA.

The early records of the island were kept in so imperfect a manner