An Era of Peace in Cuba--Tribulations in Spanish Louisiana--Spain Still Lagging Behind Other Colonial Powers--Fear of a Republic--O'Reilly's Expedition from Cuba to Louisiana--His Success--Effects of His Severity--The Tragic Prelude to Spanish Rule--Louisiana an Appanage of Cuba. CHAPTER IX 129 Administration of the Marquis de la Torre--One of Cuba's Best Governors--Cleansing and Paving the Streets of Havana--New Public Buildings--Harbor Improvements--The First Theatre--Trinidad, Santiago and Puerto Principe also Renovated--Founding of Pinar del Rio and Other Towns--Reforms in Government--Havana a Beautiful and Prosperous City--Turgot's Warning to Spain Unheeded--Interest in the North American Revolution--Tariff Reform--The Currency--Jurisprudence. CHAPTER X 145 Rise of the United States--Spanish Interests Involved--Negotiations Over Florida--Alliance Between France and Spain--Cuba's Intense Interest in the War Against Great Britain--Disaster to an Expedition from Havana--Operations at Mobile--Cuban Reconquest of Pensacola and Florida--An Early Prohibition Decree. CHAPTER XI 153 An Ill-Managed Armada--Neutrality Violated in Warfare upon Commerce--An Orgy of Privateering--Rodney's Exploits--Cagigal's Expedition to the Bahamas--Rodney's Menace to Havana--The First Newspaper in Havana--Negotiating for General Peace--Spanish Chagrin at American Independence--More Liberal Trade Laws for Cuba--Insurrection in Peru--Peace and Prosperity in Cuba--Wasteful Forestry--Visit of an English Prince--Improvements and Reforms in Havana--Foundation of the Sociedad de Amigos--Reign of Charles IV--Godoy, "Prince of the Peace"--Ecclesiastical Changes in Cuba--Economic Ills--Administration of Las Casas--A New Census--Disastrous Hurricane--The Society of Progress--Advance in Commerce, Agriculture, Literature and Education--Work of Francisco de Arango--The Tomb of Columbus. CHAPTER XII 186 Influence of the French Revolution in Spain--Toussaint Louverture--Cession of Santo Domingo to France--The Peace of Basle--Panic and Chaos in Spain--Advantages Gained by Cuba--A Civic Awakening in the Island--Dr. Romay's Introduction of Vaccination--Defense Against the Slave Revolt of Santo Domingo--The Work of Santa Clara--British Capture of Trinidad--Fears for the Safety of Cuba--Administration of Someruelos--Founding of the Intendencia--Expansion of Commerce--The Slave Trade--Extent and Conditions of Slavery--Rise of the Emancipation Movement--Importance of Negro Labor to Cuba. CHAPTER XIII 215