Leaving Santa Clara

By Rashid Dossett

All hell broke loose after Kevin, Louisa’s brother, disappeared.
The case revealed much hidden conflict in the migrant community of Cuba.
Meanwhile, Louisa’s friends noticed that the young American lady needed a fresh new start.
This fresh new start came after she suddenly left Santa Clara, her place of birth.
However, she figured out the hard way that escaping would not be that easy…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Mar 5, 2023
• ISBN: 9781447812081

Book preview

Leaving Santa Clara

R.E. Dossett

Leaving Santa Clara

R.E. Dossett

Copyright

©2019, R.E. Dossett. All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-244-83762-4. Front cover by kind permission of Dolf Walter.

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1

Louisa knew that it would be just a matter of time before the Spanish troops would come and arrest them. Her grandfather, Bernard, arrived in Cuba – as a British sailor – during the Seven Years War. During the Siege of Havana, the British took over the West of Cuba for almost a year. During that time four British sailors requested landownership from the locals. Bernard, who was born in North Carolina (back then a British colony), paid fifteen pounds for a large plot of land near the Spanish town Santa Clara. The plot of land was around four acres and suitable for both livestock as well as a new plantation. Her grandparents brought over other relatives to Santa Clara, and they began a sugarcane plantation and breeding goats. For twenty-six years, the British family lived at ease in Cuba. The sudden loss of their British nationality in 1783 was not considered an issue by the local authorities. Bernard died in 1784 and he left the estate to his eldest son Gerald. Neither Bernard nor Gerald supported American independence. Gerald requested the British ambassador, in Havana, for him to regain his British nationality. This, however, was not possible due to the fact that both Gerald and his father were both born in British colonies that were now part of the United States. Therefore, Bernard’s household were not American migrants in Cuba. Consequently, Gerald reached out – by writing many letters – to the United States government for assistance in his matter. None of the American migrants, in Cuba, received any answer from their new homeland. According to some American sailors, Gerald’s household was not considered American enough by their American born leaders to be accepted as citizens. The other Americans, on Cuba, were also denied assistance even though they were legal citizens of the United States. The situation was frustrating for the migrants, who needed diplomatic assistance as foreign landowners. Gerald, after writing sixteen letters, within a period of five months, gave up. He expected his new homeland to show some loyalty to him too (if his homeland expected him to have any allegiance to the new republic). The Spanish governor, at that time, did not bother with the presence of the British-turned-American migrants. He left office quickly after the whole drama began. After news arrived that king Charles III (who was fond of President George Washington) passed away, and that his successor, king Charles IV had no intention of changing his father’s policies, the current Spanish governor sought to evict the British- turned-American migrants from Cuba. His motive was clear: the

agreement between Spain and Britain, concerning the British migrants in the Spanish Caribbean, from 1763, did not apply anymore for the British people born outside of the British Isles. Legally, this meant that those people now became illegals on Spanish soil. There was no American legate sent to Havana nor the other Spanish territories yet – there was not even an official American legate open in Spain at the time! This slow development in Spain-US diplomacy, implied that there was no substitute agreement available that could help the American migrants in keeping both their land, wealth as well as residence permits. There were around hundred and fourteen Americans in Cuba at the time, most of them lived in Havana, Santa Clara, or Pinar del Rio. The Americans kept exporting their harvest to the North Carolina as if nothing happened. There were not allowed to do this since 1783 – however, the inertia of the Spanish officials, in Cuba, meant that they could trade with the United States without any licence from the governor. This changed in January 1789. A Spanish judge also decided that the Americans traded illegally with the United States, between 1783 and 1788, thereby violating Spanish law. This decision, by the Spanish judge, implied that the Americans had to pay high fines as well as ‘missed taxes’. According to the law, they could be imprisoned or deported.

Louisa was a nineteen-year-old, interested in French and Italian literature, and she did not want to involve herself with American politics at all. She still wrote letters to her other relatives, who still lived in North Carolina. She practically grew up in Cuba, even though she did spent a significant amount of time in North and South Carolina. Santa Clara was the capital of a province with the same name. The people from the province, migrants included, were called Santa Clarans. Louisa considered herself a Santa Clarans too. She was even born in the province. She spoke Spanish and English fluently. Besides this, she has a good knowledge of French and Italian too. She had no difficulty seeing herself as American – the language was still the same, the names of the places were the same, they only had a different flag and a different style of government. What Louisa had problems with was she was not considered British anymore; even though it is her ancestry and she even speaks like a British woman. Her older brother, Kevin, is proud to be an American. He identifies himself with George Washington and the other men who made effort for his new homeland. He was also fond of the enlightenment ideas as well as the principles of

self-governance. Kevin, however, was not in agreement with the way the Americans handled their independence. He expected them to be more practical in establishing foreign relations. He even longed for the United States to develop separate economic ties away from Great Britain. Louisa was prepared for the worst. She knew that she might be removed from Santa Clara forever and never she her place of birth again. She had three friends: Carlita, Sorina, and Carla. All three were local women, from Taino descent, that worked for a Spanish plantation. Apart from those three locals, she did not consider anyone her friend except a Chinese girl she knew. Her brother, Kelvin, was different. He had many associates and people he considers ‘friends. His extravert character caused him to know most of the important people on Cuba. He also had good ears; every news that circulated on Cuba he was aware of. Kevin also befriended a Danish landlord, Sven, who had a ranch on St. Thomas. Sven imported Spanish liquor and tobacco, from Cuba and Guatemala, to further export them to Denmark and Norway. Sven was not fond of Roman Catholicism, which was the state’s religion of the Spanish empire. Sven kept good contact with Kevin, who was his link to the United States. Sven had only one daughter which he begot with his wife. He had two illegitimate daughters who both lived in Norway. His ranch had a population of thirty-eight slaves and five relatives (of his wife). His daughter, Chayenne, was intrigued by the United States as well as the patriotic pride that many American sailors displayed (despite that less than a decade ago their country did not even exist!). Sven had no sons and he had to make one of his nephews’ heir or pass his estate to his future son-in-law. He did not want any of his nephews to receive what he worked for. Sven was his family’s scapegoat and chased away from home. After becoming successful in trade, some of his relatives suddenly contacted him as if nothing bad ever occurred. He did not fall for their narcissistic hoovering. However, his relatives refused to leave him alone; they even began to follow him around. For this reason, he moved with his money to St. Thomas where he invested into his own range. He also had smaller huts that he rented out to civilians and sojourners. Kevin and Sven knew a mediator, from Curacao, that functioned as their gateway to the Spanish economy in South America. His name was Rafael, born in a Spanish village called Buena Vista de Nuestra Señora Maria, and he just returned from working in The Netherlands and France. Kevin and Sven used him to import bitumen – for which European importers paid large sums of

money. Sven built a small fortune on the import of bitumen. However, this import happened in a grey area: he had no licence, neither from Denmark nor Spain, to trade in bitumen. In caught, he can be imprisoned [when he enters a Spanish jurisdiction]. Rashid, himself, earned over 17.500¹ Spanish dollars by exporting the black liquid to Italians and Croatians. He lived in a Spanish styled villa on the Southern coast of Curacao, which enabled him to receive small ships into his backyard (which included a tiny bay). Almost daily, ships from Venezuela and New Granada arrived in his bay for trade. His plot of land was also called ‘the Spanish enclave’ with his as the ‘informal viceroy’ because ships with Spain’s flag were seen there almost all of the time. The Dutch administers, on Curacao, did not bother at all with his trade. Smuggling was part of the economy of the Dutch Antilles anyway. When the letter, from the Captaincy General, arrived at Gerard’s house, Kevin realised the seriousness of the situation. The letter reminded them that before the 14th of September 1789, the ‘Americans’ had to hand over migration documents from the United States or to be evicted by the 2nd of October. Add to that, the American migrants were not permitted anymore to export any of their products nor to get involved in any business transaction throughout the Captaincy General of Cuba.

Kevin, at that time, only had 430 Real in his possession. He considered sailing away to South Carolina to start over again. One of his fellow Americans, however, warned him that he should not expect a warm welcome one he arrived in South Carolina. Due to the fact that neither he nor his parents contributed in any way to American independence but remained loyal to the British flag until the last moment, he could be perceived as a ‘traitor’ or ‘invader’. He may even be arrested for desertion (this happened to some migrants who returned to their hometowns). Due to all the warnings, even from Spanish people, he decided not to pick the next boat towards the United States.

Four days after the letter arrived, Kevin left for a market at Villa de la Santísima Trinidad, which was at the southern shores. The town was a known place for British merchants that came from Jamaica. Kevin often visited the place to purchase British molasses (which was produced in Barbados). The plan was to return to Santa Clara the next day. However, after two days, Gerald reported his son missing to the provincial authorities of Santa Clara.

¹ In today’s money €892.000

While Kevin’s parents tried to force the local authorities to look for their son, Louisa spent time in the stable. She had two horses, one called Snow white and the other Diamond. The two horses were imported from Andalusia and they belonged to the class of fasted horses in Europe. Gerald purchased them on a market in Mexico City when Louisa was twelve. She often spent time with her horses, when she was not around her friends. She ode to a nearby ranch, that belonged to a fellow American couple named Victor and Steffi Adams. The two had no children living with them; their two sons both moved to Maine in 1784. From time to time she went to the couple’s ranch to spent time with them. Her parents were happy with her kindness towards the elderly couple. She arrived at the front door, after placing her horse in the stable. She knocked. After several minutes, the elderly lady opened, and she was glad to see the youngster.

‘Louisa…’

‘Good afternoon, Ma’am.’

‘Come on in… I was just cooking!’ ‘Good! Then I can help you out!’ ‘Do not be silly…’

The husband was in his room reading old memoirs of adventurers that sojourned to North America during the 16th and 17th century. That is how he spent most of his days, while his wife spent her time gardening (with the aid of their slaves). Twice a month, their children sent letters to them. The couple always rejoiced when a message – from their children – arrived.

‘What are you making?’

‘Some Spanish salmon with green herbs from Guatemala.’ ‘Ah… delicious!’

‘Two days ago, several ships arrived with sack.’ ‘I love drinking sack!’

‘I often use it in cooking!’ ‘Do you use it in broths too?’ ‘Sometimes.’

‘I would like to know how a broth tastes with sack in it.’ ‘I can make one for you tomorrow!’

‘Good! How is Victor?’

‘He is checking some books from the United States.’ ‘He is a real boss when it comes to literature!’

‘He always has been!’

She helped Mrs. Adams out in the kitchen. That evening, the three had dinner together. When she was finished, the cats came towards her. ‘Ma’am, can I take her with me?’

‘I have many cats around here. So, if you want…’ ‘Thanks!’

Victor looked outside of the window. He saw a mail carrier approaching. He went outside and received the package. Instead, he opened the mail and he was startled.

‘What is it? Victor?’

‘It is a letter from my brother, Herman.’ ‘What is it about?’

‘He lost all access to his British assets due to the independence of the United States.’

‘What?!’

‘He sent me a copy of a declaration of his bank in England. In 1787, the back adopted a policy that all British people who lived in the former thirteen colonies had to forfeit their assets in the British economy.’ ‘So… he lost all his savings?’

‘Correct!’ ‘Oh god…’

‘That is not all… he is likely to go bankrupt very soon.’ ‘Dear…’

‘He sent me a notarial declaration that I will be the main beneficiary in case of him passing away.’

‘How does he expect you do to that?’

‘I can transfer this towards one of our sons.’

‘Your brother is in his fifties. How can he expect to die soon? Is he sick?’

‘I have no idea… Herman always had a double life. Whores, thugs… and even pirates… he used to always hang around the wrong crowd. It was only after he passed age forty that he realised he had to change his ways.’

‘Did he?’

‘I did not see him for five years…’

‘I am upset that your brother is always getting you involved in his mess.’

‘Why do you think I preferred to live on Cuba than in New Jersey? I have farmland here; I have much space and I do not have to bother with the drama between the United Stated and Britain…’

‘I understand that… but Herman needs to learn to face his own problems!’

‘He never did and I do not think he ever will! Mum and Dad are still alive… at least for now.’

‘For how long?’

‘They are approaching their late 70s now… I do not want them to get any bad news about Herman. They did whatever they could for us. It is not their fault their son ended up like that.’

‘Where are Herman’s children?’

‘He has fourteen children with five different women on both sides of the Atlantic.’

‘Oh my God…’

‘Well, I will handle this for him.’

‘How? There is no American consulate in Cuba.’

‘I might have to go to Mexico City then or better, I might sail to New York to arrange this.’

‘No, you will not!’ ‘Excuse me?’

‘This is a trap, Victor! How do we know for sure it is from your brother? Just think about it, why would your brother even consider you as a beneficiary if he has many children all over the world? Come on…’ Victor thought about it for a moment. It indeed did not seem like something Herman would do.

‘Check the letters again…’

While reading the letter, the coupe discovered that the letter was written with a paste-like ink that was not available in the English world.’ ‘Hmm…. I also see that they spelled several words wrong. Herman is a grammatical genius….’

‘This is a fraud.’

‘If that is the case, someone is trying to set me up!’ ‘Who could that be?’

‘I will go to the British minister tomorrow.’

‘To do what? He is not able to help you with anything…’

‘I will try anyway… according to the Treaty of Friendship between Britain and the United States, Americans are allowed to make use of British waters and British shores freely. That implies that Americans also must be able to contact and get assistance from British diplomats when it comes to commerce.’

‘What are you aiming for?’

‘I will tell the British minister that my brother has some financial difficulties and if there is a way, I can assist him.’

Meanwhile, Louisa returned home with one of the cats. She brought with her a tiny bottle of spring water. At her arrival, her parents were still stressed out because of Kevin’s disappearance.

‘Mum… he may have found a new woman and he is spending time with her.’

‘It is not in your brother’s character to do something like this. He never did!’

‘Maybe he wants a new life…’ ‘By harming us? Not a chance!’ ‘What do we know until now?’

‘It has been five days since he left.’ ‘Yes, I mean what did we find out?’

‘He purchased some Spanish jewellery from a British marine, who imported them from South America…’

‘Jewellery…’

‘For whom? He is not a woman, and he does not even like all that luxury.’ ‘I know… do we know who that British marine is?’

‘He is a guy from Winchester who was honourably discharged from the navy. Ever since, he is sailing between Cartagena de Indias, Bluefields and Villa de la Santísima Trinidad selling stuff.’

‘He is allowed in Bluefields? I thought the British were banned from the Mosquito Coast in 1784?’

‘They are still allowed to arrive in Bluefields for trade… that is all.’ ‘What is his name?’

‘Why do you want to know?’

‘He may be the last one who saw Kevin…’

‘Matthew Phillipson… He is not allowed to leave Cuba until the authorities figured out what his involvement is.’

‘That is good…’ ‘Where have you been?’ ‘I was at the Adams.’

‘What were you doing there?’

‘They are kind couple… So, I wanted to spend time with them.’ ‘That is not what I asked.’

‘You did! I answered your question; I wanted to spend time with them.’ ‘Do not do it anymore!’

‘What is this about?’

‘Victor Adams has been arrested last week.’ ‘What for?’

‘He is suspected of extorting several Spanish patrol officers.’ ‘Victor? I cannot believe it…’

‘I could not believe it either… however, evidence does not lie.’ ‘What was he extorting the police officers for?’

‘I do not know… but I do know that he was bailed out by the British minister.’

‘Why would the British ambassador do this?’ ‘The British embassy has something on him.’ ‘Blackmail?’

‘Exactly!’

‘What did he get himself into… when I rode away from their farm… I saw a mail carrier riding away too. I do not know what he came to deliver. But I did hear the couple discussing some package.’

‘Stay away from those people… I have a bad feeling about them.’ ‘I will… I promise!’

‘Good… now I need to go. I am meeting with Mary and June this evening.’

The next morning, Louisa rode to Havana where she visited a China shop owned by a Chinese immigrant called Ling. The China shop regularly imported tableware, silk clothes and Chinese paintings that were stored in The Philippines. Ling was an eighty-four-year-old Chinese diplomat that was sent to Mexico City to negotiate prices for several Chinese and Korean cartels (who exported much into the Spanish empire). Louisa was on good terms with the granddaughter of Ling called Chenggang. The two met when Louisa was only eleven. At that time, Ling’s son-in-law arrived in Cuba with his family. The first time she saw Chenggang, she thought the Chinese girl was sad. This, however, was a misinterpretation of her introverted personality. The Chinese girl did not change over time – she only became more flexible when she was around others. The Chinese community, in Cuba, was every small and not considered that significant by the Spanish authorities. However, the economic relevance of the Chinese migrants was enormous. Louisa nicknamed Chenggang Jantine, because it was easier to remember. This time, when she entered the Chinese shop, she found Jantine dusting off the items. Normally, it were the elderly women that performed such labour. She sensed that there was an anxious climate in the shop.

‘Jantine…’ ‘Ey… Louisa!’

‘Where are the grannies?’

‘They are cooking some dumplings.’ ‘Ah… I would like to have some!’

‘I do not know if this is the right time…’ ‘What happened?’

‘I might have to leave soon.’ ‘Where?’

‘China…’

‘You are being deported?!’ ‘Maybe…’

‘How come?’

Both sat down at a table, where they drank some warm green tea. ‘Emperor Qianlong has not sent an official ambassador to Madrid. There are only diplomatic representatives that were sent to Spanish America, and many of them are not sent by the emperor, but by the regional kings who benefit from trading with the Spanish. My grandfather had sent her by one of the Chinese kings… and he requested to stay. So, his master told him to move to Havana. My grandfather did not want to remain in Guatemala… due to the high amount of scam artists that haunt Asians.’

‘So, Mister Ling is a diplomat?’

‘An unofficial one. However, because we have no official embassy in Madrid, we can be removed from any city or village where Spain has its flag.’

‘That is not something that will happen so quickly!’

‘Charles IV still has not decided on the issue of my people…’

‘I have not noticed anything from him either… his father was always active…’

‘I think Spain will have a hard time under this new king.’

‘I prefer him anytime above that fool called George that Britain has.’ ‘Are you not an American now?’

‘I do not feel American… yes, I was born in the Americas. But I am British… this whole American