Administration of Manuel de Rojas--The Rise of Cuba's Proper Interests--Development of Resources--Appointment of Altamarino--Post Mortem Investigation of Velasquez--Violent Opposition to Altamarino--Removal of a Discredited Governor--Accession of Guzman--Controversies over Local Government--Injudicious Course of Guzman--Protest Against the Tyranny of the Councils--"Cuba for the Cubans."
Controversies Over the Treasurership--Appointment of Hurtado, the Honest but Cantankerous--Fortunes of the Guzman Family--A Marriage for Money and its Consequences--Services of Vadillo--Investigations and Reforms--Heavy Sentences Against Guzman--An Appeal to the Council for the Indies--Manuel de Rojas again Governor.
Development of the Church Establishment in Cuba--The First Bishop--Early Conflict Between Church and State--Transfer of the Cathedral from Baracoa to Santiago--A Bishop in Politics--The Governor Excommunicated--Insurrections and Raids of the Natives--Effective Work of Rojas against the Cimarrones--Disposal of the "Tame" Indians--Further Conflicts of Church and State--Intervention of the Crown--Practical Extermination of the Natives--Reforms that Were not Made--Well Meant Efforts of Rojas--Failure of Attempts to Civilize the Natives--A Good Governor Ill Treated--His Resignation and Departure.
Guzman's Second Administration--A Masterful Politician--Decline of Cuban Welfare--An Interregnum in the Governorship--The Coming of De Soto--His Imposing Arrival at Santiago--Progress Across the Island--Vasco Porcallo de Figueroa Made De Soto's Lieutenant--Cuba a Stepping Stone to Florida--De Soto's Removal from Santiago to Havana--Organization of the Florida Expedition--Report of the First Scouts--Departure of De Soto--Lady De Soto's Faithful Watch--Tragic Fate of the Explorer--Evil Effects upon Cuba--Serious Trouble with the Indians--Intrigues of Guzman and Bishop Sarmiento.
Governorship of Juan de Avila--Royal Order against Slavery in the Mines--An Appeal to the Council for the Indies--Popular Revolt Against the Council--De Avila's Marriage to a Rich Widow--Removal to Havana--Appointment of Antonio Chaves--Scandalous Charges Against de Avila--The Matter Carried to Spain for Settlement--Another Bad Administration--Chaves Reprimanded by the King--His Persistence in Slavery--Hurtado's Indictment of Chaves--Gonzalo de Angulo Made Governor--Trial and Punishment of Chaves--Emancipation Proclamation.