A fardo, 1st class, weighs 60 lbs., and in 1867 the Government rate of pay was as follows:—­

1 Fardo, 1st class, 60 lbs $9.50 1 Fardo, 2nd class, 46 lbs 6.00 1 Fardo, 3rd class, 33 lbs 2.75 1 Fardo, 4th class, 18 lbs 1.00

—­English Consular Report.

The following table gives the different brands of cigars manufactured by the Government, and the prices at which they could be bought in 1867 in Estanco (i.e. a place privileged for the sale):—­

Menas (Classes.) Corresponding Price Price Price Number
of
                    Havana Brands.  Per arroba Per 1000.  Per cigar. cigars
in
                                    [33 lbs.]. an
arroba. 
                                    Dols.  Dols.  Cents.

Imperiales.  The same. 37.50 30.00 4 ..  Prima Veguero.  Do. 37.50 30.00 4 ..  Segunda Veguero.  Regalia. .. 26.00 .. ..  Prima superior Filipino.  Do. .. 26.00 .. .. 2.a Superior Filipino.  None. 38.00 19.00 3 .. 3.a Superior Filipino.  Londres .. 15.10 .. ..  Prima Filipino.  Superior
                    Habano. 21.00 15.00 2 1400
Segunda Superior.  Segunda
                    superior
                    Habano. 24.00 8.57 1/8 1 2800
Prima Cortado.  The Same. 21.00 15.00 2 1400 Segunda Cortado.  Do. 24.00 8.57 1/8 1 2800 Mista Segunda Batido. 20.50 .. .. ..  Prima Batido, larga.  None. 18.75 .. 1 1800 Segunda Batido, largo.  None. 18.75 .. 1/2 3750

[242] On an average 407,500,000 cigars and 1,041,000 lbs. raw tobacco are exported annually, the weight of which together is about 56,000 cwt. after deducting what is given away in the form of gratuities.

[243] The poor peasant being brought into this situation finds it very hard to maintain his family.  He is compelled to borrow money at an exorbitant rate of interest, and, consequently, sinks deeper and deeper into debt and misery.  The dread of fines or bodily punishment, rather than the prospect of high prices, is the chief method by which the supplies can be kept up.—­(Report of the English Consul.)

[244] From December 1853 to November 1854 the colony possessed four captains-general (two effective and two provisional).  In 1850 a new nominee, Oidor (member of the Supreme Court of Judicature) who with his family voyaged to Manila by the Cape, found, upon his arrival, his successor already in office, the latter having travelled by way of Suez.  Such circumstances need not occasion surprise when it is remembered how such operations are repeated in Spain itself.