The History of Puerto Rico - From the Spanish Discovery to the American Occupation

Project Gutenberg's The History of Puerto Rico, by R.A. Van MiddeldykThis eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it,give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online atwww.gutenberg.netTitle: The History of Puerto Rico From the Spanish Discovery to the American OccupationAuthor: R.A. Van MiddeldykRelease Date: May 5, 2004 [EBook #12272]Language: English*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HISTORY OF PUERTO RICO ***Produced by Jayam Subramanian and PG Distributed ProofreadersThe Expansion of the Republic Series.THE HISTORY OF PUERTO RICOFROM THE SPANISH DISCOVERY TO THE AMERICAN OCCUPATIONBY R.A. VAN MIDDELDYKEDITED BY MARTIN G. BRUMBAUGH, PH.D., LL.D. PROFESSOR OF PEDAGOGY, UNIVERSITYOF PENNSYLVANIA AND FIRST COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION FOR PUERTO RICOCOPYRIGHT, 1903[Illustration: Columbus statue, San Juan.]EDITOR'S PREFACEThe latest permanent possession of the United States is also the oldest in point of European occupation. The island ofPuerto Rico was discovered by Columbus in 1493. It was occupied by the United States Army at Guanica July 25, 1898.Spain formally evacuated the island October 18, 1898, and military government was established until Congress madeprovision for its control. By act of Congress, approved April 12, 1900, the military control terminated and civil governmentwas formally instituted May 1 ...