Information about Panamá

"The introduction of the royal Spanish monopoly (Estanco Real de Tabaco) on tobacco in 1799 ….is deeply hated by the people. The entire tobacco harvest has to be sold to the government, and to prevent or limit smuggling tobacco was concentrated in only one place. Inspectors travel the country burning plantations found outside the authorised zone, and inform against those wretches who dare to smoke their own home-made cigars. These inspectors are mostly Spaniards, as insolent as those doing the same job in Europe. This insolence has greatly contributed to the maintenance of the hatred between the colonies and the metropolis." (von Humboldt, Personal Narrative of a Journey)