Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography/Hatuey

HATUEY (ah'-tway), Haytian cacique, d. in 1512. After the conquest of Hayti by the Spaniards, he passed with many of his subjects to the eastern part of Cuba, where he established himself and ruled over the natives. Fearing for Cuba the same fate that had befallen his native country, he made preparations to resist the Spaniards, should they appear in his new dominion. Accordingly, when in 1512 Diego Velasquez de Cuellar undertook the conquest of Cuba, Hatuey opposed the invaders, but was routed and took refuge in the woods. During two months he carried on a guerilla warfare, until he was captured and condemned to be burned. While they were leading the cacique to the stake, a priest tried to describe to him the happiness and blessings he would enjoy in heaven. “Do white men go there too?” asked the Indian chief. “Yes, provided they are good,” was the answer. “Then,” replied Hatuey, “I do not wish to go where I shall meet with such people.”