The Creole population increased and was steadily recruited from home.
The chief was the Creole jealousy of the Spanish immigrants.
The Creole class is, however, diminishing, though slowly, and the most numerous section of the population is of Indian blood.
The Creoles (Criallos) or American-born Spaniards had for long been aggrieved at being shut out from all important official positions, and at the restrictions placed upon their trade, but the bulk of the Creole population was not disloyal.
The population of European blood, which calls itself Creole, is greater than that of any other tropical colony; many of the inhabitants trace their descent from ancient French families, and the higher and middle classes are distinguished for their intellectual culture.