University of Virginia Library

CHAP. VIII.

THe famous City of Panama is situate in the latitude

of nine degrees North. It standeth in a deep Bay,
belonging to the South Sea. It is in form round, excepting
only that part where it runs along the Sea-side. Formerly
it stood four miles more Easterly, when it was taken
by Sir Henry Morgan, as is related in the History of
the Bucaniers. But by him then being burnt, and three
times more since that time by casualty, they removed it
to the place where it now standeth. Yet notwithstanding,
some poor people there are still inhabiting at the old Town,
and the Cathedral Church is still kept there, the beautiful
building whereof maketh a fair shew at a distance, like unto
that of St. Pauls at London. This new City, of which I
now speak, is much bigger than the old one was, and is
built for the most part of brick, the rest being built of stone,
and tiled. As for the Churches belonging thereunto, they
are not as yet finished. These are eight in number, whereof
the chiefest is called Santa Maria. The extent of the
City comprehendeth better than a mile and a half in length,
and above a mile in breadth. The Houses for the most
part are three stories in heighth. It is well walled round
about, with two Gates belonging thereunto, excepting only
where a Creek cometh into the City, the which at highwater
letteth in Barks, to furnish the Inhabitants with all
sorts of Provisions and other Necessaries. Here are always
Three hundred of the Kings Souldiers to Garrison the
City; besides which number, their Militia of all colours,
are one thousand one hundred. But at the time that we
arrived there, most of their Souldiers were out of Town;
insomuch, that our coming put the rest into great consternation,
they having had but one nights notice of our being
in those Seas. Hence we were induced to believe, that
had we gone ashoar, instead of fighting their ships, we had
certainly rendred our selves masters of the place; especially
considering, that all their chief men were on board the
Admiral; I mean, such as were undoubtedly the best Souldiers.
Round about the City, for the space of seven Leagues,
more or less, all the adjacent Country is Savana, as they
call it in the Spanish Language, that is to say, plain and
level ground, as smooth as a sheet; for this is the signification
of the word Savana. Only here and there is to be
seen a small spot of woody Land; and every where this
level ground is full of Vacadas, or Beef Stantions, where
whole droves of Cows and Oxen are kept, which serve as
well as so many Look-outs, or Watch-Towers, to descry if
an Enemy is approaching by land. The ground whereon
the City standeth, is very damp and moist, which rendreth
the place but of bad repute for the concern of health. The
water is also very full of worms, and these are much prejudicial
to shipping; which is the cause that the Kings Ships lye
always at Lima, the Capital City of Peru, unless when they
come down to Panama to bring the Kings Plate; which is
only at such times, as the Fleet of Galeones cometh from
Old Spain to fetch and convey it thither. Here in one night
after our arrival, we found Worms of three quarters of an
inch in length, both in our Bed-cloaths and other Apparel.

At the Island of Perico above-mentioned, we seized in
all five ships. Of these, the first and biggest was named,
as was said before, the Trinidad, and was a great ship, of the
burthen of four hundred Tuns. Her lading consisted of
Wine, Sugar, Sweet-meats, (whereof the Spaniards in those
hot Countreys make infinite use) Skins, and Soap. The
second ship was of about Three hundred Tuns burthen,
and not above half laded with bars of Iron, which is one
of the richest Commodities that are brought into the South
Sea. This vessel we burned with the lading in her, because
the Spaniards pretended not to want that Commodity, and
therefore would not redeem it. The third was laden with
Sugar, being of the burthen of one hundred and fourscore
Tuns, more or less. This vessel was given to be under the
Command of Captain Cook. The fourth was an old ship
of sixty Tuns burthen, which was laden with flower of
Meal. This ship we likewise burnt with her lading; esteeming
both bottom and Cargo, at that time, to be useless unto
us. The fifth was a ship of Fifty Tuns, the which, with a
Periagua, Captain Coxon took along with him when he left
us.

Within two or three days after our arrival at Panama,

Captain Coxon being much dissatisfied with some reflections
which had been made upon him by our company, determined
to leave us, and return back to our ships in the Northern
Seas, by the same way he came thither. Unto this
effect, he perswaded several of our company, who sided
most with him, and had had the chiefest hand in his Election,
to fall off from us, and bear him company in his journey,
or march over-land. The main cause of those reflexions,
was the backwardness in the last Engagement
with the Armadilla; concerning which point, some sticked
not to defame, or brand him, with the note of Cowardize.
He drew off with him, to the number of threescore
and ten of our men, who all returned back with him in
the Ship and Periagua above-mentioned, towards the mouth
of the River of Santa Maria. In his company also went
back the Indian King, Captain Antonio, and Don Andræas,
who being old, desired to be excused from staying any
longer with us. However, the King desired we would not
be less vigourous in annoying their enemy and ours, the
Spaniards, than if he were personally present with us.
And to the intent we might see how faithfully he did intend
to deal with us, he at the same time recommended
both his Son and Nephew unto the care of Captain Sawkins,
who was now our newly chosen General, or Commander
in chief, in the absence of Captain Sharp. The two
Armadilla Ships which we took in the Engagement we
burnt also, saving no other thing of them both, but their
Rigging, and Sails. With them also we burnt a small Bark,
which came into the Port laden with Fowls and Poultry.

On Sunday, which was April the 25th, Captain Sharp
with his Bark and Company came in and joyned us again.
His absence was occasioned by want of water, which forced
him to bear up to the Kings Islands Being there, he found
a new Bark, which he pretently took, and burnt his old one.
This vessel did sail excellently well. Within a day or two
after the arrival of Captain Sharp, came in likewise the
people of Captain Harris, who were still absent. These
had also taken another Bark, and cut down the Masts of their
old one by the board, and thus without Masts or Sails
turned away the Prisoners they had taken in her. The
next day we took in like manner another Bark, which arrived
from Nata, being laden with Fowls, as before. In this
Bark we turned away all the meanest of the Prisoners we
had on board us.

Having continued before Panama for the space of ten
days, being employed in the affairs afore-mentioned, on
May the second we weighed from the Island of Perico, and
stood off to another Island, distant two Leagues farther
from thence, called Tavoga. On this Island standeth a
Town which beareth the same name, and consisteth of a
hundred houses, more or less. The people of the Town
were all fled, seeing our vessels to arrive. Mean while we
were here, some of our men being drunk on shoar, hapned
to set fire unto one of the Houses, the which consumed
twelve houses more before any could get ashoar to quench
it. Unto this Island came several Spanish Merchants from
Panama, and sold us what Commodities we needed, buying
also of us much of the goods we had taken in their own
vessels. They gave us likewise two hundred pieces of
Eight for each Negro we could spare them of such as were
our prisoners. From this Island we could easily see all the
Vessels that went out, or came into the Port of Panama;
and here we took likewise several Barks that were laden
with Fowls.

Eight days after our arrival at Tavoga, we took a ship

that was coming from Truxillo, and bound for Panama. In
this vessel we found two thousand Jars of Wine, fifty Jars
of Gunpowder, and fifty one thousand pieces of Eight.
This money had been sent from that City, to pay the Soldiers
belonging to the Garison of Panama. From the said
Prize we had information given us, that there was another
ship coming from Lima with one hundred thousand pieces
of Eight more; which ship was to fail ten or twelve days
after them, and which they said could not be long before she
arrived at Panama. Within two days after this intelligence,
we took also another ship laden with Flower from Truxillo,
belonging unto certain Indians, Inhabitants of the same
place, or thereabouts. This Prize confirmed what the first
had told us of that rich ship, and said, as the others had
done before, that she would be there in the space of eight
or ten days.

Mean while we lay at Tavoga, the President, that is to

say, the Governour of Panama, sent a Message by some
Merchants unto us, to know what we came for into those
parts? Unto this Message Captain Sawkins made answer,
That we came to assist the King of Darien, who was the true

The answer
unto it.

Lord of Panama and all the Country thereabouts. And that
since we were come so far, it was no reason but that we should
have some satisfaction. So that if he pleased to send us five
hundred pieces of Eight for each man, and one thousand for
each Commander, and not any farther to annoy the Indians, but
suffer them to use their own power and liberty, as became the
true and natural Lords of the Country, that then we would
desist from all farther Hostilities, and go away peaceably; otherwise
that we should stay there, and get what we could, causing
unto them what damage was possible. By the Merchants also
that went and came to Panama, we understood, there lived
then as Bishop of Panama, one who had been formerly Bishop
of Santa Martha, and who was Prisoner unto Captain
Sawkins, when he took the said place about four or five
years past. The Captain having received this intelligence,
sent two loaves of Sugar unto the Bishop as a present. On
the next day the Merchant who carryed them, returning to
Tavoga, brought unto the Captain a golden ring for a retaliation
of said present. And withal, he brought a message
to Captain Sawkins from the President above-mentioned,
to know farther of him, since we were Englishmen,
from whom we had our Commission, and to whom he ought to
complain for the damages we had already done them? Unto
this Message Captain Sawkins sent back for an answer, That
as yet all his company were not come together; but that when
they were come up, we would come and visit him at Panama, and
bring our Commissions on the muzzles of our Guns, at which
time he should read them as plain as the flame of Gunpowder
could make them.

At this Island of Tavoga, Captain Sawkins would fain
have stayed longer, to wait for the rich Ship above-mentioned,
that was coming from Peru; but our men were so
importunate for fresh Victuals, that no reason could rule
them, nor their own interest perswade them to any thing
that might conduce unto this purpose. Hereupon, on
May the 15th we weighed Anchor, and sailed from thence
unto the Island of Otoque. Being arrived there, we lay by
it, mean while our Boat went ashoar, and fetcht off Fowls,
and Hogs, and other things necessary for sustenance. Here
at Otoque I finished a draught, comprehending from point
Garachine, unto the Bay of Panama, &c. Of this I may
dare to affirm, that it is in general more correct and true,
than any the Spaniards have themselves. For which cause
I have here inserted it, for the satisfaction of those that are
curious in such things.

From Otoque we sailed to the Island of Cayboa, which is

a place very famous for the fishery of Pearl thereabouts;
and is at the distance of eight Leagues from another place
called Puebla Nueba, on the Main. In our way to this
Island, we lost two of our Barks, the one whereof had
fifteen men in her, and the other seven. Being arrived,
we cast anchor at the said Island.

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