The principal nauigations, voyages, traffiques and discoueries of the English nation. [vols. 1-3] made by sea or ouer-land, to the remote and farthest distant quarters of the earth, at any time within the compasse of these 1600. yeres: deuided into three seuerall volumes, according to the positions of the regions, whereunto they were directed. The first volume containeth the worthy discoueries, &c. of the English ... The second volume comprehendeth the principall nauigations ... to the south and south-east parts of the world ... By Richard Hakluyt preacher, and sometime student of Christ-Church in Oxford.

A relation of the ports, harbors, forts and cities in the VVest Indies which haue bene surueied, edified, finished, made and mended, with those which haue bene builded, in a certaine suruey by the king of Spaine his direction and commandement: Written by Baptista Antonio, surueyour in those parts for the said King. Anno 1587.

Santa Marta.

* 1.1FIrst Santa Marta the principall Citie of the Bishopricke or Dioces of the coast of Tierra firma, or the firme land, leith in 10. degrees and ½, the city being situated vpon a sandy bay adioyning vnto the sea side, conteineth in it about 30. housholds; all the houses being made of canes, and couered ouer with Palmito trees, and some of them be couered with tyle.

They haue traffike with none, but with the Indians of the said country, which

doe bring vnto the Citie for to sell ••arthen Pots and Pipkins, and Couerlits of Cotton wooll, and great earthen Iarres. Also they doe traffique to Cartagena. It is a countrey which hath but small store of cattel, because it is all mountainous, and hath small store of people. There is a very good harbour before the said towne, inuironed with mighty hils & great rocks, which reach euen vnto the sea side, the which hie land doth greatly succou•• the harbour, as also two Ilands which lie about ¾ of a league on the North side: so that although they be subiect to Easterly winds, and that with great stormes, yet they doe no great harme to goe on land. Within this Harbour there is a place which is called La Caldera, where in times past they were woont to trimme and carene their Shippes. As touching the Harbour, there is no cause to fortifie it, nor to make any account of it, by reason there is no trade nor traffique to this place from any other places, according as I haue certified your Maiestie thereof. And also because here are but few dwel••ers o•• inhabitants, and loosing euery day so many as it doeth, by reason that it is euery d••y robbed and spoyled ••y the enemie. But if your Maiestie would command that the Fleete of Noua Hispania might direct their course to this Harbour being in their way,* 1.2 and here to water and refresh themselues, all the Pilots doe say that the Fleete may proceede on their Uoyage from this place, still going before the winde, and so goe to the Cape of Saint Anthony, which lieth on the Iland of Cuba, and from thence goe their direct course to Noua Hispania; and by this meanes the Fleete should haue no occasion to passe so many dangers as they doe, by reason of the Huricanos or stormy windes which many times do come vpon them, when they are vpon the coast of Hispaniola: and this is the cause that there are so many ships cast away, as your Maiestie doeth well know.

And as concerning this course according as I haue certified your Maiestie, they shall come in∣to no danger at all, nor shall make any further way about; so by this meanes both the Fleetes may come from Spaine in company, and then come to S. Marta, and the Fleete of Noua Hispani•• may come into this Harbour, and the Fleete which doeth goe vnto the firme land, may goe direct∣ly to Cartagena as they doe. Then your Maiestie may send to fortifie the said Harbour, and the fortification must be thus: That on the morro or mount which is in the entring in of the said har∣bour, there be built a litle Fort, and so to plant some small quantitie of ordinance. And hard by on the South side, there to build a litle Towre, and another Sconce, where wee may plant some more ordinance. So by this meanes not onely the Shippes may ride heere in securitie, but also it will bee a defence for those which dwell heere in the Towne: and the better to effect this pur∣pose, there is hard by the Towne great store of Lyme, Stone, Sande, and Tymber, if oc••casion should serue.

Cartagena.

CArtagena is a Citie, and the principall place of the Bis••opricke; it lyeth fourtie leagues from Santa Marta: it standeth in scant 11. degrees.* 1.3 The sayd Citie is situated vpon a sandy banke or bay like vnto an Iland: it hath about 450. dwellers therein. There are very faire buil∣dings therein: as concerning their houses, they are made of stone, and there are three Monasteries, of which two of them are of Friers which are within the city, the one called Santo Domingo, and the other called Santo Augustin, and the other which is called Saint Francis, which standeth with∣out the citie about 30. paces off. And for to goe vnto the said Frierie, you must goe vpon a Causey made of stone, and water on both sides. This citie hath great trade out of Spaine, and out of The new kingdome of Granada, and out of the Ilands there adioyning, from Peru•• and from all the coast of this firme land, and of the fishing of the pearles of Rio de la Hacha, and of Margarita: it is a very sound countrey.

This Citie hath a very good Harbour, and sufficient to receiue great store of Ships: this said Harbour hath two entrances in, the one of them lyeth halfe a league from the Citie, where all the Ships doe enter into the sayd Harbour: the mouth or entring in of the sayde Harbour is 1400. yardes or paces in bredth, and very deepe water. The other entring in which is called La boca chica, or litle mouth, lieth a league beyond this place to the westwards. It is 900. yards in bredth, and in the entring in thereof there lieth a channel in the midst of it, which is 200. yards broad, and 20. or 15 fadome water, some pl••ces more, some lesse. And to enter into the Harbour, you must go through this channel, and the land doth double in and out. And at the entring in of the sayde Har∣bour, after you haue pas•• this Channell, you must beare vp to the shoare ward neere vnto the I∣land of Ca••es, and looke how much is ouerplus more then the two hundred yardes of the Channell, all the rest are certaine ledges of Rockes, couered with two or three foote wa∣ter vpon the t••ppe of them, some places more, and some lesse. So the ships which must enter

in at the mouth, must bring very good Pilots with them, which must be very skilfull: yet all this will not s••rue, but they must carry their Boate before, and sound with their Lead to know where the ••est place of the Channell lyeth for them to goe in, so it will be small hinderance to any shippe that shall enter, neither yet danger at all of sinking.

There are three places about the sayde Citie, where the Enemie may giue an attempt by Land.* 1.4 The one of them is where the enemie did enter in and landed, which is a sandy Bay, and on the one side of the Bay is the Sea, and on the other side a great Lake which goeth towards the Harbour. The sandy bay or banke, on the one side is 500. yardes broad, all sandy ground without any trees. So that the enemie which giueth the assault in this place must bee constrayned to march all alongst this sandie Bay, the enemie lying open these 500. yardes, which reach vntill you doe come to the trench: And on the backside other 500. yardes, till you doe come vnto the Citie.

The sayde sandie bay or banke is 130. yardes broad, where the trench is builded. And in this place this Citie hath bene taken by the enemie twise. Wherefore heere wee haue driuen in a great many of woodden stakes, which goe downe into the sea 50. yardes deepe: and this wee haue done, because this is a very dangerous and filthy coast. And below in the bottome of the Ualley there we haue builded a little Sconce, where we may plant 3. or 4. peeces of ordinance. And like∣wise wee haue made a deepe ditch, which doeth answere to both parts of the sea; so on this side the Citie is very strong and sufficient. For this was the place whereof the Citizens were most afrayde.

The other entring is lower downe by the sayde sandy Bay, which is called Cienaga, or The fenne del Roreado. This is another place which is on the sayd sandy bay, which is 300. yardes broad from the one place downe to the sea. And on the other side there lyeth the Cienaga, which is a certaine plat of ground that is ouerflowen with water all the yeere long. So that the enemie which shall come this way to winne the Citie, must come marching ouer land a good way vpon a sa••die banke or Bay, where the Sea lyeth on the one side, and a groue or boske of wood on the other side, and through a plat of ground which is ouerflowen with water, but not all couered. So in this place wee haue made a Fort or Sconce with certaine Flanckers belonging there∣unto. And I haue caused a deepe ditch to be digged of 60. foote in bredth, so that the Sea doeth come to that plat or place which is ouerflowen. And in this order we haue stopt this passage, so that the Citie standeth in maner like vnto an Iland. There is a 2600. yardes distance from this place to the other trench where the enemie Francis Drake did land last.

The entring in of this Harbour is by the bridge and Causey which doeth goe from the Citie to S. Francis; the sayd Causey is 300. yardes in length, and 12. yardes in bredth: and the water is on both the sides of the saide Causey: so this is the strongest place of all the rest of the three places. Also in this place there is order taken to make a draw bridge, and vpon the top of the said bridge, to build a platforme, and plant ordinance vpon it: and on both sides of the bridge there are certaine trenches made, where our men may be close kept.

At the point of this land called ycacos, which is in the entring in of the harbour towards S. An∣na, we haue made a Fort of timber fouresquare of 300. foote euery way, and trencht, where wee may plant 15. or 16. peeces of ordinance, and keepe 50. men in garison, and behinde the bourdes on the backside of the timbers, a Barricado of earth or mudde wall being foure foote in thicknesse•• and behinde the mud-wall, sand: so this Fort will bee of great importance for safegard of this Harbour, because all the Shippes which doe enter into this Harbour doe come close to this place where it is strongest, so that sometimes one may cast a stone into the ships when they are comming in: and when any ship of warre or Pirate will giue any attempt to enter into this Harbour, there is order giuen that the two galleys shall go forth,* 1.5 and put themselues behinde the Fort with their prows to the sea, and so shooting at their enemies in the forepart of the ship, and then the Fort an∣swering likewise with their ordinance at the side of the shippe, and at their tackling, so the enemie being in the Harbour all vnrigged, they must of necessitie be constrained to lye houering within the Harbour, or els they must driue vpon the rockes called the Ismo, or els vpon those rocks which are couered with the sea at the Iland of Car••s.

And put case that in this place we can doe no good by this meanes, and that the enemie will venture to come in with their long boates & Pinnesses through this narrow mouth: then we are to haue in a readinesse 4. Frigats to ayde and helpe the gallies, & to row with oores, and so to go to the narrow mouth, and there to stay in the channell. And forasmuch as the entring in is so dange∣rous, according as I haue certified your Maiestie, th••re can no ship come into this harbour, but we must needes sinke them; so that these defences shall not onely bee annoyance to the enemie, but

also animate and encourage the inhabitants of this citie: for they haue beene and are in such feare of the enemie, and pirates, that if wee had not made these fortifications, strengthened the citie in this order, and put some souldiers in garison, the citizens would haue fledde, and forsaken this citie: for all the perswasions made to them by the gouernour coulde not perswade them to the contrary, but they would bee gone, if it had not beene for this fortification, and yet for all this wee haue much to doe to make them to stay here: so nou•• by reason of these souldiers which shall come hither, the people of the citie haue taken heart of grasse: so I haue tolde them that your maiestie will command that this citie and the harbour shall be better fortified and made stronger, and all this which I haue caused to be builded, is with that money which I haue borow∣ed of the citizens.

As touching the safegard and defence of this harbour, if your maiestie so please, here may we builde a very faire and strong castle with foure bulwarks, on the poynt of the Ycacos which doth lie on the side where the citie is builded,* 1.6 because all the shippes which doe come to this harbour, must come close abord this shore, so neere, that wee may cast a stone into them, and so ouertake any ship. So likewise if the shippes will goe on the other shore, then they doe goe in greater dan∣ger, because of those shoalds and ledges of rockes, and so are often cast away. And for asmuch as those ships which here doe arriue are brought hither by Easterly winds, and sometimes with those winds which come out from the sea, and therefore perforce must giue a good birth off, other∣wise they cannot enter into this harbour, therefore of necessity they must come so close to the shore: And on the other side where the Island of Cares standeth, there may wee builde another tower foure-square, and plant some foure or fiue pieces of ordinance, and this will serue for the night, if occasion be offered that any small shippe or barke should come in here, or any pinnesse in the night, to doe any harme, or to attempt to burne any Fleete which shoulde ride here at an anker within this harbour: so the fort beeing on the one side, and the tower on the other side, keeping good watch, there can no shippe nor barke come into this harbour, but they will bee espied.

In the narrow mouth at the entring in the other way towardes the Island of Cares, where the channell doth runne neere the shore, as I haue already certified your maiestie, there may an∣other castle be made, and there foure or fiue pieces of ordinance planted, and some six•• or eight men to keepe watch and ward: this being done, your maiestie shall haue this citie very well fortified, by reason it is of such importance for the seruice of your maiestie, and the trade of all Spaine and Peru, and all the Indies; for this is the principall fort of all this countrey.

Ouer against this point of the Ycacos, in the Isle of Cares, hard by the water side, there are great store of stones, free stones, and other stones to make lyme, and wood to burne the stones withall for the lyme, and great part of the stones doe lie about the water: so the wood will c••st but the cutting of it downe, and the working of it, and with little paines taking it will bee brought to good perfection, for wee haue already made triall thereof, for there was neuer building that went to decay after it hath bene made, nor perished by the sea: so the charge hereof will be but litle or nothing.

And for to put this in practise to build a fort, it is needefull that your maiestie should send hi∣ther and to many other places, where any fort shall bee made, some store of Negros, and to this place would be sent 150 Negros brought from Guyney: and if the Negros of Hauana are not to bee imployed there, nor those which are in Sant Iuan de Vllua, it may please your maiestie to cause them to bee sent for to this place, for most of them be artificers, some masons, brick-layers, smithes and sawyers, and to send some masons from Spaine to teach our men these occu∣pations. And after these fortifications are ended and all furnished, then the Negros may be solde to great profit, for a Negro that is of any occupation is sold herefor 600. and 700. pezos.

Nombre de Dios.

NOmbre de Dios is builded vpon a sandy Bay hard by the sea side, it is a citie of some thirtie housholdes or inhabitants: their houses are builded of timber, and most of the people which are there be forreiners, they are there to day and gone to morrow: it is full of woods and some places of the land are ouerflowen with water continually by reason of much raine which doth fall vpon the hils. It is a very bad harbour, neither is there any good water: and it is sub∣iect to Northerly winds and Easterly windes, which continually doe blow vpon this coast: many of the great ship•• which doe come to this place doe vnlade halfe their commodities betweene the two ledges of rockes, for that there is but little water in the harbour: and after that a ship

hath vnladen halfe of her goods, then sh••e goeth to the second rocke, as it doth appeare by the platforme, but the small ships come neere vnto another rocke on the West side. If the winde chance to come to the North and Northwest, and that it ouerblowe, then such great ships as then be in the roade must of force more themselues with sixe cables a head, especially in a storme, and yet neuerthelesse sometimes they are driuen ashore and so cast away, and all because they dare not vier cable ynough, because of so many shelues and rockes which are in both those places: al∣so the shippes doe roule very much in the harbour, by reason in foule weather the Sea will bee mightily growen, which is the cause that their cables do oftentimes breake, and their ruthers are vnhanged, the cause thereof is by reason the shippes doe ride but in little water, yet goeth there a great sea.

The citie is builded and situated very well if it were a good harbour, it standeth vpon the East∣side vpon a rocke where they may builde a very good fort, according to the platforme for the safe∣gard of this harbour: but seeing it is but a bad hauen and shallow water, therefore I doe thinke that it is not needefull for your maiestie to be at any charges in fortifying that place, but ••n••ly a trench to be made of ••arth or clay, so that these townesmen may defend themselues from danger of 3. or 4. ships.

The citie of Panama is eighteene leagues from Nombre de Dios, the wayes are exceeding ••ad thi••he•• wards; yet notwithstanding all the siluer is brought this way to Nombre de Dios, as well your maiesties treasure as other marchandize; so likewise the most part of those commodi∣ties which are caried to Peru, and the rest of the marchandize are carried to the riuer of Chag••e which is some 18 leagues from this citie and it is brought vp by this riuer within fiue leagues of Panama vnto an Iune or lodge called Venta de Cruzes, and from this place afterwards they are transported to Panama vpon Mules. The high way which goeth from Nomb••e de Dios to Panama may be very wel mended, only to remooue this way and to stop it quite vp and so to make it againe vpon the side of a mountaine.* 1.7 This citie lieth in nine degrees and one tierce, and if your maiestie will giue order that this citie should be plucked downe and newly builded againe in Puerto Bello, then you are to make a new way through the mountains of Capira, by reason it may not be frequented and because the high wayes are very bad: with little charges they may be bro∣ken and so shut vp, and the chanell of this harbour may bee stopt with the timber of those old ships which are laid vp here euery yeere, and then afterwards may be cast a great number of stones into the same, and so by this meanes to damme vp the harbour: and here is great want of stones to ballast the shippes: wherefore they are faine to goe to an Island three leagues from Cartagena called Isla de los Bastimentos, and this is a thing very needefull for this Countrey, as by experience I haue seene.

Puerto Bello.

PVerto Bello lieth fiue leagues from Nombre de Dios Westward: It is a very good harbour and sufficient to receiue great store of ships, and hath very good ankering, and fresh water: for neere the shore you shall find some sire fathome water, and in the middest of the same harbour you shall find twelue fathome, very good and cleane ground or sane, without eyther banks or rockes. There are twelue small riuers or brookes of water which doe belong to this harbour, and so doe meete all together: so that the fleete may at all times prouide themselues of fresh water so much as shall serue their turnes. And likewise there is in this place great store of timber to build shippes, and stones to ballast shippes. Also the harbour hath no danger at all in comming in, but onely when the wind is Westerly, which is seldome seene vpon this coast. The windes which doe most blowe vpon this coast are Northerly windes, and they are more dangerous and hurt∣full then the Easterly windes are. Within this harbour there lieth a small creeke safe from all winds that can blow. This creek is about fiue hundred yards long, and so many in breadth, and in the entring in of this creekes mouth it is some 300. yardes broad, and foure fathome and a halfe of water: and entring farther in, sixe fathome, all oaze and muddie ground: so that if a ship should chance to strike or come ••ground, shee could take no harme being soft oaze; also it doth ebbe and flow accor••ing as I haue certified your maiestie already.

And likewise the comming in and going out of this harbour is very good: and with all kinde of weather a shippe may set saile from this place except with a Westerly wind: and all this coast is very cleane where a shippe at all times may come to anker without the harbours mouth. This harbour is inuironed round about with woods: and at the ende of this harbour there is certaine land which is ouerflowen with water: it may bee easily dryed vp and walled round

about, so this land will serue very well to feede cattell. For that is the chiefest thing which doth belong to any citie or towne, and of this pasture ground there is great want in Nombre de Dios, for there is no pasture at all to breede cattell, for all kinde of flesh which is spent in this place is brought from Panama: so towards the South there is a very good place, where the citie may be newe built on a certaine plaine ground which lieth at the foot of certaine mountaines, which bee not very high; and in this place there runne three little riuers of fresh water very sweete and good, and here is good arable ground to till and to sow Maiz and other kinds of graine. Also in this circuite there are great stones to make lyme, and these stones must needes prooue very good as I doe thinke, but we neuer had any triall thereof.

This harbour hath all things necessary to builde a citie, where your maiestie may haue your armies and fleetes of shippes to ride at an anker in safetie without danger of loosing: and it is a very healthfull countrey, and where the citie shall be builded it is all stony ground: and forasmuch as the raine water which doth fall from the mountaines may doe hurt vnto the citie, there at the foote of the mountaine wee will make a great pond to receiue in all the water which doth fall from the mountaines, and so from thence to goe into the sea, as more at large your maiestie may see by my platforme.

If it would please your maiestie, it were good that the citie of Nombre de Dios might bee brought and builded in this harbour: it would not bee very chargeable vnto the citizens by rea∣son that all their houses are made of timber, and they may benefite themselues with the same a∣gaine, and likewise with the tyles of their houses: the greatest charge will bee to land timber and to cut downe the mountaine of wood.

If it please your maiestie that the sayd citie of Nombre de Dios should bee builded in this harbour the first thing which must be finished is to make vp this high way, and so to pull downe the Church which is in Nombre Dios, and the Contractation house, and so newe build it in this har∣bour: and then to command all the fleetes of shippes from time to time to come and vnlade their goods in this sayd Puerto Bello: And that those marchants and factors of Spaine which are ly∣gers in Panama and Nombre de Dios, shall come to this harbour and builde anew their ware∣houses for receiuing of their goods. So by these meanes in short time it will be greatly inhabi∣ted with people: also the fleete shall not passe so many dangers as they dayly doe in Nombre de Dios: neither will there so many people die as there dayly doe in Nombre de Dios: and the cause thereof is, that those labouring men which doe vse to vnlade those marchandize, are all the whole day wading in the water vp to the armepits to bring the packs of cloth and other commodi∣ties aland; for there is no landing place where there can come any boates to land any goods close to the shore, so this wading and the parching of the Sunne is the cause why so many doe dye of a burning feuer. There are but 60. dwelling houses in Nombre de Dios, and but thirtie dwel∣lers which doe continually dwell there, and the rest doe goe to Panama after the fleete is gone, and then this Towne doeth remayne desolate, euery man forsaking it because it is so full of diseases.

In the entring in of this harbour for the more securitie thereof and defence of the towne it is needefull to build vpon the toppe of the mount which lyeth to the Northward, a little fort fouresquare that will hold foure or fiue pieces of ordinance, and to appoynt sixe men to watch and ward; and this beeing done wee shall haue no occasion to make any more defe••ce, by reason the countrey is full of rocks and filthy wayes, and all full of woods round about the harbour.

And so likewise on the other side to builde a little tower in maner of a fort, with eight pieces of ordinance and fiue and twenty souldiers to keepe it. And this will bee of more importance be∣cause it must be builded on the towne side. And a little beyond this place on the Northside there lyeth a crecke, where there is a very good ankering in eight fathome water: so this fort beeing builded in this place it will defend the harbour and offend the enemy: and will defend the coast along and a paynt of the land which doth runne from the East to the West, and reacheth to the I∣land of Buena Ventura. And put case that the fort which is builded on the other side doth decay, or be taken by the enemy, with this other fort wee may defend the citie very well, if the enemy should chance to come into the harbour, and bee succoured and holpen by the citizens, and twen∣tie musketters being planted vpon a mount which lyeth ouer the fort, will bee sufficient to de∣fende vs from a good many of our enemies, that shoulde come to assault vs, becausall the countrey is full of rockes and stones, and full of mountaines. So from this wood there may a way be made to goe to the citie, and to ioyne with that way which shall goe to Panama; and this may bee done with small charges. This harbour doth lie in nine degrees and one tierce, and if occasion shoulde serue wee may stop vp the way which doth goe to Capi••a, and the rest of the

wayes which goe from Nombre de Dios to Venta de Cruzes, according as it is certified me by the Negros called Simcrons; for they told me that this way would not bee very trouble∣some. Although in the Winter it is reported that here is good store of water in this place, which in the Sommer it is all dryed vp, and where these waters are, there we may builde a causey, to which purpose there are great quantities of stones and timber very seruiceable: so this way may bee made with that treasure which your maiestie doeth receiue of the auerages and cu∣stomes of Nombre de Dios and Panama, which doth amount vnto twelue or foureteene thou∣sand pezos yeerely: and an order might be taken for the same, that the sayd money may serue for the building and reparing of these wayes.

Panama.

PAnama is the principall citie of this Dioces: it lieth 18. leagues from Nombre de Dios on the South sea, and standeth in 9. degrees. There are 3. Monasteries in this said city of fryers, the one is of Dominicks, the other is of Augustines, and the third is of S. Francis fryers: also th••re is a College of Iesuits, and the royall audience or chancery is kept in this citie.

This citie is situated hard by the sea side on a sandy bay: the one side of this citie is enuironed with the sea, and on the other side it is enclosed with an arme of the sea which runneth vp into the land 1000. yards.

* 1.8This citie hath three hundred and fiftie houses, all built of timber, and there are sixe hundred dwellers and eight hundred souldiers with the townesmen, and foure hundred Negros of Guy∣ney, and some of them are free men: and there is another towne which is called Santa Cruz la Real of Negros Simerons,* 1.9 and most of them are imployed in your maiesties seruice, and they are 100. in number, and this towne is a league from this citie vpon a great riuers side, which is a league from the sea right ouer against the harbour of Pericos. But there is no trust nor confi∣dence in any of these Negros, and therefore we must take heede and beware of them, for they are our mortall enemies.

There are three sundry wayes to come to this citie, besides the sea, where the enemy may as∣sault vs. The one is at the bridge which is builded vpon the riuer: and on the one side of this, there lieth a creeke: so on this side the citie is very strong, because it is all soft muddie ground, for in no way they cannot goe vpon it. And right ouer against it there lyeth a riuer which is in maner like vnto a ditch or moate; and on the other side of the Riuer there lyeth a great Lake or Pond which is full of water all the Winter, and part of the Sommer, so that on this side the city is very strong, for with very small store of souldiers this place might bee kept ve∣rie well.

* 1.10The greatest danger for the surprising of this citie is the way that doth come from Nombre de Dios: for all this way is playne ground and no woods: and 2000. yardes from this citie there lyeth a riuer called Lauanderas, where the women doe vse to wash their linnen: and this riuer doth goe into the creeke, according as I haue certified your maiestie: and being once past this riuer, there is a causey which goeth directly vnto them. The other way which doth go twards the citie is lower downe towards the sea at a stone bridge lying vpon the way which go∣eth to the harbour of Perico.* 1.11 These two wayes cannot be kept nor resisted, because it is all plaine ground and medowes.

Upon the East side of this citie there are your maiesties royall houses builded vpon a rocke ioyning hard to the Sea side, and they doe aswell leane towards the sea as the land. The royall audience or chancerie is kept here in these houses, and likewise the prison. And in this place all your maiesties treasure is kept. There dwelleth in these houses your maiesties Treasurer, the Lord President, and 3. Iudges, and master Atturney. All these doe dwell in these houses, and the rest of your maiesties officers: which are sixe houses besides those of the Lord President, the which are all dwelling houses, and all adioyning together one by another along vpon the rockes. And they are builded all of timber and bourdes, as the other houses are. So where the prison standeth and the great hall, these two places may bee very well fortified, because they serue so f••••ly for the purpose, by reason they are builded towardes the sea, and that there lye certaine small rocks, which at a lowe water are all discouered and drie, and some of them are seene at a high water. Right ouer these houses to the Eastwardes there lyeth an Island about fiue hun∣dred yardes from these houses,* 1.12 and the Island is in forme of a halfe moone; and in this order it runneth all alongst very neere the maine land: so ouer against these houses there lyeth the

harbour where all the shippes doe vse to ride at an anker, after that they haue discharged and vnladen their marchandize. For when they haue their lading aboord, there can come in none but small Barkes, and at a lowe water the shippes are all aground and drie, and so is all the space some thirtie yardes from those houses. Right ouer against them standeth the citie.

When newes were brought to this citie of those Pirates which were come vpon this coast, the Lord President and Iudges commanded that there should a sconce bee made, and trenched round about, made all of timber for the defence of this citie against the enemie, and to keepe your maiesties treasure. So your officers caused Venta de Cruzes to be fortified, and likewise Cha∣gre, and Quebrada, and fortified the garrison of Ballano•• for all these are places where the enemy may land,* 1.13 and by this meanes spoyle all this countrey.

There are three sundry places, where this citie may without difficulty be taken, and spoyled by the Pirates. The first is on the North seas in a certaine place which lyeth foureteene leagues from Nombre de Dios,1 1.14 the place is called Aele to the Eastwards, where once before certaine men of warre haue entred into those seas. The other place is Nombre de Dios,2 1.15 although this is a bad place and naughtie wayes, and full of waters and a very dirtie way: for three partes of the yeere the countrey people doe trauell vpon those waters, and an other very badde way, which is the going vp of certaine rockes and mountaines which they must climbe, called the mountaines of Capira, which are of height three quarters of a league, so in this place with very small store of souldiers wee can defend our selues from the fury of the enemie, so these dwellers doe say that in Sommer the wayes are very good without either dirt or water.

The other entrance is vp the riuer of Chagre,3 1.16 which riuers mouth lyeth eighteene leagues from Nombre de Dios to the Westwards falling into the North sea, and this is the place which the citizens of Panama doe most feare, for they may come vp this riuer to Venta de Cruzes,* 1.17 and so from thence march to this citie, which is but fiue leagues off. So vp this riuer there goe boates and barkes which doe carry 320. Quintals waight. These are they which carry the most part of the marchandize which doe come from Spaine to be transported to Peru, and from Venta de Cruzes it is c••••••••o to Limaret which is three leagues off that place, and the dwel∣lers doe report that it is a very good way: and if any men of warre will attempt to come into these seas, they may very easily come vp this riuer as farre as Venta de Cruzes, and from thence march vnto this citie, and if the enemy will, they may bring their pinnesses ready made in foure quarters•• and so taken in sunder, may afterwards set them together againe: as it is reported that Francis Drake hath vsed it once before when he came that voyage; and so he may attempt vs both by sea and land. And forasmuch as the most part of these people are marchants, they will not fight, but onely keepe their owne persons in safetie, and saue their goods; as it hath bene seene hereto∣fore in other places of these Indies.

So if it will please your maiesty to cause these houses to bee strongly fortified, considering it standeth in a very good place if any sudden alarms shoulde happen, then the citizens with their goods may get themselues to this place, and so escape the terrour of the enemy: and so this will be a good securitie for all the treasure which doth come from Peru. So all the Pirats and rebels, which haue robbed in these parts, haue gone about what they can to stoppe this passage, and so by this meanes to stoppe the trade of Spaine, and to set souldiers in this place, for to intercept and take your maiesties treasure, whereby none might be caried into Spaine. Therefore it behoo∣ueth your maiestie to fortifie these places very strongly.

These places being fortified in this maner, your maiesty shal haue al your gold and siluer brought home in safetie which commeth from Peru. And all those commodities which are laden in Spaine may come safe to this place. And if perchance any rebels should rise in these parts,* 1.18 which would rebel against your maiesty, which God forbid, & if they should chāce to ioyn with any of these pirats, hauing this place so wel fortified, & Puerto Bello in y^e North parts, & so to send some garrison your maiestie needs not to feare: for here in this harbor are alwayes 10 or 12 barks of 60 or 50 tunnes apiece, which do belong to this harbor. So if any of these places shalbe intercepted, thē your maies∣tie hath no other place fitter then this to land your maiesties souldiers, for then they haue but 18. leagues to march by land, & presently they may be shipped to supply these places which shal stand in most need of them. In al the coast of Peru there is no harbour that hath any shipping but onely this place, and the citie of Lima, where there are some ships and barks. The harbour being thus open without any defence, a man of war may very easily come to this place, as I haue certified your maiestie, thorow the streits of Magellane, & arriue at that instant, when those barks do come from Peru with your maiesties gold & siluer, for sometimes they bring 5 or 6 millions in those barks;* 1.19 so the enemy may come and take al their treasure, & not leese one man, because here is not one man to

resist him, therefore this place being thus fortified, the treasure may be kept in the fort. There is a trench made round about your maiesties houses which are builded of timber: the President and Iudges did cause it to be made, for that here was newes brought that there were certaine men of warre, & pirats cōming for these parts. So this trench is thus maintained vntil such time as your maiesties pleasure is to the contrary, & in such wise that your souldiers may sight lying behind the trench; so there is order giuen to build a platforme vpon the plaine ground, and so to plant such ordinance in those places, as shall be thought most conuenient.

If it wil please your maiestie, here we may make a sconce or fort toward the land side, & so trench it round about and build it with stone, because here is a place and al things readie for the same pur∣pose; and by this meanes the citie would be securely kept: as for the sea there is no danger at al, by reason that the water doth ebbe & flow twise a day, and then when it is ebbing water it wil be all dry & muddy ground & rocks, so that in no wise at a low water the enemy can wade ouer the mud to come to this city, and it reacheth from the Island til you come to the bridge called Paita. Two leagues from this city there lieth a harbor called Perico downe to the Westward:* 1.20 this is a very sure harbour by reason of 3. Islands which do ioyne in maner of a halfe moone, they lie halfe a league from the maine, the Islands do enclose the harbor round about, the harbour is a very high land, & the Ilands are but reasonable high, there is good store of fresh water: also there hath neuer any ship bene cast away in this harbour, for there is 7. fathome water at ful sea, and 3 or 4 fathome at lower water and very good ground for their ankering, and when they will trimme their ships they may hale them ashore. All those ships and barks which come from Peru with gold, siluer or any other kind of commodities, do first come to an anker in this harbour, and if they haue a con∣trary weather they cannot come into the harbour of Panama; and for so much as the harbour hath no defence for the safegard of the ships,* 1.21 if a man of warre should chance to come into the harbour, all the barks with the treasure may be very easily taken. And likewise these barks & ships which do nauigate in the South seas carrie not so much as one piece of ordinance or a rapier to defend them withall. From this place to Venta de Cruzes is not passing 5 leagues; so that if any pin∣nesse should happen to arriue there, no doubt but they might robbe and take al your treasure which is in those barks, by reason that from the shore they cannot be rescued nor holpen, because it is an Island and refuge for all ships and barks. If it would please your maiestie here might some ••ort or defence bee made in the middlemost Island, and some ordinance planted, and this might bee made with little charges, because in the said Island there are all kinde of necessaries fit for that purpose, so by this meanes your maiestie may haue both the harbour and the citie very well kept.

And likewise there is another entring into the South sea which is called the riuer of Fran∣cisca,* 1.22 which lieth on this side of the Cabeça de Catiua, and this riuer doth come into another ri∣uer which is called Caracol, and is fiue leagues from this citie; and once before these Simerons brought into this place certaine Frenchmen.

The riuer of Chagre.

THe riuer of Chagre lieth in 9. degrees and one tierce. The mouth of this riuer is in the North seas 18. leagues from Nombre de Dios, and 13. leagues from Puerto Bello: there is caryed vp this riuer certaine quantitie of those merchandize which are vnladen at Nombre de Dios which come from Spaine.* 1.23 From the mouth of this riuer to Venta de Cruzes are eighteene leagues. From this place where the barkes vnlade their commodities, they are carried vpon mules to Panama, which is but fiue leagues off from this place.

This riuer hath great store of water in the Winter. And the barkes which belong to this ri∣uer are commonly of 320. Quintals that is of 16. tunnes in burthen: but in the Summer there is but small store of water: so then the barkes haue much to doe to get vp this riuer: and in many places these barks are constrained to vnlade their commodities; and are drawen by mens strength and force a good way vp the riuer, and therefore if it would please your maiestie to command that all those goods may bee first vnladen in Puerto Bello, and there to build a litle castle in the mouth of the said riuer, and at the foote of the castle to build a storehouse to vnlade and keepe all the sayd goods, and there to build other barks of lesse burthen: then these would serue for Som∣mer, and the great barks for the Winter.

If it would please your maiestie, there might a very good high way be made on the one side of the riuer, and so they might bee towed, for it may bee made and not with much cost because it is all plaine ground, and there is growing vpon the sayd riuer great store of timber and trees which

doe lie ouer thwart the said Riuer; so that they are very cumbersome and great annoiance vnto the said boates, aswell those that go vp the said Riuer, as also that doe come downe the said Riuer.

And therfore if it might please your maiestie to command, that Puerto belo might be inhabited, and the towne made neerer the Riuers side, euery thing would be a great deale better cheape, if the commodities were caryed vp the Riuer: for it is a great danger to cary them vp by land, for it is daily seene that the mules do many times fall and breake their neckes with their lading vpon their backs, as well the treasure as other kinde of commodities, because it is such a bad way. And your maiestie might be at this charges and spend of your reuenewes of Nombre de dios and Panama, which do yerely yeild 12 or 14 thousand pezos, & this being once done it would be a great ayd and benefit to those, which doe trade and trafficke, and to those merchantes which doe send their goods ouer-land, and ease them much of paine and purse, because the other is a most filthy way, as any is in the world.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Santa Marta si∣tuate in 10. de∣grees and a halfe.
• * 1.2

  A new course to No••a 〈◊〉〈◊〉, by 〈…〉〈…〉 Santa Marta less•• 〈…〉〈…〉 then the ordained course.
• * 1.3

  Cartagena situ∣ate in 11. degrees s••an••••
• * 1.4

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.5

  The gallies of 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.6

  The poynt of Ycacos.
• * 1.7

  Nombre de Dios in 9. deg. and one tierce.
• * 1.8

  Panama hath 350. houses.
• * 1.9

  Negros Simerons mortall ene∣mies to the Spanyards.
• * 1.10

  The best way to take Panama.
• * 1.11

  Perico.
• * 1.12

  An Island in the harbour of Panama.
• * 1.13

  Places good to land in.
• 1 1.14

  Place.
• 2 1.15

  Place. This was O••en••am.
• 3 1.16

  Place.
• * 1.17

  The place of most aduan∣tage for the English.
• * 1.18

  Rebellion sea∣ted in the West Indies.
• * 1.19

  5. or 6. millions of gold & siluer.
• * 1.20

  The harbour of Perico.
• * 1.21

  Nota.
• * 1.22

  A new way into the south∣sea.
• * 1.23

  These fiue leagues are very good ground or champion countrey.