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tude 9° 30', west longitude 77° 36', to which they gave the name of New Caledonia. Here several families were settled; but the Spanish Government being alarmed, the British Court refusing to acknowledge this act, and the success of the adventurers becoming daily greater, a force was at last sent against them, by which means they were ejected from the country in the latter end of the year 1699, or beginning of 1700.

SECTION XXIV.

PROVINCE OF PANAMA.

PANAMA constitutes another province of Tierra Firme, and is sometimes called Tierra Firme Proper.

The province of Panama is bounded on the north by the Caribbean Sea, or Spanish Main ; on the west, by the province of Veragua; on the east, by Darien; and on the south, by the Pacific Ocean.

Great part of the country is still covered. with thick forests; and the land between the two seas consists generally of abrupt and broken chains of mountains, one of which, the Sierra de Canatagua, on the borders of Panama and Veragua, divides North from South America. On the tops of these craggy mountains,

the land is sterile and uninhabited; the cities, settlements, plantations, and Indian villages, being mostly along the shores of the two

oceans.

The river Chagre is the principal stream in this province, and may be called the high-road of Panama, being used as the means of communication between the eastern shore and the capital. It takes its rise in the mountains near Cruces, which place is about five leagues from Panama. The Chagre has a considerable descent, but is nevertheless navigable for boats up to Cruces its velocity is about three miles an hour ; therefore the ascent from the coast is rather fatiguing. The breadth of this river is about a quarter of a mile at the mouth, and 150 feet at Cruces. The distance from the estuary to Cruces, the last navigable point in a straight line, is not above thirty-six miles; but the river winding frequently increases this length. It requires four or five days to ascend it when the waters are not very high. If the water passage is counted, the sinuosities make it forty-three miles, reckoning from Fort San Lorenzo, which defends the entrance.

It is by means of this river that one of the communications between the two oceans has

been proposed. The ascent from Cruces, where the river is first navigable, towards the summit of the mountains, is rapid for a short space, after which there is a gentle descent the whole way to the South Sea.

In the river Chagre are seen numberless caymans or alligators: they are observed either in the water or on the banks, but on account of the thorny shrubs and thick underwood, cannot be pursued on shore.

The climate of Panama is hot, as may be well supposed from its situation. The greatest heat is felt in the months of August, September, and October, when it is almost insupportable: the brisas, or trade-winds, and the continual rains, ameliorate the excessive heats during the other months; but at the same time render the climate very unpleasant.

The mines of Panama produce so little gold or silver, that they are supposed not to answer the expense of working.

The pearl fishery here is at present of little importance. It was anciently carried on amongst the small islands in the Bay of Panama, and was very lucrative. An endeavour has lately been made to re-establish it, but hitherto without any beneficial results.

The soil of Panama is prolific, abundantly producing the tropical fruits and plants. On the borders of the Chagre the luxuriancy of the soil is such, that the trees stand so thick as to render it very difficult to penetrate the forests. The barks, which navigate the stream are formed of those trees which grow nearest the water; some of which are so large, as to measure twelve feet in breadth.

These forests are plentifully stocked with all sorts of wild animals peculiar to the torrid regions, among which are innumerable tribes of monkeys. The peacock, the turtle-dove, the heron, and various other sorts of beautiful birds, frequent the forests of the Chagre and of Panama. The country is also infested with reptiles, insects, &c.

The trade of Panama consists in its relations with Veragua, and the ports of Peru and New Grenada. From these it is supplied with catIts exports tle, maize, wheat and poultry.

are of no great importance or value. From Carthagena, European goods are received, for which mahogany, cedar, and other woods, with gums and balsams, are exchanged.-Part of the European trade of the western shore of South America is carried on by way of Panama and Porto Bello; but since the galleons were disallowed, the trade of these two cities has been comparatively trifling.

The province of Panama contains three cities, twelve villages, and numerous settlements of converted Indians.

SECTION XXV.

THE CITY OF PANAMA.

THE capital is PANAMA, a city and sea-port, built near the bottom of a large bay of the Pacific which bears the same name. From this city the Isthmus of Darien has frequently taken its appellation; but at present it is indifferently styled the Isthmus of Panama or of Darien. It stands in 9° 0′ 30′′ north latitude, and 79° 19' west longitude.

The streets are broad and paved, both in the city and its suburbs; but the houses of the suburbs are mostly of wood, intermixed with thatched huts. The cathedral is a handsome edifice of stone, as are the churches, convents, monasteries, and an excellent hospital.

The people of Panama have a disagreeable drawling method of speaking, and appear as if they were overcome by the great heat of the climate they nevertheless are really healthy, and live in general to a good age.

Such is the spirit of trade in this place, that every person is engaged in bartering. A treasury, custom-house, &c. are established here, and when the galleons came from Lima, Panama and Porto Bello might be said to have been the Acapulco and Vera Cruz of South America.

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