THE WEST INDIAN PORTS 



A.D. 

 1587. 



A relation of the ports, harbors, forts and cities 

 in the west Indies which have bene sur- 

 veied, edified, finished, made and mended, 

 with those which have bene builded, in a 

 certaine survey by the king of Spaine his 

 direction and commandement : Written by 

 Baptista Antonio, surveyour in those parts 

 for the said King. Anno 1587. 



Santa Marta. 



Irst Santa Marta the principall Citie of ^f^^^ ^^rta 

 the Bishopricke or Dioces of the coast ^^«^^^^«jo- 

 of Tierra firma, or the firme land, lieth ^J^^ 

 in 10. degrees and J, the city being 

 situated upon a sandy bay adjoyning 

 unto the sea side, conteineth in it about 

 30. housholds ; all the houses being 

 made of canes, and covered over with Palmito trees, and 

 some of them be covered with tyle. 



They have traffike with none, but with the Indians of 

 the said country, which doe bring unto the Citie for to [III. 549.] 

 sell earthen Pots and Pipkins, and Coverlits of Cotton 

 wooll, and great earthen Jarres. 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 har- 

 bour before the said towne, invironed with mighty hils 

 & great rocks, which reach even unto the sea side, the 

 which hie land doth greatly succour the harbour, as also 

 two Hands which lie about J of a league on the North 

 side : so that although they be subject 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 



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