304 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. I02 



Kingdoms of Peru. This is all disembarked at Panama and carried 

 overland to Puerto Bello, 8 leagues — though the woods road is so 

 rough and winding that it comes to i8 leagues. The transport is by 

 mules ; some of the muleteers have become very rich and important, 

 and have acquired large troops of mules and much property with 

 their gains ; in fact, at the season of the fleet, the hire of a mule for 

 the 1 8 leagues comes to 25 or 30 pesos. There is transportation also 

 by the Rio de Chagre. This rises 3 leagues from Panama in its hills, 

 near the Pacific, but runs to the Atlantic, gathering in almost all the 

 other streams on its way as it bursts through all the mountain barriers 

 and is a navigable river when it reaches the Atlantic. They transport 

 merchandise on it in boats ordinarily rowed by 20 Negroes. The 

 mouth of this Rio de Chagre, on which these goods are freighted, 

 lies 8 leagues W. of Puerto Bello ; there is a fort at the river's 

 mouth with six large bronze cannon, with its Warden or Captain, 

 and soldiers of the garrison, for the defense of the river entrance. 

 They go up this river 16 leagues by dint of rowing, up to the Casa 

 de Cruces ; there they unload the freight and carry it 5 leagues on 

 muleback to Panama. 



896, The city of Puerto Bello has two forts or castles ; one is at 

 the entrance or mouth of the harbor, named San Felipe, with its 

 Warden and 60 soldiers in garrison, plus the gunners and other 

 assistants and artisans, and with excellent bronze artillery. The 

 castle of Santiago is at the approach to the city ; it has an enrollment 

 of 125, not counting the Captain, gunners, assistants, and artisans, 

 with excellent heavy bronze artillery. The city has an Alcalde Mayor, 

 appointed by the President. Half a league from Puerto Bello is the 

 village of the free Negro hangers-on (Mogollones), with their 

 Spanish Captain, who is the administrative officer for these Negroes. 

 They are occupied with service and supplies for the city, and in seeing 

 that no Negro runs away from his master, for they catch him im- 

 mediately. These Negroes have been of value on many occasions, 

 for besides being skillful workers and herdsmen in the country, they 

 are brave and loyal in His Majesty's service. 



Chapter HI 



Continuing the Description of the District of the Circuit Court 

 of Panama; and of Some Spanish Settlements Established in Its 

 Provinces. 



897. Two leagues from Panama is the island and port of Perico ; 

 since that sea is shallow, and the coast runs out gradually, large ships 



