of the Ifthmus 'of America,' 311 



Between the River of Cheapo and Panama, fur- 

 ther Weft, are 3 Rivers, of no great Confequence, 3 Rivers, 

 lying open to the Sea. The Land between is low 

 even Land, moft of it dry, and cover'd here and 

 there by the Sea, with Ihort Bufhes. Near the moft 

 Wefterly of thefe Old Panama was feated, once & Old Pa**- 

 large City ; but nothing now remains of it betides"**' 

 Rubbifli, and a few Houfes of poor People. The 

 Spaniards were weary of it, having no good Port or 

 Landing-place ; and had a defign to have left it, be- 

 fore it was burnt by Sir Henry Morgan. But then 

 they no longer deliberated about the Matter ; but 

 inftead of rebuilding it, rais'd another Town to the 

 Weftward, which is the prefent City of Panama. 

 The River of Old Panama runs between them; but R. of p#~ 

 rather nearer the new Town than the Old ; and into 

 this River fmall Barks many enter. 



The chief advantage which New Panama hath a- New p#~ 

 bove the Old, is an excellent Road for fmall Ships, nama - 

 as good as a Harbour ; for which it is beholden to The Har- 

 the Shelter of the neighbouring Jfles of Perica*™**! 

 which lie before it, 3 in Number, in a row parallel™ 5 oi? *' 

 to the Shore. There is very good anchoring be- 

 tween, at a good diftance from the Town ; but be- 

 tween the Road and the Town is a Shole or Spit of shole. 

 Land ; fo that Ships cannot come near the Town, 

 but lie neareft to P erica 5 but by this means the 

 Town has them lefs under command. Panama 

 ftands on a level Ground, and is furrounded with 

 a high Wall, efpecially towards the Sea. It hath 

 no Fort befides the Town-Walls ; upon which the 

 Sea, which wafhes it every Tide, beats fo ftrongly, 

 fometimes, as to throw down a part of them. It Fine Pro- 

 makes a very beautiful Profped oft at Sea, thefpeflof 

 Churches and chief Houfes appearing above the Fanam *° 

 reft. The Building appears white efpecially the 

 Walls, which are cf Stone and the Covering of 

 the Houfes red, for probably they are Pan-tile, which 



X 4 1 is 



