of John Cockburn, &c; 245 

 the Time we ftaid here, which was but 

 fhort^ I gate him an Account of the 

 late Misfortunes at Chiriqui, fetting forth 

 in what Manner that Town had been fur- 

 prized and plunder'd, and by whom. At 

 this News, both the Alcald and People were 

 ftruck with great Fear ? left thcMuskitoe 

 Indians fhould come upon them, and ferve 

 them in the fame Mariner, faying, they were 

 lefs able to fuftain fuch Loffes, than the 

 People of Chiriqui, inafmuch as they had 

 greater Tribute impofed on them, and were 

 liable to many other Incoriveniencies, which 

 thofe People are eafed of. Every fingle 

 Man of this Town is obliged to pay the 

 King of Spam fix Pieces of Eight yearly^ 

 and every married Man twelve, or in Cafe 

 of Non-payment to be fent to the Mines 

 without Redemption. This heavy Impofi- 

 tion, with what they are bound to allow 

 the Clergy, they account an inlbpportabie 

 Grievance, and were they not very induftri- 

 bus, as welt as ingenious, they could not 

 perform fuch hard Tasks. Thefe People 

 make a Sort of fine Matts, and Hammocks 

 6f Cane, and likewife curious Baskets of the 

 R 1 fame; 



