. O F P A N A M A. 31 



The RIVER of CHAGRE, 



FORMERLY called RhdeLagartoSy from the number of alligators in it, 

 has its fource in the mountains near Crucesy where the river begins 

 to be navigable. At the cuftom-houfe here reiides an alcalde, who takes an 

 account of all goods fent this way, to or from Panama. The river here is 

 about 20 fathoms broad, and at the mouth about 120 fathoms over, 

 forming a fine harbour for velTels to ride at anchor, in 24 fathoms 

 water. At the entrance is a ridge of rocks, feen at low water, on which 

 four fhips of Capt. Morgan'?, fleet, that were coming into the harbour afcer 

 the caftle was taken^^ were loft j but the men and goods were all faved. 



This river is navigated by Spanijh vefTels, called Chafasy they are com- 

 monly mounted with two great iron guns, and four fmall brafs ones : thefe 

 veffels not only carry the merchandize up and down this river, but to Porto 

 Velo, and into the lake of Nicaragua. 



Capt. Morgany after he had taken the caftle of ^an Lorenzoy failed up the 

 river Chagre with 1200 men, and artillery in 32 canoes and five boats; on the 

 third day he landed at Cedro BuenOy and marched by land to PanamUy where 

 they arrived with their artillery in feven days, after having fought their way 

 thro' feveral ambufcades. Notwithftanding this exprefs account of the march 

 of thefe adventurers, it appears, by a council of war held on board the Boyne, 

 in the Weji-Indiesy 28th OEiober iy4-i, to be unanimoufly agreed by Admi- 

 ral Vernon and the other members of that council, that, from the beft 

 advices they had been able to colledl, it was impra(fticable to advance with 

 cannon to Panama', and it being a fortified town, wi:h above forty pieces 

 of cannon mounted on the ramparts, and a fufficient garrifon, they thought 

 it not practicable to attempt it without. 



The road to Panama by land from Porto-Bello is at prefent, and will ever 

 remain fo whilft that country is poffefied by the Spaniards, utterly imprac- 

 ticable for the tranfpOiting of cannon. 



Cannon of any calibre may be brought in flat-bottomed vefftls, fuch as 

 are ufed on the river Chagre for tranfporting of heavy goods, as far. as the 

 landing place of Criizes; from thence to Panama by land, tho' the road is lo 



rocky 



