ag A VOYAGE TO Book IL 



CHAP. II. 



Defcrlption of the town of St. Philip de Porto 



Beilo. 



f'TlHE town of St. Philip de Porto Bello, accord- 

 I ing to our obfervations, {lands in 9'' 34' 35" 

 north latitude ; and by the obfervations of father Feu- 

 illee, in. the longitude of 277'' 50' from the meri- 

 dian of Paris, and 296° 41' from the Pico of Teneriffe^ 

 This harbour was difcovered on the 2d of November 

 1502 by Chriftopher Columbus, who was fo charm- 

 ed with its extent, depth, and fecurity, that he gave it 

 the name of Porto Belio, or the fine harbour. In the 

 profecution of his difcoveries, he arrived at that which 

 he called Baftimentos, where, in 15 10, was founded by 

 Diego de Niqueza the city of Nombre de Dios, the 

 " name of God-," fo called from the commander hav- 

 ing faid to his people on his landing, " here we will 

 " make a fettlement in the name of God," which 

 was accordingly executed. But this place was, in its 

 infancy, entirely deftroyed by the Indians of Darien* 

 Some years after, the fettlement was repaired, and the 

 inhabitants maintained their ground till 1584, wherb 

 orders arrived from Philip II. for their removing to 

 Porto Belio ; as much better fituated for the com- 

 Hierce of that country. 



Porto Bello was taken and plundered by John 

 Morgan, an Engliili adventurer, who infefted thoft 

 feas but, in conQderation of a ranfom, fpared the 

 forts and houfes. 



The town of Porto Bello ftands near the fea, on the 

 declivity of a mountain which furrounds the whole 

 harbour. Mofl: of the houfes are built of wood. In 

 ibme the firft ftory is of ilone, and the remainder of 

 wood. They are about 130 in number; moft of 

 them large and fpacious^ The town is under the 

 \ jurif- 



