Page 179
An. 1685
Panama. The Spanish Armada.
Groves and Spots of Trees, that appear in the Sa- vannahs like so many little Islands. This City is in- compaffed with a high Stone Wall; the Houses are said to be of Brick. Their Roofs appear higher than the top of the City Wall. It is beautified with a great many fair Churches and Religious Houses, be- sides the President's House, and other eminent Build- ings; which altogether make one of the finest objects that I did ever see, in America especially. There are a great many Guns on her Walls, most of which look toward the Land. They had none at all against the Sea, when I first entered those Seas with Captain Sawkins, Captain Coxon, Captain Sharp, and others; for till then they did not fear any Enemy by Sea: but since then they have planted Guns clear round. This is a flourishing City by reason it is a thorough- fair for all imported or exported Goods and Trea- fure, to and from all parts of Peru and Chili; whereof their Store-houses are never empty. The Road also is seldom or never without Ships. Besides, once in 3 years, when the Spanish Armada comes to Portobel, then the Plate Fleet also from Lima comes hither with the Kings Treasure and abundance of Merchant Ships full of Goods and Plate; at that time the City is full of Merchants and Gentlemen; the Seamen are busy in landing the Treasure and Goods, and the Carriers, or Caravan Masters, im- ployed in carrying it over land on Mules (in vast droves every day) to Portobel, and bringing back European Goods from thence: Though the City be then so full, yet during this heat of business there is no hiring of an ordinary Slave under a piece of Eight a day; Houses, also Chambers, Beds, and Victuals, are then extraordinary dear.
Now I am on this subject, I think it will not be amiss to give the Reader an account of the progress of the Armada from Old Spain, which comes thus every three years into the Indies. Its first arrival is at