Page 185
An. 1685
Spanish Armada and Flota.
Money. All this Treasure is carried on Mules, and there are large Stables at both places to lodge them. Sometimes the Merchants to steal the Custom pack up Money among Goods, and send it to Venta de Cruzes on the River Chagre; from thence down the River and afterwards by Sea to Portobel: in which passage I have known a whole Fleet of Periago's and Canoas taken. The Merchants who are not ready to sail by the thirtieth day after the Armada's arrival are in danger to be left behind, for the Ships all weigh the 30th day precisely, and go to the Harbors Mouth : yet sometimes, on great importunity, the Admiral may stay a week longer ; for it is impossible that all the Merchants should get ready, for want of Men. When the Armada departs from Portobel it re- turns again to Cartagena, by which time all the Kings Revenue which comes out of the Country is got rea- dy there. Here also meets them again a great Ship called the Pattache, one of the Spanish Galeons, which before their first arrival at Cartagena goes from the rest of the Armada on purpose to gather the Tribute of the Coast, touching at the Margarita's, and other places in her way thence to Cartagena, as Punta de Guaira, Maracaybo, Rio de la Hacha, and Sancta Martha ; and at all these places takes in Treasure for the King. Af- ter the set stay at Cartagena the Armada goes away to the Havana in the Isle of Cuba, to meet there the Flo- ta, which is a small number of Ships that go to La Ve- ra Cruz, and there takes in the effects of the City and Country of Mexico, and what is brought thither in the Ship which comes thither every year from the Philippine Islands ; and having joined the rest at the Havana,the whole Armada sets fail for Spain through the Gulf of Florida. The Ships in the South Seas lye a great deal at Panama before they return to Lima. The Merchants and Gentlemen which come from Lima, stay as little time as they can at Portobel, which is at the best but a fickly place, and at this time is very full of