Page 178
An. 1685
City of Panama.
small high Islands within a league of the Main, scat- tering here and there one: These are partly woody, partly bare; and they, as well as the Main, ap- pear very pleasant. The Kings Islands are on the o- ther side of this Channel, and make also a very love- ly prospect as you sail by them. These, as I have already noted, are low and flat, appearing in seve- ral shapes, according as they are naturally formed by many small Creeks and Branches of the Sea. The 16th day we anchored at Pacheque, in 17 fathom Wa- ter, about a league from the Island, and sailed from thence the next day with the Wind at N. N. E. di- recting our course towards Panama.
When we came abreast of Old Panama we anchored, and sent our Canoa ashore with our Prisoner Don Diego de Pinas, with a Letter to the Governor, to treat about an Exchange for our Man they had spi- rited away, as I said; and another Captain Harris left in the River of St. Maria the year before, coming over Land. Don Diego was desirous to go on this Errand in the name, and with the consent of the rest of our Spanish Prisoners; but by some accident he was killed before he got ashore, as we heard afterwards.
Old Panama was formerly a famous place, but it was taken by Sir Henry Morgan about the year 1673. and at that time great part of it was burned to ashes, and it was never re-edified since.
New Panama is a very fair City, standing close by the Sea, about 4 mile from the Ruines of the Old Town. It gives name to a large Bay which is fa- mous for a great many navigable Rivers, some whereof are very rich in Gold; it is also very plea- fantly sprinkled with Islands, that are not only profi- table to their Owners, but very delightful to the Passengers and Seamen that sail by them; some of which I have already described. It is incompaffed on the backside with a pleasant Country, which is full of small Hills and Valleys, beautified with many Groves