Page 99
Cruifings.
An. 1684
that we took the day before came from Guanchaquo, all three laden with Flower; bound for Panama. Two of them were laden as deep as they could fwim; the other was not above half laden; but was ordered by the Vice-Roy of Lima to fail with the other two, or elfe fhe fhould not fail till we were gone out of the Seas: for he hoped they might efcape us by fetting out early. In the biggeft Ship was a Letter to the Prefident of Panama from the Vice-Roy of Lima; affuring him, that there were Enemies come into that Sea: for which reafon he had difpatched thefe three Ships with Flower, that they might not want; (for Panama is fupplied from Peru;) and defired him to be frugal of it, for he knew not when he fhould fend more. In this Ship were likewife 7 or 8 Tuns of Marmalate of Quinces; and a ftately Mule fent to the Prefident, and a very large Image of the Virgin Mary in Wood, Carved and Painted to adorn a new Church at Panama, and fent from Lima by the Vice-Roy; for this great Ship came from thence not long before. She brought alfo from Lima 800000 pieces of Eight to carry with her to Pa- nama: but while fhe lay at Guanchaquo, taking in her la- ding of Flower, the Merchants hearing of Capt. Swan's being at Baldivia, ordered the Money afhore again. Thefe Prifoners likewife informed us that the Gen- tlemen (Inhabitants of Truxillo) were building a Fort at Guanchaco (which is the Sea Port for Truxillo) clofe by the Sea; purpofely to hinder the defigns of any that fhould attempt to land there. Upon this news we altered our former refolutions, and refol- ved to go with our three Prizes to the Gallapago's: which are a great many large Ilands; lying fome under the Equator, others on each fide of it. I fhall here omit the defcription of Truxillo; becaufe in my Appendix at the latter end of the Book, I intend to give a general Relation of moft of the Towns of note on this Coaft, from Baldivia to Panama; and from thence towards California.
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