A short account from, and description of the Isthmus of Darien, where the Scots Collony are settled With a particular map of the Isthmus and enterence to the river of Darien. According to our late news, and Mr. Dampier and Mr. Wafer.

A short account from, and description of the Isthmus of Darien, where the Scots Collony are settled With a particular map of the Isthmus and enterence to the river of Darien. According to our late news, and Mr. Dampier and Mr. Wafer.

Table of contents

Title page

A ſhort ACCOUNT of the late NEWS from DARIEN, &c.

A Short Deſcription of the Iſthmus of DARIEN, &c:

NAME

LATITUDE.

RIVERS,

Rivers of DARIEN, CHAGRE, and CONCEPTION.

CARET BAY and GOLDEN ISLAND,

CARET BAY,

GOLDEN ISLAND.

The way of gathering GOLD

WEATHER.

TREES.

COTTON and MACKAW TREES.

BIBBY TREE.

BEASTS.

BIRDS.

DUNGHILL FOWELS.

FISH.

The way of Catching Manatee or Sea-Cow.

Of the Indian Inhabitants.

HOUSES

Their HUSBANDRY.

Their MARRIAGE.

§

The Mens IMPLOYMENTS.

Their TRAVELLING.

Womens DIVERSIONS.

DESCRIPTION of LACENTA's PALACE.

The INDIANS WAY OF LETTING BLOOD.

DESCRIPTION of another Sort of INDIANS.

The Caution of Mr. Dampier's Crew, in Eating the Fruit of theſe Countreys.

ERRATA.

§

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A Short ACCOUNT from, AND DESCRIPTION OF THE ISTHMUS OF DARIEN, WHERE THE Scots Collony Are Settled.

With a Particular MAP of the Iſthmus and Enterance to the River of Darien.

According to our late News, and Mr. Dampier, and Mr. Wafer.

EDINBURGH, Printed: And Sold by John Vallange, at his Shop on the North-ſide of the Street, a little above the Croſs: And by James Wardlaw, at his Shop in the Parliament Cloſs, Price 7 Pence. 1699.

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[...]

A ſhort ACCOUNT of the late NEWS from DARIEN, &c.

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THE Welcome News of our African Ships ſafe Arrival at America being come, I know no better Way to ſatisfie the Curious, then by giving the Contents of ſome Letters writ from the Place where they are Settled, dated about the End of December laſt from New Edinburgh. A Captain of my Acquaintance, whom I know to be an Intelligent Perſon writes thus.

We are here Settled in a very Pleaſant Soyl upon a Bay, perhaps one of the Pleaſanteſt in the Weſt-Indies: In the Diviſion of the two Kingdoms of Mexico and Peru, where a Thouſand of the greateſt Ships in Europe may Ride at Anchor ſafe from Storms. We are juſt now making a Fort upon the Point of the Mouth of the Bay, which will defend us againſt all Attempts whatſoever. Upon the ſecond of November laſt, our Ships came to Anchor in the Bay, and in two Days all our Men were ſet on Shore, without any Oppoſition. The Natives received us very Kindly, there not being many of them, and their Plantations but a few: However, from thence they come dayly to us with Plantaines, Yams, Potatoes, Sugar Canes, Cocks and Hens, and ſuch things as the Countrey affords. Several of our People have been abroad at their Plantations, and have been very Kindly Entertained by them. Show all my Friends and Comrades, that I have no leſs Thoughts of the Undertaking now then ever, but rather, upon good Ground, far bigger. Both our Miniſters are dead, and their Deaths very much Lamented by us all: Our Officers are all Alive, ſave Lieutenant James Inglis, and Lieutenant Hugh Hay. Our Paſſage was very good, but ſomewhat Longſome. We had not near ſo great Loſs of our Men, as was expected. we have no Reaſon to doubt, but that there are Gold Mines in this Place, for the Natives have Plenty of Gold Duſt, and Rock Gold amongſt them, altho they dare not open the Mines, for fear of the Spainiard. They do not know the true Value or Uſe of it, for I ſaw one give [Page] for an Old Coat, not worth above Twenty Shilling Sterlin, to the Value of Twenty Guineas of Gold. The next Occaſion I ſhall tell you of a Cargo, ſhal be worth your while to come over with.

Other Letters are much of the ſame Import, As that they Arrived them upon the ſecond of November, Sounded the Coaſts on the third, and Landed on the fourth. That the Rains were over, before they Arrived there. The Men wear a Plate of Silver or Gold hanging over their Lip (ſome whereof ar come Home, and I have ſeen one of them) That the Inhabitants live to a great Age, ſome to a Hundred and Twenty Years. That the Inhabitants have ſome Quantity both of Duſt and Rock Gold: And that after Falling of the Rains, the Rivers have a Scum upon them, of the Colour of Gold: And ſome of the Clay that they find, ſeems to have a Mixture of ſomething like Gold. But they are not ſo buſie in Felling of Trees, and Clearing of the Ground, and Fortifying themſelves, that they have had no Leaſure yet to try Experiments: And that they do not doubt, but that they have Gold Mines near to them.

That it would Rejoyce any Scots Heart, in coming in to that Bay, to ſee two Scots Flags Flying, one upon their Main Fort, which is pretty well advanced, and another upon a Redoubt, from whence they have a great Proſpect.

My Scale being ſo ſmall, I hope the Intelligent will not expect it ſhould Anſwer to a Nicety, or that there is ſo great a Diſtance between the Flags.

I hope theſe who underſtand the Expenſes of Cutting of Copper Plates, will not Quarrel the Price of my Book.

There being ſuch Abundance of Letters ſpread over the Countrey, I hope it will not be expected, I ſhould inſiſt much in Repeating of them, ſo I proceed to Mr. Dampier's and Mr. Wafer's Deſcription.

A Short Deſcription of the Iſthmus of DARIEN, &c:

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THE Project of our Scots African Company, being a Deſign of ſo great Import, That upon the Succeſs thereof, the Honour and Happineſs of the Nation, does in a great Meaſure depend:

Me thinks there will be few True Scots Men but will be concerned to know ſomething of their Succeſs, and where they Deſign to Settle, and what is the Climate, Air, Soil, People, &c. of that place: I have therefore undertaken this ſmall work for publick Satisfaction.

It is generally agreed to, by the moſt Relations we have had, That they are Settled, or Deſign to Settle, at the Iſthmus of Darien, Golden Iſland, or River of Darien: Of which I ſhall give you a ſhort account; which that I may do to the better Satisfaction. I do not inſiſt upon what theſe Places have been, nor Conſulted ſome Old Map or Geographer about it: For I know there are great Changes, within theſe few Years, upon ſome of theſe Parts, by the Pirats or Buccaneers. As for Inſtance, That remarkable Town of Nombre de Dios, is nothing now but the Name of a Town, the Place and Town being deſolate.

I have therefore given [...], if not all, of what you have here, out of Two of the lateſt Writers, who have both been a conſiderable time in thoſe Parts, and have publiſhed Two very late Books: viz. Mr. Dampier in Anno 1698, and Mr. Wafer this ſame Year. Which Books, being of a conſiderable Price, and treating of ſeveral other Parts of the World, and containing ſome Digreſſions; I have thought it would be no unacceptable Work to Extract what relates more particularly to Our Scots African Company.

[Page] This Iſthmus of Darien, is that narrow Neck of Land, or narroweſt part of the Iſthmus of America, whereby the main Land of North-America and South, are joined together, (for an Iſthmus is nothing elſe, but a narrow Neck of Land betwixt two Main Continents, or Main Lands)

NAME

It is called, Iſthmus of DARIEN, probably from the great River of that Name, wherewith its Northern Coaſt is bounded on the Eaſt

LATITUDE.

It is moſtly comprehended, (as Mr. Wafer ſays) betwixt the Latitudes of 8 and 10 North. But its Breadth in the narroweſt part, is much about One Degree, or Threeſcore Miles.

It is bounded on the North and South, by the North and South Oceans; and is of a very ſingular Situation, very Pleaſant and Agreeable.

A great many valueable Iſlands ly ſcattered along each Coaſt, the Baſtimento's, and others; but eſpecially the large range of the Sambalo's on the North ſide, and the Kings, or Pearl Iſlands and Perica on the South ſide in the Bay of Panama this Bay is cauſed by the bending of the Iſthmus; and for the Bigneſs of it, there is not (it may be) a more Pleaſant and Advantagious one any where to be found.

The Land of this Continent is almoſt every where of an unequall Surface, diſtinguiſhed with Hills and Valleys, of great variety for Heigth, Depth, and Extent: They are generally watered with Rivers, Brooks, and Perennial Springs, with which the Countrey very much abounds, and do moſt of them come from a Ridge or Chain of High Hills, in a manner paralel to the North ſhore; from whence you may have a fair Proſpect of the North-Sea, and its various making of the Shore.

Betwixt theſe Hills and the Shore, it is moſt part covered with Woods.

RIVERS,

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The Rivers are ſome of them indifferent large, tho but few Navigable, as having Barrs and Sholes at the Mouths, and on the North-ſide their courſe is but ſhort, riſing from the main Ridge of Hills.

Rivers of DARIEN, CHAGRE, and CONCEPTION.

The River of DARIEN is indeed a very large one; but the Depth at the Enterance, is not anſwerable to the Wideneſs of its Mouth, tho its deep enough further in: But from thence to CHAGRE, the whole length of this Coaſt, they are little better then Brooks: Nor is the River of CONCEPTION any other, which comes out overagainſt La Sounds Key in the Samballo's,

The Soil on this North Coaſt is various; generally its good Land riſing in Hills; but to the Sea here and there Suamps,

CARET BAY and GOLDEN ISLAND,

Incluſively from Caret Bay, which lyes in the River Darien, and is the only Harbour in it to the Promontory near Golden Iſland; the Shore of the Iſthmus is indifferently fruitful, partly Sandy Bay, and part of it muddy.

CARET BAY,

Caret Bay, hath 2 or 3 Rivulets of freſh Water falling into it, as Mr. Wafer is informed, but he ſays he was not there.

To the Weſtward of the Cape is a Bay; the Enterance whereof is deep Water, and has three Iſlands lying before it, which make it an extraordinary good Harbour.

GOLDEN ISLAND.

The Eaſtermoſt of theſe Three, is Golden Iſland, (where, its Reported our African Company deſign to Settle) it is a ſmall Iſland, with a fair deep Channel between it and the Main: It is Rocky & and Steep; all round to the Sea (and thereby Naturally Fortified) except only the Landing Place, which is a ſmall Sandy-Bay on the South ſide, towards the Harbour, from which it gently [Page] riſes. It is moderatly High, and covered with ſmall Trees or Shrubs. The Land of the Iſthmus oppoſite to it, is excellent fruitful Land, of a black Mold, with Sand intermixed, and is pretty levell, for 4 or 5 Miles, till you come to the foot of the Hills.

Mr. Wafer ſays, He has been a ſhore, and in the Harbour near it, for a Fortnight together. Near the Eaſtern-point of the Bay, which is not above 3 or 4 Furlongs diſtant from Golden Iſland; there is a Rivulet of very good Water. To go to Golden Iſland Harbour, you moſt enter by the Eaſt-end of Golden Iſland, between that, and the Main.

To the South of Sancta Maria, and the River of Congo, is the Gold River, affording Gold Duſt in great plenty: For hither the Spainards of Panama, and Sancta Maria Town, bring up their Slaves to gather up the Gold Duſt.

Mr. Wafer ſays, That during his aboad with Lacenta (their King or Chief Perſon) he often accompained him a Hunting, wherein he took great Delight: And that one time accompanying him, they paſſed by a River where the Spainards were gathering Gold.

Mr. Dampier takes this River to be one of theſe which comes from the South-eaſt, & runs into the Gulf of St. Michael. When they came near the place where they wrought, they ſtole ſoftly throw the Woods, and placing themſelves behind the Great Trees, looked on them a good while, the Gold-Gatherers not ſeeing them.

The way of gathering GOLD

The manner of their Getting Gold is as follows: They have little wooden Diſhes, which they dip ſoftly into the Water, and and take it up half full of Sand, which they draw Gently out of the Water, and at every Dipping they take up Gold mixed with the Sand, and Water, more or leſs. This they ſhake, and the Sand riſeth, and goes over the brims of the Diſh with the Water; but the Gold ſettles to the Bottom. This done they bring it out, and dry it in the Sun, and then Pound it in a Mortar. Then they [Page] take it out and ſpread it on Paper; and having a Load ſtone, they move that over it, which draws all the Iron from it; and this they bottle up: If they meet with good Succeſs, and a favourable Time, They carry with them, by Report (for Mr. Wafer ſays▪ He Learnt theſe Particulars of a Spainard whom they took at St. Maria under Captain Sharp) 18000 or 20000 Pound weight of Gold: But whether they Gather more or leſs, it's incredible (he ſays) to Report the ſtore of Gold, which is Yearly waſhed down out of Rivers.

Cheapo is a Conſiderable River, but no good Entry for Shoalls.

WEATHER.

The Weather is Warm, and has a Seaſon of Rain.

TREES.

There's in this Countrey, Great Variety of Trees of ſeveral Kinds, unknown to us in Europe, as well Fruit Trees, as others.

COTTON and MACKAW TREES.

The Cotton Tree is the largeſt of any, and grows in moſt parts of the Iſthmus. On the Continent on the South Side of the Iſthmus, are Mackaw Tree, which the Indians frequently cut down to get the Berries.

BIBBY TREE.

Here are Bibby Tree, which yields a Potable Liquor: Coco Trees are in the Iſlands.

On the Main grows a Tree, that has Fruit like a Cherry, and Plantaines in Abundance, and Bonano a Fruit Tree.

And in the Iſlands▪ Mamee Trees with a Wholeſome Delicious Fruit, and Sapadilla has a pleaſant Fruit on the Ma [...]; Pine-aple Prickle Pear, and Popes Head a Plant.

On the Iſthmus alſo Sugar Canes, which the Indians make no other Uſe of, but to Chew and Suck out the Juice: There are alſo Calabaſh Tree, the largeſt of whoſe Nuts Shells will hold four or five Engliſh Quarts, and are made Uſe of by the Indians as Veſſels. Gourds alſo, Eatable and Medicinal: An Uſeful Plant called Silk [Page] Graſs for making Stockins of, with many other Sorts of Trees, Plants, and Tobacco.

BEASTS.

The Country has of its own, a kind of Hog called Pecary, and another called Waree, both wild and good Meat; Deer, Dogs, Rabbits, Monkeys, an Inſect called Soldiers Inſect like a Snail, in great plenty, and delicious Meat, but poiſonous if [...]ſed with Machaneel Apples, their Oyl is an excellent Salve; there are alſo Land Crabs, called Guano's.

BIRDS.

They have ſeveral Sorts of Birds, ſome of Kinds unknown to us, remarkable both for their Beauty and good Reliſh of their Fleſh; ſuch as

Chicaly-Chicaly a large Land Bird. The Quam a large Land Bird, another Shaped not unlike a Partridge, all Eatable, the laſt very good Meat. The Corroſow, large as a Turky Hen, their Fleſh ſomething Tough, otherways very good Meat. Variety of Parrots, Parakits, Macaw-Birds, a Beautiful Bird which the Indians Tame, Woodpecker.

DUNGHILL FOWELS.

They have great Plenty of Poultry, as alſo ſmall Birds, Flying Inſects, Bees which Mr. Wafer inclines to think wants Stings; for he ſays, he has had many of them upon his Naked Body, without being Stung.

FISH.

The North Sea Coaſt abounds in Fiſh, and has great Variety of them, ſuch as Tarpoon, Sharks, Dogfiſh, Oldwives, Paracoods, ſome of the laſt Named are Poiſonous, Gar Fiſh two Foot long, Sculpines one Foot long, with ſeveral others, and Shell Fiſh.

Mr. Dampier gives Account of a conſiderable Fiſh called Manatee, or Sea Cow, in the River of Darien, an Excellent Fiſh about the Bigneſs of a Horſe, ten or twelve Foot long, its Mouth much like the Mouth of a Cow, Eyes no bigger than a Pea, two large Fins, under each of which, the Female hath a ſmall Dug to Suckle [Page] her Young, they live on Graſs which grows in the Sea: A Calf that Sucks, is the moſt Delicat Meat. He deſcribes the Way of taking them.

The way of Catching Manatee or Sea-Cow.

There are a ſort of the Indians called Moskito, Men, Dexterous at ſtricking of this, or other Fiſhes. The way is this, They have always a ſmall Canoa for their uſe, which they keep very Neat and Clean. They uſe no Oars, but Padles the broad part of which, doth not go Tapering towards the Staff or Handle of it, as in the Oar, nor do they uſe it in the ſame manner, by laying it on the Side of the Veſſel, but hold it Perpendicularly, Gripping the Staff hard with both Hands, and putting back the Water by main Strength, and very quick Stroaks. One of the Moskitoes (for there go but Two in a Canoa) Sits in the Stern, the other Kneels down in the Head, and both Padle, till they come to the Place where they expect their Game, then they ly ſtill, or Padle very ſoftly, looking well about them; and he that is in the Head of the Canoa, lays down his Padle, and ſtands up with his Striking Staff in his Hand: This Staff is about Eight Foot long, almoſt as big as a Mans Arm at the Great End, in which there is a Hole to place his Harpoon in, at the other end of his Staff, there is a piece of Light Wood called Bobwood, with a Hole in it, throw which the ſmall end of the Staff comes, and on this piece of Bobwood, there is a Line of 10 or 12 Fathom wound neatly about, and the end of the Line made faſt to it. The other end of the Line is made faſt to the Harpoon, which is at the great End of the Staff, and the Moskito Man keeps about a Fathom of it looſe in his Hand. When he ſtrikes, the Harpoon preſently comes out of the Staff, and as the Manatee ſwims away, the Line runs off from the Bob; and although at firſt, both Staff and Bobb may be carried under Water, yet as the Line runs off, it will riſe again. Then the Moskito Men Paddle with all their might, to get hold of the Bob again, and ſpend uſually a Quarter of an Hour before they get [Page] it. When the Manatee begins to be tired, it lyeth ſtill, and then the Moskito Men Paddle to the Bob, and take it up, and begin to hale in the Line. When the Manatee feels them, he ſwims away again, with the Canoa after him: Then he that Steers, muſt be Nimble, to turn the Head of the Canoa that way that his Conſort points, who being in the Head of the Canoa, and holding the Line, both ſees and feels which way the Manatee is ſwimming. Thus the Canoa is Towed with a Violent Motion, till the Manatees Strength decays. Then they gather in the Line, which they are often forced to let all go to the very End. At length, when the Creatures Strength is ſpent, they hale it up to the Canoas Side, and knock it on the Head, and Tow it to the neareſt Shore, where they make it faſt, and ſeek for another; which having taken, they go on Shore with it, to put it into their Canoa: For 'tis ſo heavy, that they cannot lift it in, but they hale it up in Shoal-Water, as near the Shore as they can, and then Overſet the Canoa, laying one Side cloſe to the Manatee. Then they Roll it in, which brings the Canoa upright again, and when they have Heav'd out the Water, they faſten a Line to the other Manatee that lyeth Afloat, and Tow it after them.

Mr. Dampier ſays, He has known two Moskito Men for a Week, every day bring abroad 2 Manatee in this manner, the leaſt of which hath not weighted leſs than 600 Pound, and that in a very ſmall Canoa, that 3 Engliſh Men would ſcarce adventure to go in. When they ſtrick a Cow that hath a young one, they ſeldom miſs the Calf, for ſhe commonly takes her Young under one of her Fins. But if the Calf is ſo big, that ſhe cannot carry it, or ſo frightned that ſhe only minds to ſave her own Life; yet the Young never leaves her till the Moskito Men have an opportunity to ſtrick her.

The manner of ſtricking Manatee and Tortoiſe, is much the ſame, only when they ſeek for Manatee, they padle ſo Gently, [Page] that they have no Noiſe, and never touch the ſide of the Canoa with their Padle; Becauſe it is a Creature that hears very well. But they are not ſo Nice where they ſeek for Tortoiſe, whoſe Eyes are better than his Ears. They ſtrik the Tortoiſe with a ſquare ſharp Iron peg, the other with a Harpoon. The Moskito men make their own ſtriking Inſtruments, as Harpoons, Fiſhhooks, and Tortoiſe-Irons or Pegs. Theſe Peggs or Tortoiſe-Irons are made 4 ſquare, ſharp at one end, and not above an inch in length, of ſuch a figure as you ſee on the Margin.

[figure]

The ſmall ſpike at the broad end hath the Line faſten'd to it, and goes alſo into a hole at the end of the Stricking ſtaff, which when the Tortoiſe is ſtruck, flies off, the Iron and end or the Line faſtned to it going quite within the Shell, where it is ſo buiried that the Tortoiſe cannot poſſibly eſcape.

Of the Indian Inhabitants.

The Indian Inhabitants of the Iſthmus are not very Numerous, but they live thickeſt on the North Side: The Size of the Men is uſually about five or ſix Foot: Streight, Clean Limb'd, Big Bon'd. The Young Women very Plump, Fat, Well Shaped, and have a Brisk Eye. The Elder are very ordinary, both Sexes have long Black Hair down to the Middle of their Back. Their Colour is Copper Colour, or Orange Tanny.

Mr. Wafer gives alſo an Account of a ſtrange ſort of People, (whereof there are but few) whiter in collour then any Europeans, much like that of a white Horſe, their-bodies beſet all over with a white Down, throw which the Skin appears it is ſo thin ſet, Their Eye-lids bend and open in an oblong-Figure, forming an Arch, or Figure of a creſcent: with the points downwards. From hence, and from their ſeing ſo clear as they do in a Moon-ſhiny night, they uſed to call them Moon eyed: For they ſee not very well in the Sun; ſo that in the Day-time they care not to go abroad. [Page] But notwithſtanding their being Sluggiſh in the Day-time; yet when Moon-ſhyny Nights come, they are all Life and Activity, running abroad and into the Woods. He adds, that Lacenta (their Prince, or chief Perſon) told him, That it was throw the force of the Mothers imagination, looking on the Moon at the time of Conception, they came to be thus White: But he leaves this to others to judge of.

Both theſe & the Copper coloured Indians, uſe painting their bodies, even of the ſucking Children ſome times. They make Figures of Birds, Beaſts, Men, Trees, or the like, up and down in every part of the Body, more eſpecially in the Face. The Women are the Painters. The Collours they uſe, and like moſt, are Red, Yellow, and Blew. Finer Figures they imprint thus; they prick all over with a ſharp Thorn, till the Blood guſhes out, then they rub the place with their Hands firſt dip'd in the colour they deſign, and the Picture ſo made is indelible; but ſcarce one in Fourty of them is painted this way.

They wear no Cloaths ordinarly, but only the Women have a Clout or peece of Cloth about their Middle, tyed behind with a Threed, and hanging down to their Knees, or their Ankles if they can get one large enough: They make theſe of Cotton: Nothing will oblige the Women more, than to give them Cloaths, eſpecially of Gaudy Colours,

The Men go ordinarly quite naked, and have only a ſmall Veſſel of Gold or Silver, or Plantain leaf, of a Conick Figure, where with they cover the Penis.

Both Sexes are a Modeſt and cleanly people; when they would go to Stool they choiſe always to go into the River, having a great Senſe of Shame as to that particular.

Yet the Men alſo have a value for Cloaths, and if any of them had an old Shirt given him by any of the Europeans, he would be ſure to wear it, and ſtrut about at no ordinary rate. Beſides this, they have a ſort of long Cotton Garments, which they wear [Page] at Great Occaſions, as attending the King, or at a Feaſt: The Women carry thoſe after them, and they put them on when they come to the place.

The Men wear a piece of Plate hanging over their Mouths at all times, generally of Silver; it's of Ovall Figure, covering their Mouth from Corner to Corner; the plate is like the figure of a Half-Moon, which gently pincheth the Bridle of the Noſe with it's points, it hings dangling from thence; it's about the thickneſs of a Guinea. Theſe when they go a Hunting, are ſmaller: Mr. Wafer wore ſuch an one among them of Gold.

In ſtead of this plate, the Women wear a Ring hanging down in the ſame manner. It goes throw the Bridle of the Noſe. They have alſo ſeveral other Ornaments, as Strings of Teeth, Shells, Beads, &c. when they would appear in State.

HOUSES

Their Houſes ly thin and ſcattering, and always by a Riverſide: Their Building Irregular, in length about 24 Foot, the Breadth proportionable: No Chimney, but a hole in the Thatch Several Houſes in the Village or Neighbourhood, have one Ware-houſe or Fort, common to them, which is generally at leaſt 120 or 130 Foot long, about 25 broad. The Wall about 9 or 10 Foot high: The Sides and Ends of theſe Ware-houſes are full of Holes, each about as Wide as one's Fiſt. Out of theſe they View an Approaching Enemy, and Shoot their Arrows: They have no Way of Flanking an Enemy: There is a Door-way at each Side, and to Barrocado it, a Sort of Door made of Bamboes and Maccaw Wood, Split and Bound together with Withs; it's about a Foot thick. This they have ready ſet up againſt an Enemy's Entrance, and two or three Poſts in the Ground to ſupport it: Yet they are eaſily ſet on Fire. And the Spainards Shoot into the Thatch, Arrows with long Shanks, made Red Hot for that Purpoſe.

Their HUSBANDRY.

[Page]

In the Plantations they ſet ſo much Plaintaine (which, as I am Informed by one Mr. B—, another Traveller in thoſe Parts, is a Tree with broad great Leaves, and has a large fruit, Pale or Straw Coloured, almoſt of the Colour of our Carrets, but not ſo Reddiſh or Yellow) as ſerves their Occaſions. The firſt thing of their Husbandry, is uſually to cut down the Trees, and clear a piece of Ground: They often let the Trees ly on the place three or four Years after they are cut down, and then ſet Fire to them and the Underwood or Stumps, burning all together; yet in the mean time they plant Maiz (a ſort of Indian Corn, whereof one produces more than 100, & is that which hangs in Skippers, or Sailers Houſes, and is called ſometimes Indian W [...]eat, ſometimes Turkiſh Corn) among the Trees as they ly. So much of the Roots of the Trees as are under Ground, they ſuffer to ly there and Rott, having no Way to Grub them up. When the Ground is pretty clear, they How it up into little Ridges; in each of theſe Hillocks they make a Hole with their Fingers, and throw in two or three Grains of Maiz, as we do Garden Beans, covering it up with Earth.

The Seed Time is about April, the Harveſt about September or October.

An Odd Way of Fermenting Drink. They make a Drink of their Maiz Bruiſed, which they call Chichach Co-pach; (for Co-pach ſignifies Drink.) They Steep in a Trough of Water, Twenty or Thirty Buſhels, till the Water is Impregnated with the Corn, and begins to turn Sour: Then the Women, uſually ſome Old Women, who have little elſe to do, come together, & Chew Grains of Maiz in their Mouths, which they Spit out, each into a Gourd or Calabaſh: And when they think they have a ſufficient Quantity of this Spittle and Maiz in the Calabaſhes, they Empty them into the Trough of Water, after having firſt taken out the Maiz that was Infuſed into it: And this ſerves in ſtead of Barm or Yeaſt, ſetting all in a Ferment: It Taſtes like Sour Small Beer. [Page] This is their Choiſe Drink; for ordinarly they Drink Miſlaw, which Mr. Wafer deſcribes at large.

The Women are, in general, the Drudges of the Family; Yet they do it Cheerfully, and are Well Conditioned, Pitiful, and Courteous to one another, but eſpecially to Strangers; They obſerve their Husbands, with all Profound Reſpect and Duty upon all Occaſions: And on the other Side, their Husbands are very Kind and Loving to them.

When a Woman is Delivered of a Child, another Woman takes it in her Arms, within half an Hour or leſs after it's Born, and takes the Lying-in Woman upon her Back, and goes with both of them into the River, and Waſhes them. The Child, for the firſt three Moneths, is Tyed upon a Board, and this Piece of Board, or Maccaw-Wood, is Suathed to the Back of the Child, and their Children generally grow very Streight. The Mother takes up the Child to give it Suck, Board and all.

As the Children grow up, the Boys are Bred to their Fathers Exerciſes, eſpecially Shooting with the Bow and Arrow, or Throwing a Lance. Mr. Wafer ſays, he has ſeen a little Boy about Eight Years Old, would ſet a Cane up upon one End, and going about Twenty Paces from it, would Split it with a Bow and Arrow, and not miſs once in ſeveral Eſſays.

They have a Severe Puniſhment, if a Man Debauches a Virgin. But the Fact muſt be proved by Oath, which is by their Tooth.

Their MARRIAGE.

When they Marry, the Father of the Bride, or next Man of Kin, keeps her privatly in ſome Apartment with himſelf, the firſt ſeven Nights, and ſhe is then delivered to her Husband.

When a Man Diſpoſes of his Daughter, he Invites all the Indians within Twenty Miles round to a Great Feaſt. which he provides for them. The Men who come to the Wedding, bring their Axes along with them, to Work with: The Women bring [Page] about half a Buſhel of Maiz: The Boys bring Fruit and Roots: The Girles, Fowles and Eggs; for none come Empty Handed. They ſet their Preſents at the Door of the Houſe, and go away again, till all the reſt of the Gueſts have brought theirs, which are all Received in, and Diſpoſed of by the People of the Houſe.

Then the Men return firſt to the Wedding, and the Bridegroom preſents each Man with a Calabaſh of Strong Drink, and Conducts them through the Houſe one by one, into ſome open Place behind it: The Women come next, who likeways receive a Calabaſh of Liquor, and March throw the Houſe: Then come the Boys; and laſt of all the Girles, who all Drink at the Door, and go after the reſt. Then come the Fathers of the Young Couple, with their Son and Daughter. The Father of the Bridegroom leads his Son, and the Father of the Bride leads his Daughter. The former makes a Speech to the Company, and then Dances about with many Antick Geſtures, till he is all on a Sweat. Then Kneeling down, he gives his Son to the Bride, whoſe Father is Kneeling alſo, and holds her, having Danced himſelf into a Sweat as the other. Then the Young Couple take each other by the Hand, and the Bridegroom returns the Bride to her Father: And thus ends the Ceremony.

Then all the Men take up their Axes, and Run, Shouting and Hollowing, to a Tract of Wood-Land, which is before laid out for a Plantation for the Young Couple. There they fall to Work as faſt as they can, Cutting down the Woods. Thus they continue about ſeven Days. As they clear the Ground, the Women Plant Maiz, or ſomething elſe. They Build an Houſe for the new Married Couple.

Then they Feaſt, and Drink Chicha Co-pah, Drinking Night and Day, till all the Liquor is ſpent, which laſts uſually three or four Days, ſome always Drinking, while others are Drunk and Sleeping. And when all the Drink is out, and they have recovered their Senſes, they all return to their own Homes.

§

[Page]

A Map of the ISTHMUS of DARIEN & Bay of PANAMA

To the Right Honourable the COUNCIL GENERAL & COURT of DIRECTORS of the COMPANY of SCOTLAND Trading to AFRICA & The INDIES This Map Is Humbly Dedicated

Ia. Aytoun Sculpsit

The Mens IMPLOYMENTS.

[Page]

The Men, when at Home, trouble themſelves with little Buſineſs; but, that they may not be quite Idle, they will often be making their Cups and Baskets, Arrows, and Heads for them; Lances, Nets, and the like.

When Fleſh fails at Home, they go out a Hunting, a Hunting Expedition laſts ſometimes three or four, ſometimes ten, twelve, ſeventeen, or eighteen Days, according as they meet with Game: They Hunt Pecary, Waree, Quams, Chicaly Chicalees, Corroſows, or any other Beaſt or Bird they meet with.

Their TRAVELLING.

When they Travel, they Guide themſelves either by the Sun when it Shines, or by Steering to ſuch a Determinat Point, obſerving the Bending of the Trees according as the Wind is. If they are at a Loſs this Way, they Notch the Bark of Trees, to ſee which Side is thickeſt, which is always the South.

Womens DIVERSIONS.

The Women have Dancings and Merriments by themſelves, when their Husbands Paſtimes are over; for they never Feaſt, nor Play with the Men, but they will Drink by themſelves till they are Fudled.

They take great Care of their Husbands, when they have made themſelves Drunk: For when they perceive him ſo, they get one or two more Women to Aſſiſt them to take him up, and put him into his Hammock, where, as he lyes Snoaring, they ſtand by, and Sprinkle Water to Cool him, Waſhing his Hands, Feet, and Face, Stroaking off that Water with their Hands, as it grows Warm.

DESCRIPTION of LACENTA's PALACE.

This Houſe is Situat on a Fine little Hill, on which grows a Stately Grove of Cotton Trees, the Bodies of theſe Trees were generally ſix Foot in Diameter, nay ſome eight, nine, ten, eleven: For (Mr. Wafer, who gives the Relation, ſays) four Indians and [Page] his ſelf, took Hand in Hand round a Tree, and could not Fathom it: Here was likeways a Stately Plaintain Walk, and a Grove of other ſmall Trees, that would make a Pleaſant Artificial Wilderneſs, if Induſtry and Art were beſtowed on it.

The Circumference of this Pleaſant little Hill, contains at leaſt a Hundred Acres of Land, and is a Peninſula of an Oval Form, almoſt Surrounded with two great Rivers, one coming from the Eaſt, the other from the Weſt, which, approaching within fourty Foot of each other at the Front of the Peninſula, ſeparat again, Embracing the Hill, and meet on the other Side, making there one pretty large River, which runs very Swift. There is therefore but one Way to come in to this Seat, which, as is before obſerved, is not above fourty Foot Wide between the Rivers on each Side: And its Fenced with Hollow Bamboes, Popes-Heads, and Pricle-Pears, ſo thick ſet from one Side the Neck of Land to the other, that its impoſſible for any Enemy to approach it.

On this Hill live fifty principal Men of the Countrey, all under Lacenta's Command, who is as a Prince over all the South Parts of the Iſthmus of Darien. The Indians both there, and on the North Side alſo, paying him great Reſpect. But the South Side is his Countrey, and this Hill his Seat or Palace.

There is only one Canoa belonging to it, which ſerves to Ferry over Lacenta and the reſt of them.

Lacenta having deſired Mr. Wafer and his Companions to ſtay with him, they had not been long there, before an Occurrence hapned, which Tended much to the Encreaſing the Good Opinion, Lacenta and his People had Conceived of them, and brought Mr. Wafer into particular Eſteem with them.

The INDIANS WAY OF LETTING BLOOD.

It ſo hapned, that one of Lacenta's Wives, being Indiſpoſed, was to be let Blood: Which (Mr Wafer ſays) the Indians perform in this Manner: The Patient is Seated on a Stone in the River, and one, with a ſmall Bow, Shoo's little Arrows into the Naked Body of [Page] the Patient, up and down, Shooting them as faſt as he can, not miſſing any part. But the Arrows are Gagged, ſo that they can Penetrat no further than we generally Thruſt our Lancets: And if by Chance they Hit a Vein which is full of Blood, and the Blood Spurts out a little, they will Leap and Skip about, ſhewing many Antick Geſtures, by Way of Rejoycing and Triumph.

Mr. Wafer ſays he was by, while this was performing on Lacenta's Lady: And perceiving their Ignorance, told Lacenta, that if he pleaſed, he would ſhew him a better Way, without putting the Patient to ſo much Torment; ſo, at Lacenta's Allowance or Command, Mr. Wafer Bound up her Arm with a piece of Bark, and with his Lancet Breathed a Vein: But this Raſh Attempt (he ſays) had like to have coſt him his Life; for Lacenta ſeeing the Blood Iſſue out in a Stream, which uſed to come only Drop by Drop, got hold of his Launce, and Swore by his Tooth, that if ſhe did otherwiſe then well, he would have Mr. Wafers Hearts Blood. Mr. Wafer ſays, he deſired him to be patient, and drew off about twelve Ounces, and Bound up her Arm, and deſired ſhe might reſt till the next Day; by which Means the Fever Abated, and ſhe had not another Fit.

This gained Mr. Wafer ſo much Reputation, that Lacenta came to him, and before all his Attendants, Bowed and Kiſſed Mr. Wafers Hand: Then the reſt came thick about him, and Kiſſed his Hand, others his Knee, and ſome his Foot: After which he was taken up into a Hammock, and carried on Mens Shoulders, Lacenta himſelf making a Speech in his Praiſe, and Commending him as much ſuperior to any of their Doctors. Thus he was carried from Plantation to Plantation, and lived in great Splendor and Repute, Adminiſtring both Phiſick and Phlebotomy to theſe that wanted; for tho he had loſt his Salves and Plaiſters, by a Negro's running away with his Knapſack: Yet he preſerved a Box of Inſtruments, and a few Medicaments wrapt up in an Oyl Cloath, by having them in his Pocket.

[Page] He lived thus ſome Moneths among the Indians, who in a manner Adored him: Some of theſe Indians had been Slaves to the Spaniards, and had made their Eſcapes, which he ſuppoſes, was the Cauſe of their expreſſing a Deſire of Baptiſm: But more to have an European Name given them, then for any thing they knew of Chriſtianity.

DESCRIPTION of another Sort of INDIANS.

Mr. Dampier relates, That upon ſome Iſlands lying near the Main, called by the Privateers the Corn Iſlands, which he ſays, he takes to be the ſame, which are generally called in the Maps, the Pearl-Iſlands, they went Aſhore, but found none of the Inhabitants; for (ſays he) here are but a few Poor Naked Indians that live here; who have been ſo often Plundered by the Privateers. that they have but little Proviſions; and when they ſee a Sail, they hide themſelves; otherwiſe Ships that come here would take them, and make Slaves of them; and I have ſeen ſome of them that have been Slaves. They are People of a mean Stature, yet ſtrong Limbs; they are of a dark Copper Colour, black Hair, full round Faces, ſmall black Eyes their Eye-brows hanging over their Eyes, low Foreheads, ſhort thick Noſes, not High, but Flattiſh; full Lips, and ſhort Chins. They have a Faſhion to cut Holes in the Lips of the Boys, when they are Young, cloſe to their Chin; which they keep open with little Pegs, till they are fourteen or fifteen Years Old: Then they wear Beards in them, made of Turtle or Tortoiſe-ſhell, in the Form you ſee in the Copper-plate. The little Notch at the upper End, they put in through the Lip, where it remains between the Teeth and the Lip; the under part hangs down over their Chin. This they commonly wear all Day, and when they Sleep, they take it out. They have likewiſe Holes bored in their Ears, both Men and Women, when Young; and by continual Stretching them with long Pegs, they grow to be as big as a Mill'd Five Shilling piece Herein they wear Pieces of Wood, Cut very Round and Smooth, ſo that [Page]

Page [...] 18

The Noſe Plate

[Page] their Ear ſeems to be all Wood, with a little Skin about it. Another Ornament the Women uſe, is about their Legs, which they are very Curious in; for from the Infancy of the Girles, their Mothers make faſt a piece of Cotton Cloath about the Small of their Leg, from the Ankle to their Calf, very hard; which makes them have a very full Calf: This the Women wear to their Dying Day. Both Men and Women go Naked, only a Clout about their Waſtes; yet they have but little Feet, though they go Bare-foot.

The Caution of Mr. Dampier's Crew, in Eating the Fruit of theſe Countreys.

They take this for a General Rule, when they meet with any Fruits that they have not ſeen before, if they ſee them Peck'd by Birds, then they may freely Eat, but if they ſee no ſuch Sign, they let them alone.

Mr. Dampier giving an Account, how he went towards the Coaſt of Cartagena, That in his Way thither, they paſſed by the River of Darien, which he ſays (as before I noticed) is very broad at the Mouth: And that Captain Coxon went up this River with a Party of Men, and that every Man carryed a ſmall ſtrong Bag to put his Gold in.

That they Rowed about a Hundred Leagues, before they came to any Settlement, and then found ſome Spaniards, who lived there to Truck with the Indians for Gold; THERE BEING GOLD SCALES IN EVERY HOUSE.

This much for a Taſte of the Nature of that Countrey: They that are Curious, may Read theſe Authors, viz. Mr. Dampier and Mr. Wafer, who are both more full and very pleaſant.

FINIS.

ERRATA.

Page 1. Line 25. Read Mr. Dampier's third Edition. Page3. Line 27. All within the Parentheſis deleatur. The Map ſeems to make Golden Iſland too near the Entrance of the River, and a Bay with ſome Iſlands, which it might perhaps be righter if it wanted, and the Flag ſhould not ſtand upon an Iſland. The Word New Edinburgh, and Port Caledonia ſeem placed too far Eaſt-ward.

Information about this book

Title statement

A short account from, and description of the Isthmus of Darien, where the Scots Collony are settled With a particular map of the Isthmus and enterence to the river of Darien. According to our late news, and Mr. Dampier and Mr. Wafer.

Edition statement

1699

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2007-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A60029

ID [STC]

Wing S3531

ID [STC]

ESTC R220719

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99832111

ID [PROQUEST]

99832111

ID [VID]

36582

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Early English books online.

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A60029)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 36582)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 2135:3)

Source

— A short account from, and description of the Isthmus of Darien, where the Scots Collony are settled With a particular map of the Isthmus and enterence to the river of Darien. According to our late news, and Mr. Dampier and Mr. Wafer., Wafer, Lionel, 1660?-1705? aut, Dampier, William, 1652-1715. aut.

Extent

[4], 19, [1] p., [1] folded leaf : ill., map

printed: and sold by John Vallange, at his shop on the north-side of the street, a little above the Cross: and by James Wardlaw, at his shop in the Parliament Closs. Price 7 pence,. Edinburgh :: 1699.. (Caption title on p. 1 reads: A short description of the Isthmus of Darien, [et]c:.) (Reproduction of original in the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign Campus). Library.)

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