the capital city of the province of Darien in South America, where the treasures of gold and silver, and the other rich merchandises of Peru, are lodged in magazines till they are sent to Europe. W. Long. 82. 15. N. Lat. 8. 57.
When Guzman first touched at this place in 1514, it consisted entirely of fishermen's huts. Orius d'Avila settled a colony here in a few years after, and in 1521 it was constituted a city by the emperor Charles V., with the proper privileges. In 1679 it was sacked and burnt by John Morgan, an English adventurer, who had the preceding year taken Porto Bello. This misfortune induced the inhabitants to remove the city to its present situation, distant about a league from the place where it stood before. For the greater security, the new city was inclosed by a free-stone wall, and the houses were built of stone and brick. Since that time several battlements have been added, and now there is always a complete garrison maintained, and the walls are mounted with large cannon. But, all these precautions could not save this city from another misfortune; it was entirely consumed by fire in the year 1737. After this accident it was again rebuilt, in the manner as it now stands, with neat elegant houses, but not magnificent. The inhabitants are rather independent in their fortunes than rich; there are few of them opulent, and scarce any in a state of poverty. As to the harbour, it is convenient, and well secured against storms by a number of surrounding islands, and is capable of containing the largest fleets. Here the royal audience is seated, at which the governor of Panama resides; for which reason this city is commonly deemed the capital of the province.
This place, a little while after it was founded, became the capital of the kingdom of Terra Firma. Some hopes were at first entertained from the three provinces of Panama, Darien, and Veragua, which composed it; but this prosperity vanished instantaneously. The labours of Darien recovered their independence; and the mines of the two other provinces were found to be neither sufficiently abundant, nor of an alloy good enough to make it worth while to work them. Five or six small boroughs, in which are seen some Europeans quite naked, and a very small number of Indians who have come to reside there, form the whole of this state, which the Spaniards are not ashamed of honouring with the great name of kingdom. It is in general barren and unwholesome, and contributes nothing to trade but pearls.
The pearl fishery is carried on in the islands of the gulf. The greatest part of the inhabitants employ such of their negroes in it as are good swimmers. These slaves plunge and re-plunge in the sea in search of Panama of pearls, till this exercise has exhausted their strength or their spirits.
Every negro is obliged to deliver a certain number of oysters. Those in which there are no pearls, or in which the pearl is not entirely formed, are not reckoned. What he is able to find beyond the stipulated obligation, is considered as his indisputable property; he may sell it to whom he pleases; but commonly he cedes it to his master at a moderate price.
Sea monsters, which abound more about the islands where pearls are found than on the neighbouring coasts, render this fishing dangerous. Some of these devour the divers in an instant. The mantis fish, which derives its name from its figure, surrounds them, rolls them under its body, and suffocates them. In order to defend themselves against such enemies, every diver is armed with a poniard; the moment he perceives any of those voracious fish, he attacks them with precaution, wounds them, and drives them away. Notwithstanding this, there are always some fishermen destroyed and a great number crippled.
The pearls of Panama are commonly of a very fine water. Some of them are even remarkable for their size and figure; they were formerly sold in Europe. Since art has imitated them, and the passion for diamonds has entirely superseded or prodigiously diminished the use of them, they have found a new market more advantageous than the first. They are carried to Peru, where they are in great estimation.
This branch of trade has, however, infinitely less contributed to give reputation to Panama, than the advantage which it hath long enjoyed of being the mart of all the productions of the country of the Incas that are destined for the old world. These riches, which are brought hither by a small fleet, were carried, some on mules, others by the river Chagre, to Porto Bello, that is situated on the northern coast of the isthmus which separates the two seas. See Darien.