41 st Congress, ) HOUSE OF BEPBESENTATIVES. j Ex. Dor. 
 2d Session. ( ( No. 113. 
 
 INTEBOCE AN IC COMMUNICATION AT THE AMEBICAN 
 
 ISTHMUS. 
 
 LETTER 
 
 FROM 
 
 THE SECRETARY OF THE HAY Y 
 
 IN ANSWER TO 
 
 A resolution of the House calling for the report of Bear-Admiral Davis 
 on interoceanic communication at the American Isthmus. 
 
 February 8, 1870. — Referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs and ordered to he 
 
 printed. 
 
 Navy Department, 
 Washington, February 2, 1870. 
 
 Sir: I Have the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of the resolution of 
 the House of Bepresentatives passed on the 28tH ultimo, on motion of 
 Air. Stevens, requesting the Secretary of the Navy to furnish to the 
 House “any reports made by Bear- Admiral C. H. Davis upon the subject 
 of interoceanic communication across the American Isthmus, and not 
 heretofore communicated to Congress;” and, in compliance therewith, 
 to transmit the accompanying communication addressed to the depart- 
 ment on the 21st ultimo by Bear- Admiral Davis, with various papers 
 relating to the province of 1 >arien, numbered from 1 to 19. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 GEO. M. BOBESON, 
 
 Secretary of the Navy.. 
 
 Hon. James G. Blaine, 
 
 Speaker of the House of Bepresentatives. 
 
 Bear-Admiral Davis to Mr. Bobcson. 
 
 Washington City, D. C., 
 
 January 11, 1870’. 
 
 Sir: I have the honor to transmit to the department various papers 
 relating to the province of Darien, numbered from 1 to 19, inclusive. 
 
 These papers are translations of Spanish official documents, running 
 through a period of more than thirty years, from 1757 to 1788. They 
 were collected in Bogota, in or about the year 1852, by Mr. Thomas C. 
 
2 INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 
 
 \p<X'VY\ 
 
 Vincent, an English gentleman, who was a member of the “Darien Ship- 
 canal Company,” organized in London about that time by Sir Charles 
 Fox, Doctor Black, Edward Hazelwood, and others, for constructing a 
 ship canal across the Isthmus of Darien; and they are duly certified 
 by the keeper of records at Bogota. 
 
 The failure of the several expeditions for the survey of the Isthmus 
 of Darien, which were set on foot about that time, discouraged this 
 enterprise and led to the dissolution of the company. Mr. Vincent 
 sent the papers to Mr. F. M. Kelly, of New York, the gentleman who 
 has distinguished himself so much by his important contributions to 
 the solution of this great problem. 
 
 These documents will be found to contain much of the valuable 
 information of those days concerning the topography of this part of 
 the American Isthmus, its population, productions, soil, and climate; 
 its aboriginal inhabitants and their intercourse with the Spaniards; the 
 passes through the Cordillera; and finally its gold mines and placers. 
 The papers are arranged chronologically; no other order suggested 
 itself. This separates papers of similar import, as for example the 
 diaries of Miila’s two journeys across the Cordillera, which, indeed, were 
 actually separate in time ; also the papers relating to the construction 
 *of a road from Carolina), south, over the mountains. 
 
 While they are all linked together by one common topic, the province 
 of Darien, they are not otherwise necessarily connected, and their 
 distribution in the order of time can give rise to no confusion. 
 
 Finally, I may observe that these papers possess little interest for any 
 one who is not a patient and careful student of the whole subject; but 
 by such a one they will be regarded as intrinsically Valuable. 
 
 I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 C. H. DAVIS, Rear-Admiral. 
 
 Hon. George M. Robeson, 
 
 Secretary of the Navy. 
 
 List of old Spanish documents relating to the Isthmus of Darien. 
 
 1. u Report transmitted to his Majesty, in original and duplicate, in 
 obedience to the royal order from Buen Retiro on the 2d September, 
 in the year 1751, in which order I am directed to obtain information 
 concerning the province of Darien and the progress of its missions.” 
 Miguel Remon, Porto Velo, July 29, 1757. 
 
 2. A letter from Darien, praying for the establishment of a fort to 
 protect the Spaniards from the Indians and English combined, March, 
 1774. 
 
 3. Declaration made before the governor, Don Andres de Ariza, by 
 Don Fransisco del Castillo, November 8, 1784 rf . 
 
 4. Instructions for opening a new road, traversing the mountain chain, 
 to open communication with Carolina, April 8, 1786. 
 
 5. Diary of a military expedition under Sergeant Gabriel Morales, 
 July 10 to 25, 1786. 
 
 6. Extract from an old document without signature, dated 1787. 
 
 7. Letter from Don Josef de Matos to Don Jose Domas y Valle, April 
 24, 1787. 
 
 8. Letter from Don Andres de Ariza, governor of Darien, to Sehor 
 Don Jose Domas y Valle, governor of Panama, May 9, 1787. 
 
INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 3 
 
 9. Letter from Domas y Yalle to Don Andres de Ariza, May 9, 1787. 
 
 10. Extract from Villalba’s report on tlie Isthmus of Darien relating 
 to the mine of Cana, September 17, 1787. 
 
 11. Milla’s first expedition, January 27, 1788. 
 
 12. Fersen’s journal across the Cordillera, February 16 to 27, 1788. 
 
 13. Don Andres de Ariza to Don Antonio Caballero y Gorgora, March 
 10, 1788. 
 
 14. Manuel Garcia y Villalba to Domas y Valle, March 15, 1788. 
 
 15. Ariza to Domas y Valle, March 15, 1788. 
 
 16. Milla’s report to Domas y Valle. 
 
 17. Domas y Valle to the Viceroy, March 20. 1788. 
 
 18. Fransisco de Fersen to Don" Antonio Caballero y Gorgora, trans- 
 mitting Milla’s journal of his second journey across the Cordillera, March 
 24, 1778. 
 
 19. Don Antonio Caballero y Gorgora to Don Andres de Ariza on 
 ' communication with the Indians, March 26, 1788. 
 
 No. 1. 
 
 REPORT OF MIGUEL REMON TO THE KING OF SPAIN IN 1757. 
 
 Description and guide of the province of San Domingo , in Darien , with in- 
 formation concerning the principal rivers , ravines , and settlements of 
 Spaniards of all colors ; the location of the Indians and French; their 
 number , more or lessj as given by interpreters and persons well acquainted 
 with said province . 
 
 On approaching the principal river of this province, called the Tuyra, 
 we find the entrance divided by a small island into two mouths, the right 
 mouth being called Boca Chica, and the left Boca Grande. This river 
 runs up from the Pacific ; ascending it half a league we encounter on the 
 left the mouth of the River Savana, which is uninhabited. Passing up 
 this last-named river, three days, in small boats, there being no freshets, 
 we arrive at a place from which we can cross, on foot, in half a day, to 
 the Fiver Canazas, which belongs to the jurisdiction of Chepo. In four 
 days we can cross to the River Chucunaque, to be described hereafter. 
 These three rivers have their sources in the same cordillera. 
 
 From the mouth of the River Savana, we follow up the principal river, 
 the Tuyra, about three leagues, to find on the right the military post 
 of Chapigana, which consists of a sergeant and eighteen colored soldiers 
 of the militia and a chaplain. The fort is a strong house, with four 
 wooden walls and a palm leaf roof, fifteen yards long and ten wide. The 
 inhabitants, in addition to some married soldiers included in the eighteen, 
 comprise five permanent families. There are fifteen houses of straw and 
 cane. 
 
 From Chapigana, following up the principal river, Tuyra, for the distance 
 of a league and a half, we come to the River de la Maria, and ascending 
 it with the flood tide for four hours, (there is regular flood and ebb,) 
 we arrive at a town containing seven married people and three unmar- 
 ried, laborers and fighting men, all colored. From this town it is a 
 four hours’ journey by land to the place called Minas Baxas, and to some 
 ravines not far from them. Here are found sixteen married and five 
 single able-bodied men, and eleven who are over seventy years of age. 
 All of them are colored people — creoles and negroes — poor, who live by 
 
4 
 
 INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 
 
 hunting and by the privilege of taking gold from the ravines; their 
 small force not allowing them to undertake mining operations. 
 
 About a quarter of a league from the River Maria, following up the 
 Tuyra, the River de Balsas empties into the former. Continuing up 
 this river with the flood tide forty-eight hours, if there is no inundation, 
 we arrive at the town of Balsas, composed of Indians belonging to the 
 Dominicans, with a priest of that order among them, numbering in all 
 twenty- two families. 
 
 On this same River of Balsas, at gunshot distance from this Indian 
 town, is the town of Fucuti, all the inhabitants of which are Spaniards 
 of dark color. The town contains fifteen married persons and ten single, 
 all of them able men, and seven old men of seventy years of age. The 
 employment of some of them is to sow grain for their support ; of others, 
 to wash gold in the ravines. All of them are poor people, with the ex- 
 ception of one who is their captain; he has five male and five female 
 servants. Their houses are made of cane and straw. 
 
 From the mouth of this River Balsas, following the main river, Tuyra, 
 with the tide, a little more than six hours, in moderate-sized pirogues, 
 we ascend to the three mouths formed by the Tuyra, by the mouth of 
 the River Chucunaque on the left, and by the Pirri, a small river, on 
 the right. 
 
 Ascending this river, with the tide, (the Chucunaque,) about four 
 leagues, we come to the mouth of the River Yavisa on the right, which 
 river is navigable only for small boats. Ascending the three first reaches, 
 we find the town Yavisa, an Indian mission with twenty-three fighting 
 men, brought from the mountains more than ten years ago by the fathers 
 of the Company of Jesus ; in consequence of the death of their first 
 padre, they are without instruction. 
 
 Ascendiug the Chucunaque, above the mouth of the Yavisa, a little 
 less than a league, we meet on the right the little River Tapisa, at present 
 uninhabited. 
 
 This is the route for crossing over to the north coast at a place called 
 Gandi, or Acanti ; thus we may go two days up the river in small boats, 
 when we leave these and go on foot two days more, and arrive at the 
 foot of the Cordillera. It occupies another day to ascend and descend 
 to the head of the River Gandi, which empties into the Alantic Ocean, 
 where there is a town of forty families, mostly Indians. From this town 
 it requires three hours in small boats to reach the Atlantic. 
 
 Still ascending the Chucunaque from the Tapisa, we find, at a distance of 
 six leagues on the right, the mouth of the little River Fuguesa ; and as- 
 cending this three days in a small boat, we reach a landing where there 
 are three or four families of Indians. In one day’s march from this 
 place, we traverse the Cordillera and arrive at the little River Pito; and 
 following this on foot half a day’s march, we come to where it empties 
 into the Atlantic, about the head of the Gulf of Darien, nearly in front 
 of Bald Rock. 
 
 Again ascending the Chucunaque in a small boat from the mouth of 
 the Fuguesa, we arrive, if there should be no freshet, in two days at the 
 Fubugandi, a moderate-sized river on the right; and ascending that 
 one day, we arrive at two mouths, the one on the left being that of the 
 little River Sueti. Ten families reside at a little distance from each of 
 the openings. To go to the north, it is necessary to make a journey of 
 two leagues by land from the Fubugandi to the Sueti; and from this, a 
 half a league carries us to the mouth of the River Salliti, on which river 
 live two families. From this place, keeping on foot along the Sueti, we 
 arrive in half a day’s journey at the foot of the Cordillera. From this, 
 
INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 5 
 
 it is a journey of an hour and a half to the Sucubti, which also has its 
 rise in the foot of the Cordillera. 
 
 Returning again to the Chucunaque, at the mouth of the Fubugandi, 
 and ascending half a day, we arrive at the mouth of the Sucubti, just 
 mentioned, which empties on the right. Going two days’ journey up 
 the Sucubti in a little boat, we reach the settlement which contains about 
 twelve families. There empties on the left just below it a small stream 
 called Ipeti, where, at a distance of a day’s journey from its mouth, 
 there are eight families. 
 
 Following up the course of the river from the town of Sucubti, we ar- 
 rive in half a day at the foot of the Cordillera ; from this place the ascent 
 to the summit of the Cordillera is a journey of a half an hour, more or less, 
 where we see the Atlantic Ocean ; from this summit we descend in half 
 an hour to the head-waters of the Agglatumate, or Aggre, (Agla ?) 
 
 Following down this river on foot we reach, in two hours, a town which 
 will be referred to in another place ; hence in a half day’s journey on the 
 river, we arrive at its mouth in Caledonia Bay. 
 
 Following up the Chucunaque from the mouth of the Sucubti, we come 
 in one day to the little stream Moreti, which empties on the right, and 
 ascending that one day we find some eight families. To cross over from 
 here to the Atlantic Ocean by the River Navigandi, opposite the Isle of 
 Pines, requires a laborious journey of two days. 
 
 Starting again on the River Chucunaque, from the mouth of the River 
 Moreti, at about a day’s journey, the River Arquiate empties itself j at 
 the mouth of the river there is a town, the population of which is un- 
 known on accouut of the absence of its cacique, Don Iuando dios Alsedo, 
 who lived there. * 
 
 After ascending the Chucunaque, from the mouth of the Arquiate, one 
 day in small canoes, we land, and in two days’ journey across we arrive 
 at the River Cuiquinupti, which empties into the Canazas, a river which 
 belongs to Chepo. Here there are twenty families. 
 
 Not having anything further to say concerning the River Chucunaque 
 and its tributaries, we will return to the large River Tuyra, as follows : 
 
 Ascending the great River Tuyra, from the mouth of the River Chucu- 
 naque a little more than gunshot distance, the middle-sized River Pirri dis- 
 embogues on the right ; and going up this river two of its reaches or turns, 
 we come to the Real de Santa Maria, the principal military post in this 
 province and the residence of its governor. 
 
 This contains a stronghold of four equal faces, thirty yards each, made 
 of the same combustible material as the one of Cliapigana already men- 
 tioned. They are exposed to the risk of being easily set on fire both by 
 the Indians, by means of prepared arrows — a method which they under- 
 stand — and by the carelessness of the occupants. Late instances have 
 occurred of both. In the disaster and confusion which follow, we must 
 owe our safety to a retreat by a bridge, which ought to be constructed 
 with sufficient space to allow of our marching out in a square, and 
 occupying ground best suited for defense. All these risks might be 
 avoided by making the roofs of tile, which would be economical as well 
 as durable. The palms and the uprights buried in the moist ground rot 
 so rapidly, that it is necessary to renew them every four years. 
 
 The artillery of this post consists of nine chambered swivels, which, 
 after the first fire, expand in loading. The garrison consists of a gov- 
 ernor, a subaltern, a sergeant, a drummer, a corporal, two artillerymen, 
 and thirty-five soldiers of all colors. All of these are militia except six 
 regulars from the battalion stationed at Panama. Most of the militia 
 are married. The staff is composed of a chaplain, of a storekeeper, a 
 
6 
 
 INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 
 
 drummer, a surgeon, a leecher, and a nurse. The spare fire-arms are 
 thirty-four muskets with bayonets, and a corresponding supply of powder, 
 ball, flints, and match-rope. The number of inhabitants, besides fourteen 
 soldiers married in the country, consists of fifteen housekeepers, who 
 have eight sons and ten slaves capable of bearing arms ; all of them 
 people of color except two who are white Europeans. 
 
 There are some thirty-seven houses of straw and cane. The inhabi- 
 tants are employed in raising plantains and maize, and in hunting and 
 fishing ; by which means they acquire a miserable support. 
 
 They are a rude people, on account of their being surrounded by rivers, 
 marshes, and low grounds, over which the tide rises and falls to such 
 an extent that, during the high tide, they are obliged to move about in 
 boats. Hence arises a great deal of sickness, which does not exist in 
 other towns that are situated on higher ground and are free from water. 
 
 Still continuing up the River Pirri two more turns, we come to the 
 mission tow n of Pirri, with a priest of the Dominican order, and contain- 
 ing thirteen families from neighboring towns. 
 
 Returning to the Tuyra and ascending it a league and a half above 
 Pirri, we find on the right the towm of Molineca, an Indian mission, 
 having also a Dominican priest, and twenty -three families of Indians; 
 fighting men. Still ascending the Tuyra from Molineca, a distance of 
 four leagues, we come to the ravine Allusa. From this ravine following 
 up the Tuyra, at a distance of three bends of the river, on the left-hand side, 
 the Yapeti empties itself ; this ravine is uninhabited. Seven bends fur- 
 ther on the left, the River Capeti empties itself. At the head of this 
 river navigation for small boats, we land to go to the dwelling place of 
 the Paparos Indians in the most inaccessible part of the mountains. 
 These Indians appear to be mixed with negroes. They have no commu- 
 nication w T ith other Indians, or with any other people whatever, on 
 which account their number is not known, but it is estimated to be less 
 than eighty fighting men. 
 
 From the mouth of the Capeti, following the Tuyra seven turns further, 
 there empties on the right the Ypelisa. 
 
 This river was ascended in small boats to go to Cana, a journey of 
 three days — without freshets — as far as the landing; and then half a 
 day by .land to Cana. Three fighting Indians live at this post, who pro- 
 vide for beasts of burden, which leave this post for the regular land 
 route, occupying two days to Cana, the population of w hich consists of 
 people of color and Spaniards. There is a military post and a block-house, 
 similar to that described at Chapigana, with a sergeant and eight men. 
 The inhabitants of Cana number twenty-one — all people over fifty years 
 of age except six, who are vigorous men ; the captain, Balthasa de Estrada, 
 is seventy years old ; they are all poor. Their employment is to sow 
 grain for their support, and to wash for gold in the ravines, their limited 
 force not allowing them to undertake regular mining operations. Their 
 houses are like the others, of cane and straw. 
 
 Following up the Tuyra again from the mouth of the valley Ypelisa, 
 at a cable’s distance is the town of Cupe, w hich contains forty fighting 
 Indians, and, like Yavisa, is a Jesuit mission. 
 
 Still ascending the Tuyra above Cupe half a day’s journey in a boat, 
 the River Pucurree empties itself on the left, and a day’s journey up the 
 latter leads to the valley of the Ypelisa. There is a town of eight fami- 
 lies on the way from the landing here to the valley of the Maraquilla, 
 a distance of two leagues by boat from the mouth of the Ypelisa. 
 
 From Maraquilla it is an hour and a half hour’s journey on foot to 
 Parcaparca, a small valley where five or six families live. This river 
 
INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 7 
 
 empties into the Tiperri, and the Tiperri again into the Palla. A day’s 
 journey from Tiperri leads to the head of the Palla, where there are five 
 or six families. 
 
 Prom this place, which is at the foot, the ascent to the top of the Cor- 
 dillera occupies two hours, and the descent to the Araquilla two hours 
 more. The latter turns to the north and ends in a lake called Tigre, 
 from which lake the passage is made in one day’s sail to the mouth of 
 the Tarena, on the Atlantic coast. 
 
 Starting again from the Pucurree, and ascending the great River Tuyra 
 a day’s journey in a canoe, we arrive at the river Palla; and ascending 
 this two days in a canoe, we find a population of seven or eight families; 
 from hence it is two days to the foot of the Cordillera, passing through 
 two valleys named Tracuna and Ocubquilla, in each of which there are 
 two families. 
 
 From the landing at Palla there is also a road to the right by the 
 valley Tuggule, at one day’s journey from which dwell two families of 
 Indians; from hence, keeping always to the right, and ascending the 
 Cordillera, a day’s journey leads to the head of the River Lio, on which, 
 in valleys opening into it, there dwell sixty families, more or less. De- 
 scending this river, two days’ journey leads to the River Atrato, at a 
 point one day’s journey above its mouth. 
 
 Ascending the Pucurree from the mouth of the Ypelisa in boats, we 
 arrive at the valley of the Apellac; and ascending the latter one day, 
 we reach the foot of the Cordillera, where one family dwells. 
 
 Mounting the Cordillera on foot, we come in a day’s march to the head 
 of the Tigre, a river which empties into a lake of the same name. On 
 this river dwell twelve families. 
 
 THE INHABITED RIVERS WHICH EMPTY INTO THE ATLANTIC BE- 
 TWEEN THE CAYMAN AND SAN BLAS, AND THEIR POPULATION NEAR 
 
 THE SEA. 
 
 Coasting along from Carthagena to Porto Yelo, the first Indians met 
 with are five familes, more or less, who live on the River Cayman, 
 which is to the eastward of the Gulf of Darien. With them are twenty- 
 five or thirty Frenchmen, all living with Indian women, by whom they 
 have many children. 
 
 They have numerous cocoa trees, which they are constantly improving. 
 
 This river is navigable for pirogues up to the landing, which is not 
 far off; above the lauding, the navigation is in small boats. 
 
 About three leagues from the Cayman, in the same direction, is the 
 mouth of the Turba, also navigable; and on this river are about five 
 French and eight Indian families, with many plantations of chocolate 
 trees. These trees increase so rapidly that it was not possible to count 
 their number. 
 
 From here to the Gulf of Choco, which is seven leagues wide in the 
 narrowest part, there is no settlement, on account of the liability to 
 overflow and the number of mangrove trees. 
 
 After passing this gulf we come to the River Tarena, into which emp- 
 ties another river, named Araquilla, six leagues from the mouth, on the 
 left hand, as has been already described. On the Araquilla there are 
 some thirty families of Indians, and on the Tarena, a day’s journey 
 above its mouth, there are some sixty families of Indians and about 
 thirteen French, who also plant cocoa trees. 
 
 From Tarena, three leagues further up, empties the Titumate, where 
 there are about seven or eight families of Indians, and five or six of 
 
8 INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 
 
 French. From Titumate a league and a half further, we come to the 
 Tinacante, on which there are three familes of Indians and one of French. 
 
 From Tinacante, five leagues above, is the mouth of the Acanti, the 
 population of which is up the river and is mentioned in the description 
 of Tapisa. This consists of Indians, but upon the sea-shore there are 
 some dozen Frenchmen. 
 
 It is not known whether there are cocoa trees. From the Acante, six 
 leagues onward, is the Biver Pito, on which reside ten families of Indians 
 and two of Frenchmen. 
 
 Three leagues from Pito is the Biver Caret, where some three or four 
 families of Indians reside. 
 
 Five leagues beyond Caret we come to Caledonia, where, in front of 
 the place where the Scotch fortified themselves, there is a ravine in 
 which Captain Pancho lives. There must be four families of Indians 
 here. On the principal river of Caledonia, called Aggre, lives Captain 
 Miguel with forty families of Indians, besides some five or six French- 
 men. 
 
 T.wo leagues above Caledonia is the valley of Sardi, where three or 
 four Indian families dwell. 
 
 Three leagues above Sardi, we meet with the Bavigandi, up which 
 river are fifteen families of Indians. This river is nearly opposite the 
 Isle of Pines, and is of the middle size. 
 
 Three leagues from Bavigandi is the Pudrugandi, up which are seven 
 or eight Indian families. 
 
 Four leagues above the Pudrugandi is the Mosquito Biver, which has 
 some fifteen Indian families. Two leagues above the Mosquito is the 
 Matunagandi, which must have some ten families of Indians ; it is a small 
 river. Two leagues again above the Matunagandi is the Biver Coco, 
 which must have more than forty Indian families. 
 
 One league above the Coco is a small valley which contains, perhaps, 
 three or four families of Indians; its name is not known. Hence a 
 league and a half further up the coast is the Biver Monos, which has 
 more than fifteen families. 
 
 From the mouth of the Biver Monos, four leagues further up, is the 
 Biver Concepcion, which has some fifteen Indian families. 
 
 Three leagues above Concepcion is the Biver Playon or the Biver de 
 las Armas, where there are twenty families of Indians, more or less. 
 
 Five leagues above the Biver Playon is the valley of Marzalagandi, 
 which has some four families of Indians. 
 
 From Marzalagandi, five leagues further, is the Biver Azucar, concern- 
 ing which it is not known whether it is at present inhabited. 
 
 After the Biver Azucar follows the Biver Diablo, where there are fif- 
 teen families of Indians. 
 
 Four leagues above this river is the Biver Cedro, which must have 
 twenty families of Indians. 
 
 Three leagues above the Cedro is the Biver Cardi, which has a dozen 
 families. This is the ultimate limit of the Indian population on this 
 side of the Point of San Bias and of Mandinga Bay. 
 
 This bay is very capacious and is suited for vessels of all classes, but 
 good pilots are necessary on account of its numerous islands and shoals. 
 
 OBSERVATIONS ON THE PROGRESS OF THE MISSIONS AND REASONS 
 
 FOR THEIR NOT INCREASING SO RAPIDLY AS WAS EXPECTED, AND 
 
 THE MEANS BY WHICH ADDITIONS MAY BE MADE TO THE ROYAL 
 
 REVENUE AND SUBJECTS. 
 
 This part of the report refers to a state of things which lias passed 
 away, and contains recommendations for the improvement of the Indian 
 
INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 9 
 
 population, which have no present value. It will be interesting, how- 
 ever, to give a list of the various productions of the soil mentioned as 
 sources of wealth. They, are cocoa plantations, indigo, cotton, honey, 
 sugars, woods for exportation, balsams, resin, and wax. To these are 
 added tortoise shell, and live and salted turtles. 
 
 The Bay of Caledonia is spoken of as the most important on the coast 
 for vessels of large burden. Gold is said to be universal in the rivers 
 and valleys. There is good open grazing country. 
 
 This paper also speaks of the mines of Cana and other places, which 
 yielded gold in large quantities until the laborers were driven away by the 
 invasion of Indians from the Choco and of foreigners. 
 
 The date affixed to this report is April 10, 1754. 
 
 The report ends with a deposition by Captain Juan Raphael de Siman- 
 cas, interpreter, resident of the town of Cupe, native of the city of Car 
 thagena, who was dispatched to the northern coast, to give an account 
 of the number of French adventurers living on that coast, and of their 
 cocoa plantations, and of the vessels which take in cargoes there. A 
 part of this information is embodied in the preceding translation. 
 
 The title of this report given at the end is as follows : 
 
 Copy of a report transmitted to liis Majesty, in original and duplicate, in obedience 
 to the royal order from Buen Retiro, on the second of September, in the year seven- 
 teen hundred and fifty-one ; in which report I am directed to obtain information con- 
 cerning the province of Darien and the progress of its missions. 
 
 MIGUEL REMON. 
 
 Porto Yelo, July 29 , 1757 . 
 
 In a note appended to his report, Remon states that the number of 
 Frenchmen and of cocoa plantations had considerably increased during 
 the last three years. 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 A letter from Darien, praying for the establishment of a fort to protect the 
 
 Spaniards from the Indians and English combined , dated March , 1774. 
 
 SENor: I am desirous that the agriculture of this kingdom should 
 flourish, and that its inhabitants should cultivate the rich lands in which 
 it abounds. These lands are now either abandoned, or possessed by 
 uncivilized Indians, whom it is impossible to bring under subjection, or 
 restrain from acts of violence against those who have ventured to culti- 
 vate the lands in their neighborhood. 
 
 I have, therefore, meditated upon the view taken in the course of last 
 summer by the Brigadier A. de Arrivaldo, in regard to the construction 
 in the province of Darien of a fort already projected and approved by 
 his Majesty. The site of this fort is on the River Cayman, which dis- 
 charges itself on the east coast of the Gulf of Darien. This defense 
 would enable us to settle that most fertile district, having so beautiful 
 a climate, where in other times rich crops of cocoa have been gathered. 
 It would also be beneficial in attracting gradually the rebel Indians of 
 that province, now linked with the English, who carry on trade with 
 them and whom they supply with the fish and meat abounding on their 
 coasts. We suffer not only from the want of agriculture in those parts, 
 but also from the freedom with which foreigners trade with the Indians. 
 The garments of the latter are of English manufacture, a fact ascertained 
 by the prisoners taken in the waters of the river Sinee. This would not 
 happen if Cayman were fortified. 
 
 God protect your excellency. Santa Fe, March 31, 1774 
 
 Brigadier F. JULIAN ARRIAJA. 
 
10 INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 
 
 No. 3. 
 
 CASTILLO’S DECLARATION. 
 
 Declaration made before the governor , Don Andres de Ariza , by Don 
 Fransisco del Castillo , wfto is more than seventy years of age, a native of the 
 old village of Pine , in the province of Darien , and an inhabitant of the 
 Indian village called Tichiche. 
 
 He was suffered by thd Indians to come here, on the 8th day of 
 November, in the year 1784, in order to give information concerning the 
 roads which he has traversed from the coasts of the Mulatas on the 
 north and from the district of Chepo on the south. He gives a minute 
 relation of his mode of proceeding, the same that he has previously given 
 extrajudicially to the governor. 
 
 He states that he has frequently passed from Agla, or Caledonia, to 
 the territory of this province, coming direct from Sucubti, which is the 
 easiest and shortest road. 
 
 On the same day, November 8, Juan Raphael Simancas appeared 
 before the said governor, who, after stating that he was a native of 
 Carth agena, of Indian parentage, and after relating the various casual- 
 ties that had happened to him in the course of his long life of seventy- 
 five years, on being interrogated and requested to give an account as 
 an experienced guide of that country, of the route from Caledonia to 
 the southern district of this province, stated that in this district there 
 is a small river called Agla, by the margins of which we can ascend for 
 a distance of a little more than an hour’s journey ; and then following 
 the mountain course for a space of about four or five hours, we arrive 
 at the sources of the River Sucubti, named Miraflores, which discharges 
 its waters southward ; and proceeding down that River Sucubti by boat 
 half a day, or if by land a whole day, we arrive at the principal river of 
 the province, called the Chucunaque, and thence in six hours from 
 Chucunaque we may arrive at Savana. 
 
 No. 4. 
 
 Instructions to be observed by the commandant of the new establishment of 
 Puerto Principe , situate south of the Cordillera of the Andes in the province 
 of Darien in order to effect the opening of the new road traversing the 
 mountain chain and securing communication with the establishment of 
 Carolina on the northern sea-coast. 
 
 If the governor of the province, Lieutenant Colonel Hon Andres de 
 Ariza, should recover from his present sickness, he will be the person to 
 carry out these instructions; otherwise they will be executed by the 
 commandant of Carolina, Hon Louis Carrera, captain of the grenadiers 
 of the regiment of the princess, who will employ for the land works the 
 captain in ordinary of engineers Hon Juan Ximines Honoze, and the 
 parties appointed for that purpose by Ariza. 
 
 It is of the utmost importance to take advantage of the first oppor- 
 tunity which may offer for the opening of the road, that is to be made, 
 in order to connect the establishment of Carolina with that of Principe; 
 therefore I have named the officers and troops of the regiment of the 
 princess, whom I have sent forward, in order that, on this side, the 
 requisite operations may be immediately begun. 
 
INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 11 
 
 I inclose copies of the report of the survey of the line of country 
 which the commandant of the country has effected on the northern side 
 in the Carolina district, from that establishment to the summit of the 
 Cordillera between the two rivers Aglasenicua and Aglatromate, which 
 is the lowest point in the range. At this place a conspicuous landmark 
 ought to be visible from a distance; the commandant will therefore 
 order one to be made, by leaving a solid clump of trees and cutting 
 down the others in the neighborhood. By means of this a direct line 
 may be run from the mouth of the Sucubti to the summit of the Cordillera, 
 there to unite with the road from Carolina. Since the parties in the 
 field must direct their course so as to come out at the head sources of 
 the Agla, and since the landmarks will be established at the spot 
 selected by the commandant of the north coast, with reference to the 
 declivity of the rising ground at that spot, the parties ought to direct 
 their course toward that point. 
 
 If they should not see the mark on leaving the mouth of the Sucubti, 
 or should not see it at all, they will take what they may deem to be the 
 direct course for the course of the Agla. If landmarks are seen and 
 reached, the two commandants will decide upon the opening of the two 
 lines of road from Principe to the summit of the Carolina, and Carolina 
 to the same point. 
 
 Delineating both of the said lines of road upon the same scale, they 
 will reconcile any irregularity or error which may be found therein, by 
 their own knowledge and experience, and by the necessities of the case. 
 
 The two commandants having come to a decision and agreement 
 upon the point, the opening of the road shall be immediately commenced 
 and proceeded with in the manner in which it is to remain. The work 
 is intrusted to the care of both, in order that, should they think it 
 advisable, each one of them may carry into execution the line from said 
 landmark at the summit of the Cordillera to the border of the estab- 
 lishment under his own command; or they may, by uniting forces, exe- 
 cute the work. This last appears to be the most natural way of proceed- 
 ing and the most advantageous ; thus descending from the summit of 
 the Cordillera to Carolina, until they are within reach of provisions, 
 ammunition, and other necessaries, thus using the road itself to the 
 summit of the Cordillera for the execution of the other portion from the 
 same point to Principe. 
 
 Carthagena April 8, 1786. 
 
 No. 5. 
 
 Diary kept by the Sergeant Gabriel Morales , leader and commander against 
 the Indians of these mountains , in company with the Sergeants Miguel 
 Antonio Delgado and Miguel Quintana , for the expedition which the 
 Governor Lieutenant Don Andres de Ariza , lieutenant colonel , placed 
 under our care , with a troop of one hundred and fifty foot soldiers. 
 
 1786, Jidy 10. — At seven o’clock in the morning we took our departure 
 from the new establishment of Principe, directing our steps toward the 
 Biver Moreti, which discharges its waters into that of the Chucunaque, 
 and having arrived at Yegunti, we found the Biver Sabanas that was to 
 be passed much swollen in consequence of the heavy falls of rain that 
 had taken place on that and the previous day, and having waded it with 
 
12 INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 
 
 a great deal of trouble, we came to a bait upon the opposite bank, from 
 whence I dispatched to Principe four men who had fallen sick. 
 
 July 11. — The day broke with rain, for which reason we did not set 
 out on our march until after eight o’clock, and we came to a halt about San 
 Matias in consequence of the heavy storm of rain that appeared to be 
 coming on; by reason of the bad weather we spent two days upon a 
 journey. of one; we placed our sentinels in advance at the poiuts of the 
 compass as usual, in order to secure ourselves against enemies. 
 
 July 12. — Again, because it had been raining throughout the greater 
 part of the night and also during the day, we started rather late at about 
 nine o’clock, and we only reached the resting place of Tigre, because the 
 quebradas were much swollen; we then passed the night, previously 
 placing our sentinels. 
 
 July 13. — We set out on our march at six o’clock in the morning, and 
 at one o’clock in the afternoon we heard nine reports of cannon from 
 the direction of Carolina; and we reached the resting place of Guayabel 
 at two ; here we made a halt to cook our food and sleep, and posted our 
 sentinels to prevent a surprise by enemies. 
 
 July 14. — We commenced our march at six in the morning; the short 
 heavy showers of rain continued, and we only reached the “huts of Eem- 
 elas” to sleep ; we placed our sentinels as usual. 
 
 July 15.- — Continuing our march at one o’clock in the day, we arrived 
 at the mouth of the Moreti, where our governor in September of last 
 year had made an intrenched encampment, the stockades of which had 
 been destroyed by the enemy, some of them thrown into the river, and 
 the house or palm hut that was there razed and burned ; we retired thence 
 to pass that night on the ridge that is situated a swivel gunshot behind 
 that position. In order that the enemies might not hear a rumor of our 
 party, we carefully examined the whole of the surrounding neighborhood, 
 and the only news there received was that eight days before the rebels 
 had cut off a Guinea girl. 
 
 July 16. — At six in the morning we passed the Eiver Chucunaque by 
 the ford that is on the side below the encampment; and proceeded 
 upward along the marsh lands of Eiver Moreti as far as the Carmen 
 resting place, which is in an abandoned site of plantain trees, where by the 
 order of our governor we last year left under cover of a hut a flag, a 
 small flask of brandy, a bundle of tobacco, and some small copper pans; 
 the whole as a sign of friendship, because, at that time, he did not know 
 of the revolt at Carolina ; we found none of these, the enemy having 
 carried all off. 
 
 In this locality we established our ambuscades in order to ascertain if 
 we could suprise any of the rebels, for which this place is advantageous 
 from its having in front a high wall that cannot be scaled. 
 
 July 17. — We left this place at about ten o’clock in the day, because 
 the short but heavy showers did not cease and we continued our route 
 along the Eiver Moreti, up tbe stream, which had become much swollen; 
 we passed thirteen small quebradas, which discharge their waters into 
 this river, and a small plantation of plantain trees, apparently a recent 
 one of about six months’ standing ; and beyond it, but further up the 
 stream, we came to a halt afc a point that is at the skirt of a mountain 
 which the Chocoe Indians went to examine, but where they found no 
 ascent. 
 
 July 18. — We took our departure from that place, (heavy showers of 
 rain still continuing, which inconvenienced us very considerably,) and 
 followed up the course of the Eiver Moreti in order to ascertain if there 
 were any enemies on it. We passed three craggy hills with their que- 
 
INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 13 
 
 bradas, and upon proceeding down tbe last one we met with another que- 
 brada where there was a hut decayed by age, having stood there more than 
 three years. Upon proceeding we met with a large field of stubble, where 
 there were also some old earthen pots. 
 
 We continued our route further, and upon a small plot of rising ground 
 we found another stubble field, and descending to the margin of the river 
 we reached a glade (valley) or old bed of a river where we came to a halt, 
 posting double sentinels because we considered ourselves in the midst 
 of the enemy. 
 
 July 19. — We pushed out into the same neighborhood various ambus- 
 cades and stations upon the river, which from thence upward was not 
 navigable for small boats, nor even up to that point, save with great 
 trouble. Several spies were sent out to see if any report or trace of the 
 enemy could be obtained, but without finding any sign of them. There 
 was only a plantation of plantain trees, from which the enemy a few 
 days before had gathered the fruit, and our people found but little left. 
 We did not proceed further toward the sources of the stream, because 
 its marshy lands would not allow of our passing them; nor did we cross 
 the river in consequence of the numerous large rocks across its bed; 
 by this we deemed ourselves to be in the mountain chain. 
 
 July 20. — We determined upon crossing over almost at the foot of the 
 chain toward the river Sucubti. We passed three hills and the que- 
 bradas and many agares or American aloes. We found a track by which 
 the enemies ascend, which the Sergeant Gabriel Morales, Miguel Quintana, 
 and ten men followed, directing their steps toward some high hills. At 
 about one o’clock in the afternoon they returned, and continuing our 
 march we reached a quebrada that discharges its waters into the river 
 Sucubti, and we supposed it the quebrada of Yanuti. Upon it there 
 was a stubble field of the previous year, and a large jar that might con- 
 tain about two hundred ears of maize, two good earthen pots, and a 
 pirogue (canoe) about half finished but abandoned. We then came to a 
 halt in order to pass the night, having first taken the precaution to beat 
 the brush, because we inferred that the rebels might live in the neighbor- 
 hood. 
 
 July 21. — By observing silence and by other precautions that were 
 requisite, deeming ourselves in the midst of the enemy and that we should 
 catch them by proceeding down the stream, we continued with much 
 caution along the bank of the quebrada, which it was ascertained was 
 navigated by the enemy, as the channel was clear, and had at intervals 
 landing places, poles, and lines, to Avhich they moored their pirogues, 
 (canoes.) 
 
 We found upon the banks of the quebrada many plantations of aguave, 
 and in one of them a clear road by which they had drawn up a small 
 canoe. Proceeding further on, the Sergeant Gabriel ascended a tree, 
 and thence descried the Biver of Sucubti, toward which we directed our 
 steps, now ascending one hill and then skirting another, at the foot of 
 which last flowed the river, having come upon it two turns further down 
 than the quebrada, which, as I have stated, seemed to us to be that of 
 Yanuti. On it we did not meet with any further signs of its being 
 inhabited than those already mentioned. The distance traveled from 
 the River Moreti to that of Sucubti is scarcely half a day’s journey. We 
 came to a halt that day opposite to a high wall that was on the other side of 
 the river. We took, however, the requisite precautions in order not to 
 be surprised in consequence of our own exposure; and, also, in order 
 not to be heard, so that we might surprise them. 
 
14 INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 
 
 July 22. — We took our departure from, tlie said resting place, with 
 scouts thrown forward, in order not to come unexpectedly upon the enemy ; 
 not a vestige of them was found in that vicinity. We directed our steps 
 toward the mouth of the Sucubti, where Don Luis Carrua had his encamp- 
 ment; passing two large mountains aud several small ones on both sides 
 of the river, and at the lower part of these we came up a very large que- 
 brada which flowed in the direction of the Moreti. Entering it we came 
 to a harbor and found in it a clear passage with six lines where pirogues 
 had been moored ; on the other side was a clear pathway which when 
 followed leads in the direction of the River Chucunaque, serving as a 
 roundabout way for the enemy to avoid the winding of the Sucubti. 
 
 The quebrada is not navigable and it appears that the enemy only go 
 there to secrete their canoes. We left this road because we deemed it 
 fruitless to follow it, and continuing our journey down the Sucubti, we 
 fell in with a very large assemblage of huts, the greater part of which 
 had been carried away by a freshet in the river. We then came to a 
 halt in order to pass the night, throwing forward sentinels as usual. 
 
 July 23. — We left our resting place, still annoyed by the heavy showers 
 of rain, and journeying down the river along the banks of the Sucubti, 
 we came to a tree of “Lorono or Oampano,” fit for a large canoe, eight 
 yards in circumference and twenty-two in length. Immediately after- 
 ward we reached the large plantain plantations of the enemy, which 
 were surrounded by the troops, some of them having penetrated into 
 the center to seek the enemy, who, if they fled, would fall into our hands. 
 
 Nothing was, however, found, but it was ascertained that the enemy 
 had been in the plantation to gather fruit about six or eight days pre- 
 vious. In consequence of this, an order was given that the whole troop, 
 leaving the requisite advanced guards, should gather all that was needful 
 for themselves, and leave none for the enemy. We left this place and at a 
 short distance therefrom we found the commencement of the road that was 
 being opened in the month of April, in order that the columns under 
 the command of Don Luis Carrua might pass. His abandoned encamp- 
 ment was at the distance of about one league ; here we came to a halt 
 and encamped, taking the necessary precaution also, that in descending 
 the mountain pass, we explored the whole territory of the enemy. We 
 inferred that they have either abandoned the district and gone to the 
 other rivers, or have secreted themselves all at once in the craggy and 
 unknown fortresses of the mountain ridge. 
 
 July 24. — We took our departure from the line of that road and 
 arriving in sight of the stronghold where Don Luis encamped, we fell in 
 with the skull of a human being stuck upon the point of a wild cane. 
 It was, without doubt, some unfortunate captive from the north, because 
 from the south we have not fallen in with any human being, either alive 
 or dead. We took away the skull and buried it in another place. We 
 passed over to the island where the stronghold had been made, and we 
 found the huts burned down and the greater part of the stockade 
 destroyed. The three grindstones that we there buried, the enemy had 
 dug and carried away. We proceeded on by the royal road opened as 
 far as Principe, and at a quarter of a league distant therefrom, we en- 
 camped to pass the night, taking the requisite precautions. 
 
 July 25. — At twelve o’clock in the day we entered Principe, and pre- 
 sented ourselves to our governor, delivering to him this diary, and inform- 
 ing him verbally that all the persons attached to the expedition had 
 not returned in perfect health in consequence of the terribly unfavora- 
 ble weather which they had had unceasingly encountered, there not 
 
INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 15 
 
 having been one fine clay. All had used their best endeavors to fall in 
 with the enemy, and had returned dissatisfied and not having succeeded. 
 
 GABRIEL MORALES. 
 
 [At the request of the Sergeant Miguel Antonio Delgrado, and Miguel 
 Quintana.] 
 
 Puerto del Principe. 
 
 No 6.. 
 
 Extract from an old document without signature , dated 1787. 
 
 By decree of the 24th January, his excellency ordered that, in order to 
 effect the passage of our troops from the south to the north, a road 
 should be opened from Principe to the mouth of the River Sucubti, upon 
 the Chucunaque, and to erect a fort upon the hill called Betanzos, which 
 is situated at an equal distance from each port. Furthermore, that two 
 small villages with some defenses should be established between Principe 
 and the fort, and between the latter and the Chucunaque, placing these 
 garrisons in such a manner that they might reciprocally defend one 
 another, and be provided with provisions. 
 
 The general-in-chief of Panama communicated this decree to Don Jose 
 Matos, who is acting as governor pro tempore in Darien and who will be 
 commander-in-chief of the expedition from Principe to Carolina by way 
 of Chucunaque ; ordering that the engineer Don Juan Donoso accompany 
 him in order to superintend the works. Matos and Donoso represent to 
 the general commandant-in-chief that the road will be much more ad- 
 vantageous if opened from Yavisa, the capital of Darien, to the afore- 
 said Sucubti, upon the grounds that the distance is less, the waters, the 
 climate, and the situation better, the population acclimated, and that 
 there is abundance of maize, plantains, yuca, and Adam’s needles for 
 provisions. 
 
 These advantages, it is said, are not to be met with in Principe, while 
 the country leading to Sucubti is smooth and the ground tolerably level. 
 
 The commandant-in-chief transmits this representation to the Governor 
 Ariza, now sick at Panama, for his information and government. Ariza 
 firing denies the pretended advantages of the road from Yavisa on all 
 grounds; he prefers that from Principe; though from his being sick, he 
 does not give his reasons. 
 
 No. 7. 
 
 Don Andres de Ariza to Domas y Valle. 
 
 I have just received your honor’s esteemed letter, dated this day, in 
 which you are pleased to inclose to me two letters, one the statement made 
 by the lieutenant governor’s aide, Don Josef de Matos, dated 24th April, 
 soliciting, for satisfactory reasons to himself, change of situation of the 
 new establishment t/om Principe to the remote port of Yavisa ; the other 
 from the engineer, Don Juan Donoso, dated yesterday, agreeing with 
 Matos, but advancing professional reasons (as an engineer) more absurd 
 than those of Matos. These letters show an unfortunate desire in the 
 men of the present day, when intrusted with a slight commission, to con- 
 sider themselves the Ajmllos of science, and set aside plans well 
 
16 INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 
 
 matured. Your honor is pleased to inform me that in the brief space of 
 time between to-day and to-morrow, I am to reply to the particulars of 
 these two statements, in order that they may be ready for transmission 
 to his excellency the viceroy, who will also be orally informed of every- 
 thing in order to make up his final decision. As your honor saw me 
 yesterday , and you well know that I had been confined to my bed for 
 more than four months, being completely prostrated, so that my life has 
 been preserved by drinks only, it is impossible for me to comply with 
 this request. The nature of the evidence in this case is such, that in 
 order to expose the fallacies of the extraordinary propositions from these 
 parties, and to satisfy all persons, my reply must be very diffuse. And 
 further, what his excellency was pleased to command in his previous 
 communication of March 21 has been ordered and approved by the 
 King, and it cannot be altered without mature consideration after the 
 survey has been made. 
 
 If upon the margin of the Chucunaque, a little above or a little below 
 the mouth of the Sucubti, there should be some firm ground on this side, 
 where the danger of the overflow. may be avoided, and which may be 
 nearer to Betanzos, (for I am certain there is some a little higher up,) 
 neither Donoso nor any other tyro schemer ought to be listened to; the 
 desire of these people is merely to gain reputation even at the expense 
 of arrangements made with prudence and experience. I expect from 
 the known justice of your honor that my requestmade yesterday in thepres- 
 ence of Donoso, relative to the verbal conference that we had together, may 
 be forwarded to his excellency for his superior consideration. In this con- 
 ference throughout Donoso was convicted by his own arguments. I say 
 this apart from the overflow, which is met before reaching the Chucunaque, 
 and of which I made mention of the 14th and 18th ultimo ; although 
 this defect may be remedied if good ground is found. There only remains 
 the doubt whether the water of the Principe is of good quality and of 
 sufficient quantity; but in order to clear up this doubt I requested that 
 your honor would order a couple of jars full of the water which flows 
 not from the valleys of that district, but from the high springs entering 
 into them, which water does not act on soap like that of the valleys 
 when it is brackish; I also request your honor (as I did in Donoso’s pres- 
 ence) to be pi eased to inform his excellency beforehand that I offer to 
 prove by unexceptionable witnesses how speciously fallacious were the 
 statements of these parties, read by your honor in my presence and 
 Donoso 7 s. I make this offer in order that his excellency may not incau- 
 tiously be misled by them. 
 
 God protect your excellency many years. Panama, May 9, 1787. 
 
 ANDRES DE ARIZA. 
 
 Senor Don Jose Domas y Yalle. 
 
 No. 8. 
 
 Josef de Matos to Domas y Valle. 
 
 Sir: Notwithstanding what I have explained to you under this day’s 
 date, in my official letters in reply to the orders of your honor, consid- 
 ering the obligation that I am placed under to lay before you whatever 
 may best contribute to the service of his Majesty, and in pursuance of 
 my duty as second in command to the governor, Don Andres de Ariza, 
 under the appointment of the viceroy, and now first in command in 
 
INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 1 7 
 
 consequence of the sickness of the said governor, it appears that 1 am 
 in duty bound to make the following representations to your honor: 
 
 First, the support of any population whatsoever not being possible at 
 this station, in consequence of its water and climate, in order to succor 
 by land the new establishment that his excellency may determine to 
 found upon the Fiver Chucunaque, or upon others that discharge them- 
 selves into it, to facilitate and to secure the passage to Carolina, (which 
 passage can only be made during two months of the year, part of Janu- 
 ary, all of February, and part of March,) it is sufficient that this post 
 remain a station such as Bocachica or Seteganti. I do not lose sight of 
 the fact that from this station a road might be re-opened direct to the 
 westward, which would touch upon some of the stations of Oliimasi, 
 Chepo, or Terable ; and, moreover, that the rivers Bayano, Este, Savanas, 
 and Chucunaque, being formerly connected together at their sources, if, 
 in time, a village could be established between their river heads, a road 
 might be opened by land from hence to the village. For all this, I con- 
 sider that the assistance of the fortress already mentioned would be 
 sufficient. 
 
 In the second place, as the fort of Yavisa is situated at almost the 
 same distance from Bocachica as from this station, and villages are to be 
 established (in conformity with the orders of the viceroy) upon the ris- 
 ing ground of Betanzos, close to the mouth of the river Sucubti, upon 
 the Chucunaque 5 it is evident that the journey from Yavisa to the 
 mouth of the Sucubti can be made in summer in four days by water in 
 common-sized pirogues, which is two days more than from this station 
 by land. But in winter there are insurmountable difficulties to the under- 
 taking of this journey. Thence it is, senor commandant-in- chief, that 
 I could wish that the road which is to be opened to the establishment 
 should be by way of Yavisa and the River Chucunaque, taking advan- 
 tage of the mouth of the River Fugesa and one of the little villages which 
 his excellency also mentioned; the other road being by way of one of 
 the rivers Fupisa, or Fubuganti, the passage of the Indians from the 
 northward by the river Sueti. Passing across these and the Fugesa, 
 they descend to Yavisa in order to commit their hostilities, bold enough 
 to go even as far as that establishment, (town.) 
 
 The advantages that would accrue in this case are manifest; the 
 waters and climate at Yavisa are good ; the plantains, which are the bread 
 of the country, are close at hand, and the resources and assistance of 
 Panama are more easy of access in consequence of the frequent visits 
 of the canoes that come up the river, even as far as Real, in order to cut 
 plantains. To establish the point of junction, there is no expense to be 
 incurred at Yavisa, inasmuch as it contains a good stronghold, (a moated 
 house,) with its warehouses; and if it should be found necessary to 
 have barracks, (soldiers’ quarters,) the troops themselves could construct 
 them. They are able, at present, to obtain assistance from the villages 
 of Penogeina, Molineca, Real, and Tichichi, by way of the river and 
 also by land. Consequently they will be better protected against the 
 incursions of the enemy; a better harbor cannot be wished for; and 
 finally desertion by the soldiers will be rendered more difficult. But at 
 this establishment of Principe, boats being seriously impeded by the 
 rocks, no persons are tempted to come to it even with the exorbitant 
 profit of one hundred per cent, on what they might bring. The ware- 
 houses, quarters for the soldiers, church and other buildings cannot stand 
 longer than one year; for which reason, at present, they require to be 
 built afresh, as has been the case with the church and one of the soldiers 
 quarters. This is caused partly by the quality of the material, but 
 H. Ex. Doc. 113 2 
 
18 INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 
 
 chiefly by the soft character of the soil, which in the summer opens in 
 large crevices, while in winter it is saturated with water, becoming peat- 
 like; so that altogether there is never any firm holding ground for the 
 main props of the buildings. 
 
 Finally, I am persuaded that in order to form the road to the north 
 via this place, or by way of Yavisa, there will be one-third less expense 
 incurred without taking into consideration the advantages of having the 
 soldiers contented and free from epidemic complaints. Nevertheless the 
 Lieutenant Colonel Don Juan Donoso, who proceeds to your station and 
 has surveyed all these localities, will be able to inform your honor 
 minutely on all the points you may desire, if you should deem it expe- 
 dient to communicate the same to his excellency the viceroy, either in 
 writing or in person. 
 
 God protect your honor many years. Principe of Darien, April 24, 
 1787. 
 
 I am vour honor’s most obedient and devoted servant, 
 
 Sehor Don JOSEF DE MATOS. 
 
 Sehor Don Jose Domas y Valle, 
 
 Sehor Governor and Commandant-in-chief. 
 
 No. 9. 
 
 Domas y Valle to Ariza. 
 
 I transmit to you a copy of the two letters which the engineer in ordi- 
 nary, Don Juan Donoso, and the governor pro tempore of Darien, Don Jose 
 de Matos, have sent to me in reply to the order of his excellency, which 
 I had transmitted to them, relative to the new establishment to be formed 
 at the locality of Betanzos, ana some other small one between this and 
 Principe, of the nature of a hamlet or village, in order that, agreeably 
 with yesterday’s discussion, the plan of execution may to-day be put in 
 writing, and that the viceroy may consider and decide on what shall be 
 satisfactory. For this purpose I intend to remit to him by the post of 
 to-morrow, if possible, a copy of this dispatch, which you will return to 
 me with your opinion. 
 
 God protect you for many years. Panama, May 9, 1787. 
 
 JOSfi DOMAS Y VALLE. 
 
 Sehor Don Andres de Ariza. 
 
 No 10. 
 
 Extract from Garcia Villabd’s report on the Isthmus of Darien, taken from 
 the Bogota archives , dated September 17, 1787. Cana mine. 
 
 The town or village of Santa Maria is distant three days’ journey, by 
 a bad road, from the village of Cana. It is situated in virgin land, in a 
 fertile plain of great extent, fit for a large population. At present, the 
 population consists of eight families of very wretched negroes and 
 Indians, who maintain themselves merely by the game on the plains 
 and by some gold which they obtain by washing the earth. It has a 
 stronghold of planks and tiles, with four swivel guns, one sergeant, 
 
INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 19 
 
 and twenty soldiers for its defence, some of whom are married. This 
 village was very populous and was well known for its rich mines, named 
 “ Espiritu Santo,” which were near the mountains of the same name. 
 They were abandoned because the miners had not sufficient funds to put 
 them in profitable working order, and also, because the rebel Indians, 
 accompanied by the foreigners who were in the neighborhood, in the 
 Gulf of Darien on the north, made assaults upon them. It would be 
 very advantageous to the CroAvn and the province if the works in the 
 mines were undertaken on the King’s account, for they produce gold in 
 such abundance and of such superior quality that it is commonly called 
 the Potosi of this valuable metal. By the “fifths” alone they would be 
 sufficient to maintain the province of Panama, as was proved when they 
 were worked, and when the royal dues were estimated annually at one 
 hundred thousand castrillians (three dollars and three cents each)# of 
 gold. ******* 
 
 * YP ALISA. * 
 
 Kb. 11. 
 
 Millet’s first expedition. 
 
 Senor Command ant-in-chjee : I communicate to you, sir, the dis- 
 covery and observations that I have made upon the excursion with 
 Captain Urruchurchu. 
 
 On Wednesday, the lfith, at half past one in the afternoon, we de- 
 parted from this establishment by the river Aglomate, and following 
 the track or pathway of the Indians, we proceeded along the foot of a 
 mountain which the Indians denominated “Montana Grande,” (Big 
 Mountain,) by which name they distinguish it from the others, in conse- 
 quence of its great height. At six in the evening we arrived at a hut 
 which acts as a liostlery for the traders, where we slept. To this house 
 or hut the distance is about three leagues, a little more or less, to traverse 
 which we pass the said river forty-five times, with the water about half 
 thigh deep. On the border of the river there are three houses where the 
 Indians reside, and in all three there were not more than eight or ten of 
 those who every day carry on traffic with this establishment. On 
 Thursday at daybreak we took the second turning, ascending the moun- 
 tain which has a sloping ascent of about three quarters of a league, from 
 the summit of which the glimmer of this establishment may be "descried, 
 and following the pathway that the Indians use, which lias a descent 
 moderate and with various breaks and declivities, of about one league more 
 or less, we find a pathway which turns off to the left to Sueti or Chueti. 
 Shortly afterward you meet with the River Forte, and at a short distance 
 thence the large river of Sucubti, into which the following and already 
 mentioned rivers, Forte, Algancia, and Chueti discharge themselves. 
 From the foot of the mountain these rivers meet, we proceeded down- 
 wards by the river Sucubti with the water knee and waist deep. This 
 river shows that it contains large quantities of (matrix,) “madre in times 
 of much rain it would have a strong current, by reason of the great fall, 
 and must be very difficult to navigate from its being so full of eddies. 
 Even with the little water it now contains it is requisite to speak very 
 loud in order for us to hear one another. The Indians traverse this 
 river at all times in their “cayucos” by their great dexterity in stemming 
 the currents and avoiding the rocks; when they find themselves in dif- 
 
20 INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 
 
 Acuity, suddenly they jump into the water and hear the cayuco out of 
 the danger upon their shoulders, even when it is loaded with cargo; it has 
 happened while I was there. 
 
 Proceeding down this river the first house belonging to them is met 
 with on the right hand, and about a quarter of a league, a little more or 
 less, another, and at about the like distance on the left another, and 
 continuing up same river we reached a house where Captain Urruchurchu 
 and his companions lodged us; I observed that it contained three women, 
 namely, the mother of the captain and the wives of his brothers; five 
 boys, and three men. These houses or species of huts are from ten to 
 twelve yards long, and six yards wide, with “barbacoas” placed under 
 the roof, where the Indians sleep, and below, the women, each in her 
 hammock. There was no other fnrniture in there except a few drinking 
 cups, the most of them broken, two descriptions of lances, many bows, 
 arrows, and the kitchen utensils suited to their wants. At about half 
 the way the captain proceeded in advance, stating that he was going to 
 see if there was anything new- going on among the Indians, and in case 
 there should be, he would come and meet us in order that we might re- 
 trace our steps. He left me alone with the other Indians who accompa- 
 nied me, with whom I continued the route the whole of Thursday the 
 17th, until my arrival at the before mentioned house, where I remained 
 the whole of that night and the Friday following. On this day, at about 
 two o’clock in the afternoon, Urruchurchu made his appearance with 
 his wife, his son, and six Indians, telling me that those two lads were 
 good friends, and that they had come to see us. 
 
 Upon my inquiring of him why he had not taken me to the house 
 where he resided, he replied that I was tired and foot sore, and that his 
 house was very far off, and that the road that we had come was much 
 better. Be this as it may, I noticed that both his sons and his wife, when 
 he sent them for anything to the house, w ent and returned in less than one 
 hour; finding that there was some repugnance to my going there I did 
 not wish to put them out of their way. 
 
 At the back of the house is a very high hill, but not of great extent, 
 very picturesque and pleasing. The Indians told me that on it the devil 
 resided, and on that account I could not go there, although it was so near. 
 
 Upon asking Urruchurchu to what place the river Sucubti flowed, by 
 wilich we had traveled, he informed me that it flowed as far as the river 
 Santa Maria, and that it led to the establishment of Santa Maria Feche- 
 che, and other villages where Hon Andres de Ariza had been; that he 
 formerly went there to traffic, but that Don Andre was not upon friendly 
 terms with them, and that on that account he had ceased to do so. 
 
 Upon inquiring of him what the distance might be, he replied that it 
 w r as the same as to Carolina; but he contradicted himself another day, 
 telling me that it was an eight days’ journey dow-n the river and ten 
 days’ up. 
 
 On the Saturday, early in the morning, w^e started on our return to this 
 establishment, there being in company with me three Indian women, six 
 lads, and eleven Indians, v r ho voluntarily wished to come. All these, as 
 they perceived that I had my shoes and boots worn out, and that I was 
 somewhat foot sore, they kindly persuaded me to go on board one of their 
 cayucos, in wdiich I came up the river about two leagues, as far as the water 
 would allow. I did not notice in all the distance that I traveled any 
 mountains of any importance, with the exception of the tw o already men- 
 tioned, and those were not densely wooded as we had believed them to be, 
 for they are covered with large trees high and tufted, and among them some, 
 very small ones clear of branches, so that it appears to me with great 
 
INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 
 
 21 
 
 facility a road might be made so as to travel by it on horseback. It is, 
 in the first place, as I have already stated, three leagues from this estab- 
 lishment to the aforesaid skirt of the mountains called “ Montana Grande,” 
 (Big Mountain.) Without the construction of a road one may travel the 
 distance on horseback, cutting away any impediment that might cross 
 the route. 
 
 This mountain, that the Indians consider so very large, has not one dif- 
 ficult pass, with the exception of a ravine at the commencement, which 
 four men with spades could level in less than one hour, and in the mid- 
 dle of the ascent there is a tree that the winds have uprooted, the trunk 
 of which is very large and lies athwart the road. The trouble of cutting 
 at the tree may be avoided by using a pathway on one side or the other 
 of the road, Avhich may be extended to any desirable width. Much worse 
 paths are traversed on horseback on the road from Aonda to Santa Fe 
 de Bogota. On the journey up this mountain there is one defile which 
 is one yard in breadth on the one side, and on the other of which has 
 
 to (here the manuscript is unintelligible.) There is another 
 
 bad pass beyond this place; descending the river Footi is met with; it 
 appears to me there will be no difficulty, beyond which, in forming the 
 road, carrying it not by way of the river Sucubti nor along its bank, but 
 to the left, where, indeed, there are some fissures, which, however, are of 
 little moment. I inquired of Captain Urruchurchu if there was much 
 high ground further on, and he informed me that there was not, that 
 we had passed the worst. 
 
 What related to your excellency is the sum of my observation. If, 
 hereafter, anything should occur to me worthy of your attention I will 
 communicate the same to your honor. 
 
 God protect your honor for many years. 
 
 MAN’L MILLA, Sta. Ma. 
 
 Carolina, January 27, 1788. 
 
 No. 12. 
 
 FERSEN’S JOURNAL ACROSS THE CORDILLERA. 
 
 Journal of the occurrences that have taken place up to this date in the 
 matter of the opening of the road that is to traverse the isthmus from 
 north to south. 
 
 February 16. — I arrived in the Bay of Carolina at half past 8 o’clock 
 at night. 
 
 February 17. — I remained the whole of that day on the island, in con- 
 sequence of the arrival there of the chief cazique, Don Bernardo, the 
 captain, William Haler, and Urrichurchu, who, after leaving his family 
 on the mainland, returned to the island; Captain Hooper arrived also ; 
 we passed the day together, and during the conversation, I noticed fre- 
 quent smiles passing between the chiefs. I did not manifest any signs 
 that I understood them on that occasion, paying them every respect, 
 and acting with prudent dissimulation. 
 
 F ebruary 18. — In the morning of this day I proceeded to the mainland, 
 and, conferring with my predecessor relative to the ill humor that I 
 had noted between the caziques, at the same time bearing in mind what 
 the adjutant, Don Manuel Milla, Captain Dubernay, and the interpret- 
 ers had related, hearing what each of them had to say separately, I 
 
22 INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 
 
 found that the grudges that had been perceived still to exist between 
 these caziques were but too true. For this reason I joined the three 
 caziques, and, in the presence of my predecessor, Don Antonio Velas- 
 quez, of the adjutant, Milla, and Captain Dubernay, we entered into a 
 discussion upon the subject of the new road. The cazique in chief, Don 
 Bernardo, and Captain William Haler replied that they were willing, 
 and that they had come for the express purpose. Captain Urruchurchu, 
 of Sucubti, declared the same, but added that he alone was sufficient to 
 open the new route; that the reason of his ill humor proceeds from the 
 circumstance that the other two caziques claim to assist at the operation 
 of the road, (a thing that those of his tribe would not consent to, and 
 would resist by force of arms;) and that it is not in his power to remedy 
 it; that the commission in all its details had been intrusted to him only. 
 
 The chief caziques, Don Bernardo and Captain William Haler, replied, 
 u tlie allegations of Urruchurchu were frivolous pretexts in order to hide 
 his captious objections; that he had been to Carthagena merely to obtain 
 rewards, and to deceive his excellency; that, at all events, they had 
 ottered their services for the effecting of the road; that it was not 
 reasonable that they should be deprived of rendering service, inasmuch 
 as they had all promised it conjointly when the pacification was dis- 
 cussed at Turbacco.” 
 
 Having heard these arguments from both parties, I endeavored to 
 make them understand how very advisable it was that they should act 
 in unison, and should give proof of their good intentions. Captain 
 Urruchurchu replied that he could not determine anything until he goes 
 to consult with those of his tribe, without whose authority he could not 
 act; that he will set out immediately for Sucubti, and return within six 
 days with the reply in time to accompany the adjutant, Milla, who 
 wishes to convey the packet of letters to his excellency, at Puerto Prin- 
 cipe; that then the final decision will be made relative to the opening 
 of the road, and it shall be determined whether or not the other caziques 
 should join in this operation; that if, during these six days, any further 
 steps are taken, he cannot be answerable for the consequences. The 
 caziques, Don Bernardo and Captain Haler, after much altercation, at 
 last declared that they acquiesced in this conclusion. In consequence 
 of this, on the morning of this same day, the 18th, Captain Urruchurchu 
 took his departure for Sucubti. 
 
 February 21. — On the morning of this day the brother of Urruchurchu 
 presented himself before me with two lads. He states that his brother 
 remained in this neighborhood and could not proceed to the mountain 
 in consequence of having hurt one of his feet, but the other Indian chiefs 
 declare that this is an excuse only, the truth being that he is commis- 
 sioned by Urruchurchu and others to observe whether they were work- 
 ing at the road in contravention of the agreement entered into on the 
 preceding day. At nightfall on this same day the chief cazique, Don 
 Bernardo, and Captain Haler informed me that one of their confidential 
 agents had just returned from the route to Sucubti, stating that he had 
 encountered some Indians of the tribe of Urruchurchu, from whose con- 
 versation he inferred that they were there as spies. 
 
 February 22. — The adjutant, Don Manuel Milla, commissioned by me 
 to watch the proceedings and listen to the conversation of the brother 
 of Urruchurchu, who comes every day to the fort, gave to me the dis- 
 patch of which I annex a copy. 
 
 N. S. — On this same day Captain Hooper, with whom he had con- 
 sulted concerning Urruchurchu, in confirmation of the communications 
 
INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 23 
 
 that he had made to me verbally, gave to me a written document in 
 English, a copy of the translation of which 1 annex, and it is No. 2. 
 
 February 23. — In the morning of this day the adjutant, Don Manuel 
 Milla, informed me that the brother of Urruchurchu had just told him 
 that, notwithstanding that he (Urruchurchu) had been attacked by fever 
 immediately on leaving this place for Sucubti; nevertheless, in order to 
 fulfill what" he had proposed, he is already on the return, visiting the 
 villages in the mountain as far as Chueti in order to come to an arrange- 
 ment with his tribes relative to the question of the road; the other 
 caziques state that he will not come. On this same day the other 
 caziques, Don Bernardo and Captain Haler, inform me that the cazique 
 of Correto may be expected every day. Don Bernardo also adds that 
 Captain Jack, of Gandi, has not yet been able to come because he is ill 
 of fever, and because he has gone to see his children , but that he will be 
 here within a short time. 
 
 February 24. — In the morning of this day an Indian of Sereti, named 
 Manuel de la Cruz Quintana, enrolled years ago with the Indians of 
 Gandi, and at the present time with the chief, Bernardo, whom, in con- 
 sequence of his good disposition, I retain in the capacity of a spy, 
 informed me that he knows that Urruchurchu has not used any diligence 
 whatever in the matter of the treaty ; that he is pretending to be unwell; 
 and that he has no intention of returning. The truth is, that the six 
 days’ time that Urruchurchu demanded expired yesterday, the 23d; and 
 that as yet he has not made his appearance, though his brother assured 
 me this morning he would be here at 3 o’clock to-day. 
 
 February 25. — In the morning of this day Urruehurchu’s brother came 
 to the fort, stating that the reason for Urruchurchu’s not having yet 
 made his appearance was his illness of fever, which did not permit him 
 to leave the house; in the evening Urruchurchu arrived on his return 
 from Sucubti with the reply from the Indians of his tribe. This reply 
 is in substance the same with that stated by him before his departure; 
 that is to say, that by no means would the people of the mountains con- 
 sent to the other chiefs or their people entering their territories or inter- 
 fering in any way in the matter of the road; and this is the answer of 
 all, which answer it is out of his power to change; that as for the rest 
 they are ready, he and his, to fulfill all that he had offered to his excel- 
 lency; that he comes to accompany the adjutant, Don Manuel Milla, 
 who is to convey the packet of letters to Puerto Principe, and will 
 return with him; and that on liis return a beginning of the opening of 
 the road shall immediately be made. 
 
 Having heard these statements, and remembering Urruchurchu’s pre- 
 vious reasons pro and con, it appeared to me advisable to take advantage 
 of his favorable disposition. I therefore spoke to the caziques, Don 
 Bernardo and Captain William Haler, telling them that the true way to 
 render an effective service to the King and carry out the pacific intentions 
 of his excellency lay in their contributing to the object in view; that 
 they were fully aware of the obstinacy with which Urruchurchu and his 
 people were opposed to any strangers interfering in the matter of the 
 road; that it appears that there was some good reason existing in his 
 mind for it; and that notwithstanding the surmises and accusations 
 which they had made to me as to Urruchurchu’s good faith, his consistent 
 arguments and his conduct this day would not justify my giving him 
 offense; and, further, that such conduct on my part might lead to a rup- 
 ture of the present friendly relations, which would interfere with the 
 reasonable designs of his excellency. 
 
 In consequence of these statements I dissolve my engagement with 
 
24 INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 
 
 them; at the same time returning thanks in his excellency’s name. I 
 promised them the same gratuity as they would have received had they 
 assisted me in the work ; telling them that I will explain the matter to his 
 excellency, the viceroy, Avho will be gratified with this result, which 
 conforms to his own views. I further informed them that on being 
 remunerated they could retire to their villages, with the full assurance 
 that in case Urruchurchu failed in what he has offered, they should be 
 recalled to carry on the work conjointly with us. 
 
 This explanation judiciously made had the desired effect upon the 
 caziques, Don Bernardo and Captain William Haler; for, after consult- 
 ing together, they replied that they were satisfied, and that it was a 
 sufficient inducement, that I told them it would gratify his excellency, 
 whom they were anxious to convince of their fidelity. Thus happily 
 ended this day’s business. 
 
 February 26. — In consequence of what transpired on the preceding day, 
 the adjutant, Don Manuel Milla, is making his necessary preparations to 
 start on the morrow, as directed, for Puerto Principe; the caziques, also, 
 General Don Bernardo and Captain William Hales, are preparing to 
 return to their villages, appearing well satisfied with the arrangement. 
 
 February 27. — Cazique General Don Bernardo and Captain William 
 Hales, the lieutenant of Captain Jack, and all the Indian foot soldiers, 
 have embarked to return to their villages, reiterating their good inten- 
 tions and declaring their willingness and that of their tribes along the 
 coast, to lend their assistance in the King’s service; the cacique of 
 Careto, styling himself Chevalier Paluti, is about to depart, having 
 presented himself on my arrival tendering his services in anything that 
 we might wish to employ him. On the same day the adjutant, Don 
 Manuel Milla, who conveys the packet of letters on the service of the 
 King, has taken his departure hence for Puerto Principe, by the new road, 
 and lie is to return here by the same route. Of this I give an account 
 in a separate official letter. I have dismissed all the caciques well 
 contented, including Captain Urruchurchu of Sucubti, who has promised 
 to undertake whatever he has agreed to. 
 
 FRAKCISCO DE FERSEN. 
 
 Carolina of Darien, Februay 27, 1788. 
 
 The commandant general of the establishments of the (Isthmus) Darien 
 informs your excellency of the adjutant, Don Manuel Milla, having set 
 out this day on his journey, to proceed hence to Puerto Principe by way 
 of the new road, accompanied by Captain Urruchurchu of Sucubti. 
 
 Most Excellent Sir: Agreeably to the superior orders of your 
 excellency, the adjutant of this fort, Don Manuel Milla, departs this day 
 “Dia de la Senora,” with the packet of letters upon royal service, and 
 accompanied by Captaiu Urruchurchu of Sucubti. 
 
 This officer proceeds by way of the new route, which traverses the 
 Isthmus from the north to south hence to Puerto Principe. He is 
 commissioned to treat with all the tribes of that mountain ridge and to 
 reiterate to them the amicable intentions of your excellency as you have 
 instructed me, which duty I am fully persuaded he will perform to the 
 satisfaction of your excellency. For this reason it is with the greatest 
 satisfaction that I communicate to your excellency this important intel- 
 ligence, begging that you will accept my sincere congratulations at so 
 favorable a commencement, not doubting that its termination will be 
 equally favorable. 
 
INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 
 
 25 
 
 God protect your excellency (muchos annos) many years. Carolina, 
 February 27. 
 
 Most excellent sir, 
 
 FRANCISCO DE FERSEN. 
 
 Most Excellent Seilor Viceroy, 
 
 Don Antonio Caballero y Gorgora. 
 
 No. 13. 
 
 Bon Andres de Ariza to Bon Antonio Caballero y Gorgora. 
 
 The governor of Darien communicated to your excellency that the 
 adjutant, Don Manuel Milla, has taken his departure for Carolina, with 
 Captain Suspani. 
 
 Most Excellent and Most Illustrious Sir: By way of Panama, 
 by post, I transmitted to your excellency, on the 7th of the current 
 month, the information of my having had the satisfaction to receive the 
 first correspondence by way of this new isthmus. It was that of your 
 much esteemed favor of the 7th February, the bearer of which was the 
 adjutant of Carolina, Don Manuel de Milla, convoyed by Captain Suspani, 
 two Indians, his relations, and the linguist, Pio. 
 
 The said travelers had to pass very carefully and cautiously through 
 some districts of Atchuanati, more especially upon their arrival at the 
 mouth of the Sucubti, where they observed that the Chucuuas and 
 Moretes have not separated. The cause of this, according to Suspani, 
 is that they have not entered into any agreement with your excellency; 
 Milla himself will more clearly and specifically explain this. These rebel 
 Indians are those who obstinately refuse to grant us a passage through 
 that district, and are the same with those who endeavored to cut off the 
 retreat of and to surround the thirty men whom I dispatched on the 
 17th of January, of which I gave your excellency advice on the 26th of 
 the same month. I was under the impression that these enemies were 
 partisans of Captain Suspani; but I have been much rejoiced not only 
 at having this false impression removed, but of having the great satis- 
 faction to treat amicably with Suspani himself. By the friendly treat- 
 ment which I have shown him, I flatter myself that I have convinced 
 him of our good faith, friendly intentions, and complete reconciliation. 
 God grant it may be so. To-day the travelers take their departure hence 
 by water, taking the widely-extended detour of the river Chucunaque 
 to reach the Fubganti, avoiding the road by which they have arrived 
 here, so as not to fall into any ambuscade of the rebel Indians, which is 
 feared by Captain Suspani. 
 
 The expressions that I have heard from him are, as has already been 
 stated, the most sincere and generous towards us that could possibly be 
 desired. May the God of armies continue to us his helping hand. 
 
 God protect your excellency for many years. Principe of Darien, the 
 10th of March, 1788. 
 
 Most excellent and most illustrious, 
 
 Senor ANDRES DE ARIZA. 
 
 The most Excellent and Illustrious 
 
 Senor Don Antonio Caballero y Gorgora. 
 
 P. S. — As Suspani and his partisans remain in amity with us, there is 
 nothing to fear relative to the others, for, as they live upon a level country 
 and without any aloe plantations on this side of the Chucunaque, 
 they may early be invaded and made to retreat or to succumb. 
 
21 
 
 IXTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 
 
 No. 14 . 
 
 Manuel Garcia y Villalba to Domas y Valle . 
 
 Honored Sir: I have already communicated to you that Captain 
 Suspani with two other Indians, a negro interpreter of Carolina, and a 
 cadet of the establishment of Carthagena, named Don Manuel de Milla, 
 adjutant to tne commandant of that place, Sehor Fersen, having left 
 C irolina on the second of the current month, made their appearance at 
 this establishment on the seventh, in order to negotiate a peace with 
 this government. 
 
 I have now to state that, after having been treated as courteously as 
 possible, they set out on their return by way of the river Chueunaque, 
 in order to proceed by its waters as far as the mouth of the river Chueti, 
 which empties into the Fnganti. Here they expected to find friendly 
 Indians in the villages waiting to receive them and convey them in safety 
 as far as Carolina. The change in the mode of their return by following 
 this new route is a caution suggested by the cunning of Captain Suspani 
 in order to avoid the Clmcunas. These Indians are opposed to grant- 
 ing a free passage to Sucubti. 
 
 An encounter with them would be unavoidable on the small island in 
 the said river where they have encamped to obstruct the passage. The 
 Chucunas are opposed to the passage by the Chueunaque, because, as 
 they say, the chiefs of the other villages did not give them notice when 
 they went to Carthagena that they also might go with them to negoti- 
 ate a peace ; but Captain Suspani, who is actually the owner of the terri- 
 tories which secure the freedom of the isthmus from one establishment 
 to the other, deems this obstacle but slight, and thinks it easy to secure 
 that the Indians of the rivers Sucubti, Chueti, and Fubigantiact in good 
 faith. Although there should be no other way, we have at all events 
 secured by this medium the communication from north to south. 
 
 Captain Suspani, I assure your honor, has surprised me by his display 
 of the greatest capacity, foresight, and prudence on the present occasion. 
 He acts with the greatest fidelity 5 he promised to return to this estab- 
 lishment after two months have elapsed with his wife ; and as soon 
 as he shall have arrived at the mouth of the Chueti, to dispatch the 
 pirogues with the people who may be in company with him, and his 
 brother Ignacio. He also promised faithfully to send Indians with the 
 correspondence as soon as he shall arrive at Carolina, and to remain 
 faithful and endeavor to conciliate the Chucunas and Moretis. Suspani, 
 as he is much disliked by the inhabitants of the villages in the north 
 and in the south, is bound to take great pains to surpass all in his oilers. 
 It is true that they are conditional, for although he allows the road to be 
 opened through his territories, he sets certain limits ; as, for example, 
 that it be narrow, and that it is not to be traversed by troops, nor by a 
 greater number of men than four or six at a time. He is fearful lest we 
 should surprise and compel him to conform to our usages and customs; 
 for they all like liberty to which they are accustomed. I have sufficient 
 reasons for apprehending that as soon as the opening of said road 
 is commenced by us, they will oppose it, and, therefore, disagreements 
 must arise. Hence war, which will cost 11s some bloodshed, will arise. 
 
 I still insist upon my plan, and for the following reasons : It will be the 
 means of depriving them of communication on the north with the Eng- 
 lish ; necessarily, in time, they must be reduced to accept our terms and 
 compelled to sue for peace, for hatchets, knives, &c. They prove this 
 by their mutual dissentions, such as took place at the meeting on the 
 
INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 27 
 
 Sucubti between tlie u Arqui-Chucunas” and Suspani oh his journey to this 
 place. An attempt to subdue this rebellious and indomitable people as a 
 means of keeping open the road will drive them into the mountain 
 fastnesses, from which we shall find it impossible to dislodge them. 
 
 For these reasons it is better to desist from the present undertaking, 
 and, until they are better rooted in our friendship, use every means to 
 deprive them of the supplies which they procure from the English 
 through the ports of the north. This, sir, in my opinion, is the most ad- 
 visable plan to be adopted, and I offer this to convince any person of the 
 contrary opinion. Your honor will do me the favor to accept this opin- 
 ion as arising from the anxious wish I have, as a good and loyal subject, 
 that matters may be conducted in the best manner. 
 
 God protect your honor many years. Principe, Darien, March 10, 
 1788. 
 
 MANUEL GAECIA YILLALBA, 
 
 Senior Gommander-in-cliief. 
 
 P. S. — Suspani has not taken with him the guides from Carolina, being 
 fearful of the other Indians, as he has not yet arranged with them upon 
 this subject. 
 
 M. GAECIA YILLALBA. 
 
 No. 15. 
 
 Ariza to Domas y Valle. 
 
 Most Excellent Sir Yiceroy and Captain General: Under 
 date of the 7th instant, I informed your worship, by the boat on service 
 at this establishment, that the packet of letters had arrived from 
 Carolina, including another which, under the aforesaid date, I addressed 
 to your excellency, and which was brought to this place by the adjutant, 
 Don Manuel de Milla, and the captain of Sucubti, Urruchurchu, or 
 Suspani. The said u carriers,” after they had rested two days, repre- 
 sented to me that they desired to take their departure, in consequence 
 of their being required to return to their destination with dispatch, 
 without waiting for the answer of your excellency. On the 10th instant, 
 at six o’clock in the morning, they embarked here, to effect the return 
 by way of the large river of Chucunaque, and to reach the mountain 
 chain by proceeding up the rivers Fuganti and Chueti, to a point one 
 day’s journey from Carolina. 
 
 According to the various journeys which I have made through those 
 districts, I conceived they would reach Carolina from the 13tli to the 
 20tli of the current month. 
 
 The said travelers have been treated as your excellency desired. 
 They were well satisfied with the manner in which they were treated 
 by us. Urruchurchu offered to send to me from Chueti, their point of 
 embarcation, his brother Ygnacio, or, in case of his absence, some 
 Indian of consideration, to inform me of their journey, and whether 
 the Indians who joined them are friendly. 
 
 Both Milla and Urruchurchu have told me that immediately on their 
 arrival at Carolina, they intended to open the road with the help of 
 other captains of Indians and infantry officers, already appointed for 
 that purpose, though, as it is believed, the Chucunas are opposed 
 thereto. 
 
 Milla states that the road on this side, nearly as far as the house of 
 
28 
 
 INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 
 
 Suspani, is already made, tlie ground being quite level; and that on 
 the other side, to the northward, the ascent of the mountain ridge is 
 almost imperceptible, so that, in the state in which it now is, trains of 
 beasts of burden can almost pass and come even to this place. 
 
 The survey of this route was the duty which your excellency confided 
 to the management and effective energy of Milla. The aforesaid Indians, 
 the Cliucunas, are the same as those who opposed our troops in the 
 month of January, when I went to measure the inundation at the hill 
 of Betanzos. 
 
 Suspani states that they will not relinquish that post, and on that 
 account he deviated from the route on the opposite side. 
 
 God protect your excellency for many years. Principe, March 15, 1788. 
 
 ANDRES DE ARIZA. 
 
 Seiior Don Josef Domas y Valle. 
 
 No. 16. 
 
 Mina’s report to Domas y Valle. 
 
 Having been commissioned by his lordship, the viceroy, to make a 
 journey across the territories of Darien from north to south, I left Caro- 
 lina on the 2d day of the present month, accompanied by three Indians, 
 who were to act as my guides, with the understanding that Captain 
 Suspani had paved the way, and agreed beforehand with the other tribes, 
 especially with the Chucumaques, for a free and uninterrupted passage 
 as far as the establishment at Puerto Principe. But as soon as I arrived 
 near the territories of the said instructable Indians, Suspani admitted 
 the risk of an encounter with the Chucunas, in consequence of his not 
 having communicated with them, which he assured the commandant of 
 Carolina he had done. Thus it became necessary to pass these terri- 
 tories secretly, effacing the foot-marks that I made. 
 
 All of this was sufficient reason for my returning without concluding 
 my commission, had I not been incited by the ardent wish to accomplish 
 this undertaking, so desirable for the great advantage of his Majesty’s 
 service. 
 
 In fact, forgetful of the dangers referred to, I succeeded in accomplish- 
 ing the undertaking at the expiration of six days, resting some time in 
 certain places upon the route. At Puerto Principe, Suspani suggested 
 that the Chucuna Indians might waylay us upon the return. For this 
 reason I resolved to effect the return by way of the rivers Savana, Fu- 
 ganti, and Cliueti, spending on this very circuitous route from ten to 
 twelve days. As soon as we reached the village Yavisa, I was made 
 aware, by a letter from the governor of this province, Don Andres de 
 Ariza, that two Indians had followed our footsteps very nearly as far as 
 Principe. Upon this Suspani became much troubled, apprehending that 
 the Chunas might waylay us at the mouth of the Fuganti River. Con- 
 sequently it appeared to him expedient that I should not run this risk, 
 but that he should be dispatched with the letters to Carolina, wiiile I 
 returned to Puerto Principe. He proposed to return and fetch me so 
 soon as he had settled everything. In virtue of this I adopted the reso- 
 lution which appeared to him advisable, and, considering that it was 
 expedient for the royal service that my return to my destination should 
 be effected as speedily as possible, I immediately set out on my journey 
 to this city, and hence to Porto Bello, confident that your excellency 
 
INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 29 
 
 would freely grant me the necessary assistance, and would give direc- 
 tions accordingly to the governor of Puerto Bello. 
 
 God protect your excellency many years. Panama, 20th March, 1788. 
 
 MANUEL DE MILLA, Santa Ma. 
 
 Don Jose I)omas y Valle. 
 
 No. 17. 
 
 Domas y Valle to the Viceroy. 
 
 Most Excellent Sir : I inclose to your excellency the adjoined letter 
 from the governor of Darien, Don Andres de Ariza, inasmuch as he 
 transmitted it to me specially for that purpose at the time of advising 
 me by the document No. 1 of the arrival of Captain Suspani at the estab- 
 lishment of Principe, together with the adjutant, Don Manuel Milla, two 
 Indians and a linguist. To the official letter from your excellency of the 
 7th of February, received on the 15th of the current month through the 
 medium of Don Francesco Fersen, (or by way of the new road that is to 
 be opened from Carolina to this place,) I replied immediately, by my 
 letter No. 2, in order that the said Suspani or Milla may convey it at 
 the time of their returning to the place of their destination ; whereof I 
 transmit the information to your excellency for your better guidance. 
 
 God protect your excellency for many vears. Panama, 20th March, 
 1788. 
 
 Most excellent sir, 
 
 JOS£ DOMAS Y VALLE. 
 
 Most Excellent Seiior Viceroy and 
 
 Captain-in-chief of these Kingdoms. 
 
 No. 18. 
 
 MILLA’S second journey across the cordillera. 
 
 Journal of the trade by the route which 1 followed in the passage made across 
 the Isthmus of Darien from north to south. 
 
 On the second of the present month, Sunday, I left Carolina at 6 o’clock 
 in the morning, accompanied by the Indian Suspani, chief of the village 
 of Sucubti, and two of his companions, and the interpreter Pisquinto. 
 We commenced our journey by way of the Aglatomate, following up the 
 course of its waters with slight and repeated crossings, until we arrived 
 in the vicinity of the mountain chain where the Indians of Chueti keep 
 a small hut, (the same that I described in my first official letter, dated Jan- 
 uary 22,) which serves as a lodging for them and for those of Sucubti 
 usually carrying on their trade with Carolina by this road. From Carolina 
 to this place the distance may be about two leagues and a half, observing 
 that on arriving at the point which they call the “two mouths,” the one 
 on the right must be followed; in the summer time it is entirely dry. 
 
 In order to the recognition of this place, a small Indian hut covered 
 with plantain leaves will be seen, and at a short distance from this spot 
 will be perceived, looking along the line which forms the mountain chain, 
 a mountain rather less than the range to the right. At this place water 
 
30 INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 
 
 will already have been found in this branch. Thus far the bed of the 
 Agiatomate is in some places sand, in others gravel; and from this 
 place onward the stones show above water and are easily moved. Taking 
 great care that these marks are recognized, on the right of the river will 
 be found the road or pathway leading to the aforesaid lodging, (hospi- 
 tium,) which stands at about sixteen to twenty yards from the margin of 
 the river. 
 
 From this place, the right path to ascend the mountain chain from 
 north to south is unmistakable, inasmuch as on passing three or four 
 contiguous and small ravines, (quebradas,) or, more properly speaking, on 
 passing one and the same ravine three or four times, and paying a little 
 attention, there will be found on the left hand a deep hollow much 
 trodden, which is where the mountain begins to ascend, the pathway 
 being so wide and trodden that it appears as though it had been made 
 by ourselves. The whole of the ascent is rather steep, and at the border 
 of it the trunk of a fallen tree will be met with which impedes the direct 
 line of the road; but both to the right and left there is a passage. 
 
 Standing at this point the shimmer of the sea may be described, nay, 
 Carolina itself may be seen, although it is impossible to see both sides 
 of it. The pathway must be followed without taking any notice of that 
 to the left which leads to Chueti, and following the one to the right 
 which is almost direct from north to south, we may reach the top of the 
 mountain, and make the descent, which is not so steep, although some- 
 what longer. 
 
 The termination of the declivity of this chain of mountains forms an 
 acute angle, at the point of vhicli the rivers Forti and Sucubti are. met 
 with, and which form the angle. As soon as we arrive at this spot, we 
 may proceed down the river, which is only one, since there the two unite 
 and form one river, the Sucubti. If you follow the course of this 
 river with the stream, which runs southward, without any difficulty 
 whatever, there will be found, after a journey of three or four hours, a 
 plantation of plantain trees, and a very small house, and in half an hour 
 afterwards another, both on the right bank; and in about an hour after- 
 wards, a similar one on the left-hand side. A quarter of a league further 
 down a larger house will be met with than those referred to on the left, 
 which is that of Ignacio, the elder brother of Urruchurchu, the same in 
 which they received me when I went out with him the first time, in the 
 month of January. In this house I took rest upon this last route, 
 arriving at it at the hour of two in the afternoon, whence, after resting 
 myself, I proceeded on my journey by a road that is at the back of it, 
 and ascending a small mountain of u live rock,” (the pathway over which 
 is unmistakable in consequence of its being much trodden,) at the dis- 
 tance of about half a league, I again descended to the aforesaid river, 
 which at this spot contains many large rocks, which may be avoided by 
 going either to the left or to the right, according to the convenience. 
 
 Without losing sight of the river, we find, at the distance of a league, 
 first an Indian house; a short distance thence another; and, at the like 
 distance from the latter, is the town or village of Sucubti, where the 
 Captain Urruchurchu has his residence. This village is composed of 
 six houses, together with those above referred to, and two or three lower 
 down; the number of the inhabitants whereof will be about thirty 
 Indians capable of bearing arms, a few more women, and sixty children 
 of both sexes. On Monday the third, I staid the whole day in this vil- 
 lage in consequence of the said Urruchurcliu’s being engaged in making 
 arrangements for the journey that we were about to undertake. On 
 Tuesday the fourth, I took my departure, accompanied by the said cap- 
 
INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 31 
 
 tain and two Indians belonging to him; at daybreak proceeding along 
 the banks of the river, with the stream, or at various points leaving it, 
 all the ground being level and (dear of wood; about ten o’clock in the 
 day, after having walked about two leagues, we left the river entirely. 
 We continued the journey by a path made by the Indians, which is to 
 the left of the river. The whole of the rest of this day we proceeded 
 through a forest, very level and open, which is where the Indians of 
 Sucubti carry on the chase, inasmuch as it abounds in all descriptions 
 of game. At about half past five o’clock in the evening we made a halt 
 in a small valley, where, in a small pool, was scarcely sufficient water to 
 satisfy our wants. 
 
 On Wednesday the fifth we continued this route through the same 
 forest, and at about ten o’clock in the day we again met with the river 
 Sucubti, at a place where the Indians made an attack upon the lieuten- 
 ant of the permanent battalion of Panama and wounded the guide. As 
 soon as we arrived at this spot, Urruchurchu told me that we could not 
 proceed any further until some Indians arrived with their pirogues, 
 (canoes,) which would convey us the remaning short distance to the roacl 
 which the Spaniards had opened. We were waiting the arrival of these 
 pirogues until Thursday the 6th, when there arrived four with eight 
 Indians, who, as I understood, were Uruichucunas ; and from the great 
 suspicions and greater mistrust that I entertained of them, I knew that 
 they were of those included in our truce, and that they were allied with 
 the rebellious Chucunas, who, 1 informed myself, were always upon the 
 lookout to fall upon any of our people who should proceed into the forest 
 from. the settlement of Puerto Principe. These Indians made tome 
 various statements all full of deception and opposed to the opening of 
 the road. They said that they do not wish to have troops marching 
 through their territories; and that in order to have the communication 
 that we desire with Puerto Principe, it is sufficient that they themselves 
 should carry to and fro such parcels of letters as we might require. 
 They said also, that they desire to be at peace with us but on the con- 
 dition that they remaim in their territories and we in ours ; to all which 
 1 gave my consent in order that they might allow me to continue my 
 journey. Upon which they were satisfied, Urruchurchu having made 
 them a present of some yards of manufactures of those that his excel- 
 lency gave to him at Carthagena, which for that purpose he brought 
 with him secretly. On this day at about twelve o’clock we embarked 
 upon the river, and at about two leagues thence we made a halt near to 
 the road they call the Ariza Road. 
 
 On Friday the 7th, at daybreak, we continued the journey by the road 
 opened by the Spaniards, and at three o’clock we passed the river Chu- 
 cuna by a floating bridge, and arrived at the island where Don Luis de 
 la Carrera was encamped. There we met with fresh tracks and huts of the 
 Chucunas, at which Urruchurchu was much troubled, and in order to 
 conduct me with the greatest precaution he proceeded forward with the 
 other Indians, I following him at a distance, until passing the other 
 branch of this river newly nailed a La Paz.” At this spot the guides were 
 dismissed, as we considered ourselves out of danger. Nevertheless, 
 using the precaution to efface with the hands my foot prints in the sand, 
 they agreed that when we returned we should not pass that way lest we 
 should encounter the Chucunas. We continued our journey with Urru- 
 churchu, and at about five o’clock in the evening we arrived at Puerto 
 Principe. Suspani resolved that on our return we should proceed by 
 way of the river Saranas, Chucunaque, and Fubuganti, landing at the 
 village of Cliueti, one short day’s journey from the road to Carolina. 
 
32 INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 
 
 This idea was considered judicious by Don Andres de Arisa, who looked 
 into the matter. On the 10th I proceeded on my return route for my 
 destination by the way just indicated. I spent two days in reaching 
 the village of Yavisa, it being necessary to await the tides. I stopped 
 the whole of the 12th, waiting to have two pirogues made ready for the 
 remainder of the journey by water ; at nine o’clock p. m. of that same 
 day we again proceeded on our course. Having informed Urrucliurchu 
 that the governor had written to me that two Indians had been in the 
 vicinity of Puerto Principe, following our steps, at this information he 
 was much vexed, and stated that these Indians were Chucunas ; that 
 they were waiting for us ; and that he suspected that when they per- 
 ceived we did not return by the route we had come, they would meet 
 us at the mouths of the river Fubuganti. Upon this information and 
 foreseeing danger, I determined to return and to dispatch the Captain 
 Suspani to Carolina with the parcels of letters that I was conveying. 
 This arrangement he thought advisable, in order to avoid accident, the 
 blame of which would be thrown upon him in spite of his honest inten- 
 tions. 
 
 MANUEL MILLA, Santa Ma . 
 
 Yavisa, March 13, 1788. 
 
 Most Excellent Sir: Under date of the thirteenth of the current 
 month from Yavisa, the adjutant, Don Manuel Milla, states to me the 
 following: 
 
 “By the annexed diary you will be made acquainted with all that 
 I have done as well as with the motive for adopting this precaution. 
 It would be much to be regretted if, after having succeeded in this at- 
 tempt, any misfortune should happen at the very last moment. I can- 
 not explain this more fully, because Suspani and his Indians are over- 
 looking me; but as soon as I arrive at Puerto Principe I will do so more 
 in detail, assuring you that my return to this station will be as speedy 
 as possible. 
 
 “ God protect your excellency for many years. Yavisa, March 13, 1788. 
 
 “MANUEL DE MILLA, Santa Ma. 
 
 “Senor Don Francisco Fersen.” 
 
 I communicate to your excellency the accompanying original journal 
 of the journey of this officer, whose singular merit and zeal in the service 
 has been manifested on this important occasion. He has so well accom- 
 plished his purpose that I do not doubt that your excellency will deem 
 him worthy to be brought under the notice of the sovereign, in order 
 that he may obtain through the royal favor the reward merited by such 
 distinguished services. 
 
 God protect your excellency many years. Carolina, March 24, 1788. 
 
 FRANCISCO DE FERSEN. 
 
 Most Excellent Senor Don Antonio Cavallero y Gorgora. 
 
 No. 19. 
 
 Don Antonio Caballero y Gorgora to Don Andres de Ariza. 
 
 Most Excellent and Most Illustrious Sir : On the 16th of the 
 current month I informed your excellency of the unexpected return of 
 
INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 33 
 
 Don Manuel de Milla by way of Panama. This officer was commissioned 
 to acquaint your excellency, in detail, with the circumstances that have 
 transpired with Captain Suspani. Being doubtful (now that he has al- 
 tered his route) whether the knowledge of those circumstances which 
 have taken place may not be delayed in reaching your excellency, and 
 knowing that they ought to be carefully weighed by your superior judg- 
 ment, so that you can form a correct opinion of the fidelity of the said 
 Indian, I make the following communication : 
 
 In the first place, shortly after he left his house at Sucubti with Milla, 
 he arrived at a road or opened pathway, which I ordered to be made in 
 the month of November, 1786, and he told Milla u This is the path opened 
 by the people from Principe. 77 On this authority Milla informed me that 
 my troops had opened a good road almost as far as the aforesaid village 
 and up to the foot of the mountain range. I replied that through want 
 of guides we are still unfamiliar with it. Milla, likewise, informed me 
 that Suspani, mistrustful of the Indians of Moreti and of the Chucunas, 
 had deviated, for his safety, from the direct road at different points. 
 
 The Indians of Arnachucuna (a gorge that discharges its waters at 
 Sucubti) showed themselves openly to be our friends. From the neigh- 
 borhood of this gorge there accompanied him, among others, the Chev- 
 aliers Yxpoli and Metecernia : to whom, for this act of loyalty, I sent 
 as a present some pieces of cloth and cutlass each, intimating to them 
 that I was desirous of being acquainted with them, to pay them even 
 greater facilities. 
 
 I have endeavored to show myself towards Suspani and his two rela- 
 tives who accompanied him kind as well as generous ; in return for 
 which, by civilities and expressions of gratitude, they have given the 
 plainest proof of loyalty. I made known to Suspani my desire to make 
 the acquaintance of his wife and children, in order to pay them civilities 
 also. I mentioned them by the name Milla had given to them, and I 
 added thereto a name of my own, with which he was much pleased, and 
 offered to bring them with him within the third or fourth moon. After 
 which, and as an evidence of my sincerity, I presented these children 
 with some gifts, such as cambrics, chintzes, kerchiefs, looking-glasses, 
 and one doubloon for each person, besides some dolls made of earthen- 
 ware for the little ones. I gave to Suspani a coverlet or pouch embroid- 
 ered at Quito, some gold studs for the wrists, and a gratuity of an ounce 
 of gold. I granted liberty to some prisoners who solicited it through 
 his intervention. I also remunerated the interpreter and the other two 
 Indians, already mentioned, with another doubloon each. To our friend 
 Milla, the first who had traversed the Isthmus, I presented, as a reward, 
 half a dozen ounces of gold. These presents, with those already mentioned, 
 produced in all of them an overwhelming sense of pleasure and confi- 
 dence. When they took their departure they offered to send to me forth- 
 with from Fubaganti, Suspani’s brother, in order that I might make his 
 acquaintance, and that he might give me notice of the progress of their 
 journey. 
 
 In obedience to my orders the inhabitants of the villages belonging 
 to this government thiough which he passed received Milla with the 
 greatest kindness and civility and disinterested confidence which Sus- 
 pani could possibly wish for. At Pinorgana, which is distant from Yavisa 
 more than two leagues, all the Indians assembled together with the 
 cazique, paying many compliments to Suspani and to his wife, so that 
 everything has been mutually gratifying; in consequence of which, as 
 reported, he made them a very feeling speech, assuring them of his un- 
 alterable loyalty, and saying that he considered himself allied with the 
 II. Ex. Boc. 113 3 
 
34 INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 
 
 Spaniards as intimately “ as pitch is with timber.” When Milla resolved 
 to return from the mouth of the River Tapisa, at two leagues distance 
 from the village of Yavisa, Suspani returned also, in order to request a 
 certificate from the commandant of the post that he had delivered him 
 safe and sound 5 so that in the event of Milla’s death no charge could be 
 brought against him. I suppose that he will have reached Carolina on 
 Holy Tuesday, the 18th of the current month. 
 
 Suspani made a very ambitious display, not only of the favors he had 
 received from your excellency, but likewise of the title of “ Captain” 
 with which he was invested, causing it to be read in an audible voice 
 in all places through which he passed, and even in my presence. 
 
 He has told me that even should the Moretis and Chucunas not wil- 
 lingly accept our friendship, he would compel them to do it by force. I 
 doubt, however, his power, because he has shown much apprehension 
 for his own life. He might do it with ease by the assistance of the king’s 
 troops, and the more easily when I have a road opened towards the Chu- 
 cunas, to within a short distance of their village, on level ground. 
 
 It is reported that the two Indian tribes referred to are displeased, 
 because they were not consulted as to an amicable arrangement, in order 
 that they might enjoy its benefits in the same way that Suspani and the 
 other captains are doing, through the generosity and kindness of your 
 excellency, who has given the presents to the families of those who con- 
 sented to the said amicable arrangements. This indicates a jealous hope 
 of enjoying similar advantages rather than an obstinate opposition to 
 us. These Indians, moreover, state the necessity for your excellency to 
 open an extensive road through this country, in order to carry letters. 
 This they are willing to do without the Spaniards coming to examine 
 their territories — a privilege which their ancestors never have permitted. 
 All these expressions of their sentiments rather manifest weakness than 
 arrogance. 
 
 The Lord of armies has been pleased to take our part, and by His 
 sovereign assistance the greatest difficulties will be made smooth. 
 
 Suspani showed great fear upon approaching Principe, and made Milla 
 proceed in advance, in order to guard against surprise, telling him that 
 we were always upon the lookout in this vicinity against the Indians, 
 and he thought it prudent to give notice beforehand of Milla’s approach 
 lest we should take his life. All along the route by which they passed, 
 Suspani pointed out to this officer the places where he had had encoun- 
 ters with our troops, relating to him in detail all that had transpired. 
 
 When he saw the captain of the guard and inspectors of roads, Gabriel 
 Morales, he said, “I thought that this man was dead, because I once 
 shot at him when he was very close to me.” See the journal of the 2 d 
 of August, 1786, drawn up by Captain Morales. When he crossed the 
 large interior bay of Bocachica, in front of the moated house of Sutu- 
 ganti, he said, “They built this here because in one of my excursions I 
 sank a canoe here which was going to Panama laden with fruit.” In 
 passing in front of the River Tagenia, he said, u Up this river I burned 
 the village, (a provincial village or Tival village,) the population of which 
 were blacks,” (negroes.) See the communication that I made on this 
 subject in January, 1785. To Captain Morales Suspani said: “Why did 
 our troops infest his river so much that even when they had entered 
 others they always fell back upon Sucubti to commit hostilities, and not 
 upon the people of the neighboring territories?” 
 
 To which Morales replied, it was because we had ascertained that it 
 was from this river alone came the Indians to molest our villages and 
 boats. 
 
INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 35 
 
 All which I submit to the superior understanding of your excellency, 
 persuaded that not only will they be well received, but probably that 
 these advices may be found useful, so that you may be able by means 
 of them to form your future arrangements. 
 
 God protect vour excellencv for many years. Darien, March 26, 1788. 
 
 Don ANTONIO CABALLERO Y GORGORA. 
 
 Most Excellent Sir Senor Andres de Ariza. 
 
 Washington, February 2, 1870. 
 
 Sir : I have the honor to transmit to the department herewith, a letter 
 from Brevet Major General O. O. Howard, which is accompanied by a 
 description of a coal mine in the State of Panama, one day’s journey 
 from the railroad, and having a water communication with the sea. 
 
 The description of this mine is drawn up by Rev. Richard Temple, late 
 British chaplain at Aspinwall, now settled in the State of New York. 
 He is the present proprietor of the mine. 
 
 The importance of this discovery, should the coal mine prove to be a 
 valuable one, is very great. The subject has commanded the interest 
 and attention of the government at a former period. 
 
 I therefore respectfully suggest, that these papers be added to my 
 last communication concerning the Isthmus of Darien, which has recently 
 been called for. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 C. H. DAYIS, 
 
 Fear- Admiral. 
 
 Hon. George M. Robeson, 
 
 Secretary of the Navy , Washington , T>. C. 
 
 Washington, D. C., January 21, 1870. 
 
 Dear Sir: I have long known Mr. Richard Temple, and take great 
 pleasure in commending him to you and in stating that his statements 
 can be implicitly relied upon. 
 
 I thought it might be of importance to the government to ascertain 
 the character of the mines of which he speaks. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 O. O. HOWARD, 
 
 Brevet Major General U. S. A. 
 
 Admiral Davis. 
 
 The discovery of coal on the Isthmus of Panama. 
 
 The existence of coal on the Isthmus of Panama has always been a 
 subject of great interest, both to science and commerce. About three 
 years since Captain Daniel George, a citizen of the State of Panama, 
 discovered a large deposit of excellent semi-bituminous coal on the Rio 
 Indio, (the river of the Indians,) in the territory of the department of 
 Code, district of Penonome, sovereign State of Panama. 
 
 Extensive grants of land were made to Captain George by the State 
 of Panama, which he has legally transformed to Richard Temple, the 
 present proprietor. 
 
36 INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF THE MINES. 
 
 1. Uvero. — The coal at this mine crops out in different places and in 
 different forms. The well or shaft was dug here near the base of the 
 hill, which is about one hundred feet high, and lightly wooded. The 
 dip of the seam at the well seems perpendicular 5 while on the opposite 
 side of the hill it appears again, and there the seam runs horizontally. 
 
 2. Iaboncillo. — This mine is described as a wonderful deposit of coal. 
 The vein crops out on the banks of the Rio Indio, w r here it rises about 
 thirty feet, and extends up and down the stream for about three hundred 
 yards. The canoe can be put close alongside. The hill on which the 
 well was dug rises about sixty feet from the banks of the river. 
 
 3. JEsterial. — This mine is situated on the bank of a small stream that 
 flows into the River Esterial, which also empties into the Rio Indio. 
 Near the small stream, where the coal is found there rises a hill about 
 two hundred feet high. The dip of the vein is about 60°, the thickness 
 of the seam about six feet. The coal as seen on the opposite side of the 
 stream seems to run in the direction of Guinea, with the dip of 00 °. 
 The land is quite level between these two mines. 
 
 4. Guinea. — This mine is at the side of a thinly- wooded hill, of about 
 fifty or sixty feet high. The vein appears about nine feet thick, with 
 but little dip, being nearly horizontal. The general course runs west. 
 
 THE MINES IN GENERAL. 
 
 The foregoing descriptions were given by Captain George from mem- 
 ory. I should judge from them and from what lie said otherwise, that 
 what has been granted to him as u The Rio Indio coal mine,” consisting, 
 as expressed in the grant, of four distinct veins or mines, is, in reality, 
 but a single underlying stratum thrown up into different forms by some 
 great internal movement in former years. That there are immense coal 
 deposits there seems evident proof from the statements of all who have 
 been there. The freedom with which some of the larger and better 
 specimens burn leads to the reasonable conclusion that the coal is of a 
 valuable quality, that is, when taken from such depths as to secure fair 
 specimens. 
 
 MODES OF COMMUNICATION. 
 
 1. Road f rom Penonome to Aspimvall. — There is a road from the inte- 
 rior city of Penonome to Aspinwall, passing by the mines. It is a cattle 
 road, chiefly used in summer. From the mines to Penonome is a two- 
 days 7 ride on mules; and from the mines to Aspinwall, one day and a 
 half. 
 
 2. Down the Rio Indio. — The streams from the mines fall into the Rio 
 Indio. This is a river, in ordinary water, of sufficient size for large 
 canoes, with a heavy current for nine months of the year, when full. 
 The port is narrow and only adapted for light-draught vessels. A 11 engi- 
 neer alone could decide whether the outlet could be made available or 
 not. My own opinion is that the river can be made available for at least 
 a portion of the year, but the port lies on the Atlantic side. 
 
 3. By the way of Chagres . — From the mines to Gatlin, where one strikes 
 the railroad, is a day’s journey. Flat-bottom boats can go down during 
 nine months of the year. The country is everywhere heavily timbered. 
 Gatlin would be the cheapest and best temporary outlet. 
 
 4 . By the ivay of Chorrera. — There is no open road to Chorrera, which 
 
INTEROCEANIC COMMUNICATION AT AMERICAN ISTHMUS. 37 
 
 is probably the nearest point on the Pacific coast; but Indians speak of 
 going there through the forest in two days on foot. There is a large 
 stream that runs from the direction of the mines capable of floating 
 small steamers. Of this, however, nothing can be satisfactorily ascer- 
 tained until a complete survey be made. In January, February, and 
 March, Indians could be sent through the forest and the best information 
 be obtained. 
 
 Population . — The entire population in the neighborhood of the mines 
 consists of Indians, (Choices.) They are quiet, peaceable, and industri- 
 ous, quite unlike the worthless population of the coast. They number, 
 I should think, about three thousand. 
 
 Wages . — They would probably ask from sixty cents to a dollar per 
 day, and find themselves. 
 
 Living .— Living is very cheap when the productions of the country 
 are used. There is good beef, with fruits and vegetables in immense 
 variety. 
 
 Climate .— The climate is much superior to the coast, 
 
 Seasons . — There are about eight months of the year called rainy 
 months, and four usually without rain, 
 
 H, Ex, Doc, 113 - — A 
 
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