cams_WROlden_b011_f010_001_011

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11.

beatiful & distinct mark to shoot at, but, exceedingly difficult to hit
from the fact the body of a crane 4 feet high is not larger than
a man's hand this at 250 yds [yards] is a small mark. I have
killed several – their feathers are beautiful & in great demand
among the fair sex they make flowers & beautiful ornaments for
the hair out of them – It is time I should speak of Panama
it is a small walled town with a large suburb the fortification
when new must have been quite strong; the sea washes
three sides the fourth is once had a moat – which is now dry & filled with
rubbish – the battery is the only part kept in any order & that
for this country is in very good order, it faces the only point
where large vessels can approach the town – it is quarter of a
mile long & consists of two high walls about ten y'ds [yards] apart filled
within four feet of their height with earth the armament
consists of six very fine brass cannon 24 pounders – made at
Sevella Seville Spain 1747, only 2 are mounted on carriages the
others lay on the ground their carriages having rotted from
under there – but, it is of no consequence as I dont [don't] believe they
have enough powder in the town to charge one – the battery is
the public walk of the town & is a delightful place of an even'g [evening]

The even'g [evening] the Oregon came there were 2000 people on it
principally Americans – One tenth at the least of the space within
the wall is accupied [occupied] by the churches & Convent most of them
are in ruins – some half dozen are in use at present the
Cathedral is as large building without any claims to architectural
beauty internally or externally that is some thing they
never studied they people are not religious – I have been there
at high mass & seen more priests & Afficials [Officials] than worshipers [worshippers]
the music is poor & chants execrable they sing thro' [through] the nose
the churches as usual are filled with images of the Saints
of both sexes bedizened & tinselled Most gaudily – the only