Journal Palmetto Mining Company Voyage

a very good Shower of rain which made us feel a little damp, as we had no place to Stick our head into, or to Keep our Baggage dry -- however it did not last long the day Cleared of [off] and we had the weather very pleastn [pleasant]. We got a Board of Canoes at Chagras [Chagres] Bound up in fresh Water rivers, these Canoes are pulled with oars for the first few Miles then the Current becoming So very Strong the men all obli -ed [obliged] to take poles as it is against Stream the go up, this

Being the dry Season of or on the Istmus [Isthmus], the upper part of the river is very low. We Encamped two nights on the Bank of the River. we were obliged to walk the thurs day [Thursday] through the woods with an Indian guide. Untile [until] We arrived at a place they Call gorgono, where our Boats arrived Shortly after here we Encamped for three or four days waiting to have our Baggage Transported to Panama, all of which is carried Either on the Sholder [shoulder] of Black Men or upon horses Backs

The distance from Gorgono to Panama is about 24 Miles There is Nothing here like a Road and the Country is all a Wilderness you go up hill and down dale, through Rocks Rivers and Raving [Ravines], only this is the dry Season it would be Impossible to travel here, the weather is very hot and all along as you pop you Will see Numbers of dead horses which Make it very disagreeable and dangerous in regard of health it is Impossible to avoid poping [popping] close to this unpleasant Sight, as all are obliged to Keep

the horse track, there is plenty of good Water in the Valleys as We poped [popped] along which is a great blessing in that Wild and baran [barren] Country, inhabited only by Wild Animals, with the Escaption [exception] of a few Native Indians and Negroes, there is plenty of tigers Monkeys parrots &c [etc.] here with Many other venimous [venomous] reptiles.

We Walked from Gorgono to panama [Panama] in two days each Man carried his 2 days provision his Musket and a Change of Cloathes [clothes]. We Met Several Men returning Back to the

W. States, as there was no shippings to take there to San Francisco. We arrived in Panama on the 30th of March, Where we took up quarters in a house in the Main Street opposite the Cathedral. I must give you Some little description of the Rivers Chagras and the City of the Same Name. From the Bar or outr [outer] harbour [harbor] Every thing looks grand beyond description, But when you come to See where the City ought to be there is nothing there but huts Built Built of Bamboo Cane and covered with the Branches of the Cocoa nut tree