Journal Palmetto Mining Company Voyage

there is But one white man and his wife here the rest are Indians and Negroes Melatoes [Mulattoes] they are all free Civitizen [Citizens] and Seem to be very happy.

There is a very large Fortificati =on [fortification] on a hill commanding the harbour [harbor], But it is now all in ruins and falling into decay this place has been robed [robbed] and Burned and the people Kiled [killed].

The River about 40 miles of which we traveled in Boats is very hansome [handsome] with the greatest variety of Flowers and fruit trees likewise the finest Mahogany in the World.

the tigars [tigers] Bears Monkey & parrots are as plenty here as the turkey Buzards [buzzards] in South Carolina in Gargono they sell Beef by the yard as they cut it off the Cattle in Strings like so many yards of tape. provision is Scarce and very dear. Panama is or has been a fine City with a Strong fortification with a Wall double round the City the houses here are all built of Stone and lime. But like the country in general it has been plundered and the principal Buildings destroyed and what is Standing is neglected

By the Natives. This Country was St Settled by Spain But they have no claim on it at present the Natives are al Catholics and hold to the old form of religion there is the finest Churches here I have ever seen, during the last week of lent the people don't work any, attending church and torch light processions is all they attend to. I never Seen anything to Equal the doings here, on Palm Sunday they have the figure of Christ as large as life Seated on an ass. Walking through the City and laying palms under his feet

on Easter Sunday they had the effigy of Judas hung in the Middle of the Street and at night fall the [they] Burned him hanging in the air. There is not a drop of fresh Water in the City fit for use the Water is Carried on horses Backs from the Country which we have to pay dearly for unless We carry Ourselves. Provision is very dear But we catch Some fresh fish as there is a Variety in the harbour [harbor] there was But one ship here when we arrived, and there was about two thousand Men waiting for a passage to

San Francisco. Our Company so far Enjoys good health Shipping are comeing [coming] into Panama harbour [harbor] at presant [present] and from appearance there will be a accommodation for all on the Isthmus. There has two Steam Boats arrived in panama [Panama] in the beginning of May. The Oregon Panama all bound for the Gold region, the Americans are fitting up all kind of Vessells [vessels], dug out Canoes, and yaul [yawl] boats are fitted out and Maned [manned] fren for the Voyage. There are a great many Americans Sick in Panama and Every day More or less die