The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-06-05

Early Traditions Of the Countrywide Old
City Of Panama-Tho New City-porsonal.
AspINwALL, May 10, 1876
EARLY TRADITIONS OF PANAMA.

EARLY TRADITIONS OF PANAMA.
Editor Rutland Globe Probably there
is no portion of the western world that is
less known by the civilized portion of the
old and new world than that portion OF it
that joins North and South America to-
gether, and although l have been here over
a year and have made many inquiries Of the
best educated portion of the inhabitants
find it very hard work to get but little use
full information in regard to the early ira
ditions of the country, although it is gen.
orally understood that the Isthmus Of
Darien was the great center, and very in
timately connected with the Spanish con-
quests in Central and South America. The
old city of Panama which centuries ago
was known as ''the very noble and loyal
city of Panama" and until its destruction
by the pirate Morgan, was the weslthieOt
and most influential city ON the Pacific
coast. Of the first discovery of this isthmus
nothing really definite is known. although
it is claimed that on his third
voyage Christopher Columbus discovered
the bay now known Us Navy or
Aspinwall bay. SO certain is it
that this was the case that beautiful
bronze monument, representing Columbus
protecting an Indian maiden, now stands
in the centre of Aspinwall, the monument
being the gift of the Empress Eugene
only few years ago. One of the first
settlements on the isthmus was made by
Vasco Nunez dc Balboa, in the early part
of the 10Th century, who, after having
gained the friendship of several of the
Indian chiefs, successfully carried out the
idea Of crossing the isthmus, aud after
twenty-five days of almost Incredible
hardship, was rewarded by the glorious
sight of the Pacific ocean, the first man of
the old world who had ever gazed upon it.
Tradition relates that ascending noun
tain, from its summit he beheld on one
side the blue waters of the Atlantic, while
at his feet were the peaceful waters of the
Southern or Pacific ocean. 1t is related of
him that after falling on his knees and Civ.
| ing thanks to God for the favor shown
| uIm, nc waueu iuIo the wa,vI auu tuoh poo
session of the same in the name of the
king of Spain. There is nothing certainly
known as to which mountain this
was, and am led to be.
| lieve that there is more of
tradition than truth to the story, for
have never yet seen person who after as
cending the highest peaks on the isthmus
has seen from its summit the waters OF
both oceans. At that time the isthmus
was supposed to abound in gold, silver and
| precious stones of all kinds, and we read
that when the news OF the discovery
reached Spain, it was received with great
excitement by the people who had only
conceived the idea of fishing up gold III
nets, and expeditions were fitted out in
great numbers to bring home the treasures
of this wonderful land.
THE OLD CITY or PANAMA.
| AS near as can be ascertaned the old
city of Panama was founded about the
year 1919, and as II was soon made the rem
devious of the Spanish fleets and army in
their conquestso of the countries south of it,
and the headquarters of the "church - in
the new world, 1t soon became place of
much Importance, and from here it was,
that Pizarro, tho conqueror of Peru, formed
the expedition which was the forerunner
of the rich and magnificent Spanish con-
quests in South America.
The old city of Panama was situated in
latitude 8 deg, 81 north, and longitude 70
deg, 81 west, on the shores of bay OF
| the same name from an Indian word Gig