borrica

Updated: June 21, 2025

While governor Don Pedro was awaiting with intense anxiety the receipt of intelligence from Borrica, a ship arrived from Spain bringing three or four hundred adventurers, all of whom were eager for any military expedition which would open to them an opportunity for plunder. One hundred and fifty of these were regular soldiers, well taught in the dreadful trade of war.

John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) Abbott - Ferdinand De Soto, The Discoverer of the Mississippi: American Pioneers and Patriots

Aid sent to Borrica. Line of Defense Chosen by the Natives. Religion of the Buccaneers. The Battle and the Rout. Strategy of racca. Cruelty of Don Pedro. The Retreat. Character of Uracca. Embarrassment of Don Pedro. Warning of M. Codro. Expedition of Pizarro. Mission of M. Codro. Letter of De Soto to Isabella.

John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) Abbott - Ferdinand De Soto, The Discoverer of the Mississippi: American Pioneers and Patriots

Upon arriving at Borrica he very earnestly harangued his troops, reminding them of the ancient renown of the Spanish soldiers, and stimulating their cupidity by the assurance that the kingdom of Veragua, over which Uracca reigned, was full of gold; and that all that was now requisite for the conquest of the country and the accumulation of princely wealth, was a display of the bravery ever characteristic of Spanish troops.

John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) Abbott - Ferdinand De Soto, The Discoverer of the Mississippi: American Pioneers and Patriots

In the pursuit of science, he had joined the forty men who, under the command of Herman Ponce, had been sent as a reinforcement to Borrica. While at some distance from the camp on a botanical excursion, he was taken captive by the natives, and would have been put to death but for the timely rescue by De Soto. M. Codro was an astrologer.

John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) Abbott - Ferdinand De Soto, The Discoverer of the Mississippi: American Pioneers and Patriots

Nigh the town lies also a small island called Borrica, where they feed great numbers of goats, which cattle the inhabitants use more for their skins than their flesh or milk; they slighting these two, unless while they are tender and young kids. In the fields are fed some sheep, but of a very small size.

A. O. (Alexandre Olivier) Exquemelin - The Pirates of Panama: or, The Buccaneers of America; a True Account of the Famous Adventures and Daring Deeds of Sir Henry Morgan and Other Notorious Freebooters of the Spanish Main

Don Pedro took these fresh troops and one hundred and fifty volunteers; and set out with the utmost expedition for Borrica. His impetuous nature was inspired with zeal to retrieve the disgrace which had befallen the Spanish arms. He took with him several pieces of ordnance, guns with which the Indians thus far had no acquaintance.

John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) Abbott - Ferdinand De Soto, The Discoverer of the Mississippi: American Pioneers and Patriots

When the little army of Spaniards was beleaguered at Borrica, and De Soto with his cavalry was scouring the adjacent country on foraging expeditions, he chanced to rescue from captivity M. Codro, an Italian philosopher, who had accompanied the Spaniards to Darien.

John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) Abbott - Ferdinand De Soto, The Discoverer of the Mississippi: American Pioneers and Patriots

With the exception of De Soto's dragoons, they numbered but fifty men. Deeply despondent in view of their disastrous campaign, they sailed several leagues along the western coast of the isthmus towards the south, till they reached a flourishing Indian village called Borrica. Conscious that here they were beyond the immediate reach of Uracca's avenging forces, they ventured to land.

John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) Abbott - Ferdinand De Soto, The Discoverer of the Mississippi: American Pioneers and Patriots

He also made such representation of the military conduct of General Espinosa as to induce the governor to remove him from the command and send General Herman Ponce to take his place. The garrison at Panama was then so weak that only forty men could be spared to go to the relief of the troops at Borrica.

John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) Abbott - Ferdinand De Soto, The Discoverer of the Mississippi: American Pioneers and Patriots