Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1847-04-28
THE CITY OF VERA CRUZ.

As our relders are probably DESTROYS of knowing
something about the city and castle which have
just been surrendered to our gallant army we have
conqRsed the following sketch, in the accuracy OF
which VIC have entire confidence:
"The city of Vera Cruz is situated in lat 100 III
52H n long. 1913 10f w, of Washington The
period OF its foundation. although known to be IN
tie 10th century, cannot be determined with exact
accuracy. 1t is supposed to have been established
about the year 1860, shortly previous to the aban
donment OF the "Cindad de la Antigua Vera Cruz,
situated on the Antigua, by the Count Montereo,
Viceroy of New Spain. 1t became the capitol OF
the Department or intendancy of Vera Cruz, which
now forms the state of the same name; in the year
1860, and was the sole commercial city OF any
importance while New Spain a colony OF
spain, and is the prncip commercial city OF the
present Republic OF Mexico. The population OF
the CITY, which contains about 1868 houses, amour
ted in 1904 to 10000 souls, which, according to
Don Ramon Gary, was reduced in 1881 to 622S:
and which is now probably less than 5000
:" 1t is surrounded by stone wall OF lnconsdcra-
bic height and thickness, which measures in cir
cumerence 1924 Castilian varas and which has .
bastions calculated to support 100 guns OF different
calibre OF these bastions that of It. Jago on the
south, and of Conception on the north both facing
the castle of San Juan Ulloa, are the strongest,
and protect the ingress to the harbor. The city
has cathedral to which are attached two chapes,
called de la Pastora and del Loreto, and covens
for Franciscan, Dominican Augustine and Med
icant iriars There is likewise the convent OF Bet
tenn, founded by Don Casper Saenz Rico, for pur-
poses of education, which is however in most d.
lapidaed condition. 1t has, moreover three hos
pitals-one military, called San Carlos one charity
hospital for males, San Sebastian; and one for ie-
males, Loreto. The principal plaza, the south side
81 ch ,o
occupied by the Government House, which the
Mexcans dignity with the name of palace" and
is surrounded on the north and west by portcos--
| (porales)
The city is situated in an arid plain in which
| the "northers' which blow with great violence
from the month of October to the month of April
OF each year. form the shifting sands into numerous
hillocks varying from fifteen to forty feet in height
and which contribute, by the scope they afford for
the reflection of the sun, to render the climate in
| tolerably hot during the summer months
"In front OF the city, at the distance of about
| 100 Castilian varas, extends coral reef which
has gradually elevated itself above the level of the
ocean, and which was visited By Don Juan de Gri-
ilvla as early as the year 1918 and called by him
! the island OF Ulua On this island the Spaniards al
forwards cree ted at expense OF nearly $4,000,
| oO0 the famoS castle OF San Juan Ulua, ram
| part against foreign invasion well as foreign
curiosity. The celebrated fortress, whose batteries
| held at one time III guns Of various calibre, has
now been captured for the fourth time since its hrs
construction 1t was captured for the first time by
surprise on the llth September, 1868, by the pirate
! Juan Aquinas Acle, who was, however. shortly ex
| PEELED by Don Francisco dc LuJau: with the aid o
| a fleet composed OF twenty three vessels
This happened when Don Martin Henrique5
was ,iceroy of Mexico The second capture, also
made by a pirate named Lorencillo occurred in the
] night between the 18th and 18th of May, 1893
and was far more disastrous in its consequences
Iorencillo after he had mastered the citadel sacked
th.city OF Vera Cruz, and after having remained
ceiul possession Of both for the space Of nearly
s- q weeks, departed with his plundeF. The thirc
ssp,ure was effected by Admiral Bodin, aud IS toe
wSen Known 10 require further mention. + Picay'mc