Page:Letters of Cortes to Emperor Charles V - Vol 2.djvu/226

Vera Cruz all the ships arriving there unloaded in that town: the port is far from being safe, and many ships are lost there on account of the Northers that frequently blow. I therefore sought a place nearer the port of San Juan suitable for founding a town, but, in spite of our efforts, we found nothing but drifting sandhills, until finally, after some days' search, it pleased our Lord that, two leagues from the port, a good site, with all requisites for establishing a town was found; for there was plenty of wood and water and pasturage, though there was no timber nor stone for building purposes except quite far from there. We found an inlet near this place, and I sent to see if it led to the sea or if barques might come up it to the town. It was found to lead to a river which flowed into the sea; and at the mouth of the river there was more than a fathom of water, so that by cleaning that inlet, which is full of trunks of trees, the barques could ascend to the very houses of the town and unload their cargoes. Seeing the convenience of this site for the safety of the ships, I moved thither the town of Medellin, which was about twenty leagues in the interior of the province of Tatalptetelco; and already most of the householders have gone there and built their houses, and steps have been taken to clear that inlet and establish a custom house, for although the ships are delayed in discharging, by means of canoes over a distance of two leagues, they will have safe anchorage. I am certain that this town will be second to the capital in New Spain, for already some ships have unloaded there, and barques and even brigantines bring their merchandise right up to the houses of the town. I will endeavour to arrange so that they may unload without trouble, and the ships will henceforward be safe in that good port; I have likewise hastened to make roads from that town to this city, so that the merchandise will be more quickly delivered than at present and the distance shortened.