ABSTRACT
The proper name of the town is St John de Ulhua, otherwise called Vera Cruz, from the old harbour and haven of Vera Cruz, six leagues from this, and so called for that upon Good Friday it was first discovered. But the old Vera Cruz proving too dangerous an harbour for ships, by reason of the violence of the northern winds, it was utterly forsaken by the Spaniards, who removed to St John de Ulhua, where their ships found the first safe road by reason of a rock, which is a strong defence against the winds. The memory of the work of that Good Friday should never be forgotten, to St John de Ulhua they have added the name also of Vera Cruz, taken from that first haven which was discovered upon Good Friday, anno 1519. The friars and Jesuits were quicker in going to land than the great Don, the Marquess de Serralvo, and his lady.
