Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/437

Rh In that year and the next Anton Lizardo was strongly fortified. At the same time was constructed the fortress of Perote, which cost no less than that of San Juan de Ulúa. The former was deemed necessary for the safe keeping of treasure when on the way for shipment to Spain, for if Vera Cruz were once in possession of an enemy, a dash on Orizaba might easily be made. In Perote were mounted six 24-pounders, eight 16-pounders, ten 12-pounders, and 33 pieces of calibre from 4 to 8; there was a complete supply of ammunition, the cost of conveying which had exceeded 40,000 pesos.

The anxiety to make San Juan de Ulúa and the whole Vera Cruz coast impregnable if possible, was great, but the means were wanting. Among the many plans presented was one in 1774 which might have been acceptable had it not called for an excessive expenditure. One and a half million pesos the authors claimed would suffice; four to six millions, said others, would be consumed before reaching completion, besides the demand for a garrison so large that other important points would have to be utterly neglected. The king favored certain modifications, and in 1780 the matter was left to a commission which presented a plan to guard the defences, includding [sic] the coast on both sides, against foreign assaults, but it was not accepted. Several other schemes were recommended, but no extensive plan seems to have been adopted.