ckaded for a considerable time, till
succoured by a powerful squadron from Europe under Admiral Koen, when
the siege was immediately raised, and the natives obliged to retire
with the utmost precipitation. The Dutch had now leisure to consider
the excellent situation of the fort, and the many advantages it
possessed for becoming the centre of their East Indian trade and
dominion, on which they resolved to build a town in the neighbourhood
of the fort. With this view they demolished Jacatra, and erected on
its ruins this famous commercial city, which they named Batavia.

This city arrived at perfection in a short time, by the extraordinary
diligence bestowed upon its construction, in spite of the many
obstacles it met with from the two kings of Matarana and Bantam; the
former of whom laid siege to it in 1629, and the latter in 1649. It
is surrounded by an earthen rampart of twenty-one feet thick, faced on
the outside with stone, and strengthened by twenty-two bastions, the
whole environed by a ditch forty-five yards wide, and quite full of
water, especially in spring-tides. All the approaches to the town are
defended by several detached forts, all of which are well furnished
with excellent brass cannon. Six of these are so considerable as
to deserve being particularly mentioned, which are, Ansiol, Anke,
Jacatra, Ryswyk, Noordywyk, and Vythock. The fort of _Ansiol_ is
seated on a river of the same name, to the eastwards, and about 1200
yards from the city, being built entirely of squared stone, and always
provided with a strong garrison. _Anke_ is on a river of the same
name, to the westwards, about 500 yards from the city, and is built
like the former. _Jacatra_ lies also on a river of the same name, and
is exactly like the two former, being 500 paces from the city. The
road to this fort lies between two regular rows of fine trees, having
very fine country houses and gardens on each side. The other three
forts are all built of similar materials on the inland side of the
city, and at small distances; the two first-named serving to secure
the city on the side of the sea, and the other four to defend the
approaches towards it from the land, and at the same time to protect
the country houses, plantations, and gardens of the inhabitants.
By these, all enemies are prevented from coming upon the city by
surprise, as on every side they would be sure to meet a formidable
resistance; and besides, no person is allowed to pass the f