[Page 543]
439.
Some account of Batavia
been slaves made free, few either of them or the Chinese, know the use of fire arms, their numbers however might be troublesome, as some of them are esteemd brave with their own weapons, Lances, swords, daggers, &c.
Thus much for the land, By Sea it is impossible to attack Batavia, on account of the shallowness of the water, which will scarce suffer even a longboat to come within Canon shot of the walls, unless she keep a narrow channel walld on both sides by strong piers, & running about 1/2 a mile into the harbour, which channel, terminates exactly under the fire of the strongest part of the Castle, where is a large wooden boom, which is shut every night at 6 o clock, & not opend again till the morn upon any pretence, it is said that before the earthquake in , Ships of large Burthen usd to come up to this place & be likewise shut up by the Boom, but at present nothing but boats atempt it