OF THE ARCHIPELAGO. 429 cinity of the city, who were not restrained by the direct presence of a military force, flew to arms, assembled a large force, and, as usual in such cir- cumstances, and among such a people, committed acts of violence, excess, and cruelty. On this some of their countrymen in the city were tor- tured, and on the authority so obtained, a story of a wicked and long -meditated conspiracy to de- stroy the Dutch was got up by the European autho- rities. Between the Dutch troops, and the armed mob of Chinese in the environs, several indecisive actions took place. On the 7th day of October it was discovered that the Chinese quarter of the town was on fire. This was construed into an ar- tifice to mask an attempt to murder the European inhabitants, in the confusion of the conflagration. The habitual timidity of the Dutch colonists took the alarm. The massacre of the Chinese inhabitants of Batavia forthwith commenced, and was in a few hours formally authorized by an order of the Re- gency, which directed that none but the women and children should be spared. A band of brutal sailors was landed from the fleet in the roads to carry this order into effect. The doors of the Chinese houses were burst open, and the inhabit- ants dragged out and massacred, without offering the smallest resistance.* The city was in a state
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They made ne more resistance than a nest of young
