unable to perform their duty; but could a very small body of men get quickly to the walls of Batavia, bringing with them a few battering cannon, the town must inevitably yield on account of the weakness of its defence.
We were told that of a hundred soldiers, who arrive here from Europe, it is a rare thing for fifty to outlive the first year; and that of those fifty half will by that time be in the hospitals, and of the other half not ten in perfect health. Whether this account may not be exaggerated I cannot say, but will venture to affirm that it seemed to me probable from the number of pale faces, and limbs hardly able to support a musket, which I saw among the few soldiers to be seen upon duty. The white inhabitants indeed are all soldiers, and those who have served five years are liable to be called out on any occasion; but as they are never exercised or made to do any kind of duty, it is impossible to expect much from men more versed in handling pens than guns. The Portuguese are generally good marksmen, as they employ themselves much in shooting wild hogs and deer; as for the Mardykers, who are certainly numerous—being Indians of all nations who are, or whose ancestors have been, freed slaves—few, either of them or of the Chinese, know the use of firearms. Their numbers, however, might be troublesome, as some of them are esteemed brave with their own weapons, lances, swords, daggers, etc.
Thus much for the land. By sea it is impossible to attack Batavia, on account of the shallowness of the water, which will scarcely suffer even a long-boat to come within cannon-shot of the walls, unless she keep a narrow channel walled in on both sides by strong piers, and running about half a mile into the harbour, which channel terminates exactly under the fire of the strongest part of the Castle. At this point there is a large wooden boom, which is shut every night at six o'clock, and not opened again till morning under any pretence. It is said that before the earthquake in [1699] ships of large burthen used to come up to this place, and be stopped by the boom, but at present only boats attempt it.
