294 
yOYAGE OF THE POTOMAC, 
[March, 
CHAPTER XVI. 
Bay and City of Batavia— Foraier Commerce, Wealth, and Magnificence — Unex- 
pected Reverses — Description of the City — Cause of its Unhealthiness— Im- 
provements by Marshal Daendels — Beauty of the Environs — ^Villas and Roads — 
Blue Mountains — Village of Buitenzorg — Ruins of Pajajaran — Population of Ba- 
tavia — Number and Condition of the Slaves — Chinese Industry and Festivals- — 
Balians, Javans, and other Classes — Dutch Population — Frightful Mortality — 
Health of the City improved — Biographical Sketch of Daendels— European Prov- 
inces of Java — Native Provinces — Total Population — -Face and Appearance of the 
Country — Mountains, Volcanoes, and Minerals — Rivers, Climate, Soil, and vege- 
table Productions — The Bohun Upas — Origin of the Fable — Poison made from the 
Sap of the Anchar— Animal Productions — Commerce, Revenue, and Political 
State of the Country. 
The city of Batavia stands at the head of the spacious bay in 
which the Potomac now lay at anchor ; the numerous islands by 
which the shipping is sheltered, rendering it one of the finest 
harbours in the world. It is a remarkable fact, that during the 
long period it has been in the possession of the Dutch, not a vessel 
has ever been lost in the roads. The capacity of Batavia Bay is 
sufficient to contain almost any number of vessels ; and its waters 
have often supported, at one time, an almost impenetrable forest 
of foreign masts. The principal islands that surround it are 
those which bear the names of Onrust, Purmerent, Kuiper, and 
Edam ; most of which are clothed with trees. On the first are 
the naval arsenal, dock-yard, storehouses, saw-mills, and workr- 
shops of the artificers. This is the great marine depot, where 
ships, when they require repairs, are hove down by cranes erected 
on the wharves, It is a busy, bustling place, and abounds with 
inhabitants. 
Batavia, as before mentioned, was founded in the year sixteen 
hundred and nineteen, and rose rapidly into importance on account 
,of its excellent harbour, and its advantageous position for Euro- 
pean and oriental commerce. Nor was it without reason that the 
Dutch selected this spot for the capital of their new empire in 
the east. In adverting to this subject, Adam Smith thus expresses 
himself : — " What the Cape of Good Hope is between Europe 
