charge of musketry. At intervals the roofs of the various buildings fell with tremendous crash; and notwithstanding the descent of torrents of rain, the fire continued to spread, and threatened even that part of the palace where the British forces were compelled to take up their temporary abode.
This force consisted of only a few Grenadiers and seamen, and they were surrounded on all sides by hordes of assassins. The best means of defence were adopted by the little band, till the arrival at midnight of a small reinforcement under Major French, of the 89th, and another in the morning, under Colonel McLeod, of the 59th. Resistance was now no longer thought of; and the resolution of Colonel Gillespie had thus, without the loss of a man, placed in the possession of the British the city, fort, and batteries, defended by two hundred and forty-two pieces of cannon.
Notwithstanding the subjugation of the Dutch and French power, parts of Java remained in a disturbed state; and, amongst others, the Sultan of Djoejocarta, one of the most turbulent and intriguing of the native princes, manifested a hostile disposition to the British Government. By his agency, a confederacy was formed of all the native courts, the object of which was to expel all European settlers, of every country, and to sweep from the island every vestige of European power.
As soon as the design became known, the Lieutenant-Governor (Mr, Raffles) and the commander of the forces immediately proceeded to Djoejocarta with such military force as could be collected, under the immediate command of Colonel Gillespie, who had opportunely arrived from Palimbang. An attempt was made to negotiate, but without success, and it was clear there was nothing left but an appeal to force.
The residence of the Sultan was about three miles in circumference, surrounded by a broad ditch with drawbridges, possessing a strong, high rampart with bastions, and defended by nearly one hundred pieces of cannon.
