or DORDRECHT, a city of Holland, which holds the first rank in the assembly of the states. It is seated in a small island formed by the rivers Meuse, Merse, Rhine, and Linghe. The Meuse, on which it stands, gives it a good harbour, and separates it from the islands of Hielmonde and Ablas. It is divided from Beyerland by a canal. The harbour is very commodious for the merchandizes which come down the Rhine and the Meuse, which keep it in a flourishing condition. Its strength consists in being surrounded with water. Its walls are old, and defended by round towers. It is very rich, and well built with brick, and had formerly the exclusive right of coining money. It is at present the staple town for wines, particularly Rhenish. It was detached from the main-land, in 1421, on the 17th of November, by a flood occasioned by the breaking down of the dyke, which overwhelmed 70 villages, and about 100,000 persons. However, by time and the industry of the inhabitants, a great part of the land is recovered. It has two principal canals, namely, the New and Old Haven, by which heavy-loaded vessels may enter into the city. Over the Old Haven is a large bridge well built with brick.

Dort was almost reduced to ashes in the year 1457; there being then consumed 2000 houses, with the halls, hospital, and church of Notre Dame: but they are now well provided with fire-engines and watchmen to prevent the like disaster. This city is famous for the meeting of the clergy called the Synod of Dort, in which the Calvinists obtained a sentence against the Arminians, who were called the Remonstrants. The dispute between the contending parties occasioned strange disorders, skirmishes, and murders, in most of the principal cities. Those ministers who would not subscribe to the decree of the synod were banished, of whom there were above 100. E. Long. 4.36. N. Lat. 51.39.