114 
VOYAGE OF THE POTOMAC. 
[February^ 
was witnessed by all hands, over the bodies of their deceased 
shipmates, who had fallen before the forts on shore. 
The following are the official reports from Commodore Downes 
to the secretary of the navy, in relation to this transaction. 
" United States frigate Potomac, 1 
"off Soo-soo, Coast of Sumatra, February 17th, 1832. y 
"Sir, • 
" I have the honour to acquaint you with the arrival of the 
Potomac on this coast upon the fifth inst. ; I anchored off Quallah- 
Battoo, distant about three miles ; my object in so doing being to 
prevent discovery of the character of the ship, which I had taken 
care previously to disguise, and so effectually, that a number of 
fishermen who came on board after I had anchored, did not dis- 
cover that she was other than a merchant ship, until they came 
over the side. They were detained on board till after the capture 
of Quallah-Battoo. 
" Finding no vessels on the coast, I could obtain no information 
in addition to that already possessed respecting the nature of the 
government, the piratical character of the population, or the fla- 
grant circumstances of the injury done to the Friendship. 
" No demand of satisfaction was made previous to my attack, 
because I was satisfied, from what knowledge I had already of 
the character of the people, that no such demand would be an- 
swered, except by refusals, and that such refusals would proceed 
from want of ability, as well as from inclination,, it being a habit 
generally among this people to spend their money as soon as ob- 
tained. 
" Soon after anchoring, Lieutenants Shubrick, Pinkham, Hoflf, 
Ingersoll, and Edson of marines, together with Passed-midship- 
man Totten, went on shore in the whale-boat, for the purpose 
of learning the situation of the town and forts ; but every thing 
being built in close concealment, they were unable to arrive at any 
satisfactory result, except as to one of the forts erected immedi- 
ately at the place of landing. 
" No precautions were taken to cut off the opportunity of es- 
cape from any inhabitants of the town, the nature of the place 
rendering it absolutely impossible, situated as it is, in the midst 
