118 ■ VOYAGE OF THE POTOMAC. [February, j, 
I had access ; but, not coming within the range of those pointed I 
out in my instructions, I did not deem it necessary to refer to them | 
in my official report above alluded to; at present, however, it J 
may be proper to do so. 
"At Rio de Janeiro, I obtained such information relative to 
the character of the people of Quallah-Battoo as went strongly 
to impress me with the opinion, that a demand made on the rajahs, 
previous to my getting them into my power, or to taking any steps 
towards cutting off the retreat of the participators in the ou.trage 
committed on the Friendship, must have led to an utter defeat of 
the expedition. 
" At the Cape of Good Hope I made known the object of my 
visit to the island of Sumatra, to the officers highest in rank, both 
in the army and in the navy. These officers had resided a long 
time in India, and several of them had been on the coast of Su- 
matra, and were well acquainted with the Malay character. 
" By the representations of these gentlemen, the natives were 
cruel and treacherous on all parts of the coast, and by no means 
to be trusted ; they represented Quallah-Battoo as independent 
of, and not subject to, any regular government ; and as to indem- 
nification, it seemed quite out of the question ; as the inhabitants 
could, on the slightest alarm, or from motives of policy, retire and 
conceal themselves, and what tangible treasure they possessed, 
■beyond the reach of our guns, and beyond the possibility of pur- 
suit ; as the whole country bordering the seashore, and a few 
miles inland, is covered by a close, and, except to themselves, 
an impenetrable jungle. . 
" I was advised to proceed with the greatest caution, as they 
assured me that the character -of the Malays of Sumatra was 
generally but little understood ; that they were cunning and brave, 
and by no means to be despised as enemies. 
" In conffi'mation of all this, they communicated to me the 
particulars of the British expedition, which had been sent against 
a tribe on the west coast of Sumatra, but a short distance south 
of Quallah-Battoo. The squadron approached the anchorage, 
the object and force of the expedition were known to the natives, 
and they as soon retired, leaving the place to be taken and burned 
by the disembarking force without opposition. The attacking 
party, holding their enemies in too much contempt, did not take 
