196 
VOYAGE OF THE POTOMAC. 
[February, 
CHAPTER XIL 
Early voyages to Sumatra — Portuguese establishments at Acheen and Pasay— Naval 
power of Acheen — Portuguese defeated — ^The English well received at Acheen— 
The Dutch suspected — The French neglected — Rivalry and hostilities between the 
English and Dutch — English and French — The English at Padang — Americans 
visit the east — Commercial enterprise of Salem — Carnes's voyage to Sumatra — ■ 
Loss of his vessel in returning — Sails in the Rajah — His successful voyage — Con- 
sequent curiosity and excitement — Unsuccessful attempt at competition — Inter- 
esting extracts from the Records of the Salem East India Marine Society — Ship 
Friendship, Williams — Fanny, Smith — John, Barton — Three Friends, Stewart — 
Her accident in the Strait of Bally — Active, Nicholas — Recovery, Dana — and the 
Putnam — Tribute to the Commercial enterprise of Salem. 
The earliest account we have seen of pepper having been ex- 
ported from any part of the Island of Sumatra, was in 1509, in a 
few Portuguese vessels which touched at Pasay, a port of no 
little importance at that time, situated about twenty leagues from 
Acheen to the east. These vessels were on their way to China. 
The spirit of glory, of plunder, and of commerce, which burned 
so ardently in the Portuguese at this period, received a new im- 
pulse, as new expectations were suddenly raised of the importance 
of this trade, and the resources of the island. As early as 1520, 
Diego Pacheco, an experienced commander, was despatched to 
the southwest coast to search for a certain island, of which ru- 
mour had spoken much of its treasures in gold. Having pro- 
ceeded as far as Paya, he was astonished to meet in that port 
many native vessels from other parts of the island, as well as 
several from India, which brought with them cotton manufactured 
goods, for the supply of the inhabitants. Near this port, he was 
so unfortunate as to lose one of his best vessels ; which circum- 
stance put an end to further search of the Isla cf Ouro, which the 
natives represented to be one hundred leagues off, amid labyrinths 
of shoals and reefs, where none but small vessels or boats could 
steer with safety. 
On bis return to Malacca,: Pacheco passed through the Strait of 
