204 
VOYAGE OP THE POTOMAC, 
[February, 
Straits, discovered rocks not laid dov^n on any chart then in use ; 
passed through the Straits of Sunda, touched at Batavia, and 
from thence to Tranguebar ; and finally making Hog Island, coast 
of Sumatra, and touching at the Isle of France, returned in safety 
and with profit to the United States. 
Ship John, J. Barton master, sailed from the United States for 
the east in eighteen hundred and two ; made the coast of Su- 
matra, and came to anchor at South Tally ninth of May, eighteen 
hundred and three. From thence sailed to Acheen, and afterward 
to Manilla, passing near Puloway, the largest of the Acheen 
islands ; high and uneven ; may be seen twelve leagues ; and along 
the south side of it, in some parts, there is said to be soundings 
near the shore. Passed Diamond Point, forming the eastern ex- 
tremity of the coast of Pedir, or, as old authors spell it, Pedeer, 
When sailing from Acheen, along this part of • the coast, kept 
near it, where in most parts anchorage may be found if necessary. 
The golden mountain was visible, rising like a cone seven thou- 
sand feet above the level of the sea ; and may be seen ninety 
miles from deck in a clear day, forming a soft outline above the 
horizon. In fine weather, this beautiful mountain, rising only 
about eight leagues from Acheen in the interior, forms a good 
mark for pointing out a ship's situation, when wishing to pass 
through Malacca Strait, particularly when the distance is so great 
that the land near King's Point cannot be seen, Pulo Verella 
was the next island made ; is not more than six leagues from the 
Sumatra shore, high, and may be seen eight or ten leagues dis- 
tant. At the south end water may be procured, and at the south- 
east end anchorage in twelve or eighteen fathoms, about one mile 
from shore. Boats landing here are cautioned, even at the present 
day, to look out for the Battoo-bara people from the adjacent 
coast, who are often lurking about these places in their proas, and 
never fail to attack boats when within their power. Having 
passed along the Sumatra coast from Diamond Point, a vessel 
may go on either side of Pulo Verella ; if on the outside, give a 
birth to the reef ; if you pass inside, steer towards, and pass to 
the east of the Brothers, two islands lying five or six miles from 
each other. The channel between these islands and the coast is 
not well known ; besides, the outside channel is more frequented. 
In 1 ° 28' north, 103° 1 0' east, made Pulo Pisang, not high, covered 
