230 
VOYAGE OF THE POTOMAC. 
[February, 
Commodore Downes, not only its inhabitants, but every one else 
in the neighbourhood, supposed that the Americans intended to 
establish themselves at that place, and erect fortifications- for its 
defence. They are now beginning to learn the important lesson, 
that conquest forms no part of our national policy ; and the good 
effects of this lesson are already strikingly apparent. 
" For Columbia never fights 
For conquest or for plunder ; 
Nothing but insulted rights 
Can wake her martial thunder." 
WOODWOETH. 
But the v^ork has only been fairly commenced — much still re- 
mains to be accomplished. At intervals, but not too remote from 
each other, our armed vessels should visit this coast. A sloop- 
of war and a schooner would be amply sufficient, if conducted 
by a judicious commander. They should arrive on the coast in 
March, and remain until October. Every pepper port should be 
visited, and conferepces should be held with all the principal ra- 
jahs, explaining to them the nature of our commerce, and the 
principles on which we always conduct our trade ; impressing on 
them the necessity of acting with justice, and of restraining their 
dependants from acts of outrage. It should be particularly and 
emphatically represented to them, that an awful responsibility 
resj,s upon those in authority for any act of piracy that may 
be hereafter committed on the coast ; and that an adequate pun- 
ishment will assuredly tread close upon the heels of the of- 
fenders. 
The officers of our vessel, while engaged in this service, might 
also devote a share of their time and attention in making additional 
surveys on the coast : while much useful information in other de- 
partments of knowledge might be collected. Something might 
thus be done towards removing the reproach, that we have con- 
tributed nothing to improve the hydrography of the Indian Seas. 
In the event of a war, to which contingency, in common with 
other n«ations, our country is ever liable, we shall feel the want 
of a more perfect knowledge of those remote places to which our 
commerce is extended. 
As it respects climate at the pepper ports on the west coast of 
Sumatra, we have an interesting fact before us : that of one hun- 
