Among the plunder taken away was $12,000 in specie.

Altogether the loss was $40,000 to the owners of the ship and the captain was compelled to give up his voyage and return home.
It took a long time for news to travel in those days, but it finally reached the United States, where Andrew Jackson happened to be President.

He immediately ordered the 44-gun frigate _Potomac_ to that out of the way corner of the world, with instructions to punish the guilty parties concerned in the outrage.

Captain Downes lost no time in getting under way and arrived off Qualla Battoo in February, 1832, just a year after the treacherous attack upon the _Friendship_.
Anxious to prevent his errand becoming known so that he might surprise the Malays, Captain Downes disguised his ship as a merchantman, closing his ports and taking every precaution possible.

He displayed the Danish colors, still maintaining the guise of a merchantman, and sent a boat's crew to take soundings along shore.