The island of Sumatra had some of the best pepper in the world. In 1832, an American merchant ship named Friendship arrived to trade for it. When the crew were ashore, they were attacked by a rival chieftain. Three Americans were murdered and the ship was ransacked. The crew was able to recapture the ship and sail back to America. Their story inflamed public opinion and Pres. Andrew Jackson sent a retaliatory expedition on the USS Potomac. American Marines, with the aid of friendly natives, captured the kingdom that had attacked the Friendship and destroyed its town, along with over 500 of its people. Trading was restored, but when the Potomac sailed away, the Sumatrans went back to attacking ships. Jackson had to send a second expedition to show we meant business. More butt whipping resulted in the end of problems with Sumatra.
https://historycollection.co/nation-war-9-forgotten-american-wars/
0 Comments