The Sun.
London, England, 1824-09-01 00:00:00

WAR WITH THE ASILANTEES.

The following interesting article relative to
the war with the Ashantees is furnished by
Captain A. G. LAINO, of the Royal African
Colonial Corps :
The state of our colonial affairs on the tiold Coast has, from
the, recent occurrence of several melancholy and tragical
events, necessarily created an unusual degree of interest in
this country ; the real value and importance of the possessions
have become a question of general debate; and opinion is
divided as to the policy and propriety of the occupation or
total abandonment of settlements, which appear so destructive to
European existence, and hold out so little prospect of future
advantage. But as these topics, (at least, if we are to be
guided by the paragraphs put forth in various ephemeral pub.
lications), as well as the circumstances leading to the unfortu.
nate and unnatural war in which we are at present engaged,
appear to be very imperfectly understood, arising, of course,
from the little information possessed respecting these posses.
alonn, which, until lately, were buried in comparative obscurity,
whose existence, indeed, was unknown to many, the following
concise account has been hastily drawn up, entirely with a view
of furnishing a slight data upon which an estimate may be
formed of their worth, as also of the conduct and transactions of
those concerned in their immediate management :
The fortresses at present garrisoned in that quarter by the
British, are tour in number, and extend from west to east in the

order they are here enumerated, Viz. Dix Cove, Cape Coast
Castle, Antiamaboe, and,Aeera ;"tif these Cape Coast Castle is
the most considerable, iu point of appearance and strength ;
but the most valuable in pointof trade arc Annamaboe and
Accra ; the latter by far the most desirable of any of our pos-
sessions as a situation for troops,. having in its rear a fine healthy
open country, of several miles in extent. „Cape COast Castle,.
as a place of trade,' is of little importance to Great Britain,
being fatuous for nothing, except the insolence ofits inhabit
tants, which, from Ote pliancy and dwarfish power of the
late African Cotnpsny, was not unfrequently permitted
to proceed to the Most alarming extents; -and it was' to
the agency of this insolence, • which has 'but too • often
been exerted with success against the , whites, :and shown
more than once towards the subjects 'of the Fong of Ashen.
tee, that the town is indebted fit the suspension of trade
and intercourse with the interior, for a period of more than three
years. The situation is extremely }tnfavournble fur the' &ire.
peen constitution, as has been lately too substantially proved
by the great mortality which has prevailed among the whites
of all classes ; and although this formidable evil might, itt the
course of time, and with considerable expense, be remedied, •
yet the difficulties which mipose• themselves in the deleteriOus
quality of the water, and the scarcity of fresh provisions, are so
considerable, that, as soon as matters are settled, and 'friendly
relations entered into with the Ashantees, it may bectime a
question worthy the attention
,of Government, whether this ex-
pensive and useless fortification may not be abandoned : at the
present moment, however, while a large force is requisite for the
otrfotohpes.
Thesedefence of the coast, its occupation is a matter of absolute ne-
are otrely
comity, as the only situation on the Gold Coast which, from
settlements briefthe extent of its public buildings; can aflbrd a shelter to the
observationsgenrebsypecwtalyngol ptheregelatine vo
somealu
e
remarks which will be afforded on the subject of future occu-
pation, as soon as the causes which led to the present war are
explained.
In a well-written work which has lately appeared, the pro-
duction of Mr. Dupuis, late British Consul at Coomassie,
considerable degree of pains has been taken to throw the whole
onus of the war upon the shoulders of Mr. Smith, the late Com-
pany's Governor at Cape Coast Castle, but whether the serious
accusations with which he is charged, are well founded or not,
it is not the intention of' the writer of this article to inquire ;
their refutation is left to those who may be more interested, and
who, being present at the time of their stated occurrence, are
better able to attempt it. Suffice it for him, in the mean time
to observe, that he Is aware of the existence of various, as yet
unpublished, opinions on the subject, which, when they do
meet the light, as in all probability they shortly will, may ma-
terially alter the present received opinion respecting the policy
of the measures pursued by that Gentleman. To proceed,
therefore, to the outline of the immediate, 'and not the re-
mote, causes of' the war, which letter are so mysteriously in.
volved with party feeling, that their truth cannot be easily
ascertained, it appears that in the year 1019, shortly after the
return of Mr. Hutchinson from Coomassie, a misunderstand-
ing, (followed by a demand of 1,600 ounces of gold, on the
castle, and a like sum on the town), arose between the Autho-
rities on the coast, and the King of Ashantee, relative to an
article in the treaty framed by Mr. Bowdich in the year 1017*.'
This misunderstanding, which it was expected the presence of
1111. Dupuis at Coomassie would entirely remove, was renewed
immediately on the return of that Gentleman whose residence'
at the Ashantee capital appear to have been too short to have
secured any permanent advantage, had matters been even in a
more settled state than that in which he found theta ; and it is
here to be sincerely regretted that any disagreement between
the Company'l officers and Mr. Dupuis should have induced
them to lay aside the advantages of reciprocal anti friendly
intercourse, which it is evideut, from his own account of the
favourable disposition of the King of Ashantee, he might
have been enabled by a little consistency and perseverance to
SWUM

The misunderstanding which existed, together with the im. 1
prudent anti insolent conduct of the people of Cape Coast,
led to a suspension Of intercourse between its inhabitants and.
thO 1..143A11te011, who appeared very undecided as to.their
tore intentions. At this period (the beginning of 1821) an
act combining at once the greatest atrocity, and utmost con.
tempt for the authorities of Cape Coast Castle, was committed
by a party of Fantees stationed at a town near an abandoned
Dutch fort, culled 31ouree, in the seizure of a native, who had
for many years lived under the protection of the Castle, and in
the subsequent inhuman murder, by the severest torture, of
the unfortunate man at the above-mentioned place. Mr. Smith
on being apprised of this horrible act, indignant at the con.
tempt shewn to the British flag, and acting at once upon
the first impulse of his feelings (and who similarly si-
tuated, could have acted otherwise ?) dispatched an armed
force to Mouree, with orders to secure the perpetrators
of the murder, but the party in the execution of this duty
being fired upon by the Fantees, was necessitated in self tie.
fence to return the compliment, when an action ensued, which
terrainated in the defeat of the Fantees, and the death of
Payntre, their Chief. About the close of the action Prince
Adoom, an Ashantee (Thief, who was encamped with a force in
the vicinity of Cape Coast, waiting the order of recal from his
Sovereign, made his appearance, and assumed a threatening
attitude,insomuch that the party from the Castle apprehensive
that their return might be endangered, sent to Cape Coast for
assistance, which being promptly afforded, the Ashantee Chief
altered his menacing intentions, and sent to acquaint the officer
in command, that he had merely come to lend his assistance in
settling the palaver. Although this decisive act of Mr. Smith's
'has been severely censured by some, and, although it has been
affirmed positively to be the circumstance which led to the war
yet it must, in justice to that tientleman, be refuted ; for the
King of Ashantee replied in answer to the communication made
to hum on the subject by Mr. S. that he entirely approved of
the method which had been resorted to for the punishment of
' the offence committed.
After this explanation with the King of Ashaatee, his people
visited the settlements of Annamaboe and Accra, as usual for
the purposes of trade, and, although Cape Coast was, from a
kind of jealousy or suppressed hostility, shut out from partici-
pating in any mercantile advantage with the interior, yet there
was no demonstration of hostility on either side, nor was there,
1.8'23, an Ashantee
stourcbseeqwuiteinlitntaa
itilutenlldlno:irmeenayfla9iretitliell.CAoaugsut.st,

Affairs were pretty nearly in this situations, when, in the
month of April, 1822, the late Sir C. M'Carthy took posses.
sion of the forts in behalf of the Crown. Affairs of course
were fur from bearing a flattering aspect, but certainly they
were by no means so radically bad, but that they might have
been placed in a favourable and advantageous train, had either
Mr. Smith or Mr. Dupuis (to the former of whom Sir Charles
applied in person, to the latter by letter,) afforded him
that information, which, sensible of his ignorance of the poli-
tics of the Gold Coast, he in vain sought for. He had a right
to expect, and was eager to obtain this; but which, failing hi
them, he was at length compelled to look for among the exag.
Berated pages of the late Mr. Bowdich ! If, therefore, after a per.
usal of those works which so considerably overrated the power,
character, and consequence of the Ashantees, he was induced to
adopt a contrary opinion, it cannot be looked upon as a matter
of wonder, for as there exists considerable difficulty to those
unaccustomed to the process, in separating the pure from the
baser metal, so was it impossible for Sir Charles to form from
such mixed materials, a just estimate of the people he was about
to contend with; he, therefore, came to the conclusion which
he most desired, and is which he was encouraged by some who
might have known better, viz. that the Ashantees were by no
means so formidable a race as represented, and that by a steady
and firm line of conduct, with the means in his possession;
he might check their overgrown authority, and obtain for
himself sufficient influence on the coast, to bring about those
improvements among the surrounding tribes, in agriculture,
which he woe ever anxious to
pcoronmetrecea,ndaneinl
cocuivniiiigze4t"
;ihe nevertheless entertained a suf.
ficient idea of the warlike spirit, and determination of the
Ashantecs, when opposed to people of their own colour, to
make vigorous preparations for encountering them, and but
fur the opinion which he unfortunately entertained, " that they
would not dare to encounter white men," there can exist but
little doubt that his exertions would have been, ere now,
crowned with the success which they so richly deserved. Be-
fore returning from this digression on the opinions of Sir Chas.
M'Carthy regarding the Ashantees to the history of the war,
it will just be necessary to observe, that they were not adopted,
at all evems, not expressed, till the actions of these people. at
a subsequent period, caused him to look upon them as one-
mice ; when he took possession of the forts, they were regF'ded
Dy him in the same light as the natives of the rest of Africa ;

• The King of Aslutntee insisted that be understood from
Mr. Ilodwich that the penalty for any infraction of the treaty
was to bt a fine of gold, and his assertion II believed by Mr.
Dupuis; but the note (p. 280 by Mr, Hutton breathes more
generosity, and is well worthy of attention.

. and ilthottgli lie was equally as desirliiiis- a Caitieittinii o good
understanding, and of promotinto.:trinie and intercourse witti
them, to the fullest extent. 'yet he' eoiniriitt;il a'greit enlor
itr not :tending to assure the .ICting of Ash nutce of ,lils friendly._
and pacific intentions I he, 'nevertlielestee so estil4ned himself
alibis palivers, a( whiciianimy Ashantees were. ofterl ".pre-
sent; he publicly, and on every fit pccAsion. inculcated the
bletnings and happinetti arising friom:a;Ntite bi:peace,_' and neiver
bethought himself of war, until absolute] compiled, and till
far beyond the reach of his power to; avert it; • • • • ' ''' "1
• - ~Seel,,:fieties Ill`Cartitye in proceeding to assume the command
on the Gold Coast, was merely attended by ills pfetsoneleteff,
and thus tbeiv Wits desires of,eorteptying :iittplicitlyowitle the ht.
structions from Uovernrreent, of offering employment to as many
of the Company's.offieers as.were,irichned tweeter the seiViCe
but it might have been for the-interest ofethat unfortunate and
ill-fated country, if an alternative; had been allowed him, and,
that he had been empowered, if a.equielte, tkvlie independent of
these Gentlemen, some of whotte.seeieg that Sir Charles was
under the necessity of employing them, .and, that it. was out of
his power to carry on the duties without their immediate a,ssist-
ince, chewed a disinclination to enter the sus'iee, while ethers
absolutely refused, and lived long entnigh,os.rt-pcitt of their
follyi Governor Smith refused the offex of Lieut.-Colonel, and
Member of the Council, 'with as- niticledistisin
,es Mr. Depuis
did a similar offer from Mr. ettnith ; 'awl many Of his partisans
felesuch a pride in following his exenipiet ,thar: timelier*? -ae-;
Cepted. of Government situations w ere looked , 'won at turncoats,
and swervere from the alliance that had been entered into before
the arrival of Sir Charles MiCartliy. Such an alliance, farmed
between people who had:been for years-at vatiance.w Rhone ana,
ther, could not long exist, however mticiAlicy might, fot i time,
from similarity of satiation, feel united; and it was Subferted by
the late Mr. Swaney, who, getting two of 'tisanes well piovided
for, became the friend of Sir Cherles. Frew .this Gentleman,
at length, Sir --Charles gained' a little of that infohnition re-
specting the political features of . the conittey which he had a
right to have' expected' from Governor Smith, "Wilinti- either
knew, or ought to have known, more of these matters than
jealousy permitted hint to disclose; he Merely; gave up the foil*
to Sir Charles, and then sealed his lips to further intercourse.
The nations On the' ()old Coast appear of rather a more in-
telligent cast, than any other tribes bordering open our,posseew
sions in Africa ; and they soon compiehended the nature of our'
(policy; as explained by Sir Charles ' Wealthy, who was'
looked upon by them, in a very short time, AS their deliverer,
both from internal and foreign oppreselon ; they beheld with
satisfaction, the privileges which were conferred upon theta. by
the change, and they had full confidence in the promises he made
to them of British protection. The name qr M'Cartby rung
along, the coast from Cape Apollonia to ,the mouth of the
Volsa, and the great 'influence which he gabled over theie
people, (the hitherto acknowledged .subjeCts cif the King of
lkshantee), was viewed with silent and gloomy indignation by
that Monarch, whose pride was not only stung at the sudden
revolt of his subjects, acknowledged tie such by British treaty,
but at the neglect of his authority and dignity on the part of the
British, in not sending to him a complimentery .Embassy.—
At this time he entertained a great opinion of Sir Charles
31`Carthy's consequence and ability ; he had heard he was a
powerfUl fighting man, and bad large poesessionse independect
of the Gold Coast ; if, therefore, this compliment !last been paid
to him, it is an assumption, by no means chimerical, that he
would have been satisfied to resign - his sovereignty over the
people of the coast, and they might have enjoyed that state of
peaceful security, which an appeal to arms has perhaps de.
',rived them of for ever. Pity it was that the late much hi.
molted Governor of these Colonic* had not been advised to
take this step, instead of -endavouring to turn '. to contempt the
authority enacted by that sable and implacable chief.
• The Ashantees are by no means n hasty people in their re-
solutions, and never engage in any thing rashly. ; They have
been known to take three years in making preparations for a
war, previous to a declaration-of- hostilities, such is their cau-
tion and calculation against defeat.' From this uncommon
prudence of theirs, Sir C. 31.4Cartity was allowed to MOW
~
arrangements, anti to quit thttePoq far a time; perfectlysatin'
fled with the appearance of prosperity exhibited by the happi.
netts and contentment of the natives with.whom lie held inter-
course, and utterly unconscious of the hostile intentions of the
Monarch of Aslitintee, as Ashantees, though not men of any
note, visited the settlements as trailers.
During his absence, the impending storm burst, by the eel.
sure, on the part of the King, m the month of August., 1822,
of' a British Serjeant under some trivial pretence. This man
was carried off' to a Fantee town, named Donquah, about 18
miles inland from Annuniaboe, and was detained there a pri-
soner, with an intention of finding out (as was Afterwards
learned) what part we should
- - act in the endeavour to recover
him ; whether we should have recourse to force, as in the
Mouree affeir, or whether we would amend his release
agreeably to the sth article of the treaty. • The alleged
offence was an insult offered to the King of Asliantee, by
the Serjeant, who was enforcing silence in the area square
of Annantlxie Fort among some Ashantees, some of whom were
trading with the late Mr. Swaney, who was permitted for some
time after the transfer to remain in ' the fort, till his house in
town was readyfor reception ; but as the detail of this , matter
would extend beyond the intended limits of this outline, suffice
it to say that the British Serjeant did his duty, and that the
affair might even then have been checked in the bud but for
the mercantile pliancy of Mr. Swanty, who, fearing to lose his
trade by offending the A %banters, wits less decisive than a per-
son less interested might have been. At this time the trade of
Annamaboe averaged 300 ounces of gold, 16 tons of ivory,
and as much palm oil as the merchants were willing to pur-
chase monthly; two-thirds of this valuable trade falling to the
share of Mr. S.
The unwelcome news of the Sergeant's seizure reached Sir
Charles M'Carthy at Sierra Leone on the 3d of November,
1822, at a moment when on the point of embarking in the sloop
of war Driver, to make a visit of inspection to the Gambia e
his intentions were of course immediately altered, and he re.
solved upon returning to the Gold Coast, to inquire personally
into the state of the affair ; and, in order to make a little show
of power, he took with him 32 rank arid file of the 2d West
India Iteeiment, under the command of Captain Stepney, in
the Colonial service ; he was followed by a small party of re-
cruits for the Royal African Corps, under command of Captain
Laing, who hail returned a few days before from it mission into
the interior countries of Africa.
The return of the Governor-General to the Gold Coast,
which took place on the 7th of December, was hailed by the
natives with every demonstration of joy; undisguised happiness
pervaded the countenances of every one, and afforded to those
of his followers, who Were real friends of African liberation,
a sight far more imposing than the triumph of the greatest
conquerors ! How distressing to view the present altered ewe
of the picture. Their protector no more! Width influence
overturned! ! Theinielves exposed in defence Of their liberties
their old and blood thirsty oppressors t I t • pi. *Full must
be called, despite of a
11 the boasted humanity of the blood.
that
—their wives and the* children left to the tiopirtriAle,itnife of
sucking. despot of Ashantees.
Sir Charles 111‘Carthy was quite undecided . what line to
pursue in this dilemma ;he wee unwilling to proceed-to- host;.
lities without knowing the real intentions of the Ashantees, snit
negociation was impracticable, unless., attended With: com i.
derable risk, for all intercourse between . the. Ashantees at d
the settlements had ceased since' the seizure of the Sergeant.—
perempeorl punished, and insiruated
Dissatisfaction and jealousy still ;prevailed among the officers
of the late company, and rather than assist, a chosen few en.
They called out loudly that the seizures or the o r,
deavoured to ridicule the unpleasant situation of the Govern°. .
General.
more decisive measures would have been adopted by thelate
oovernmens,- Captain Laing, .Royal African Light,infantry
jeans should toe
matte a tender of his services to proceed to Coomasst, and '
en-
deavour to bring about an understentling with the King; b
but
that most worthy man, the late much esteemed Governor ob-
jected to the enterprise as being too perilous. . , )An utter to attempt the settlement of the difFerencea byea
seeding to Donquah was also refused, and the tio passed --0:
inactively, and in idle speculations, until the Ist le'
1023, when the sesjeant wail beheaded
further doubts as to the hostile intentionsat Do
froluah, and any
were entirely removed; preparations were °tle
perpetrators
the prosecution of' the war, Which, from
may appear to: owe its origin more
more to the offended dignity, title,
and despotic King',
'deputes of Mr. Dupuis, the
Charles M'Carthy. ' this therefore made for
etaternent of facts,
to accident than deeign,
than to the FQ‘and"46"
" P"1"1111
indiscretions of Mr. Smith, the
or biassed opinions of the late bir

( To bit concluded in our.nrxt•J

a,
to the benefit of British lava.
• It is evident from the perusal of the treaty matt by Mr-
Dnuypvutiesien thatee bee
ing nhalidtivaeorersigidhig tnto
and entitled
seize the sergeant upon
under Brithinprotectidti,