Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1842-08-25

FTon he London Patriot.
Il cERlEstoNIIEs ofthe AsIIANTE

u
CRUEL g EHlEaToNIEs ofthe AsIIANTEES
We have been favored bylhe Rev. DR.. Cox.o
Hackney, with The following painfully interest
\ ing sietler. just received from the Rev Johr
Clark, of Ihe Baptist Mission to Central Africa
dated Fefnando Po, CIT. %, lS4l.
j know you love Africa, and will Dc
what yon can to assist in sending the
Gospel 10 Der degraded children. mean
to occupy This sheet id conveying 10 you
not the painful account of the disasirou:
result Of the Niger Expedition, but an
account Of cruelty and blood cruelty
daily perpetrated;. and blood continually
shed. Ibegih with cruelty as at present
prevailing among the Ashantees. know
you have heard much Of this already
but what I commuaieate is from the
mouth Of an eye witness, who resided
many years at Commassie, and was EN-
ployed by the Governor at Cape Coast
Castle, TO read 10 the King Of the Ashsn-
tees such Communications as he had,
from time to time, TO make ID The Sove-
reign Of that nation, Tie man is d Fan.
lee, but well understands The Ashantee,
and is atle 10 read and write with great
corrsrtness. His knowledge, too; Of En-
glish Grammar is good; and be has ar
ranged and written out a Fantee Voea-
bulary, which | am about 10 copy. /
mention these things. that you may have
good idea Of the ability OF my informant
10 communicate intelligence.
Al the death Of the late King .hO-se-
yesn," which took place on the 9th of
February 1884. The greatest enormilips
we're committed. His death was kept
secret from The public for four days; and
a. their expiration, Affor .sipon,s and AT.
laval nieces Of the departed King
went, with some attendants, into the
Kings. yard. where his wives resided, and
sta bbed each Of them. who bad offended
them during the lifetime Of their uncle
A man followed ,and as each fvictim fell,
Instantly cut of her head A numbered
other women were put in irons. toi await
.he great ofeting at the grave. a few
1avoutites wefe suffered to escape and
The Chiefs who hac daughters among the
widows Of the late King. begged Of "Ai-
ofis.pon, theBQuesn, Or, as her title is
Interpreted, tine Lady commanding The
Town 10 allow their children 10 live
ltfthe Chief applying were 10 favor with
The Lady, the petition was granted ); but
il not, their daughters were doomed to
die, none daring 10 attempt 10 save them
from a cruel death. Tho number OF
wives kept by these men il 50 great, that
il is mol thought necessary 10 destroy the
whole; so that, when the actors are sa
lated with blood. the hundreds that re-
main coniinueFio occupy their place Id
the Kings yard. aud either become the
wives Of his successor. or some Of the
Chiefs; or are allowed to take up their
abode, If old or disliked. With their rela
tions aud friends.
The grave Of the late King O. Sc yean, :
was large concern. la .one part. d
square room was formed: a rich bed.
dressed with gold lace, silks, and yalua.
Die cloths. stood in it. and on this dhe
corpse, extensively adorned, was laid
Tbs women 10 attend him il The other
void, were then sacrificed. Some ap-
psared willing to die. and suffered deaih
BY sirangulaiion others seemed filed
with fear. and we're knocked down with :
club BY ALLOW from behind. The Chiefs
aud men 10 the town next supplied The
victims. Some brought four slaves %
sacrifice: others. ten; but Chiefs Of dis.
TAM towns brought 10 the amount Of 6fty
aud one hundred slaves to be sacrificed
and few. for reasons noi explained fur.
thss than 'lleirilowns being very distan,l
coE ve}ed their purifying heals az the
sacrifices they had offered, 10 lbe scspe
81 death. When sufficient ipumber q
bsdies were pptinio The grave. il was clos.
81 carefully atIhe mouth: and The peo.
s-.-----s- il
This person is married TO Prince Domi, and
4 new about 20 years or are.
fAtla-ua is one Or he wixe, Or capsair
Assi-bi- ii. and may Be Two Or :hfss years Young
er han her sister.