Natchitoches spectator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1867-18??, 1868-05-28
History Of King Theodore---Orisin Of
THE WAR.

been slain at the storming of his CAPT
tai, Magdala, by the English army.
The original name of Theodore was
Dejaimatch KasaI. He was born of
humble parentage in Quarrel, on the
borders of Western Amhara, and was
educated in a convent, in which he was
placed under restraint by his mother.
He escaped from the convent to his
uncle, Dejatch Confu, a noted rebel,
like pursuits, and eventually became
ruler of large portion of Abyssinia.
Naturally ambitious and polite, he sue
ceeded in enlarging his authority steadi
~ at the expense OF other ''Ras,'' or
Chiefs of Abyssinia. His power espec-
tally increased when in 1853 he defeated
his father-in-law, Ras Ali, and took him
prisoner. At length, in 1856, he felt
himself strong enough to formally claim
the throne of all Abyssinia, and he was
crowned as such by the Abuna Salama.
the head of the Abyssinian Church.
His reign soon proved to be the most
effective Abyssinia ever mad. AS soon
as he came into power, his attention was
directed to the Importance of being OH
terms of friendship with the government
which rules India, and which has estab-
lished itself in the neighboring strong
hold of Adeh. He, therefore, resolved
to assert the rights assured to him by
virtue of treaty made between Great
Britain and Abyssinia in the year 1S49,
and ratified in 1852, in which it was
stipulated that each State should re-
ceive ambassadors from the other. Mr..
Plowden, who had been for many years
English Consul at Massowah, although
not accredited agent to Abyssinia, went
to that country with presents for the
people in authority, and renamed dur
ing war which broke out at the Access
sion of Theodore. Unfortunately Mr..
Plowden, who had succeeded in winning
3he favor of the Emperor to a large ex-
tent, was killed, and his successor, Mr..
Cameron, was informed soon after his
arrival in 1862, by the King, that he
desired to carry out the above-men-
toned treaty; he even wrote an auto
graph letter to Queen Victoria, asking
permission to send and embassy to
London. Although the letter reached
England in February. 1868, it remained
unanswered; and the supposition is that
| this circumstance, together with quar-
rel with Mr.. Stern, missionary, who,
| in book on Abyssinia, had spoken
disrespectfully of the King, and who
had demonstrated against the fogging
to death of two interpreters, reused the
| Kings temper, and a year after having
dispatched the unanswered letter, he
sent an armed force to the missionary
station, seized the missionaries and put
them in chains. He also cast Mr.. Cam
eron into prison, and had him chained
continually to an Abyssinian soldier.
Great excitement prevailed in England
on the arrival of the news of this out
rage against British subjects; but in
consideration of an armed expedition
having to undergo many hardships in
such warm climate, it was deemed
best by the English government to use
diplomacy in its efforts to have the pris-
oners released. 1t was not until the
second half of August, 1865, that Mr..
Rassam, an Asiatic by birth, was sent
on special mission to the Abyssinlan po-
teIitate, and was received on his arrival
in February, 1866, in truly magnificent
style, the release of the prisoners being
at once ordered by the King. But the
hope thus raised was soon to be disap-
pointed, for when Mr.. Rassam and the
other prisoners were inst on the point
of taking leave of the Emperor; they
twere put under arrest and notified that
| they would have to remain in the coun-
try as State guests until an answer
could be obtained to another letter which
the King was going to write TO the
Queen Hypocrisy, falseness and mem
dacity seem to have taken a prominent
part in the character of King Theodore,
flor while he, in an unetious letter to
the Queen, ostensibly attributed the de-
ltention of Mr.. Rassam to his wish OF
Iconsulting with him in what way the
friendly relations of the English and
Abyssinian monarchies might be best
Extended, he treated the prisoners with
Ileniency for a short period, but soon
used rigorous measures toward his vic
: tins. As a reason for his change o.
conduct, he afterward gave an alledgeC
report that English, French, and Turk
ish troops were on their way to invade
Abyssinia. Theodore's letter was con
viewed to England by Mr.. Flad, Ger
= man missionary, who was also tn
y bearer of letter from Mr.. Rassam, il
which he requested tie English artisan
be sent to engage in the Abyssiniai
service. The English government en-
gagged some artisans for the service, ant
= having sent them to the coast of Abys
sinia, notified the King that they woult
not enter his territory if he would prev
lously liberate the captives. The con
dition not being complied with, tn
the artisans returned to England Ate