The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-08

able state into which the Protectorate was
plunged is lndescribabe. II may be said That
until 1926 the Ashantees were masters OF all the
Protectorate up to within a mile of the seacoast
FORTS The tables were reversed In 1926 The
British collected a force at Accra and met the
Ashantees at DundOwah. The battle that ensued
then was most sanguinary, but nearly at the CON-
mencement OF 1t the Ashantees were stricken with
panic and fed, and great many OF their cap
tains, rather than meet the king, committed sui
eide on the field. The Fantees and their allies on
this day amply avenged the horrors OF 1923 and
1924 and even balance OF losses was thus struck
The successor Of Sy Okoto was prince called
Kwaweda who departed this life In 1867. Kwaweda
invaded the Proiectorate in $780, and waged a
bloody and relentless war on the Fantees but the
English were not summoned to take up arms for
the latter IN this campaign they simply advised
them and supplied them with arms and ammun-
ton. On the death OF Kwaweda, the present King
Conee Cacali assembled the throne, in his thrtieth
year.
THE KING OF AsHsNTEE
is said to be an intelligent man, with the appear
ance OF mulattO, slight but sinewy IN figure hos
pitable ana gracious to strangers. He resides at
CoOmassie, the capital, which is said to be,
by those who have seen it, populous and
well regulated town. The paIace OF the
King is structure of hewn stones, large
and capacious, with great squares where reviews
and assemblages are held. The whole is walled
around having an outer and inner enclosure. The
rooms are lofty and commodious, and those occu-
pied by His Majesty are iurnitured with European
and native articles. The presents he has been con-
tinually receiving automatically have assisted in
supplying him with unusual luXuries. Pictures
adorn the walls sumptuous sofas are ranged round
his walls thick carpets cover his floors; his tables
1.I
Next IN Importance 10 the Palace among
THE PUHLIC BUILDINGS
is the Bantammah, which is the Tower or the
Louvre OF Co0massie, wherein are stored the more
precious gifts it has been the good pleasure OF the
kings OF Ashantee to receive from the British, the
Dutch and the French governments. 1t Is
the treasure house, filed with the costly
ware the kings have gathered from time
time; the Bank, wherein lie the specie and
the gold dust, ingots and bars Of solid gold
and many CHESTNUT OF rings and chains OF gold
gorgeous silks and satins and much else OF wealth
that go to make up the treasures OF a rich and
powerful despot like the Ashantee King. In the
Bantammah, side by side with the crown OF the
kings, is laid the gold decorated cup fashioned
of the skull of the unfortunate Governor OF Cape
Coast Castle, Sir Charles MacCarthy 1t is only on
days OF state and high festival that this CHASTITY
cup is used. fancy that If the English take the
Bantammah that this State cup will be considered
one OF the most valuable trophies that could be
secured.
The King possesses numerous harem, like the
sable monarch of Dahomey. He is privileged to
marry as many as he pleases: for even in Ashantee
the King can do no wrong or trespass on any law.
should fear to say how many wives he has mar
RED, for we shall probably know the exact number
by and by; but he can take his pick out OF the
tha fo md hast in fhn lam
which it is certain death for any other man in
Ashantee to Look on her face, FOR she is the Kings
The harem is jealousy guarded in quarter OF the
palace overlooking the palace gardens by q body
OF $50 eunuchs 1t must not be supposed, however,
that the rights OF ordinary women are cUrtailed
thus; in the households OF all but the King the
women are at liberty to stare and be stared at, to
talk with any man or be talked with.
The King, with the usual privilege of monarchy
may stay at home during war; while he may COM
mand every soul capable of bearing arms to pro-
coed to the war. He has his Prime Minister'S his Com
mander-in-Chie, Keeper Of the Treasury, Chief Of
the Eunuchs, Generals OF Divisions and Mobiles Of
the Council.
The Prime Ministers, two in number, the most
important OF his household, manage all public busi-
ness, and prefer advice to the King upon all
matters OF vital Importance to the state.
The Commander -in-Chief is generally some an
cient warrior, whose deeds in his prime form
never-ending subjects OF social chat among the OLD
and young. When he assumes this high post he
does not venture into the battle any more; his
work seems to be limited to portonlng the leves
to each noble, to keep the army up to certain
standard in numbers, to organizing, and appoint
ing the officers and troops for active service. Next
to
THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
nor nj
seems to be that Of strategcian-in-c who
plans campaigns and wars, ana whispers military
advice into the OF the generals about to pro-
coed on active service.
The Keeper of the Bautammah or the Treasury OF
Coomasse, is q most important man. He Is gen.
orally noble, ana a distinguished soldier. The
present Keeper is chief called Aman Kwah Tia,
reported to be at present in our front seeking
honors in skirmishing with the British allies.
THE GENERALS OF DIVISIONS
are generally great and powerful chiefs, who have
supplied the Kings army with hundreds OF their
retainers and slaves, and are appointed for their
influence. When wide prestige is added to this
influence, he seems to lose the simple distinction
of a chief and becomes general.
AS may be seen from the above, the Ashantee ma
ton is composed of four classes-the monarch, the
mobiles. or feudal chiefs; the free Ashantee yeo-
men, land pr0preors, small village chiefs, all free
born Ashantees; the slaves taken in war o. born
in bondage form the fourth class.
THE GREAT MOBILES
own vast territories and are lords of thousands Of
vassels. They may be said to be petty kings, sub
sdiary to the central government at CoOmassie.
Foremost among these, like another Warwick, Is
the Prince of abon, in whose territory is the popu
lous city of Selaga with population OF 100000 ~
souls, situate the upper Volta. This Prince can
furnish the King with force OF 10000 vassals for
mis- army. lie seldom ventures out himself into ac-
tive service unless the King of Ashantee proceeds
in person to the war.
THE PRINCES OF PUKU
and Marn-pon are each able to furnish the
tonal army with contngents varying from 5000 to
10000 vassals. The Chief Of Funamah, between
Coomassie and the Prah enters on service with