The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1874-01-23
ASHANTEE.

Ashantee is the most notable
the existing savage kingdoms on u
western coast Of Africa. Its bound
ries are not accurately defined; 81
rroximately The king dom msy
considered the region fronting to
Gold Coast, between latitude 3 deg
and 10 deg north, and longitude
deg. and 8 deg. west Unoi tn
commencement OF the present eentu
~ Ashsntee was unheard Of by 10
ropesns, for the Fantees, hostil
tribe, occupied the coast. In 1SOi
Ossi Tutu was King Of Ash anted
He appears to have subjugated mani
of the neighboring tribes. Two q
bis tributary chiefs having fed to thd
Fsntee country. Osai demanded thai
they should be given up to him. Th4
demand was refused, and the Ashahf
tee messengers were put to death
Osai thereupon made an incursion inI
20 the Fantee country, which he raw
aged down the coast. The British
who hsd fort at Anamboe, on tbs|
coast, undertook TO shelter the fYiDe|
Fantees. The Ashantees invested
the fort, and compelled the British
Governor to ask for peace. Thi4
peace was os brief duration. Id
1917 the Ashantees invaded the Fan
tee country, and took possession d
it, their scquisition by right Of con-
quest being recognized by the British
Governor Of the fort. In 1928 the
Fantees, encouraged by the British, !
rose against the Ashsntees, who
sgain marched into their country.
Sir Charles Mccarthy, the British
Governor Of the Gold Cosst, under
took to chastise the invaders. A.
sharp action took place Jan. q, 1S24,
in which the British were defeated,
the commander and nearly all his Of
fieers being killed. The victorious
Ashantees came near capturing the
British stronghold of Cape Coast
Castle; but, sickness coming on, they
we're obliged to withdraw to their
own country. Since that time the
Ashantees have kept alooi from the
sesbosrd, but appear to have extend
ed their dominion in the interior
Now and then travellers have made
their way to Coomsssie, the Ashan-
tee capital, in latitude 8 deerees and
81 minutes north, Longitude 2 degrees
and Is minutes west. They report
that the government is an absoiue
despotism. The King is the great
property owner, and is the legal heir
to all his subjects. Slavery exists on
q large scale, many Of the mobiles
having 80 many as one thousand
slaves. Up to within q few years
the slave trade prospered and gave 3
large income to the masters but
now that the trade has declined, sla-
very seems like to die out. Polyga-
nv may be considered the special
institution Of Ashantee. The inn
portance Of man is measured by the
number of his wives ; for these are
the cheapest laborers. The King, it
is said, is limited to three thousand
three hundred and thirty-three wives
Tho, during the working season, are
scattered over his plantations W bile
at home in the capital they occupy
two streets, where they are secluded
from all but the King and his female
relatives any other person who
looks upon ons OF thsm evan by ac-
cident, is punished by d sth. As TO
their religion, human sacrifices seen
to constitute the distinguishing fes-
ture. The soil is fertile, producing
every kind of tropical grains and
fruits. The abundance OF gold dis
played as ornaments shows that
mines are common; many OF the
richest, however, are he'd sacred to
the divinities, and 80 not worked
Among the special industries may be
mentioned beautiful fabric OF cot
ton, woven in stripes four inches
vide and atterwsrd sewed together.
A considerable commerce is carried
on between Coomsssio and Hoossa,
Bornoo, Timbuctoo, and ot1er points
in the interior. The principal pro-
ducts are gold dust and ivory. The
OF the country is by some
to reach, or even to exceed
three millions.