We published, in a second...
The Times, 1824-05-03T00:00:00

Wl'e published, in a second edition, on Saturday, intelli- gence which had arrived from. Africa, of a nature at oncce melancholy and fearful. 'Ilhe too ?robable destruction of a British Governor, and the certain and blootly defeat of a force -ander his command. by a people only known to ut as barbarians, would be, in any circumstances, events to be regarded with a nixtuwe of grief, shame, and apprehension. but the fact of Sir C. MACAILTaY's overtlhrow, however in itself deplorable, becomes trebly important when viewed in relation to its probable consequences, immediate anti re- mote. We leave the tletails, imperfect as they may be, to he gathered from the extracts, which reach us by way of Barbadoes, but from sources, it is to be feared, the megt authentic. WVhether the Governor of Sierra Leone wa.4 indiscreet in the separation of his scantv forces,-one division of wbich, it appears, was surprised, and after a becoming resistance ov.rpowered,-we cannot determine on the presentevideDce. The Ashantee nation-for it is too nu- merous and formidable to be called a tribe-had for years been threatening an invasion of the British settlement: repeated attacks had already been made by them upon the Fantee nation, our neighbours and allies. Our weak force, and feebler policy, induced the adoption of an -xpedient which never, in ancient or modern history, has been otherwise than disastrous in its effects. We bought off the aggressors, and thus invited a repetition of their outrages. And these outrages, what means have our settlements on the coast of Africa possessed of repelling ? We believe of Europeans hardly any. An officer of rank on board the Owen Glendower states that "e all" the white men of the Governor's division were in the present instance destroyet; but adds, that they amounted to only seven or eight. The Ashantees, on the other hand, are described by NIr. BOWDICH to be what every-where must be consideTed a power of no nmean class. He estimates their disposable troops at 150,000 men; and expatiates on certain babits and practices in their discipline, which prove that when they go to war it is not merely " to feel the pulse of an enemy." Suspicions are raised s.gainst the traders of a " neighbouring European nation," as being the instigators of this late blow to British power. In the absence of direct testimony, it is absurd and mis- chievous to indulge in such surmises. The natural jealousy of a native despotism, warlike and ambitious like that of Ashantee, would be cause enough for any such hostile movements against us. But what will be the result of this disaster in other quarters of the world ? WVhen the African race in our WVest Indies are informed, as they may soon be, of the defeat of this force by their brethren, will not the example ef the St. Domingo contest receive a corro- boration, brought honne more pointedly to themselves. as beisV-.hat of a success obtained over an English adver- sary ? WVithout, however, extending our speculation so far, one conclusion seems to be unavoidable ;-we mnust either abandon our settlements on the western eoast nf Africa, or we must instantly undertake an exten- lsive expetlition for the chastisement and humiliation of Ashantee. Either alternative is pregnant with evil. In the first, we sacrifice long cherished schemes for the relief and benefit of the unhappy Africans-schemes which have been prosecuted at much labour anl expense, and directed to an inestimable object; in the seconfl, we entcr on a new career of blood, almost of necessity leading from self-de- fence to enterprises of conquest and dominion. Cape Coast Castle, it is affirmed, was expecting an imtnediatc blockade, and the marincs and crew of the Owen Glendouer were preparing for a conflict with their ferocious enemy.