Background The state of Axim, in what is now the Western Region of the Republic of Ghana, constituted a regional power in the form of a city state with two chiefs, each with their own territory and constituency. Axim had been a Portuguese trading post since the late fifteenth century, fortified with the fort St. Antonio (St. Anthony) since the early sixteenth century. The Axim chiefs declare with the Dutch that the King of Spain and his allies are to be an enemy forever. They further declare to acknowledge as legitimate authorities the States General of the United Netherlands, His Highness the Prince of Orange, and the Dutch West India Company, of which they declare to be loyal servants. The Axim leaders were not allowed to correspond or trade with any foreign nation without permission from the Dutch authorities. The Dutch promised safe passage to the Portuguese, Africans of mixed Euro-African descent, Muslims, and slaves that were part of the Portuguese establishment, and their dependents , on condition that they accept Dutch authority. Civil and criminal matters were to be dealt with by the chiefs of Axim and the "merchant of the fort" (i.e. the Dutch governor), who will act as president. The fines imposed go to the chiefs, as was the practice in Elmina. In case of a war being waged against the contracting parties by an outside party, the contracting parties were to assist each other forthwith on pain of punishment. The excise on fish is set at the same level as at Elmina: 1 good fish in 5 and the head of a big fish. Evasion of payment would incur a penalty of the fishing canoe being broken or confiscated. Ownership of all houses, gardens, compounds, and the fort, formerly property of the Portuguese, is transferred to the Dutch government to be used for any purpose. No one is allowed to damage the property. The chiefs of Axim are paid one ounce of gold for each newly arriving ship from the Netherlands, bringing cargo for the Gold Coast. Depending on the value or volume of goods unloaded that sum will be increased or decreased. Africans buying goods at Axim are allowed a "dash" (gift) in accordance with the system used in Elmina. To assure that the treaty is binding, the parties will sign the document, and the chiefs of Axim each hand over one of their sons to the Dutch.
Background The state of Axim, in what is now the Western Region of the Republic of Ghana, constituted a regional power in the form of a city state with two chiefs, each with their own territory and constituency. Axim had been a Portuguese trading post since the late 15th century, fortified with the fort St. Antonio (St. Anthony) since the early 16th century. The Axim chiefs declare with the Dutch that the King of Spain and his allies are to be an enemy forever. They further declare to acknowledge as legitimate authorities the States General of the United Netherlands, His Highness the Prince of Orange, and the Dutch West India Company, of which they declare to be loyal servants. The Axim leaders were not allowed to correspond or trade with any foreign nation without permission from the Dutch authorities. The Dutch promised safe passage to the Portuguese, Africans of mixed Euro-African descent, Muslims, and slaves that were part of the Portuguese establishment, and their dependants , on condition that they accept Dutch authority. Civil and criminal matters were to be dealt with by the chiefs of Axim and the "merchant of the fort" (i.e. the Dutch governor), who will act as president. The fines imposed go to the chiefs, as was the practice in Elmina. In case of a war being waged against the contracting parties by an outside party, the contracting parties were to assist each other forthwith on pain of punishment. The excise on fish is set at the same level as at Elmina: 1 good fish in 5 and the head of a big fish. Evasion of payment would incur a penalty of the fishing canoe being broken or confiscated. Ownership of all houses, gardens, compounds, and the fort, formerly property of the Portuguese, is transferred to the Dutch government to be used for any purpose. No one is allowed to damage the property. The chiefs of Axim are paid one ounce of gold for each newly arriving ship from the Netherlands, bringing cargo for the Gold Coast. Depending on the value or volume of goods unloaded that sum will be increased or decreased. Africans buying goods at Axim are allowed a "dash" (gift) in accordance with the system used in Elmina. To assure that the treaty is binding, the parties will sign the document, and the chiefs of Axim each hand over one of their sons to the Dutch.
R
fifteenth
15th
R
sixteenth
16th
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dependents
dependants