CHAPTER XII.

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_Mr. Hutchison’s Diary._

September 26. After we left the palace this morning, Apokoo invited me home to take some refreshment. He entered into a long conversation concerning the slave trade: he heard, he said, that an English vessel had arrived at Cape Coast, and had brought out a letter from the King of England to the Governor-in-Chief, ordering a renewal of the slave trade, and asked me, if I had received any letter. I said I had not, but if such a thing had taken place, I thought I should have early accounts. He enquired what were the objections we had to “buy men?” I told him what I conceived to be proper; he laughed at our ideas, and enquired if the king of Dahomey had not sent a “book four moons ago to Cape Coast, inviting the English to trade again, in his kingdom.” I replied there was a message sent, but I could not say exactly in what words, as I was at Dix Cove at the time. “England,” he said, “was too fond of fighting, her soldiers were the same as dropping a stone in a pond, they go farther and farther:” at the same time he described an enlarging circle with his hand, and shook his finger and head significantly at me. He was anxious for me to write a “proper book” on the slave trade, many slaves, he told me, had revolted, and joining the Buntokoo standard were to fight against them; there were too many slaves in the country, (an opinion I tacitly acquiesced in), and they wanted to get rid of some of them. There might be a deal of trouble from them; he alone had one slave, who had 1000 followers at arms, and he might trouble them as Cudjo Cooma did, who was a slave of his when he revolted, and whose adherents alone were 10,000, independent of runaways, &c.

In the afternoon the King sent me a ceremonious message, with his compliments, saying he would be glad if I attended him in his customs, &c. when he should sit in public. I replied that I would be happy to do so, as it was the King’s wish, except when human sacrifices were offered, but then it would be contrary to my inclinations, my religion, and my instructions.

Shortly after I was told the King was in the market-place drinking palm wine. I went for the first time and took my seat on his left. The King made me a present of a pot of wine, as did several of his chiefs. When he drank, the whole of the music played, while the executioners, holding their swords with their right hands, covered their noses with their left, whilst they sung his victories and titles. About half a dozen small boys stood behind his chair, and finished the whole with a fetish hymn. The King enquired how many servants I had, and several questions of the same kind. After sitting about half an hour the assembly broke up, the King rising first, which is the signal to retire.

Since the mission departed I have not been annoyed by any boys calling after me. After seeing Messrs. Bowdich and Tedlie through the town, on their going away, as I returned home the crowds thanked me as I passed, for staying. I suppose they hardly imagined, when it came to the last, that I would do so: indeed when I returned to my lodgings I found them solitary enough; and, in the night time, three men found their way into the house; one of my servants awakening, shouted out; I struck at one of them with my sword, but missed him: in the morning it was discovered that he had succeeded in stealing nearly half a sheep, a quantity of kankey belonging to the boys, and a table knife. I am not sanguine enough to imagine I shall be long allowed to take my walks unmolested; when the novelty of my remaining alone passes away, they will return to their old insolencies.

Monday 29. Paid Apokoo a visit, and dashed him a razor. Several people were there talking palavers, and wishing him to interest the King for them; among others, an old captain complained heavily of Quamina Bwa, our guide, but since dead, who he said had stolen a slave from him and sold him during the Fantee war; he had unavailingly applied to the family, he therefore wished it to be brought before the King.

Apokoo complained of head-ach, and one of his women brought a decoction of herbs, which she poured into a hollow piece of wood with two tubes, these were inserted in the nostrils, and the liquor poured in, while the head was held back, and afterwards spit out by the mouth; I have seen the same poured into the ear for a like complaint. He wished me to try a little of it; I of course declined it. He called one of his daughter’s, and wished me to consaw, or espouse her; I told him she was too young; he said that was nothing, as he would keep her for me: he added, the Ashantee custom was, if a great man’s wife with child took another man’s fancy, he consawed the child in the womb, and if born a girl, when she grew up she became his wife; if a boy, it was his to serve and attend on him, and he took care of it. Four ounces of gold it generally cost to consaw a girl. I said he was a rich man; “true,” he replied, “but it sometimes costs eight or ten ounces, sometimes only two.” Observing a bow and arrows standing in the room, I began to amuse myself with shooting them; he told me these were only for play, but when they went to fight, they tipped them with iron, and put a deadly poison on it, which caused almost instant death; the poison is made from vegetables boiled in a large pot, and the arrows steeped in it. He shewed me the marks of two arrow wounds which he received in battle. He then began to consult his fetish, by a quantity of strings, with various ornaments on one end to denote their good or evil qualities; these were mixed promiscuously together, and taking them in his right hand, he put them behind his back, and drew out one with his left; this was repeated about 20 times. A wicker basket was then brought on a small stool covered with a silk cloth, in it were two lumps like pincushions, made of eggs, palm oil, &c.: he then turned up the bottom of his stool, and making three holes in it with something like a cobler’s awl, he drove in three pegs with a stone, muttering to himself all the time, and waving each string round his right ear; an egg was then brought in broken at one end, and placed alternately on the lumps in the basket, and crushed on the stool where the pegs were put in: this he did every morning before he went out, to keep him out of bad palavers through the day.

Tuesday 30. This morning Apokoo invited me to take a share of his umbrella, and attend the King, who went to finish his ablutions. We walked along through an immense crowd; the streets were lined with the chiefs and their respective suites. We went down to the place where the King washes; a low platform was erected where the stools were laid on their sides. The linguists and officers of the household stood on one side holding gold rods and canes, the fetishmen formed a crescent to the north side. The King performed the ceremony of laving the water over himself, sprinkling the various articles the same as on Saturday, and the procession concluded as before.

On walking back Apokoo wished to try on one of my gloves, and as usual put it on the wrong hand; his gold castanets pinched him when the glove was on, which made him shout out rather lustily, and stop short, I called out “you stop the King;” “never mind,” said he, and his attendants pulled to get the glove off. The King sent to know what occasioned the stoppage, Apokoo held up his hand compressed, exclaiming, “_Gamphnee_,” (it hurts me,) and stopped till it was got off.

In the afternoon I called on Odumata, who said he was angry that I had not called before. I told him I came to thank him for allowing a slave boy he has, to do any thing for me; he said I might have him so as I fed him, I replied I would do so. He entered into conversation concerning the power of England over other nations, and the danger of going to sea; he had lived three years at Apollonia when a young man, and had seen many Portuguese, but did not like them, “as they were all wenches!” He seemed pleased that I did not like them either. He wished me to purchase a horse from him for eight ounces, I said I would give him four.“ “I must not want one, or I would not offer him so,” was his reply. I said that I had no place to ride it in, the country being all bush, and the King did not like me to go very far; he replied, they were soon going to fight, and, as I should go with them, it would be better for me to have a horse to ride than to walk. I answered, I should lay hold of some wild boar and gallop it; this observation struck him with astonishment, and stroking down his beard, he asked my servant if he thought I could do so, who replied, if I took it in my head I certainly would. Odumata said the people would think the devil was come among them. This he told me is the last day of the year, according to their calculation, but from what reason I do not know. In the Sarem countries, he told me, they work iron from the stone, and silver, gold, &c. into trinkets, better than in Ashantee. I enquired why they did not make iron here, as they have plenty of ore; his reply was truly African; “why should they do so, when they had plenty of gold to buy it, and could get it so near.” I told him of England’s resources from her own manufactories; he said it was not good for white men to know so much; if black men knew those things they would all run to England. When I got home I sent him a present of a razor, he sent two messengers to thank me, such is their fashion; and for even the smallest article they return thanks the next day. Odumata enquired why I did not get drunk sometimes, and come to see him then, I told him, were I to get drunk in Ashantee, I ought to have my sword broke over my head, that I had indeed got tipsey the evening before I came away, with my friends, and might perhaps do so when I returned, but not till then. He gave me some palm wine, and looked amazed at my swallowing only half a tumbler full, “he would drink three pots before he went to bed!” (about 15 gallons.)

Wednesday, October 1. The King dictated a letter to the Governor at Cape Coast, stating, that the King of Cape Coast had broken the law by insulting an Ashantee man, who swore, by the King of Ashantee’s head, that if the Cape Coast King did not kill him, he must pay 110 periguins of gold to the King. This practice, though it savours of madness, is yet often resorted to for revenge, as it is almost sure to end in the ruin of the other party. The Cape Coast King had threatened, that the Governor would put the Ashantee man in the slave hole till he died, which appeard to irritate the King very much.

The King then enquired if I had any yams at home; I told him I had a few of his last present; he told me he would send more to the house for me, which he did, and gave me 5½ ackies gold; then pressed me to take some gin and water; on his being told that it must be very little, for I was afraid of an attack of spleen and liver, and eat little and walked much, he said that was proper.

Thursday 2. Through this and the afternoon of yesterday I felt very feverish, not being able to get any sleep for the rats at night. I kept my room all day; the King sent a pot of palm wine in the evening. Adoo Quamina called.

Friday 3. Whilst writing letters, Apokoo sent his compliments and would be happy to see me; I went, and he said he was sorry he had not seen me for some days. I told him I was sick the two former days, and to-day was writing to my family how I liked Ashantee; he hoped I would give the King a good name in England. I should tell truth. He enquired if I would like to see his croom (village.) I replied yes! He was going there this evening, and if no palaver came, he would send his people for me in the morning, to carry me. He asked if I was not for one of his daughters, that he might be called my father. He then enquired why I did not wear my hair tied, and let my beard grow; he recollected Colonel Torrane and Mr. White having tails at the siege of Annamaboe, and they looked very handsome. He requested me to show him the skin of my arm, he gazed on it with seeming pleasure, begged I would allow him to touch it; on receiving permission, he rubbed his hand over it, exclaiming “_Papa Taffia_,” (very handsome) and repeated his invitation to go to the croom. I took my leave.

As I was going home I met a man white-washed, carrying a vessel covered over with a white cloth: this I have been often told is Tando fetish, but can learn nothing more. Music and a great crowd went with it to Adoo Quamina’s house, at the front of which they put it down, and sacrificed a child of Cudjoo Cooma’s, the Akim revolter, over it, as an annual sacrifice of the King’s.

Saturday 4. Apokoo sent his people for me in the morning, who took me to his croom, about three miles S.W. of Coomassie. The road was in good order, and newly cut on account of my going; his slaves all turned out to see me, many of them never having seen a white man before. Apokoo came to the entrance of the croom, which is small, to meet me, and took me into the place where he lives himself; it is like all country houses here, a square lined with palm leaves and thatched with grass; his own room, raised on the floor, painted with red inchuma or ochre, and at one end of it, his couch raised on wood with plaited palm leaves, and covered with large cotton cushions. Near his head hung three strings of fetish, made of gold, red earth, horn, and bone, in the shape of thigh bones, horns, jaw bones, &c. &c. One side of the square was fitted up with a forge and bellows to work gold; another served as a cooking place, and the fourth for his sons to sleep in. About 11 o’clock he went to one of the side places to eat, that he might not trouble me in his room, as he said. Before he began, small pieces of yam were laid on his fetish; a small table was then set before him, and clean water poured into a brass pan, with which he washed his right hand, and then eat with it:—they are careful not to touch victuals with their left hand. A large pot of yams and another of fish being boiled, he satisfied himself first; the remainder was then divided into as many lots as there were persons to partake; when the door was opened, and about twenty sons and daughters, with their calabashes, received each their mess. He had given my servant two fowls, some fish and yams, and told him to make any thing I could eat; I told him to make a soup of the fowls. When I was eating, Apokoo said he thought I was ashamed, and requested I would let him put down the screen; I told him I dared not eat much through the day, being afraid of sickness. He enquired if I wished to go to sleep, for his couch was at my service. I declined the offer, and he went to sleep himself. Shortly after, four of his wives came from town with a mess for him; he was awaked to know if they were to have admittance, as usual: he ordered them to set down the meat and go away; they pretended to do so, but sat down under one of the sheds, and began to annoy the slaves, but their stifled laughter soon awoke Apokoo, who stretched out his neck, and seeing them, told them in a passion, it was because I was there that they wished to stop, and that they had better be off; they took the hint and made their retreat. He got up to shew me his gold ornaments, which weighed 146 bendas (£1168.) and made his people kindle the forge fire to melt some rock gold to make a fish; but the mould not being perfect, it was spoiled. He enquired if ever I had been in a yam plantation; on my replying in the negative, we went to see one; he asked if I would allow him to ride in my hammock, I gave him leave; it was better than his basket, he said, except that he did not like his legs hanging down. He wished me to dig up a yam; the people brought me a long pointed stick, which is forced into the earth to loosen the yam, afterwards the fibres are cut with a knife. After I had dug up ten, he hoped I would accept of them as a present; yams are set like potatoes in Europe, they are put in the ground about December, so that they are nine months growing to maturity. He said he should not go to Coomassie that night, as he had to decorate his drums with tigers skins, but that he would be in on Tuesday. If I wished to come out and see him before that time he would send people for me, and be glad. I said I should come out some other time, but not so soon. I set off for Coomassie about six o’clock, having spent a very agreeable day.

About seven o’clock the King sent for me; on my going, he would trouble me, he said, to read a book he had that day found in a man’s possession. It proved to be a Danish note to the King for three ounces per month, dated August 1, 1811; it seemed as if a seal had been affixed to it, but the impression had disappeared, and it was very much worn. The King said he never knew of it; that an Ashantee captain had received and kept it, but he would enquire about it. His majesty wished me to drink something, I declined it; he hoped I was not sick, I said no, but drinking made my head ach; he hoped I would sleep sound, paid me many compliments that I cannot repeat; enquired of my servant if I was a good master, with other questions of the like nature.

Saturday 11. The King sent for me, and on going to the palace I found them in full council talking palavers. Adoosee was ordering a messenger to go to Quamina Bootaqua, to make him proceed to Cape Coast, and inform the Governor that Payntree had sworn by the King and had broke his oath, Bootaqua having sent word to the King of it; but they did not mention any thing to me. After this, Adoosee informed me, that messengers have gone from Amanfoo, sent by Sam Brue, to complain that the Cape Coast people had come armed against him to kill him. After hearing a long statement of grievances, they told me I must write to the Governor about it; I said I would, at the same time I assured the King that Sam Brue was a slave trader, and not to be tolerated at Cape Coast, his conduct was so infamous; they then called on his messenger to know what reason Sam had to leave Cape Coast; he entered at great length into the grievances experienced by Brue from the Governor in Chief and officers, because he owed eight ounces of gold; I was called in to reply, which I said I could not condescend to do, until I heard from the Governor in Chief, as they had sent messengers to complain to him. Adoosee charged four messengers with what they were to tell the Governor, making them take fetish and other formalities usual only on great occasions, thereby giving the affair an importance it did not merit. The King, on the breaking up of the council, said he would send for me shortly after, to write an account of the affair to the Governor; when I returned home, I did communicate the whole to the Governor, as the King’s letters are so hurried.

I heard nothing from the King all day, but at night a Fantee man called on me, who had been taken by the Ashantees in last year’s war, and whom I had been trying to liberate by speaking in his behalf to the King, and concerning four ounces of gold that had been taken. The captain concerned in it, to get quit of the palaver, had urged one of his wives to swear the man had lain with her; she accordingly made a formal complaint; the man was put in irons in the bush and only released yesterday morning as they thought to catch the King when he had some palavers pending, which would make him angry; they therefore brought it before the King yesterday morning, thinking he would order the man’s head to be cut off; but he told the King that this palaver was brought against him because I had spoken for him; the woman was called, who insisted the man had lain with her, the man denied it, and on being offered fetish he cheerfully took it, and swore by the King to the contrary. The woman would not do so, and the King ordered the irons to be taken from the man, and put on the woman, telling her, she had not looked at the man properly, as it must be some other person.

Tuesday 14. This morning a man was beheaded at the door of the house where I live, by Aboidwee, the house master: it appears, the man in question was brother to a caboceer, and presumptive heir to his property; tired of waiting so long he made fetish incantations, and other ceremonies peculiar to them, to destroy his brother; this coming to the brother’s ears, and also, that he had enjoyed one of his wives five times, he complained to the King and requested he would put the offender to death to save his own life; the King complied, and ordered Aboidwee to put the sentence in execution.

Wednesday 15. The Adaï custom. I went as usual with flags, and first received the usual offering of rum, and ten ackies of gold instead of a sheep. I called on Baba, the chief of the Moors, in the afternoon, who said he would teach me Arabic if I would teach him English; I said I would; but I am afraid he is too old for progress. I called on Odumata in my way back, who annoyed me as usual to drink palm wine, although it gives me a head ache. Akotoo, the King’s brother, was there, who said he had only seen me four times since the mission went away, and wished me to call on him. The conversation turned on the King’s going to war, and his anxiety for me to go and see how they killed their enemies, and he would give me gold to feed me. I was told by a Fantee man, that Sam Brue had procured 200 guns and a quantity of powder for the King, for slaves he had sold to the Spaniards now on the coast.

Friday 17. Deputies from the Warsaw states arrived a few days ago, to settle the differences between them and the Ashantees. It is thought, a fine to the King and future tribute may compromise the matter. Odumata informed me, that the slave ship has 600 slaves on board; and that, through Sam Brue’s exertions; he confirmed the report of the guns and powder.

Sunday 19. The heaviest rain, thunder, and lightning I ever saw, and has continued for several days and nights. About 7 o’clock A.M. the King’s drums announced his going to the market-place, where all his chiefs went and were drenched with wet till 2 o’clock P.M. when the King sent for rum and palm wine and dismissed them drunk and dirty. On Monday the scene was continued till the slaves had got the house covered in.

Tuesday 21. Agay the linguist returned from Assin, where he had been four months; and brought with him a number of Fantees and their families, as slaves. During the eruption of the Fantees in 1816, many of them ran to the Assin country to try and elude the vigilance of the King, but he heard of it, and sent Agay to demand them, who, after a long negociation, succeeded. A council was held at Abrassoo on the Barramang road, and the slaves were sent to Barramang to build a new croom for the King.

Sunday, November 2. The King has been busy for the last twelve days making fetish, &c. for the success of the war; the Moors going every morning to the palace for prayer and sacrifice: to day being Adaï custom, I went as usual, and received ten ackies of gold and a flask of rum, the foremost in the assembly, which was numerous.

Friday 7. A serious palaver has arisen between the King and Adoosee the chief linguist, he having taken a bribe from some person to misrepresent a palaver to the King; this coming to the King’s ear, he sent in a fury to Adoosee, who, on being charged with it, thought his life would be the forfeit, and sent an express to Apokoo to come and intercede for him; Apokoo being at his croom, it has been several times talked before the King, but no settlement, has taken place.

Several people have been making application to me to demand them of the King, as belonging to the forts, having been detained as slaves during the Fantee war, and when Winnebah fort was destroyed. They are commonly very old, and of the female sex.

Saturday 8. Adoosee has got his palaver settled by paying twenty ounces of gold, and six or eight sheep to the King; Adoosee’s friends alleged that he ought not to pay any thing, because when any palaver comes he settles it at once; but if he is not there, they have to go to council, which in fact is true; but notwithstanding his abilities, and that he takes his seat as usual, the King looks at him with a gloomy eye. The King has been busy making human sacrifices for the success of the war, at Bantama, Assafoo, and Aduma, in the evenings; and the Moors make their offerings of sheep in the palace in the mornings according to the moslem ritual. Though the zealous Christian may lament that the Gospel has not taken place of the fetish, yet the friends of humanity will rejoice that the King favours the Moors, as many lives have been saved that would otherwise have been destroyed at the present crisis. To day a bullock was offered up in the chief market-place, previous to the entrance of the chiefs, caboceers, &c. into the town, to meet in council, and determine on the method of conducting the war: in the afternoon, Boitinnë Quama, King of Dwabin, sent his compliments to me to announce his arrival. Shortly after, the various bands of music declared the arrival of the tributaries, &c.; the King of Ashantee took his seat in the market-place, and received their compliments as they passed before him. About nine o’clock at night Boitinnë, King of Dwabin paid me a private visit, and brought me a present of two curious Gennet cats.

Sunday 9. At day break the firing of guns, music, &c. announced a custom for the husband of the King’s sister (the second woman in the kingdom), he having died in the bush on Friday, about 7 o’clock; the King went to the market-place to make custom, and sacrificed two men; several others were killed by various caboceers. In the evening Apokoo and the other captains who are to exhibit their gold, paraded the streets, firing musketry, &c.; the crowd was great. At 8 o’clock, his majesty of Dwabin came with the messengers he sent to Cape Coast to have a suit of clothes, he said two trunks were at his house and he brought a sword to shew me, which the Governor had sent.

Friday 14. Before I got up, I was annoyed with a crowd of captains who began to annoy me for liquor. I ordered them out and desired a boy to keep the door fast. I sent a dash of wine, rum, sugar, soap, butter, and perfumery to the king, who was highly pleased. To all the principal captains, a dash of rum, wine, and sugar, till I had nearly expended my stock: the whole day was a continual annoyance from visitors, troubling me for drink, but as I was resolved to give to those only who were worthy, many of them were disappointed. This week past Apokoo and several of the captains have been making an exhibition of their riches; this is generally done once in life, by those who are in favour with the King, and think themselves free from palavers. It is done by making their gold into various articles of dress for show. Apokoo, who sent for me before his uproar began, shewed me his varieties, weighing upwards of 800 bendas of the finest gold; among the articles, was a girdle two inches broad. Gold chains for the neck, arms, legs, &c. ornaments for the ancles of all descriptions, consisting of manacles, with keys, bells, chairs, and padlocks. For his numerous family of wives, children, and captains, were armlets and various ornaments. A superb war cap of eagle’s feathers, fetishes, Moorish charms, &c. Moorish caps, silk dresses, purses, bags, &c. made of monkey skin. Fans, with ivory handles, made of tiger skin, and decorated with silk. New umbrellas made in fantastical shapes, gold swords and figures of animals, birds, beasts, and fishes of the same metal; his drums, and various instruments of music, were covered with tiger skin, with red belts for hanging them. Ivory arrows and bows, covered with silk and skins, and many other weapons of war or fancy, such as the mind in a like situation would devise. Apokoo was anxious that I should come and see him when out, but from the noise, I judged that they were too turbulent for me to venture without a chance of being insulted.

Saturday 15. Again annoyed by the people wishing for drink. Apokoo called with his retinue to thank me; for the Governor had given his people a flask of Jamaica rum. He had got three days to play, as he called it, and was sorry that he had not seen me. I told him I had very seldom been out, except when there was no noise, as the people were so unruly in the evening.

Monday 17. In the afternoon Apokoo sent a message, saying he was come to the door of the house to play and shew me his gold, hoping I would come out. I went and found a Moorish carpet spread, at one end of which I was seated under an umbrella, while Apokoo and his wives, children, and captains danced by turns before me. Some of his young wives were dressed with great taste, a rich silk cloth with a bag made of fine fur, slung over the shoulder, studded with gold ornaments: on the left shoulder they held a pistol, and in the right hand a silver bow and arrow. During the dance, if Apokoo was pleased with them he took the bow and hung it on some of the ornaments, when she retired from the dance; this was a strong mark of approbation, if I may judge from the applause that followed: to some he gave a little gold. Several times he took from their necks various ornaments which he placed on my knees and over my left shoulder; this was the greatest mark of honour he could shew me; and his band played a tune in praise of England, and of our abilities in settling differences. Many of the captains sent him presents of gold and rum. I gave him a large flask of wine, which he said pleased him more than all the others, as it would shew the people I thought him a good man.

Thursday 20. The Moorish caboceer of Alphia called to day, requesting I would allow him to bring his brother and nephew who had arrived, as they wished to see me: on receiving my permission he sent for them, and as they immediately made their appearance, they must have been waiting at the door. I shewed them a compass, sand-glass, quadrant, some phosphorus, and several other things; at the sight of each they bent their heads to the ground, exclaiming “Allahoo Akabir!” God is great. I gave the caboceer a wax candle, piece of a perfumed soap (which he was going to eat!) a flask of Jamaica rum, and some sugar; things he had never seen before: he begged to be allowed to touch my hand, and continued calling out Ah! bielane Wasieh! Ah Nasara! Ah white visier! Ah Christian. He said he had a sister whom he would make me a present of, if I would have her. The caboceer of Alphia is brother to the caboceer of Premehinie, east of Ashantee, in the Sarem region, and subject to Saï Tootoo; it is 14 days journey to Alphia, one day to Brookoom, where the head fetish of that country dwells, and one day more to Crumassia and Sodie, a range of high hills.

I told him I would buy his horse if he would put a reasonable price on it, and would give him a note to get powder, rum, &c. at the Cape: he said the Ashantees brought rum to Sarem, but they boiled pepper in water and sold it to them; he never tasted such good adrue (medicine) as mine.

I have been learning Arabic this last month, principally from the Shereef Abraham, who comes from Boussa, where Mungo Park was drowned, and he, as he says, was an eye witness to it; his great sanctity made the King of Ashantee send for him to pray and make sacrifice for the success of the war. The other Moors here look on him with an evil eye, because he will not wear fetishes as they do, and be present at human sacrifice. This place now presents the singular spectacle of a Christian and Mahometan agreeing in two particulars, rejecting fetishes, and absenting themselves from human sacrifices and other abominations: the rest of the people, of whatever country they may be, when the King’s horns announce any thing of the kind, strive who will get there first to enjoy the agonies of the victims. The Shereef told me to-day, that the reason he came so seldom to see me, was, that the King had heard he was teaching me the Koran, but he wished him not to do so, he did not wish me to know how “to call on God;” but, said Abraham, I shall teach you as much as I can, that when you go to your own country you may give the Moors a good name, for I told the King you knew Arabic before you saw me, and we sometimes spake together in that language. He had a beautiful copy of the Koran which he intended to leave me, but the King had told him he must have it, that when any trouble came he might hold it up to God, and beg his mercy and pardon: but he would try and get a small one for me.

Saturday 22. This morning a slave belonging to the house master swore by the King’s head that he must kill him to-day. A great uproar ensued, while they put him in irons, and they got out the family stools and sacrificed fowls and sheep, pouring the blood on them to propitiate the wrath of the King from the family. The King was then told of it, who said as that was his fetish day he could not kill a man that day, but to-morrow he would behead him.

It appears he had connection with one of his brother’s wives, who, hearing of it, cautioned him from doing so again, or else he would tell the King and make him kill him: he was again found with the woman, and his brother went to the King to complain. Hearing this, and fearing the torture, he swore by the King that he must shoot him with eight muskets. The King on being told this, said he would put such small shot into the muskets as only to wound him, and then he should torture him; hereby fulfilling his own law, which he considers sacred.

Sunday 23. About 12 o’clock sent for by the King, whom I found scolding his sister for disobedience in one of her slaves. After sitting some time talking on indifferent subjects, the King said he should go to council, about what he was going to say to me. Shortly after he sent one of his sons to say his father was going to eat and wash, if I would be kind enough to return home. I heard that messengers from Elmina had arrived the evening before, and expected to hear of some complaint of breaking the law, as they style it: although I could not reconcile it with an observation I had made; a pair of razors I had presented to the King were invariably sent to me to sharpen, as the King wished to shave with them, when any favourable affair was to be talked, and that morning they came as usual.

I was again sent for, and the King announced in a formal manner his intention of going in person to make war on Adinkara, the King of Buntookoo, and wished me to announce it to the Governor. I therefore wrote a letter of the King’s dictating, stating this to the Governor, and requesting him to give on trust 300 oz. kegs, powder, and 300 muskets, and sending to the Governor in Chief six periguins of gold, and to the Governor of Annamaboe four periguins, to purchase a cloth for him, the handsomest they could find, and inviting them to send him a dash and make the town’s people do the same, for the prosperity of the war. His Majesty was very lavish in his compliments of the generosity of the English, and their great riches; he then enquired if I was willing to go to fight, I replied certainly, if I could obtain the Governor’s permission, I should like it very much: he thanked me very warmly. I heard, on my return to the house, that the Dutch General had sent as a present to the King 60 oz. kegs powder, and the Elmina people 40, which caused this stir.

Monday 24. Sent for again to write the Governor word that the King sent down 30 men to be clothed as soldiers, if the Governor could spare clothes, one of them to be as captain and one a serjeant, with a flag. His Majesty also wished to have arrow root, Port wine, sugar, candles, and a few other things for the campaign. I was then told to write a letter to the Danish Governor in Chief to the same effect, and to ask him for payment of what was due on his note. I foresaw this would make an uproar; and on the note being handed to me to know what was due on it, when I told the King that nothing was on it, he got into the greatest rage I have yet seen him in, with the captain who receives the pay. This man had been sent down to Accra about three months ago, to receive what pay was due, Mr. Bowdich writing to the Danish Governor in Chief to know, for the King’s satisfaction, what was sent. On his return, the latter stated that the King’s note was paid up to the ensuing Christmas. There being a great deficiency between what was stated in the letter, and what the captain produced, he charged Mr. Bowdich with mis-stating what was in the letter; Quashie Apaintree, the linguist, was sworn on the King’s fetish to interpret proper; the Ashantee still insisted, and to clear himself, said the book was _not_ paid to Christmas. The King and linguists remembered this, and when they heard that the note was actually paid to the end of the year, every one tried who would be loudest in their accusations against him. Apokoo, who is his chief, was loudest against him, he said he had used him disrespectfully, and never gave him any of the dashes he received; besides he had given the lie to an English officer, and at the same time he cheated the King; he therefore left him to the mercy of his Majesty. The King said he must return him all the gold back he had lent him; and as for the fort at Accra, he might take the pay when he pleased. A hat, certainly a bad one, was brought in, and the King asked me if I thought it worth the price charged for it. I replied I was not a judge, as such hats were not sent out for us; but if I were, I must positively decline interfering in the King’s affairs with his servants. By degrees the King worked himself to such a height of passion, that throwing his cloth around him, and hastily rising, he ordered the captain’s arrest. The King’s sons seized on him, and he stood appalled, as the silver cane fell from his hand. I once thought the King would have committed some extravagance, none of the chiefs daring to rise; Agay at length arose, and in his energetic manner requested that his majesty would recollect I was present. The King ordered his sons to go with the captain to his house, and bring him all the gold they found; he then withdrew, but I heard him storming in his apartments. Shortly after, Odumata’s brother came to say, that the chiefs might thank me, as were it not for my sake, every one of them would have been turned out of the palace by the slaves. Agay, who was the only one who followed the King, came to apologise for the abrupt departure of his Majesty: he hoped I would not be offended, and requested I would go home and dine, as it was late, and the King would send for me soon.

Tuesday 25. The King sent for me to write another letter to the Governor, saying he had sent down three pieces of rock gold as a pawn for powder; they were the largest I have yet seen, one of them weighing about 20 ounces. I gave his Majesty a packet of letters to be forwarded to Cape Coast: he rallied me on the size of it, and said he supposed I wrote the Governor and Mr. Bowdich every palaver in town.

To-day the stool of Alphia was declared in abeyance; the son of the caboceer Premehinia having brought a complaint against the caboceer of Alphia, who is brother to the former; his sable highness came on a beautiful Arabian, of a very small size; at the sound of drums and horns he danced and went through various evolutions.

Friday 28. To-day the caboceer of Alphia was deposed, and his brother the caboceer of Premehinia had the stool attached to his other possessions. In the afternoon whilst I was out, the Moorish prince, with a large retinue, called to pay me a visit, I found one of his attendants sitting at the door with a gold sword, who, on receiving permission, went and told him I was come home; shortly after he came, and expressed great wonder at all he saw. He said I had too many silver spoons, and modestly requested I would give him one or two; his attendant who fanned him thought so too, as he attempted to steal one, but one of the servants happening to pass, he threw it under the table. I wished him to sell me his horse, but he said he was too great a man to walk home, and the ground hurt his feet.

Sunday 30. The King paid me a long visit, he heard, he said, that my horse had died, and had come to see me least I should think he forgot me, but he had so much fetish to make, and so many palavers to settle, that he had little time. The conversation then turned on the travels of Englishmen, and the white men drowned in the Quolla (Niger.) I explained to his Majesty the objects of the expeditions sent from England to the interior of Africa, and expressed how anxious I was to get Mr. Park’s books and papers for the King of England; his Majesty promised to aid me in doing so, and before he went away, desired me to point out to him what I conceived the proper method.

The King then began to talk about my living with him, and if I liked to do so; he said I was like a king, and wished his people to treat me with respect, and every one run to see me when I went out, as they run to see him. I said that some of his people wished to accuse me of treason for putting buckles in my shoes at the Adaï custom. The King said that none dared do so, but those whom he ordered, any other would have their heads cut off: but I was different, and he knew Englishmen did what was proper. His majesty took his leave with many expressions of personal attention, which, whether they were sincere or not, were at least to be received with politeness.

Monday, December 1. One of the King’s nephews came to see me, but was terribly afraid to pass the man in irons who swore on the King, least he should swear that when the King killed him, he must also kill his nephew, which would cost a deal of gold; for such is the sacredness of the law, that in that case the King must do it. I had a key of a door where I could privately let him out, without passing through the courts of the house, by which he gladly made his escape. This man has been no small annoyance, as no person of rank will venture to call on me, least they should be brought into trouble by his swearing on their heads.

Tuesday 2. The King to-day made a present of 10 periguins of gold to the Moors in town for their services, and they were to divide it themselves. This created no small altercation among them; those belonging to the town wished to keep it all, and not give the Shereef Abraham any, who came from the banks of the Niger; as the King had that morning told him he wished him to accompany him to the war, he told them it was of no consequence, as he should not accompany the King unless he was looked on with the same degree of rank as Baba, as, indeed, he was superior from his knowledge, and belonging to Mahomet’s family. On this they gave him three periguins, the same that Baba had: all were then pleased with their portion except one, called Aboo, who only had 10 ackies; he consoled himself by making the usual exclamation, “God is great! he never dies, he never sleeps,” and said he left the palaver in his hands.

Thursday 4. Apokoo paid me a visit to thank me for some medicine I had given him, being sick after his great custom; he enquired if I heard that Fantee messengers were come to this place, I said no, but I expected them soon to take the King’s fetish, as he wished them to do so, previous to his going to war; he then told me that the King heard there were some on the path, and could not think what their message was; I told him they must either be those the Governor was sending up, or Fantees with the King’s tribute; on his going away, he requested I would let him out by the door I had the key of, as he also was afraid of the man in irons swearing on his life, and was glad he could avoid passing him.

Friday 5. This was the coldest morning I have felt since I came to Africa, being scarcely able to take breakfast, I was so chilly; the thermometer stood at 65°.

I was desired to write a letter to General Daendels, telling him the King had lost his notes for the Dutch forts, and requesting him to give new ones to Akimpon. The King’s father had conquered the Akim chief, who held a note for Dutch Accra; he also conquered the King of Adinkara, who had the Elmina note, both of which were given up to him; he would not take them both in one note as the General wished, but he must have one payable at Elmina and one at Accra. When the King weighed out the gold for his messengers expences, he weighed 10 ackies for me, which I hoped his Majesty would take back, as I did not wish for them, and requested he would not think I wished payment for writing a letter for him. My scruples were laughed at by them all, and the King said “that white men were very singular, as they gave gold or a good dash to any one who did any thing for them, yet they would not take any: he wished to do something like white men, and when any one did any thing for him he gave them something, and he wished me to take this to shew his good will.” Odumata, who is the greediest man in Coomassie for gold, whispered, if I did not like it, I might send it to him when I got home. I did not exactly understand him, or I would have offered it to him then with pleasure, to expose his avarice.

The captain who was arrested last week for peculation on Danish Accra, appeared in his place to day; he had promised Amanquateä and Quatchie Quophie, the two chief captains, a large present if they would settle the affair for him, which they did, and he received the letters to proceed to the fort as usual.

Apokoo having told the King of the inconvenience arising to any chief coming to me, from the culprit in irons being in the way, he was removed to a private part of Apokoo’s house, where he could annoy no one, till the Adaï custom, when he is to be beheaded, as the affair cannot be settled without.

Sunday 7. Several of the Moorish caboceers came to take leave, as they were going to-morrow to their own country previous to the war, and were to meet the King on the road when he went, and consequently would not see me again for some time; on my enquiring how long the King was to be absent, they replied, God had told them seven months would finish the war; they enquired if I should like to see them at Cape Coast, as they should come and see me, to which I said I should. After drinking coffee, &c. they took a hurried leave, as one of the King’s people came to tell me one of his Majesty’s daughters was dead, and shortly after, constant discharges of musketry announced the custom. The King in the afternoon came to the market place close to the house, to make custom with his chiefs. I understood that human sacrifices were to be offered, and walked out to avoid the uproar.

On my way I paid a visit to Baba, who was performing ablution; he said he was going to prayer, but would soon have done, I told him I would sit down till he had finished. Cow hides were spread in rows for the worshippers, in the front was a large hide for Baba. All having taken off their sandals and prostrated themselves with their faces to the east (to Mecca,) the service began by one of them chaunting the usual call to prayer; the chorus of Allahoo Akaber! (God is great) was well performed by the others.

There was something solemn and affecting in it, contrasted with the heavy discharges of musketry and shouts of the populace in the distance, which proclaimed the bloody sacrifice was begun, while the vultures and crows wheeled in mazy circles expecting their usual share of the banquet, and the sun shot his last gleams through the heavy fogs that encircled the town.

As I went home I passed the headless trunks of two female slaves, laying neglected and exposed in the market place, that had been sacrificed, one by the King and one by the deceased’s family. The vultures were revelling undisturbed amidst the blood.

I happened to-day to throw down a tumbler of wine and water with my foot, having placed it on the ground, while the Moorish Shereef was with me; he bent his head to Mecca, pronouncing “God is great!” and told me it was my good angel who had done so, for who might tell but there was poison in the cup to destroy me? he said man had always two angels attending him, one on his right hand as his good angel, and one on his left as his evil one; whatever good he did was prompted by the former, and whatever ill by the latter one. I have never found them without a reason for every thing, or a name, except to the mother of Moses, whom they say nobody knows on earth; the Shereef gravely enquired if I knew the name of Aboobaker’s father, I assured him I did not; he told me many of the Moors could not tell, but as he was of Mahomet’s family he knew more things, and told me it was _Kahābata_.

I heard from the Sarem Moors that they fight with bows and arrows steeped in deadly poison, the least scratch of which is instant death. They gather scorpions tails, snakes heads, and the poisonous parts of any reptile that affects man; this, with several vegetable substances which they would not name, are put in a pot, and set over the fire at sun rise; they boil it all day and must not eat or drink, but stir it about repeating incantations, and shaking a pair of iron castanets, without which, the charm would be incomplete. I saw an old hag at this work on the Bantama road, who would not answer my question as to what she was doing, but made many wry faces, and squint looks, for me to be gone and not spoil her work, and while I stood, she stirred, and muttered, and clattered the castanets with greater fury.

My attention being anxiously turned towards information concerning the Niger and its course, all enquiries end in making the Nile its continuation. An old Moor from Jennë told me, unasked, that while he was at Askanderee (Alexandria) twenty-six years ago he saw a fight at the mouth of the Nile between ships, and one of them was blown up in the air with a terrible explosion. This must have been the battle fought by Lord Nelson, although there is a mistake in the date of seven years; he surely could not invent such a story. He states also, that returning to Masser (Grand Cairo) the European armies advanced to that place; the first army took every thing they wanted and would not pay: but when the second European and Turkish army got possession of it, they paid for whatever they wanted. All the Moors were ordered to retire to one quarter of the city, and not allowed to mix with the soldiers; this agrees with Sir Robert Wilson’s account of the Egyptian campaign. I shewed him a seal I have, of Pompey’s pillar, which he said he knew; he had travelled from Jennë to Masser on a joma (camel) and drew me a map of the Quolla and Nile from its source to its emptying itself into the sea at Alexandria. There is one thing that disagrees with Mr. Park’s account, they call the Niger Quolla at Jennë, Sansanding, &c. and describe the Jolliba as falling into the Quolla to the east of Timbuctoo. When I told them of the conjectures that the great river of Africa emptied itself into a large lake, they laughed at such an idea, and reasoned so as to put wiser heads to the blush. “God,” say they, “made all rivers to run to the sea, you say that small rivers go there: the Quolla is the largest river in the world, and why should it not go there also? Was it to lose itself in the lake, where could the waters go to?” They describe the Quolla as about five miles in breadth, and having a very rocky channel, the banks on both sides very high and rugged; in many places, canoes often take a day to pass a short distance, from the dangerous whirlpools, and sudden squalls: at other places, the stream runs with great rapidity.

They think the Mediterranean sea to be circular, without mixing with the ocean; seven rivers from Africa turn their course to it, but only two reach the shores, of which the Nile is one. The rush of the waters of the Nile, when they meet the sea is so great, that the waves are driven into the air with great force, and retire like waves against a rock. They call the Mediterranean sea Bahare Mall. The Red sea, say they, assumes various colours at different periods, from seven streams pouring their course into it, red, blue, yellow, &c. Hence they call it Majumaal Bahare, or the confluence of streams. They are very fond of mystical numbers, and often quote seven. The lake Caudie they call Bahare Nohoo, or the water of Noah, from the tradition that the deluge broke out from thence. They describe it as encompassed with rocks, within which is a bed of sand, and then the water. This we may allow to be a little fanciful, as I have seen a map of the earth drawn by Baba, where the world is supposed to be round, and encompassed with a rocky girdle, the sea is supposed to flow between this and the earth, which is placed in the centre. They are not singular in this idea; as all rude nations form the same notions of the globe: but though we reject, with reason, their foolish notions of many things, it would be no great sign of wisdom to refuse every information from them.

Man is a reasoning animal, and enquires into the nature of things in a rude, as well as in a civilised state; and if he cannot give a just, will at least give a plausible reason for many things.

The Moors say “That the noise people hear, when they stop their ears with their hands, is the rolling of the waters of libation in paradise, where Mahomet purifies all those he saves from hell, before they enter into the state of the blessed. It is for this reason they perform ablution before they pray; the fire burning other parts of their bodies, while their face, hands, feet, &c. remained untouched, hence Mahomet when he looks for them, knows them from Jews, Christians, &c. They have also a sentence written on their foreheads, “Hooalie Jahanamoo naataka raboo baskafaatee Mahomada roosoola lahee sallee allahoo alahe wasalame.”

Inoculation for the small pox is practised in the Moorish countries; they take the matter, and puncture the patient in seven places, both on the arms and legs. The sickness continues but a few days, and rarely any person dies of it. It is also done in Ashantee. Seven is their mystical number.

Monday, December 8. To day the King killed a man on account of his daughter who died yesterday, and to be out of the way, I called on Odumata, whom I found well charged with palm wine: his usual discourse of the greatness of the King and the manner of the Ashantees fighting took up his time: he said that when white men wished to fight, they sent a book to the other party, telling them they would meet them on such a day, but the Ashantees took their enemies by surprise, which shortened their wars. I told him he had repeated the same story about fifty times in two months, and wished to know if the English did so at Annamaboe, where fifteen white men killed thousands of Ashantees; this put him on the fidget, as I knew it would, and he said that it was on him the English fired first, and he fought them without the King’s leave, who was angry when he heard that they had returned the fire of the fort; I told him it was a fine excuse to cover their defeat. He enquired if I thought they could not have taken the fort? I told him if they could have done it they would. He said, if the King says we must do any thing, we must do it. I asked him, if the King told them to pull down the moon, if they could do it? He then got up from his chair and began to manoeuvre how he and Apokoo were to have made a breach in Annamaboe fort, to the no small enjoyment of several of his wives, captains, and slaves, who were present; they were to have burned the gates, and with axes to have cut through the walls. He said they had Dutch and Danish flags, which they had taken from forts; why, I enquired, did they not show the English trophies? They had none, he said: and the King had told them, that were he to kill white men from England, he might as well kill all the cocks in the kingdom; the one told the hour, and when to rise in the morning; the other brought them good things from England, and learned them sense; besides, if any of their slaves did ill, they told them they would sell them to the whites, which made them better. I told him black men had the eyes of a thief, the paws of a tiger, and the belly of a hog, for they were never satisfied; he said I was right, for they were now going to war, and would take whatever they could find; he thought 30,000 Ashantees would be killed, but that was nothing. He then locked up his wives because I put evil in their heads, by saying that Englishmen allowed every one a husband. I then took my leave.

Monday 15. Baba, the chief of the Moors, having told me that a Moor was going to Jennë, I took the opportunity of writing a letter to two Europeans who reside there, and, I suppose, belonged to Mungo Park’s expedition, seven soldiers being unaccounted for, who were in good health when they were separated from Mr. Park. There are also two white men at Timbuctoo, who have been there several years. The Moors are confident that the letter will reach them, which is much to be desired, as some information may be obtained of that celebrated traveller. Baba came, and the old Moor with him, to whom I delivered the letter; he received it from Baba with much ceremony, and to induce him to forward an answer, I promised him a suitable reward[125]. The whole of the Moors came in a body with drums, muskets, horns, and all the attendant pomp of chiefs; they had just taken leave of the King, and came to do the same to me. Having remained about half an hour, and drank some wine, they set out for their journey with noisy clamour.

Sunday 21. Apokoo called and told me he was going to morrow, with the King, to the camp, on the Barramang path, to make fetish, and would return on Wednesday: he seemed to expect that I would say I would go also; but as the King had not sent to me, I did not express any wish. A boy brought some milk covered up, and he lifted the lid to look what it was, some of it touched his fingers, and he sent for water, herbs, and different things to purify his fingers; he said he would give me a present if I would give over drinking milk: I told him if he sent me an ounce of gold daily, I would not do it; he cursed the milk, and the boy for bringing it. Thus many of them are so particular, they will not stay where eggs are, another shuns a fowl, one hates beef, and many mutter a charm if they meet a pig. The Moorish Shereef discovered a piece of pork one day in the boy’s room, and made such a noise, that I thought one had struck him, nor would he cease till I ordered it away.

Monday 22. The King, and almost all the captains, set out early this morning, with great bustle for the camp, many sent their compliments previous to going.

Wednesday 24. The King and all the people returned in the evening, and went to the upper market place; where the King seeing me at the door, ordered them to pass down the street to the palace, the chiefs all saluting as they passed. The King, who was the only one that did not walk, made his people halt, and held out his hand to me, which I took, and bade him welcome to his capital; he enquired if I was well, and after he passed, he looked round with a smile and shook his finger at me: I suppose because I did not follow him to the camp. His Majesty afterwards sent his compliments, as did several of the chiefs.

Thursday 25. This being Christmas day, I displayed the flag, and paid every attention to it that I possibly could; many of the chiefs hearing of it, sent their compliments, expecting a present, but of course were disappointed.

Friday 24. Baba called, and began an oration about Sam Brue, hinting that he should like if I could get Brue, the slave trader, back to Cape Coast. He was my good friend, I was his friend, the Governor was my friend, Brue was his friend, and a long genealogy fit to puzzle a Scottish or Welch family herald. I told him no person must interfere in such affairs. He had that morning received from Brue, powder, guns, and cloth for slaves he had sent down; he brought me a piece of the cloth to shew me, it was very coarse with large red figures on it. I told him when he washed it, he would need to take his staff and put on his sandals to hunt after the colours; he told me he had found that out; for he had washed a piece, and he could not tell what colour it was. He then began a dissertation on the _good_ the slave trade did them, and what changes he had seen since he came here; he thought God intended to change the power of white men, and give it to the blacks and Moors. I told him he was going to make Mahomet a liar, as the Alkoran told them that the whites were to have sovereign dominion to the end, because of Noah’s sons’ behaviour to him when drunk; and if God was inclined to hide his face from white men, because of any ill they did, I did not think he would transfer it to Africans for any good they had done; he said I was right, and when they thought wrong the Christians could put them right. Seeing a Prayer Book on the table, he enquired if that was “Lingeel,” the name they give the New Testament; I replied it was the form of worshipping God in English Churches; he wished me to read a little of it to him, as he had heard that white men prayed to God so—and muttered in a form, it must be allowed, too often resorted to by lazy clergymen. They conceive to worship God in any other way than chaunting or singing is absurd. I have had more than once to sing (if I may presume to call it so) from the psalms of David, and chaunt the responses of the service, to convince them that there is something more than mere muttering in prayer, were it properly performed, besides describing the organ used in churches to assist the harmony. They have often asked me about the high priest at Rome, and whether or not we had any thing shaped out that we called god. I told them the English abhorred all representations of the Eternal, and that nothing was adequate to represent him. They are very tenacious on this point, and as scrupulous as any Protestant may wish, conceiving it an inexcusable crime to have any thing of the kind. They have many times enquired if we offer any sacrifice to God. I told them that our Scriptures do not allow the shedding of blood of any kind; the last great expiation of the Christians being performed by Jesus when he died on the cross, in commemoration of which, the offering of bread and wine formed the sacrifice. Neither did we pour out libations[126] before drinking, because any thing poured forth before drinking, or victuals set apart before eating, is an offering to devils.

The Shereef Abraham coming in with one or two more, I enquired about Solomon’s Al Genii, and whether or not they knew any thing of free masonry. I had questioned them several times before, and knew none of them were free masons; they now told me that there was such a sect in Arabia, and conceived them to be magicians, as they controlled the spirits of air. They were much astonished to hear that I was one, and eagerly enquired if I knew about Solomon’s seal, the building of the temple, and other matters, which universal belief endows free masons with,—matters, I told them, I might not speak of. They told me they knew we kept some of our genii on a floating island in the sea; if any ships came near it, the genii were instructed to laugh at them, and the island disappeared; with other such stories. One of the boys told them I had a stuff (phosphorus) which they supposed gave me such power; they wished to see it, and laughed at first at the idea of any thing in water producing fire, or that I could confine that element and dare to keep it in a trunk; I put it to the proof, by burning a piece of cloth, paper, and mat, and told them if they were not satisfied they might have some on their skins, but they did not choose it, and called out in wonder, “Houa Kahina iakul naroo malekaneran,” “he is a magician and eats fire, he is the King of fire;” be it remembered that this last appellation is peculiar to the devil. The Shereef after thinking some time, enquired if that stuff was not made from the bones of genii? I told him bones were in the composition. He wished to know if we killed genii and took their bones, I told him blood was never shed in England but for great crimes; true, he said, but none could see _us_ do so. I told him there was an eye that never sleeps, at which he bent his head, pronouncing “God is great.” The Moors then held a conversation in Arabic, by which they settled that I must be in the secrets of Solomon, and the Shereef Abraham related one of the Arabian tales, by which Balkes or Bilkis, Queen of Sheba, is made out to be the child carried away by the dog in one of the stories of that work. Balkis, according to them, adored the sun, and Solomon made her turn and worship God; he commanded the genii to transport her palace from her own country to Jerusalem, and the three palaces he built for her in Arabia Felix had gold mixed with the mortar with which they were formed. They wished to know if I could move a house? I told them, such was the mystery attached to our concerns, that it was difficult to answer them; any thing not concerned with masonry, I might answer; this, they said, was what the people in their country said. Abraham said he was sure the Arabian magicians made use of bones from genii to make fire and control them. It would be a curious circumstance to know that phosphorus, and inoculation, existed in Arabia in the days of its splendour, and continue now; as they are considered as two of the most eminent among modern European discoveries. After they were gone, I called on Odumata, whom I found all talk as usual. He said he knew I wished to take some of the King’s sons to Cape Coast for education, but the captains had represented to his Majesty, that they did not wish it. If the King wanted gold, and they had it, they would give it him; and were always ready when he called them, to receive his foot on their necks, and swear to do whatever he wished them, or never to return. The reason he gave, was, that they were afraid of being discovered when they cheated the King, which they made no secret of avowing, and having their heads cut off. I told him he did not like a white man to live here then; yes, he said, they all liked that; but he was sufficient to settle all palavers between the King and the English, without any of the King’s people knowing English. He began to boast of the many wives and children he had, more than Englishmen. I told him there was a possibility of an Englishman knowing his father; but no black man could tell his; they were all slaves, and rendered incapable of inheriting their father’s property; none of his children need to thank him, he neither could give them any thing while alive, nor leave them any thing when dead, and many of them kept wives, while their slaves enjoyed them. He said I spoke very true, but that I could not show keys with him; he produced two large bunches, and I offered him an ounce of gold if he would shew me a lock for each key; he evaded this: I took them in my hand, and found many of them broken, and various articles of lead and iron to make the bunches large; his people, and some chiefs that were with him, enjoyed his perplexity, if I might judge from their chuckling.

Several of the King’s brother’s slaves appeared in pursuit of two of their fellows, flogging them with whips; one of the culprits bounding over every obstacle, threw himself at Odumata’s feet, which saved him from their flogging; the man who had charge of him appeared, and in a long and animated harangue, with many gestures, stated the trouble he had had from the runaway, and concluded by swearing, the man must be given up to him in the morning to go and work. It is customary for slaves, when they fall under their master’s displeasure, to take shelter in some other chief’s house, who tries to get them excused.

Saturday 27. The King sent for me, to give me letters which had arrived; and on my opening them, two small packages of gold tumbled out. The King asked, if they were for me or him. I enquired if he expected gold from any one at Cape Coast, he said, no. I told him, it was unlikely gold would be sent to any one but me. The King, turning to his captains, said the Governor was a good man, sending me gold whenever I asked for it, and I eat a great deal of gold. I told him, I never wished a present of gold from any one; what I got was my pay, as Englishmen did not give gold to one another. He intended returning his messengers on Tuesday, as he said, two of them having come up in English uniforms, as the Governor was to fit out thirty at the King’s request. His Majesty wished me to taste a bottle of tincture of rhubarb the Governor had sent him; I did so, lest he should think there was something bad in it. I had then to taste some tincture of cinnamon he had received some time ago; I swallowed them with great distaste, as I had felt very unwell the preceding day, and that morning, and had taken medicine just before the King sent, and not eaten any breakfast.

In the afternoon Apokoo called; he had heard Adoo Bradie had been on board a ship, and that 400 flags were hoisted to receive him;[127] that was the reason, he said, they did nor wish any of the King’s people to learn to read and write, they became white men, and saw so many fine things, they never thought of returning to Ashantee. I told him if it was disagreeable, it would be given over. Every one was pleased, he said, to think any Ashantee great man was well used at Cape Coast; but it turned their heads, not being accustomed to it. The King would give Adoo Bradie fetish when he came back, and if he told the King lies, the fetish would catch him, and where would be the good? The English would have all their trouble for nothing.

His Majesty, some years ago, took one of Apokoo’s daughters to wife; she is now one of the finest women in Coomassie, and must have been a great beauty. It was discovered by the chief eunuch that she had intrigued with one of the attendants. It was told the King that one of his wives had proved false; “let her die instantly,” said he in a rage; the slave whispered him “it is Apokoo’s child.” He rose in silence, and went to the harem, and the culprit being sent for, the King turned his head away, while he folded his cloth around him, and lifting the curtain to let her pass, he exclaimed “go, you are free! your father was my father,[128] he is my friend, and for his sake, I forget you; when you find any man good enough for you, let me know and I will give him gold.” Her father has not allowed her to marry again.

When any public execution, or sacrifice, is to take place, the ivory horns of the King proclaim at the palace door, “wow! wow! wow!” “death! death, death, death!” and, as they cut off their heads, the bands play a peculiar strain, till the operation is finished.

The greatest human sacrifice that has been made in Coomassie during my residence, took place on the eve of the Adaï custom early in January. I had a mysterious intimation of it two days before, from a quarter not to be named. My servants being ordered out of the way, I was thus addressed, “Christian, take care and watch over your family; the angel of death has drawn his sword, and will strike on the neck of many Ashantees; when the drum is struck, on Adaï eve, it will be the death signal of many. Shun the King if you can, but fear not.” When the time came to strike the drum, I was sitting thinking on the horrors of the approaching night, and was rather startled at a summons to attend the King. This is the manner he always takes to cut off any captain or person of rank; they are sent for to talk a palaver, and the moment they enter, the slaves lay hold of them, and pinion them, and throw them down; if they are thought desperate characters, a knife is thrust through their mouth to keep them from swearing the death of any other, when they are charged with their crime, real or supposed, and put to death or torture.

Whilst I was with the King, the officers, whose duty it is to attend at sacrifices, and are in the confidence of the King, came in with their knives, &c. and a message was sent to one chief to say, that the King was going to his mother’s house to talk a palaver, and shortly after his Majesty rose, and proceeded thither, ordering the attendants to conduct me out by another door.

This sacrifice was in consequence of the King imagining, that if he washed the bones of his mother and sisters, who died while he was on the throne, it would propitiate the fetish, and make the war successful. Their bones, were therefore taken from their coffins, and bathed in rum and water with great ceremony; after being wiped with silks, they were rolled in gold dust, and wrapped in strings of rock gold, aggry beads, and other things of the most costly nature. Those who had done any thing to displease the King, were then sent for in succession, and immolated as they entered, “that their blood might water the graves.” The whole of the night, the King’s executioners traversed the streets, and dragged every one they found to the palace, where they were put in irons: but (which is often the case) some one had disclosed the secret, and almost every one had fled, and the King was disappointed of most of his distinguished victims. Next morning being Adaï custom, which generally brought an immense crowd to the city, every place was silent and forlorn; nothing could be found in the market, and his Majesty proceeded to the morning sacrifice of sheep, &c. attended only by his confidents, and the members of his own family. When I appeared at the usual time, he seemed pleased at my confidence, and remarked that I observed how few captains were present. He appeared agitated and fatigued, and sat a very short time.

As soon as it was dark, the human sacrifices were renewed, and, during the night, the bones of the royal deceased were removed to the sacred tomb at Bantama, to be deposited along with the remains of those who had sat on the throne. The procession was splendid, but not numerous, the chiefs and attendants being dressed in the war costume, with a musket, and preceded by torches; the sacred stools, and all the ornaments used on great occasions, were carried with them; the victims, with their hands tied behind them, and in chains, preceded the bones, whilst at intervals, the songs of death and victory proved their wish to begin the war. The procession returned about three P.M. on Monday, when the King took his seat in the market place with his small band, and “death! death! death!” was echoed by his horns. He sat with a silver goblet of palm wine in his hand, and when they cut off any head, imitated a dancing motion in his chair; a little before dark, he finished his terrors for that day, by retiring to the palace, and soon after, the chiefs came from their concealment, and paraded the streets, rejoicing that they had escaped death, although a few days might put them in the same fear. I had been attacked by a violent fit of ague in the morning, from having stood so long in the sun the day before while with the King, it being unusually hot. I dared not send out my people to procure any thing, least they should be murdered, and in fact there was nothing in the market to be had: there was not even a drop of water in the house. The sacrifice was continued till the next Adaï custom, seventeen days.

[Footnote 125: “Mr. Wm. Hutchison, British Resident at Coomassie, the capital of Ashantee, hearing there are two Europeans at Jennë, takes the opportunity of a Moor returning to that place, to write to them. It is earnestly requested, that some information will be sent to Cape Coast Castle, whether or not, those, to whom this is addressed, belonged to the expedition of Captain Mungo Park, or by what means they reached Jennë. As no certain accounts have reached England of the fate of that gentleman and his companions, any particulars will be interesting; also, whether or not the Niger is the river known here by the name of Quolla, Joliba, or any other appellation unknown in Europe. Also, its course, and the opinions among the natives as to its termination, with the names of any towns or countries it may run through. It is also reported that there are two white men at Timbuctoo: should it be possible to render any assistance to either, it will be done from Cape Coast Castle on accounts being received of the certainty of their situation; and the means which may be found to make the Europeans on the Quolla revisit their native country: in the mean time, any information will be anxiously expected, as to the fate of their companions; and whether they have heard of an English expedition, lately arrived at the Niger. Two notices in English and Arabic accompany this, offering a reward for information.

December 9th.]

[Footnote 126: I have observed some of the Moors who have been a long time in Ashantee pour forth a little of any thing before drinking. It may be remarked, that all the worshippers of the fetish do this, and also set apart some of their victuals before they eat.]

[Footnote 127: The signals happened to be drying on board H.M.S. Cherub, Captain Wills, then lying in the roads of Cape Coast.]

[Footnote 128: It will be remembered, that the present King carried an elephant’s tail before Apokoo, until he unexpectedly succeeded to the stool.—See page 295.]