the Wesleyan Society is greatly indebted for his uniform kindness and very valuable assistance to its Agents, in the prosecution of their arduous labours on the Gold Coast, and for the facilities he afforded to Mr. Freeman in connexion with his journey to Ashantee. And, with a view to show our friends, that, even independently of the prospect of an extensive opening for the introduction of Christianity and Civilization into Ashantee, the most delightful results have already followed from our existing Mission in that part of the African Continent, we have inserted some other communications from Mr. Freeman, which, we doubt not, will be read with pleasure and gratitude.

I. INTRODUCTION TO MR. FREEMAN'S ASHANTEE JOURNAL.

ASHANTEE is a powerful kingdom contiguous to the Gold Coast, in Western Africa. Coomassie, the capital, it has been calculated, is more than one hundred and thirty miles from Cape-Coast Castle in an horizontal direction, but the distance is considerably greater by the pathway through the forest. The inhabitants of Coomassie alone have been estimated at seventy thousand; and the capital is surrounded by numerous towns and villages, which contain a large population. Juabin, at the distance of a day's journey, is said to be one-third of the size of Coomassie. The entire population of Ashantee, with all its dependencies, is upwards of four millions.

The martial exploits of the Ashantees in the countries on the coast, since the commencement of the present century, have rendered their national name familiar in Europe. The Fantees, who were originally an inland people, subject to the Ashantee crown, having, in the year 1807, afforded protection to Cheeboo and Apoutai, two of the vassal Chiefs of Osai Tooto Quamina, King of Ashantee, who had rebelled against his authority, the King invaded Fantee with a powerful army. In the first instance, he appeared solicitous to obtain possession of the two rebel Chiefs by amicable means; but he became so exasperated by the insults and indignities which were offered to him, that he formed the resolution entirely to extirpate the Fantees. Orders were accordingly issued to spare neither man, woman, nor child; and the country in the rear of the advancing army became, in consequence, a scene of utter desolation. Having signally wreaked his vengeance upon Abrah, the seat of Government, where his messengers had been barbarously murdered, the King, with one half of his army, pursued the retreating enemy towards the coast; while the other half was employed in destroying the towns as they passed along, leaving none of the people alive, except some of the highest rank, who were reserved to experience more refined cruelties on the return of the conqueror to Coomassie.

The advanced guard of the army, led on by the Viceroy or Tributary King of Dinkira, first obtained sight of the sea in the neighbourhood of Cormantine. This town was destroyed, and the Dutch fort taken possession of, by the Ashantees. The successes of the invaders now began to excite uneasy apprehensions at Annamaboe; and Mr. White, the Governor of the Fort, humanely endeavoured to put a stop to the

further effusion of blood, by friendly explanations. But vain was the attempt. The King had bound himself by "the great oath" that he would not go back to his capital without the heads of Cheeboo and Apoutai; who, after the destruction of Abrah, had, in the first instance, taken refuge at Annamaboe, which was then the largest town upon that part of the coast. As the Ashantees approached, they, however, retired to Cape-Coast, on the invitation of the natives of that place. When the King presented himself before Annamaboe, he found that the inhabitants had drawn out their forces to meet him; but they soon gave way, and were pursued to the very walls of the Fort, which afforded them only slender protection. The cannon were shortly rendered useless, as the Ashantee marksmen picked off the soldiers as fast as they appeared at an embrasure, or showed their heads above the ramparts; and, before the close of the day, the efforts of the little garrison were exclusively confined to the defence of the gate, which the enemy attempted to force or burn. At least eight thousand of the natives perished in the contest, and Mr. White, the Governor of the Fort, was severely wounded. After two or three days, the King prepared to renew the attack upon the Fort, with six thousand men selected for the occasion; but in the morning of the day on which he had vowed to seat himself, "by the help of his gods," in the Governor's chair, a white flag was lowered from the walls. A negotiation ensued. The Chief Governor, Torrane, went over from Cape-Coast Castle, and concluded a treaty of peace. Apoutai had made his escape, but Cheeboo was delivered up to the King, who withdrew his army, carrying with him many of the surviving inhabitants, as his prisoners. In the rejoicing which afterwards took place at the capital, the wretched Cheeboo suffered the most exquisite torments, and his head became one of the principal decorations of the death-drum of the King.

In the year 1811, Fantee experienced a second invasion from the Ashantees; and a third in 1816, when Cape-Coast underwent a long blockade. These repeated attacks inflicted great miseries upon the Fantees, and thousands were dragged into the interior to be sacrificed to the superstitions of the conquerors.

To avert a continued succession of such calamities, an embassy was sent to Coomassie; and Mr. Bowdich, who was placed at its head, after the recall of Mr. James, concluded a treaty with the King. Mr. Hutchinson was left behind as Resident in Ashantee, but returned to Cape-Coast on the eve of the war with Gaman.

After this, Mr. Dupuis was sent by the British Government to Coomassie, invested with consular powers. He concluded a second treaty, and returned to Cape-Coast with numerous presents, accompanied by Ambassadors to the King of England.

New misunderstandings, however, arose; and an Ashantee army again marched towards the coast, at the close of the year 1823. Sir Charles M'Carthy took the field against them, with the most encouraging prospect of success; for, besides a strong body of regular troops which was under his command, many Chiefs threw off their allegiance to Ashantee, and all the districts on the sea-coast, west of the Volta, were in arms, to the amount of thirty thousand warriors. But disastrous was the result of the first campaign. The Governor, with a division of the army, having crossed the Praa, advanced into the Warsaw country, where he engaged the Ashantees,

and experienced a complete defeat. Sir Charles himself, after having been severely wounded, fell into the hands of the enemy, who cut off his head, and preserved it in the usual manner. His heart was eaten by the principal Ashantee Chiefs, in order that they might, as they imagined, imbibe his bravery; and his flesh, having been dried, was divided, together with his bones, amongst the men of consequence in the army, who kept their respective shares about their persons, as charms to inspire them with courage.

In the month of May following, the new King, Osai Ockotoe, (the brother of Osai Tooto Quamina, who had died soon after the commencement of the war,) came down to his army, at the head of a strong re-inforcement, with the avowed intention to destroy Cape-Coast Castle, and drive the English into the sea. After some hard fighting, and when the Ashantee army had suffered the loss of many thousands of men, by the ravages of disease, and the want of provisions, the King drew off his forces in the direction of Annamaboe. The last and decisive battle was fought about the middle of the year 1826, twenty-four miles northeast of Accra; when the British and their allies gained the victory, and took the Ashantee camp and baggage. After this battle, negotiations were commenced; but, owing to various causes, it was not until the month of April, 1831, that a treaty of peace was signed, when the King sent one of his sons, and a son of the preceding King, as hostages, with six hundred ounces of gold, to be lodged at Cape-Coast Castle, as a security for the performance, on his part, of the conditions of the treaty, for the term of six years. At the end of six years, the gold was returned; and the present King, Quacoe Duah, who had in the mean time succeeded his brother, Osai Ockotoe, consented that his nephews, who had been given up as hostages, should be sent for education to England, where they at present remain.

It was shortly after the execution of this treaty, that the land which had been so awfully desolated by war, was visited, in the order of Divine Providence, with the blessings of the Gospel of peace. The Wesleyan Missionary Committee were led to accept the generous offer of Captain Potter, of Bristol, to take a Missionary in his vessel, free of expense to the Society; and, in the year 1834, the Rev. Joseph Dunwell was sent on a visit of observation to Cape-Coast Castle. He was welcomed by many of the natives with gratitude and affection; and his faithful labours among them were crowned with signal success. The work which thus so auspiciously commenced, has since extended along the Gold Coast eastward, as far as Accra; several chapels have been built, or are in the course of erection; and six hundred converts from Heathenism have been united together in church-fellowship. Interesting as this Mission appears, when viewed in its beneficial effects upon the natives of the Gold Coast, it, however, rises in importance when regarded as the means by which the way has been opened for the introduction of the Gospel into Ashantee. The establishment of this Mission has served to excite more particular attention to the circumstances and spiritual wants of the Ashantee people; and has created the facilities by which Mr. Freeman has been enabled to visit Coomassie. It deserves, moreover, especially to be noticed that, immediately on the commencement of this Mission, its beneficial influence began to be exerted upon the two Ashantee Hostages. Under the ministry of Mr. Dunwell, they became impressed with the truth and

excellence of that divine religion, which they have since formally embraced in this country; and they are now on the eve of their return to their native land, at the very juncture when their uncle, the present King, has become favourably disposed to Missionary exertions. Thus has access been afforded to a people, the conversion of whom to vital Christianity could not fail, considering their geographical situation, and their weight in the scale of African nations, greatly to promote the spread of the Gospel, and, at the same time, advance the cause of humanity and civilization throughout the continent of Africa.

II. THE ASHANTEE JOURNAL.

JOURNAL OF THE REV. THOMAS B. FREEMAN, ON A VISIT
FROM CAPE-COAST TO ASHANTEE, IN INTERIOR WESTERN
AFRICA;

From the 20th of January to the 23d of April, 1839.
(Addressed to the Secretaries of the Wesleyan Missionary Society.)

OBJECT OF THE JOURNEY; DIFFICULTIES, AND THEIR REMOVAL. REV. AND DEAR SIRS,

ACCORDING to my promise in my last, I embrace the opportunity of sending you, per brig "Maclean," a copy of my Journal during my recent Mission to Ashantee, with a few accompanying remarks.

Before I commence, however, I beg leave briefly to state my object in undertaking such a work, and the prospects I had at my setting out.

Ever since my arrival on this Station, I had felt deeply anxious to visit Coomassie, the capital of Ashantee, and residence of the King. The tales of horror, wretchedness, and cruelty, which I had often heard respecting the Ashantees, wrought in my mind the deepest commiseration, and a constant restlessness to commence Missionary operations among them.

Opposed to this project were, First, The fears of a large majority of our members as to the results of such an enterprise, concerning my health. Secondly. The very heavy expenses attending such a journey. Thirdly. The fears of many with whom I conversed on the subject, that I should not succeed even in an attempt to get to Coomassie, on account of the almost unconquerable jealousies of the King. Fourthly. The strong claims of our societies on the coast; from which, in the event of my undertaking the journey, I must in all probability be absent from two to three months. And, Lastly, the importance of my being at Cape Coast on the arrival of a fellowlabourer, whom I had, for several weeks, been expecting.

The First obstacle was removed by our members gaining a steady and increasing confidence that God would preserve me, (if I endeavoured to take care of my health,) and bring me back in safety.

The Second obstacle was removed by a promise, on the part of our societies here, to render me all possible assistance by their prayers and contributions.

The Third obstacle was removed by a promise of all necessary assistance on the part of His Excellency President Maclean.

My Fourth obstacle was removed by the expectation that a new Missionary would arrive in the course of a few weeks at the longest; and by my obtaining the assistance of an excellent young man, (Mr. W. De Graft,) who was ready to take charge of the Mission-house, of our societies, &c., during my absence; and

My Fifth obstacle was, in a measure, removed by considering that I could write a long letter by way of information and instruction, and leave it in the Mission-house, for my fellow-labourer on his arrival.

Having therefore determined on commencing my journey without delay, I immediately began to prepare myself by packing up a supply of provisions, hiring hammock-men, carriers, &c.; while President Maclean kindly provided me with two soldiers, (a Sergeant and a private,) to conduct me; and put into my hand a letter of recommendation to the King of Ashantee.