Marine Department, Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, May 31, 1873.

    THE Board of Trade have received through the Secretary of State for the Colonies a copy of a Proclamation which has been issued by the Administrator of the West Africa Settlements, and is as follows :—
 

    "Whereas, an Ashanti Force has crossed the Prah and entered the protected territories on the Gold Coast in a hostile manner.  And whereas it is necessary that the supply of arms and munitions of war to the enemies of the protected tribes should be forthwith discontinued.  Now, therefore, be it known to all whom it may concern, that we have thought fit to prohibit, and do hereby prohibit, all persons within the Settlements and protected territories on the Gold Coast and on the waters, rivers, and estuaries thereof, from selling, bartering, giving, or transferring in any-manner of way, and either directly or indirectly any arms, ammunition, or warlike stores of every and whatsoever description to the
Ashantis or their allies, or to other enemies of the protected tribes.
     Moreover, we have prohibited and do hereby prohibit the importation into the said Settlements and protected territories of all such arms, ammunition, and warlike stores, excepting at the ports of Cape Coast, Elmina, and Accra, or at such other port or ports at which the importer may be specially authorized to land the same by licence first obtained from the Collector of Customs.
    And all officers of Customs and other officers of the Colonial Government of the Gold Coast are to observe and enforce this Proclamation."