No. 1.
Sir G. Wolseley to the Earl of Kimberley.
Camp Agiamum, February 7, 1874.

 

MY LORD,
    I HAVE the honour to report that immediately after the despatch from this station of my last letter oh the 3rd instant, I forwarded a flying column, taking with me five days' provisions, and marched upon Coomassie. The enemy's resistance on the 3rd was considerable, very large
numbers being in our front. I halted on the River Ordah.
    During the course of the day's march I received from the King a letter, of which I inclose a copy, with a letter from Mr. Dawson also inclosed, and returned at once the inclosed reply.
    On the 4th I advanced again at daybreak. The enemy had occupied a position of considerable strength near the village of Ordasu. This they held against us from about seven till a quarter to two, when they yielded, and on my advance guard, under Colonel McLeod, being pushed on against them, broke and fled in all directions, leaving behind, strewed along the road, the Chief's umbrellas and chairs, &c., and the food which had been carried with the army.
    In the course of this day's march I received from Mr. Dawson two letters, of which I enclose copies. I ordered that, the troops should be pushed on at once. No opposition was offered to our entry into the town.
    We occupied the town. Mr Dawson was met, at full liberty, walking in the streets.
    I immediately issued stringent orders for the protection of the inhabitants and the safety of the town. But night fell almost immediately after our
entry, and in the darkness it was impossible to prevent some of the numerous camp followers from pillaging. The Fantee prisoners had also been released, and, in all probability, were largely engaged in the same pursuit. The result was the out break of many fires. Captain Baker, Inspector-
General of the Police, and several officers, were engaged nearly all night in the suppression of the pillaging and in putting out the fires. One
policeman taken in the act was hung.
    I endeavoured immediately on my arrival to communicate with the King through Mr. Dawson, and through every channel that appeared to offer an opportunity. A Chief having come into Coomassie who was said to be sent by the King, I saw him myself, and impressed upon him my wish to Spare the town, and my desire to impose on the King no severer conditions than those he had already accepted.
    Moreover, I told this man that now that I had shown the power of England, 1 was ready, if the King would make peace at once, to accept a small indemnity, and not to exact the half I had previously required to be paid in ready money.
    Other messengers were obtained who undertook to reach the. King. To these I entrusted the letter dated Coomassie,. 5th February, 1874.
    All was however, of no avail.
    The men whom I endeavoured to employ as messengers, and who came allowedly as envoys of the King, were found treacherously removing powder and gold dust from the houses. The whole scheme of Ashantee politics is so based upon  treachery, that the King does not either understand any other form of negotiation or believe it possible that others can have honest, intentions.
    Under these circumstances, my Lord, it became clear that a Treaty would be as valueless to us as it was difficult to obtain.
    Nothing remained but to leave such a mark of our power to punish as should deter from future aggression a nation whom Treaties do not bind.
    I had done all I could to avoid the necessity, but it was forced upon me. I gave orders for the destruction of the palace and the burning of the city; I had at one time also contemplated on the destruction of the Bantoma, where the sacred ashes of former Kings are entombed, but this would have involved a delay of some hours.Very heavy rain had fallen. I feared that the streams might have risen in my rear sufficiently to seriously delay my march. I considered it better, therefore, not to risk further the health of the troops, the wet weather having already threatened seriously to affect it.
    The demolition of the place was complete. From all that I can gather I believe that the result will be such a diminution in the prestige and military power of the Ashantee monarch as may result in the break-up of the kingdom altogether. This I had been anxious to avoid, because it seems impossible to foresee what power can take this nation's place among the feeble races of this coast. I certainly believe that your Lordship may be well convinced that no more utterly atrocious Government than that which has thus, perhaps, fallen ever existed on the face of the earth.
    Their capital was a charnel-house ; their religion a combination of cruelty and treachery ;  their policy the natural outcome of their religion. I cannot think, that whatever may be the final fate of the people of this country, the absolute annihilation of such a rule, should it occur, would  be a subject for unmixed regret.
    In any case, my Lord, I believe that the main object of my expedition has been perfectly secured. The territories of the Gold Coast will not again be troubled by the warlike ambition of this restless power. I may add that the flag of England from this moment will be received throughout Western Africa with respectful awe, a treatment which has been of late years by no means its invariable fate among the savage tribes of this region.
    The troops are now on their march homewards, and will embark for England immediately on reaching Cape Coast.
    As the mission entrusted to me has now, I may say, have been brought to an end, I avail myself of this opportunity for bringing to your Lordship's most favourable notice the valuable services rendered to me throughout the war by Lieutenant  Maurice, R. A., my Private Secretary. I would also take the liberty of mentioning the name of Captain Lanyon, 2nd West India Regiment, who for some time performed the duties of Colonial Secretary, and whose knowledge of Colonial duties and regulations were of great service to me since my arrival in this country.
    The police duties in connection with the recent military operations have been most effectively performed by Captain Baker, Inspector-General of Police. He has rendered the force under my command most valuable service, and his zeal and energy mark him out as peculiarly suited for the post he occupies. My Aide-de-Camp, Lieutenant the Honourable H. L. Wood, 10th Hussars, who is the bearer of this despatch, I have the honour to recommend to your Lordship's .favourable notice.

Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Coomassie, February 4,1874.

MY GOOD FRIEND,
    I BEG to write this to acquaint your Excellency that I am willing to meet your Excellency's demands, but only your Excellency's very rapid movement puts me into confusion. Regarding the hostages and the money, if your Excellency would allow me, I beg that you will let us do it in the same as late Governor Maclean did. Because my old mother and brother are both my counsellors and helpers in every way. I acknowledge the wrong done by Ammankwatea, and he will surely be punished by making to pay the sum your Excellency demands. About the prisoners: fearing that some may be excited and hurt himself I have put them all in iron, and as soon as your Excellency stay to give the time I will send them all.
     J. W. Dawson, your messenger, begs to add few words of his.
     Your Excellency will to listen your humble servant's entreaty now to stay few days where your Excellency has reached with the forces, as our lives are now in danger.- I was taken from iron to write this letter, and instead of being together we are placed in different places. I beg to say that they feel now the strong battle they have had, and the King now say he will withdraw his forces if your Excellency would promise to remain where you are to have the matters properly arranged. No doubt we will all be killed if your Excellency do not stay. I send now my canebearer instead of my servant.
    The King is anxious to meet your demands, but he finds the money too heavy. He desires to hint your Excellency with his best respect.
 

We beg, &c. (For His Majesty Kofi Kalkalee), (Signed) YAW BUSUMMURUTINGES, his X mark, KUEKA BUSUM UMMARUGWIRA, his X mark, King's Private Counsellors.

His Excellency Major-General Sir G. Wolseley, C.B.,K.C.M.G.

Inclosure 2 in No. 1.

SIR,
    AFTER the first letter dictated by the King, his Chiefs have also begged me to beg of your Excellency to stop your forces where you have reached, and that they will see that every demand is attended to amicably. The prisoners will be sent directly this messenger returns with your Excellency's promise to stay them. I humbly beg your Excellency on my knees to let the forces stop, and everything will be settled. I see now they have bend to do what is right, and trust your Excellency, will not fight them again, as they intend to withdraw the forces.
 

I am in haste, yours, &c (Signed) JOS. DAWSON.

His Excellency Major-General Sir G. Wolseley, C.B,,K.C.M.G.

P.S.—The Chiefs desire me to ask your Excellency to stop the Court if your Excellency agree to stay and send, my cane-bearer to take the prisoners directly. I pray your Excellency to stop the forces from fighting, if his troops do not bring it to your Excellency. The King says now that he will do your wishes.
 

Your obedient servant, (Signed) COFI BTJAKI, his X mark, Linguist.

Inclosure 3 in No. 1.

On the March, February 3, 1874.

KING,
   YOU have deceived me so before that I cannot halt until the hostages are in my possession; as time presses I will consent to accept for to-day your mother and Prince Mensah. Both shall be well treated by me.
    You can trust my word. If you send them to me this evening I will halt my army this side of the River Ordah. Unless you send them at once, my army will march upon Coomassie.
 

I am, King, your true friend and well-wisher, (Signed) G. J. WOLSELEY, Major-General and Administrator, Gold Coast.

To His Majesty Coffee Kalcutty, King, of Ashantee, Coomassie.

Inclosure 4 in No. 1.

Coomassie, February 4, 1874.

SIR,
     I FIND things have come to a crisis concerning the lives of us all here, that I am bound to run to your Honour to beg of you to plead with the Major-General for us all concerned.
    Finding that my cane-bearer foolishly denied of the men, I mean the prisoners here, being put in irons, ever since last Monday, and remaining in them to this day, I beg to be believed that I would not dare to-write nonsense to the Major-General or my master. Both he, the cane-man, and, I were taken out yesterday morning about 3 o'clock to write the letters which he brought, and I have been since. left at liberty, but every one else, Except my cook, whom I have got released this morning, and two other servants, is in iron, and as soon as the Ashantees are driven very close to Coomassie we all shall be killed. My boy Robert comes now, and your Honour will see the marks of the beating he has had. It is true the King was not at Coomassie, he had gone to see some great fetish of his, and his chief Procurator and Privy Counsellor thought some bad fellows would hurt us, or some of us might, through the excitement in the country, commit suicide; but this ought to be without beating. As this Chief could not find room for all in his house, he shared us to some of his Captains under him, and it is only those who were kept in his house escaped the being beaten. May I beg to ask your Honour to plead with the Major-General to defer his personal coming, which frightens the people so much, and appoint  an officer of rank, if he could not spare your Honour, and then the Major General might demand two or three of his (King's) principal captains ; for instance, Essamuah  Iukwauta,  Busummarengwira, and Prince and Captain Berrempa, instead of giving the mother a and brother Royal lineage which is-against their superstitions to give for hostages. Then  let him withdraw all his forces, and leave the path between entirely free for the time being in the hands of the Major-General, so that his forces are allowed no chance of doing any mischief.
    Matters might be very well settled in this manner, and we may be saved, since the destruction of the whole blessed kingdom after we are killed would not bring us back.
    I know now the Ashantees will yield to all the terms of the Major-General for peace, except the sending their Royal lineage out of the kingdom, which is against their superstitious notions, so much so that they would rather die or perish foolishly than doing it ; I would not care a button; if they could do it without us.
    The Major-General might, after things being put straight in this manner, come for a day or two to see the King and then march to the coast.
    The question about the money can be very soon arranged if the Governor, with security, allow them to pay it instalmently. On my knees I pray your honour to do all you can for us in this my petition.
    As it regards Ashantee power now being broken is very evident; they now beg me, which they have never done before, to do all I can to save them. The King himself sent his stepfather to tell me that he now acknowledges the superiority of the white men, and crave pardon that he may be allowed to treat for peace. I pray your Honour, therefore, to do all you can to pacify the Major-General to halt at the river, that the prisoners may be sent at once and have everything settled, as the distance is only about three hours within Coomassie. May the Lord aid you in your endeavourings, is, the prayer of your Honour's humble and obedient servant,

Inclosure 5 in No. 1.

SIR,
     FOR Heaven's sake I pray your Excellency to halt the forces for to-day and to-morrow.  All the Ashantee forces are coming back home, and, I think I will succeed in getting what I have written Captain Butler. If your Excellency do not halt, and do not hear from me about 12 to morrow noon, then all is over with me.

Inclosure 6 in No. 1.

KING,
    YOU have deceived me, but I have kept my promise to you.
    I am in Coomassie, and my only wish is to make a lasting peace with you. I have shown you the power of England, and now I will be merciful.
    As you do not wish to give up your mother and Prince Mensah, send me some other hostages of rank, and I will make peace with you tomorrow on the terms originally agreed upon.
    If either your Majesty, or your Royal mother, or Prince Mensah, will come to see me to-morrow morning early, I will treat you with all the honour due to your royal dignity, and allow you to return in safety. You can trust my word.