natives, and themselves forded the stream, in one part fully five feet deep.

I shall continue my homeward march to-morrow by as rapid stages as the nature of the country will allow, and with every military precaution. I have, &c.,

G. J. WOLSELEY, Major-General.

No. 8.

Agemmum, Feb. 7.

SIR,-In my despatch of this day's date I have given you the latest information as to the movements of the column under my immediate command.

As regards the three other columns last mentioned in my despatch of Jan. 30, I have the honour to inform you that I have no news of Captain Glover since that date. All Captain Butler's force of Akims deserted him without warning or reason, and he has returned south of the River Prah; while Captain Moore has arrived in this camp, stating that Captain Dalrymple has utterly failed to induce any men to cross the Ashantee frontier, and is himself on the road to my head-quarters.

I have, &c.,

G. J. WOLSELEY, Major-General.

No. 9.

Camp, Amoaful, Feb. 8.

SIR,-I had scarcely sent off my despatches yesterday when Captain Butler, half-pay, 69th Regiment, arrived in my camp, and, as his mission to the Western Akims is now completely closed, I feel it my duty to bring at once to your notice the admirable manner in which he has conducted a most trying and difficult task.

That Captain Butler failed in his effort to lead a force of Akims to Coomasie is not his fault, but is solely due to the ineradicable cowardice and sloth of the people with whom he had to deal. In the face of great difficulties he succeeded in raising a force of Akims and leading them across the Prah. Although they deserted him at the very time when a junction with me was within their reach, these troops did, by their partial advance, effect that diversion which was the object of Captain Butler's labours-drawing off from opposition to the column under my immediate command the whole fighting force of Kokofoo, one of the six great tributary principalities of the Ashantee kingdom.

The high opinion of Captain Butler, which caused me to give him an independent command, is strengthened by his conduct in this war; and I beg to recommend him especially to your notice as an officer of great ability, of remarkably ready resources, and of untiring powers of action.

Captain Dalrymple, 88th Foot, has also worked indefatigably under most disheartening conditions. He, too, has been vanquished by the vis inertie of the people among whom his task lay. But he, like Captain Butler, has rendered me real service, for the Becquah fighting men were drawn off to meet an attack from the Wassaw frontier, which Captain Dalrymple's movements led them to expect. I beg to recommend Captain Dalrymple to your favourable notice.

I have to-day received further despatches from Captain Glover. He writes last from Odumassie, on the 28th ult, being then one march advanced from Obogo, whence he dated on the 17th ult., and about twenty miles, according to his estimate, from Juabin or Coomassie. Copies of his despatches are sent to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. He had with him all his Houssas and Yorubas, and 700 Akims, and was expecting immediate reinforcements of Aquapims and Croboes. I have sent him orders to fall back behind the River Prah, and though I regret that he is not likely, owing to difficulties of communication, to receive these instructions for some time, he should meanwhile, with the force at his command, be quite able to hold his own against very superior numbers of the enemy. I reserve further remarks till Captain Glover's mission is concluded. I have, &c.,

G. WOISELEY, Major-General.

No. 10.

TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES.

Camp, Agiamum, Feb. 7.

MY LORD, I have the honour to report that, immediately after the despatch from this station of my last letter on the 3rd instant I forwarded a flying column, taking with me five days' provisions, and marched upon Coomassie. The enemy's resistance on Feb. 3 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 enclose a copy, with a letter from Mr. Dawson, also enclosed, and returned at once the enclosed reply.

On Feb. 4 I advanced again at daybreak. The enemy had occupied a position of considerable strength near the village of Ordahsu. 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 chiefs' 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 outbreak 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, I 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

rously 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 have 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 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 charnelhouse; 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.

Р

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, 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 Hon. H. L. Wood, 10th Hussars, who is the bearer of this despatch, I have the honour to recommend to your lordship's favourable notice.

I have, &c.,

G. J. WOLSELEY,

Major-General and Administrator, Gold Coast.

J. W. Dawson, your messenger, begs to add a few words of his.

Your Excellency will to listen your humble servant's entreaty now to stay a 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 that 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. 1 send now my cane-bearer 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), YAW BUSUMMURUTINGES,

his x mark,

KUEKA BUSUMUMMARUGWIRA,
his x mark,

King's Private Counsellors.

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

The following is the correspondence which took place between Sir Garnet Wolseley and King Koffee's ministers and Mr. J. Dawson :

No. 1.

Coomassie, Feb. 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 my both 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.

SIR,

No. 2.

Coomassie, Feb. 3, 1874.

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.

On the march, Feb. 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 today 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,

G. J. WOLSELEY,

Major-General and Administrator,
Gold Coast.

To His Majesty, Koffee Kalcully,
King of Ashantee, Coomassie.

No. 4.

Coomassie, Feb. 4, 1874.

SIR,-For Heaven's sake I pray your Excellency to halt the forces for to-day and to-morrow. All the Ashantee forces

Coomassie, Feb. 4, 1874.

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 to-morrow on the terms originally agreed upon. If either your Majesty, or your Royal mother, or Prince Mensah, will come to see me tomorrow 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. I have, &c.,

G. J. WOLSELEY,
Major-General and Administrator,
Gold Coast.

To His Majesty Koffee Kalcully,
King of Ashantee, Coomassie.

II.