372 HISTORY OF [BOOK IK 



sedition, recommended peace; and advised their com- 

 panions to postpone their vengeance tc a better op- 

 portunity; and the whole of the Acvmpong people 

 declared in favour of the whites. It was determined, 

 however, by a very great majority of the Trelawney 

 Maroons, tojlght the bucras, (meaning the white peo- 

 ple). The violent councils of the younger part of 

 their community prevailed ; most of whom were in- 

 flamed with a degree of savage fury against the 

 whites, which set at nought all considerations of pru- 

 dence and policy. 



The commander in chief, however, previous to any 

 hostile movement, determined to try once more to 

 effect an accommodation, As it was evident the 

 Maroons consulted some person who could read and 

 write, his lordship, en the 8th of August, sent into 

 their town a written message or summons in the fol- 

 lowing words : 



o 



To the Maroons of Trelawney toicn. 



" You have entered into a most unprovoked, un- 

 grateful, and most dangerous rebellion. 



" You have driven away the superintendent placed 

 over you by the laws of this country. 



" You have treated him, your commander, with 

 indignity and contempt. You have endeavoured to 

 massacre him. 



" You have put the magistrates of the country ,> 

 and all the white people at defiance. 



You have challenged and offered them battle. 



