MISSION TO ASH ANTEE. - 51- 
think so ; and to tell us to do all that was right, to make the 
Ashantees and English as one ; and this would shew the King we 
did not come to spy the country, but to do good/' Mr. Bowdich 
then assured Mr. James that no outrage on his dignity was medi- 
tated ; that we should continue to treat him as our superior officer, 
but that we felt the present act imperative, as our duty to the 
Service and our Country. 
Conviction flashed across the countenance of the interpreter, 
and he must have done Mr. Bowdich's speech justice, for the 
cheerful aspect of the morning was resumed in every countenance. 
The applause was general ; the King (who had again seated him- 
self) held out his hand to Mr. Bowdich, and said, " he spoke well; 
what he spoke was good ; he liked his palaver much.'' The King's 
chief hnguist came forward and repeated his commendations with 
the most profound bows ; every look was favourable ; every where 
there was a hand extended. The King then instructed his linguist 
to report to Mr. Bowdich, personally, his arguments respecting the 
books. " That he had subdued the Eantees at the expense of much 
powder and shot ; and that, in consequence, all their notes were 
his : that he had only to send a Captain to bring all their heads, 
that he did not want to do no good, and keep the books ; he would 
do more for the forts than the Fantees could ; that the Dutch 
Governor did not cheat him, but gave the four oz. a month. That 
he wished to be friends with the English ; but that the 4 ackies a 
HaciBtb put shame upon his face." To this Mr. Bowdich replied, 
that he could only say he knew the Governor would do what was 
right ; that he could not say more until he heard from him ; but 
that he would write every word the King said; and he was sure 
the King would see that the Governor would do what was right. 
We shook hands and retired. 
All the Eantees being detained by the King, Mr. Bowdich and 
