58 
MISSION TO ASHANTEE. 
barrels, crescents, &c. on the top ; the shape generally a dome. 
Distinct and pompous retinues were placed around, with gold 
canes, spangled elephants tails to brush off the flies, gold headed 
swords, and embossed muskets, and many splendid novelties too 
numer )us but for a particular report, which will not be neglected 
Each had the dignitaries of his own province or establishment to 
his right and left ; and it was truly " Concilium in Concilio/' 
When we recollected the insignificant, though neat appearance of 
the few Ashantee towns we had passed through on the southern 
frontier, and even the extent and superior character of the capital, 
this magnificence seemed the effect of enchEmtment. 
We have intruded this sketch to impress the power and resour- 
ces of the monarch we are to conciliate, and to anticipate in some 
degree the delay of Mr. Bowdich's report, the transcription of 
which must yield to the present momentous communication. 
The King having decided a cause then in course, by which one 
of his captains was condemned to death for cowardice, ordered the 
question of the Annamaboe and Braffbe notes to be resumed. The 
several Fantee messengers were heard, the King of Annamaboe's, 
Amooney's, and Payntree's (the interior caboceer) having joined us 
in the path. They appeared all equivocation and embarrassment, 
as Quashie's interpretations confirmed ; they were incompetent 
to answer the King^s linguists, and unable to use the few uninter- 
rupted intervals which were allowed them to any purpose : it seems 
they would not acknowledge what the full amount of these notes 
was. Mr. James was asked, he said " white men's heads were not 
like black men's, and he could not recollect ] but he thought 4 oz. 
and 2 oz/' He did not offer to learn from the Governor. Several 
impassioned harangues were made by the King's hnguists and 
counsellors : the King said, " he had 4 oz. from Elmina, and ^ oz. 
from Enghsh Accra ; was it not putting shame upon him to send 
