62 
MISSION TO ASHANTEE. 
write also that we think the King's palaver good. We were sent 
to make the English and Ashantees as one, because our's is the 
greatest white, 3'oiir's the greatest black nation, and when two 
great nations are friends, it makes good. I came out in the ship 
that was sent to tell the Governor this, and when he heard it, he 
said it gave him very much pleasure. The King of England and 
the Company thought the Governor should send to the King, to 
send some of his great men to Gape Coast, that we might be safe ; 
but the Governor said, no ! there was no occasion, and wrote to 
the King and the Company that he could trust all his officers in 
Ashantee, because the King's honour made them safe, so we came 
without sending, because we knew the King was our true friend. 
" The Governor wished always to do the King right, but the 
Eantees never would tell him what was right, so he wrote to the King 
of England to send him some presents, that he might send his own 
offi<;ers to the King, and hear properly from the King's own mouth 
what was right, because the Eantees never would tell bim what 
was true, or what the King said. When the Governor reads what 
we shall write him, then he will know the truth for the first time. 
We shall stay to make the Ashantees and English one, and we 
pledge our lives to the King, that we speak a proper palaver, and 
when we speak true before God and the King we cannot fear/' 
There were repeated and general applauses as each sentence 
was interpreted ; the King smiled, and desired his linguist to say 
to Mr. Bowdich as Quashie interpreted, The King likes you, 
you speak a proper good palaver, you speak like a man, the King 
wishes to be a friend to white men ; he thinks white men next to 
God." Here the King raised his hands to heaven, and then 
covering his face, Quashie continued to interpret. " The King 
thanks God and his own fetish, that they have sent him white men 
to talk proper like this to him, and when you three white men go 
