MISSION TO ASHANTEB. 
9 
Cafe Coast Castle, April 19th, 1817 
Frederick James, Esq. 
Sir, 
In accepting your voluntary offer of conducting the Embassy to 
the King of Ashantee, I have every reason to believe, that from 
your long experience in this country, and your knowledge of the 
manners and habits of the natives, it will terminate in a manner 
highly creditable to yourself, and eventually prove of the greatest 
importance to the commercial interest of Great Britain, which is 
the more immediate object of the Mission ; however, as many sub- 
jects of scientific research may be associated with it, they are par- 
ticularly recommended to your attention. For this purpose Mr. 
Bowdich will accompany you; and I have no doubt he will be 
found perfectly qualified to make the necessary observations, in 
which you will afford him every facility and assistance. He is 
provided with instruments for determining the latitude and longi^ 
tude of places. Mr. Hutchison, writer, and Mr. Tedlie, assistant 
surgeon, will also be attached to the expedition. 
The Ashantees, who are appointed your guides, have been 
selected by the Ashantee Captain who is now here. They will, I 
hope, aid and assist you in every thing that lays in their power. 
In addition to the Committee's instructions, a copy of which you 
have herewith, you will attend to the following : 
On the subject of your journey, I have nothing to observe 
further, than, that I hope you will take every opportunity of 
travelling when there will be the least exposure to the sun, as the 
officers who accompany you have been but a short time in the 
country, and every precaution will be necessary for the preservation 
of their health. 
As soon as may be convenient after your arrival at the Ashantee 
