8 MISSION TO ASHANTEE. 
and to instruct their children in reading, writing, &c. from -whiclis 
as may be easily pointed out, the greatest advantages must arise 
to the Ashantees. 
" From what has been said, you. Gentlemen, will perceive, that 
in selecting the Embassy, it is important that one of the persons 
composing it should be able to determine the latitude and longi- 
tude of places, and that both shall be seasoned to the climate; of 
ability, physical and mental; of cool tempers, and moderate 
habits ; and possessed of fortitude and perseverance ; and that in 
the selection of their escort also, regard be had to the qualifications 
of the parties in those respects. Among them there should be a 
bricklayer, carpenter, blacksmith, gunsmith, and cooper, with 
proper tools ; if these persons can be spared for the purpose. We 
wish also they should take with them a number of certificates 
regarding Major Peddie, and his companions, to be circulated as 
distinctly as possible in the Interior ; for though the period may 
be past when they might have been useful to those travellers, it is 
yet possible that they may be of use in making generally known 
the object of Government in sending white men to explore that 
country.'' 
The suggestion of hostages was wholly impracticable, for there 
was not even time for a communication with the King. A variety 
of circumstances conspired to urge the immediate dispatch of the 
Mission ; our interests, to say the least, imperiously demanded its 
early interference; and had we waited for a formal permisbion from 
the King to relieve the difficulties of the enterprise, the rainy season 
would have been too far advanced, and the critical moment have 
escaped us. The Governor thought it more advisable to dispatch 
the Mission without an escort, and two native soldiers only were 
added to the bearers of the baggage. The perusal of the Governor's 
instructions will be satisfactory to the reader : 
