MISSION TO ASHANTEE. 
85 
the King's presence, on the subject* of the Commenda palaver, 
which wears so decided an aspect, that whilst I pledge all my 
energy and address, and look with hope to the aid of your sug- 
gestions, I must candidly confess, I do not think it can be com- 
pounded in any thing like a reasonable way. I appealed to the 
King's magnanimity, and depicted the poverty of the Commendas, 
but every appeal and every argument was ineffectual ; their 
aggravated offences admit of no amelioration of the King's feelings. 
I depreciated the plea of General Daendels' repeated messages, 
by submitting that they were addressed to the Town, and not to 
the Fort, and I succeeded in retiring him from the negociation, as 
an interference inconsistent with your dignity, and the present 
good understanding. 
I did not discourage the King's great anxiety for clothes of the 
English costume, considering that his example would be more 
auspicious than any thing else, to the introduction of these manu- 
factures. I have distributed the muslins, &c. as politically as 
possible, including with the Moors of repute, the aristocracy, or 
four captains controuKng the King, his four linguists, his brother 
and successor, our housemaster, and some other captains of supe- 
rior influence. I made a point of conciliating a Moor of influence, 
about to return through Sallagha or Sarem (the capital of the 
Inta country, and the grand emporium of the merchandize of the 
interior) to Houssa, feeling the policy of communicating every 
favourable impression to the neighbouring kingdoms. In my 
second interview I obtained permission from the King to dismiss 
the remaining Fantees. It was one of the first considerations, for 
the sake of our dignity, to avoid the humiliating circumstances and 
impressions, which have ensued from the want of foresight, and 
the consequent inability to meet the demands of our people. 
Their conduct since has been so mutinous and insulting, with tie 
