94 
MISSION TO ASHANTEE. 
confessed he had felt his private feehngs hurt ever since the return 
of that messenger, having received his assurance, that you would 
scarcely admit him to your presence ; that he received no present 
or compliment from you, and was wholly neglected during his 
stay at head quarters. I instantly pledged my honour to the King 
that Ocranameah (who was present) was guilty of falsehood and 
ingratitude, adding, that I was not prepared to confront him with 
the particulars of the presents he received from you and the 
officers ; though I was positive, from private letters, as well as my 
own conviction, that you had not slighted the opportunity of evinc- 
ing your private friendship for the King ; and as I might possibly 
identify some trifle, I wished the King to allow a search to be 
made. On the messenger's box being sent for and opened, two 
engravings appeared, to the surprise of the King, and which I 
recognised ; but as the messenger still persists in your entire neglect 
of him, and of his not having received any present or compliment 
worth mentioning, I must trouble you for the particulars of his 
treatment at Cape Coast Castle, for the entire conviction of the 
King. The King expressed his suspicion (founded on reports) 
that many Ashantees imposed on your generosity, by introducing 
themselves as attached to him in various capacities and hoped 
that you would only listen in future to such as he recommended to 
your notice by letter, which his three messengers above had been ; 
the second (Ocranameah) the more particularly, and that recollec- 
tion had made him so sensible of the neglect. You will regret, 
with myself, that this inauspicious circumstance has been un^ 
voidable. 
The recent intelligence respecting the Buntooko war, has imposed 
serious anxiety, in the place of the King's former confidence. The 
revolt of that people, as may be expected in all revolts from arbi- 
trary controul, has gradually induced the secessions of sprne ot^ie? 
