MISSION TO ASHANTEE. 
119 
efforts to recover him were iuefFectual. This is the second offence 
of a similar nature that has occurred; the first person, I most 
assuredly should have punished, had he not ran past the sentry 
and made his escape. 
The King's displeasure will no doubt be excited when he hears 
of such acts of insolence, and I hope he will issue such orders to 
his people, as will make them more circumspect in future. 
I am, Sir, 
your most obedient Servant, 
J. H. SMITH. 
Coomassie, 3 1 St August, 1817 • 
John Hope Smith, Esq. Governor in Chief, &c. &c. &c. 
Sir, 
I received your letter last evening respecting the suicide of the 
Ashantee. I procured an audience this morning, and have just 
returned from the palace, where I had the honour to address you 
a letter, in the name of the King, on this, and other subjects. 
The messenger sent up by Adoo Bradie, was the brother of the 
deceased, and declared before the King upon oath, that he had 
been killed by the officers. The master (our landlord) proposed a 
fine to the captains assembled, but after the audience was gone 
through, the King retired to council, which is the form, and return- 
ing, dictated the sentiments I had the honour to communicate to 
you, and rebuked our house-master severely for his proposition. 
Of course I impressed the insult to the fort, as the superior consi- 
deration of your letter. 
The insolence of the lower orders here became insufferable, they 
proceeded even to pelting us with stones ; after every effort on our 
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