132 
MISSION TO ASHANTEE. 
th^ Resident ; it cannot be the true motive : to oppose however^ 
any disinclination to the measure, either on the part of the King 
or his principal men, would be entirely useless; the aversion to it 
has no doubt originated in the latter, with whom, under the present 
order of things, the Resident would be very unpopular; conse- 
quently unsafe. The eager desire which the King has manifested 
for enquiring into every trivial occurrrence, is another cause of its 
being objectionable. The residence of a British officer would 
afford him the opportunity, not only of doing this, but of making 
demands which he might otherwise not have thought of. These 
and other circumstances, which were entirely unforeseen, have 
materially altered my opinion in regard to the Residency, w^hich is 
certainly not so desirable as I before considered it. You will 
therefore, on your return, bring Mr. Hutchison with you. 
I am not aware of any Ashantees having introduced themselves 
liere, but such as were duly authorised by the King; you will 
however inform him, that none will be attended to unless they bear 
his cane. 
As Mr. Hutchison is to return, it will be a most important point 
that you bring down two of the King's sons for education, and I 
am very solicitous that you should accomplish this object if 
possible. 
The Comraenda palaver being terminated, there will be nothing 
to detain you longer at Ashantee. Your returning by way of 
"Warsaw will be desirable, and I hope the King will not object to. 
your so doing. 
I am, Sir, 
your most obedient Servant^ 
JOHN HOPE SMITH. 
