MISSION TO ASHANTEE. 
135 
allow me to address you for the particulars of his treatment; and 
if you consider the mischievous influence of the report, the fatality 
of the impression that the King's Embassy had been subjected to 
contem[ t, whilst we had been treated with generosity and respect, 
you will admit that the disproof was imperious on me : he has 
been disgraced, and owes his safety to my intercession. Nothing 
but the most decisive conduct can arrest villainy here. The reports 
of Adoo Bradie have been highly flattering. The King will cer- 
tainly have a better opportunity of making demands from the 
residence of a British officer ; neither can I lessen the probability 
further than by my opinion, which though only indulgent of the 
people in general, is certainly favourable of the honour of the 
King, and the superior captains. The advantages and prospects 
of our preserving our footing by a Residency, have been too fully 
suggested by your experience, to require my dwelling on them. 
I will proceed to acquaint you of the circumstances subsequent 
to my receipt of your letter, one of which had nearly been serious. 
After the settlement of the Commenda palaver, the King requested 
me to wait 10 days, which were afterwards extended to 15, as you 
were advised in his letter of the 31st ult. This time expired on 
Saturday last, but the King said then that we must not go until 
Monday. Accordingly, on that day, I delivered Mr. Hutchison 
written instructions (a copy of which I enclose) and sent several 
messages to the King to remind him of his promise. We were not 
sent for until six o'clock in the evening, when the King said he 
could not let me go then, nor before he had time to send me away 
properly. This 1 considered to be the mere affectation of state ; I 
pleaded that your orders were binding, and that it was insulting to 
you, as well as dangerous to me, to prevent my respect of them, 
now every thing like business was settled. The King said he 
would only ask me to stop until Wednesday. I replied,, that if he 
