MISSION TO ASHANTEE. 
141 
Coomassie, Sept. 1817. 
To William Hutchison, Esquire, British Resident, 
Sir, 
I AM directed by the Governor in Chief to leave yoii written 
instructions for your future government. 
The conviction of the honour and justice of our pubUc negotia- 
tions, having procured us a footing in opposition to the arts 
which have been practised upon the suspicion of the natives, your 
conduct is looked to, with confidence, to support it, by originating 
an opinion of our moral character, equally auspicious to the bene- 
volent views of the British Government. The simphcity of our 
religion, tolerating the calumny of the Moors, that we are destitute 
of any, you will have the satisfaction of perfecting the confutation, 
by a regular retirement to its duties, and by the practice of that 
benevolence and forbearance, equally congenial to the policy 
prescribed to us. 
It would be premature, as well as dangerous, to direct any other 
than the tacit reproof of your own conduct and sentiments, to the 
cruelties consecrated by the superstitions of the Ashantees ; you 
must be content to avoid the countenance of them by your pre- 
sence, by adhering to the plea of the repugnance of your religion. 
This conduct, associated with a humanity always inchning you to 
induce mercy, whenever the offence, or prudence, may admit of 
an interference, will propitiate your own wishes, and the expec- 
tations of the Government. 
The friendship and respect which the King, and the superior 
captains have manifested, will not only be preserved, but strength- 
ened, by a dignified deportment, and a considerate use of the 
private intercourse these feelings have established ; and you will 
cultivate the frequent opportunities of instilling into tkeir minds, 
