164 
MISSION TO ASHANTEE. 
sometimes seen clearly from Coomassie, abounding in large black 
stones, described as basaltes. By this route (No. 3.) to Accra, the 
Akim country is entered the 4th day, the Boosempra is crossed on 
the 6'th, by a tree laid over it, and the Birrim, by a line and raft 
on the 12th ; it is much wider than the Boosempra is where we 
crossed it, and runs to that river, falling into it just above our 
crossing. The Aquapim, a clear and mountainous country, is 
entered on the I6th day. By the eastern route. No. 4, the Akim 
country is entered the 4th day ; a large hill called Abirrawantoo is 
passed the 9th ; thence the Birrim springs, crossing the path twice 
before it runs to the Boosempra. Three days westward from this 
mountain, is a second, called Papow, in which the Ainshue or the 
Winnebah river rises. A river called Dinshue rises also in this 
neighbourhood, running to the Saccomo, which falls into the sea 
8 miles west of Accra. Isert, who visited Aquapim, called the 
capital Kommang, but Akropong is so now. The distance from 
Coomassie to Accra may be estimated at 230 miles, which bears 
about the same proportion to the horizontal distance, as the path 
we travelled through Assin from Annamaboe. Dr. Leyden was 
much imposed on in the extravagant account he has given of the 
extent, power, and commerce of Akim,* which is placed in the 
map accompanying his work^ eastward of Dahomey, instead of 
westward of the Volta. Dr. Isert was a Danish gentleman, who 
had the good fortune to cure the former King of Ashantee's sister 
of a lingering disorder, after she had exhausted all the skill of the 
* " On the west of Aquamboe lies the powerful state of Akim, sometimes denominated 
Akam, Achem, and Accany, which occupies almost all the interior of the Gold Coast, 
and is supposed by the natives to extend to Barbary. The Accanese are represented as 
carrying on an extensive commerce with the interior kingdoms of Africa, particularly 
Tonouwah, Gago, and Meczara, by which Mourzouk the capital of Pezzan seems to b§ 
intended." 
