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MISSION TO ASHANTEE. 
CHAPTER VIIL 
Trade. 
Th e currency of Ashantee is gold dust, that of Inta, Dagwumba, 
Gaman, and Kong, cowries. Mr. Lucas writes, " to the merchants 
of Fezzan who travel to the southern states of the Negroes, the 
purchase of gold, which the dominions of several, and especially 
those of Degombah, abundantly afford, is always the first object of 
commercial acquisition." I could not learn that any gold was dug 
or collected in Dagwumba, though considerable quantities are 
imported, from its extensive commerce. Sixteen ackies make an 
ounce or newemeen, 36 a benda, 40 a periguin : eight tokoos (a 
small berry) are reckoned to the ackie, but it will not weigh more 
than seven : there are eight distinct names for quantities of gold 
dust from one to eight ackies. Five strings or 200 cowries are 
equal to a tokoo, as at Accra. The clearest manner of shewing 
the articles, prices, and profits of the Ashantee, Inta, and Dag- 
wumba markets, will be by a table with remarks ; substituting, for 
the greater convenience, English monies calculated at the currency 
of gold here, which is £4. the oz. 
