APPENDIX. No. I. 
465 
coast in search of Cheboo and Apoutay. The Fantees opposed his march, but were 
defeated in every onset ; and the Braffoes were nearly extirpated by the Ashantees in 
their march. The Annamaboes, instigated by the remaining Braffoes, were impudent 
enough to receive and protect Cheboo and Apoutay ; which proved fatal to them. At 
this period the Governor of Cape Coast Castle, being under some apprehension for the 
safety of the British settlements, was inclined to send a flag of truce with a message to 
the King of Ashantee, who was now (May, 1806) at Abrah, and only fifteen or twenty 
miles from the coast. The Annamaboes (who were consulted on the measure) objected 
to it, and the design was consequently suspended. The Governor was anxious to know 
upon what terms the King would consider the British, and wished to become a mediator; 
but the Annamaboes, who placed a vain dependence on their name and strength, fully 
expected that the King and his army would be conquered ; and that if not the whole, 
the greater part of the arniy would fall into their hands ; and hence were not disposed to 
pacific measures, nor would they permit the Governor's messenger to proceed inland. 
Shortly after this, a division of the Ashantee army made its appearance at Cormantine, 
and routing the inhabitants from the town, completely destroyed it. The captain of this 
division contrived to get into the Dutch fort, and having pillaged it of a number of 
articles, took up his residence there. It was now time to become acquainted with the 
King's intentions ; and for that purpose the Governor of Annamaboe fort sent a messenger 
with a flag of truce to the commander of this division, intimating a wish to be acquainted 
with the King's motives for marching an army to the coast, and proposing himself as a 
mediator. This message, we may suppose, was conveyed to the King ; and ©n the 
following day three men were observed coming from Cormantine with a white flag dis 
played, and (Mr. White) the Governor, expected they were the bearers of some agree- 
able and satisfactory intelligence : in this however he was much disappointed ; for the 
commander of that division of the Ashantee army being in possession of fort Amsterdam, 
was elated with his success, particularly in getting to the sea side ; (a circumstance which 
inspired him with such joy, that he went to the beach and dipped his sword three times 
in the sea, some of which he had conveyed to the King as a proof of his success :) — 
whether those circumstances stimulated him to try the disposition of the English chief, 
we know not ; but the message he sent, imported a degree of haughtiness by no means 
agreeable to Mr. White, and was to this effect : that when the Governor would send him 
twenty barrels of gunpowder, and one hundred muskets, he would be told what the King's 
designs were. To comply with this demand would be acknowledging too much submis- 
sion, and would doubtless give the King a very indifferent opinion of the British charac- 
ter. Mr. White behaved politely to the people, gave them some refreshment, and told 
them that he regretted that the King, or their master, did not appear inclined to come 
to an explanation, or to conciliate matters: that if the King would point out in what 
3 o 
