IN COOMASSIE WITH PRINCE ANSA. 
113 
there is something not only startling but awful in, 
them. 
Nothing more was said about the journey to the coast 
till the night of January 23rd, when the king sent for 
the prince and Mr. Watts. Letters had arrived from the 
English authorities thanking the king for sending back 
several Fantees, and expressing the hope that he would 
keep his word, and give the Europeans their liberty as 
soon as his general had returned. Should he, however, 
be delayed, it was hoped the king would inform the 
governor in order that he might hurry Adu Bofo back 
over the Volta. As regarded Elmina, the Dutch governor 
denied that the fort had been bought by the Ashantees, 
or that money had ever been received for it. On this 
point the king could satisfy himself by sending a mes- 
senger to enquire. 
It was very painful to him (the governor) to find that 
the king did not keep his word with regard to the ex- 
change of the prisoners. Again and again he had promised 
and Major Brownell had waited long and patiently. 
They had begged the king to recall his army from Akwa- 
mu, instead of which he had re-formed it. The governor 
then drew his majesty's attention to the danger of such 
conduct, but added that if the king would at once send 
the Fantees back with prince Ansa, all would yet be 
well, and peace would be proclaimed throughout the 
whole territory. If he still refused. Major Brownell 
would be recalled with his prisoners. Ten days was the 
longest time which could be allowed to consider this 
proposal. 
The prince strongly advised the king to accept the 
offer of peace, speaking in the highest terms of the patience 
the English had manifested throughout, and expressing 
his sense of shame at the constant vacillation, excuses, and 
unfaithfulness of his country. He also put in a word for 
I 
