THE REASON OF THE WAR. 
20S 
from the strong protection of Britain to the dependency 
of the lenient old ally of Ashantee (Holland). 
But this treaty of the European powers was more easy 
iio frame than to enforce. The coast towns thus trans- 
ferred swore they would never adopt the Dutch flag, com- 
bined in a general resistance, and called in the help of the 
Fantees. The Dutch could not extinguish the flame, 
although they bombarded the towns Sekondi and Com- 
menda, which increased the irritation of the Fantees, who 
threatened to demolish Elmina, and actually stormed it 
for several weeks. The English at length succeeded in 
persuading them to retreat, and quietly await the result. 
During this bombardment, the chief of Elmina sent a 
messenger to Ashantee, asking the king's assistance ; this 
man was still living in Coomassie when we were there. 
The Akwamers to the east of the Volta had already 
begged for help from the Ashantees, and as it was thought 
this help might, with wise management, be given to them 
without irritating the English, Adu Bofo was sent there, 
with an army of thirty thousand men. No arrangements 
were made in regard to Elmina, for it was not doubted 
that after gaining a great name by subduing the Krepes, 
the general might successfully make war upon the Pro- 
tectorate. 
Meanwhile Akjampong (the king's uncle) was sent 
to Elmina with a hundred men, to watch for a favour- 
able opportunity, and to prepare for an attack upon 
the British power. He went by way of Kwantiabo, 
and his track was marked by murder and rapine when- 
ever he met with Fantees. It was intended that at the 
right moment the English territory should be attacked on 
three sides, by the two generals on its flanks, and by the 
king himself making a charge on the Prah. 
All this planning however proved unsuccessful. It is 
true, Adu Bofo made many prisoners amongst the inhabi- 
