AFRICANEXPLORERS OF THE NINETEENTH CENTUR I". 153 
sidered him too young for the post, and superseded him 
by a man whose long experience and thorough know¬ 
ledge of the country and its people seemed to fit him 
for the important task to be accomplished. The result 
showed that this was an error. Bowditch was attached 
to the mission as scientific observer, his chief duty 
being to take the latitude and longitude of the different 
places visited. 
Frederick James and Bowditch left the English settle- 
A VILLAGE IN ASHANTEE. 
ment on the 22nd August, 1817, and arrived at Coo- 
massie, the Ashantee capital, without meeting with any 
other obstacle than the insubordination of the bearers. 
The negotiations with a view to the conclusion of a 
treaty of commerce, and the opening of a road between 
Coomassie and the coast, were brought to something of a 
successful issue by Bowditch, but James proved himself 
altogether wanting in either the power of making or 
enforcing suggestions. The wisdom of Bowditcli’s 
conduct was fully recognised, and James was recalled. 
