* * * * *
_Mr. Hutchison’s Diary._
September 26. After we left the palace this morning, Apokoo invited me
home to take some refreshment. He entered into a long conversation
concerning the slave trade: he heard, he said, that an English vessel
had arrived at Cape Coast, and had brought out a letter from the King of
England to the Governor-in-Chief, ordering a renewal of the slave trade,
and asked me, if I had received any letter. I said I had not, but if
such a thing had taken place, I thought I should have early accounts. He
enquired what were the objections we had to “buy men?” I told him what I
conceived to be proper; he laughed at our ideas, and enquired if the
king of Dahomey had not sent a “book four moons ago to Cape Coast,
inviting the English to trade again, in his kingdom.” I replied there
was a message sent, but I could not say exactly in what words, as I was
at Dix Cove at the time. “England,” he said, “was too fond of fighting,
her soldiers were the same as dropping a stone in a pond, they go
farther and farther:” at the same time he described an enlarging circle
with his hand, and shook his finger and head significantly at me. He was
anxious for me to write a “proper book” on the slave trade, many slaves,
he told me, had revolted, and joining the Buntokoo standard were to
fight against them; there were too many slaves in the country, (an
opinion I tacitly acquiesced in), and they wanted to get rid of some of
them. There might be a deal of trouble from them; he alone had one
slave, who had 1000 followers at arms, and he might trouble them as
Cudjo Cooma did, who was a slave of his when he revolted, and whose
adherents alone were 10,000, independent of runaways, &c.
In the afternoon the King sent me a ceremonious message, with his
compliments, saying he would be glad if I attended him in his customs,
&c. when he should sit in public. I replied that I would be happy to do
so, as it was the King’s wish, except when human sacrifices were
offered, but then it would be contrary to my inclinations, my religion,
and my instructions.
Shortly after I was told the King was in the market-place drinking palm
wine. I went for the first time and took my seat on his left. The King
made me a present of a pot of wine, as did several of his chiefs. When
he drank, the whole of the music played, while the executioners, holding
their swords with their right hands, covered their noses with their
left, whilst they sung his victories and titles. About half a dozen
small boys stood behind his chair, and finished the whole with a fetish
hymn. The King enquired how many servants I had, and several questions
of the same kind. After sitting about half an hour the assembly broke
up, the King rising first, which is the signal to retire.
Since the mission departed I have not been annoyed by any boys calling
after me. After seeing Messrs. Bowdich and Tedlie through the town, on
their going away, as I returned home the crowds thanked me as I passed,
for staying. I suppose they hardly imagined, when it came to the last,
that I would do so: indeed when I returned to my lodgings I found them
solitary enough; and, in the night time, three men found their way into
the house; one of my servants awakening, shouted out; I struck at one of
them with my sword, but missed him: in the morning it was discovered
that he had succeeded in stealing nearly half a sheep, a quantity of
kankey belonging to the boys, and a table knife. I am not sanguine
enough to imagine I shall be long allowed to take my walks unmolested;
when the novelty of my remaining alone passes away, they will return to
their old insolencies.
Monday 29. Paid Apokoo a visit, and dashed him a razor. Several people
were there talking palavers, and wishing him to interest the King for
them; among others, an old captain complained heavily of Quamina Bwa,
our guide, but since dead, who he said had stolen a slave from him and
sold him during the Fantee war; he had unavailingly applied to the
family, he therefore wished it to be brought before the King.
Apokoo complained of head-ach, and one of his women brought a decoction
of herbs, which she poured into a hollow piece of wood with two tubes,
these were inserted in the nostrils, and the liquor poured in, while the
head was held back, and afterwards spit out by the mouth; I have seen
the same poured into the ear for a like complaint. He wished me to try a
little of it; I of course declined it. He called one of his daughter’s,
and wished me to consaw, or espouse her; I told him she was too young;
he said that was nothing, as he would keep her for me: he added, the
Ashantee custom was, if a great man’s wife with child took another man’s
fancy, he consawed the child in the womb, and if born a girl, when she
grew up she became his wife; if a boy, it was his to serve and attend on
him, and he took care of it. Four ounces of gold it generally cost to
consaw a girl. I said he was a rich man; “true,” he replied, “but it
sometimes costs eight or ten ounces, sometimes only two.” Observing a
bow and arrows standing in the room, I began to amuse myself with
shooting them; he told me these were only for play, but when they went
to fight, they tipped them with iron, and put a deadly poison on it,
which caused almost instant death; the poison is made from vegetables
boiled in a large pot, and the arrows steeped in it. He shewed me the
marks of two arrow wounds which he received in battle. He then began to
consult his fetish, by a quantity of strings, with various ornaments on
one end to denote their good or evil qualities; these were mixed
promiscuously together, and taking them in his right hand, he put them
behind his back, and drew out one with his left; this was repeated about
20 times. A wicker basket was then brought on a small stool covered with
a silk cloth, in it were two lumps like pincushions, made of eggs, palm
oil, &c.: he then turned up the bottom of his stool, and making three
holes in it with something like a cobler’s awl, he drove in three pegs
with a stone, muttering to himself all the time, and waving each string
round his right ear; an egg was then brought in broken at one end, and
placed alternately on the lumps in the basket, and crushed on the stool
where the pegs were put in: this he did every morning before he went
out, to keep him out of bad palavers through the day.
Tuesday 30. This morning Apokoo invited me to take a share of his
umbrella, and attend the King, who went to finish his ablutions. We
walked along through an immense crowd; the streets were lined with the
chiefs and their respective suites. We went down to the place where the
King washes; a low platform was erected where the stools were laid on
their sides. The linguists and officers of the household stood on one
side holding gold rods and canes, the fetishmen formed a crescent to the
north side. The King performed the ceremony of laving the water over
himself, sprinkling the various articles the same as on Saturday, and
the procession concluded as before.
On walking back Apokoo wished to try on one of my gloves, and as usual
put it on the wrong hand; his gold castanets pinched him when the glove
was on, which made him shout out rather lustily, and stop short, I
called out “you stop the King;” “never mind,” said he, and his
attendants pulled to get the glove off. The King sent to know what
occasioned the stoppage, Apokoo held up his hand compressed, exclaiming,
“_Gamphnee_,” (it hurts me,) and stopped till it was got off.
In the afternoon I called on Odumata, who said he was angry that I had
not called before. I told him I came to thank him for allowing a slave
boy he has, to do any thing for me; he said I might have him so as I fed
him, I replied I would do so. He entered into conversation concerning
the power of England over other nations, and the danger of going to sea;
he had lived three years at Apollonia when a young man, and had seen
many Portuguese, but did not like them, “as they were all wenches!” He
seemed pleased that I did not like them either. He wished me to purchase
a horse from him for eight ounces, I said I would give him four.“ “I
must not want one, or I would not offer him so,” was his reply. I said
that I had no place to ride it in, the country being all bush, and the
King did not like me to go very far; he replied, they were soon going to
fight, and, as I should go with them, it would be better for me to have
a horse to ride than to walk. I answered, I should lay hold of some wild
boar and gallop it; this observation struck him with astonishment, and
stroking down his beard, he asked my servant if he thought I could do
so, who replied, if I took it in my head I certainly would. Odumata said
the people would think the devil was come among them. This he told me is
the last day of the year, according to their calculation, but from what
reason I do not know. In the Sarem countries, he told me, they work iron
from the stone, and silver, gold, &c. into trinkets, better than in
Ashantee. I enquired why they did not make iron here, as they have
plenty of ore; his reply was truly African; “why should they do so, when
they had plenty of gold to buy it, and could get it so near.” I told him
of England’s resources from her own manufactories; he said it was not
good for white men to know so much; if black men knew those things they
would all run to England. When I got home I sent him a present of a
razor, he sent two messengers to thank me, such is their fashion; and
for even the smallest article they return thanks the next day. Odumata
enquired why I did not get drunk sometimes, and come to see him then, I
told him, were I to get drunk in Ashantee, I ought to have my sword
broke over my head, that I had indeed got tipsey the evening before I
came away, with my friends, and might perhaps do so when I returned, but
not till then. He gave me some palm wine, and looked amazed at my
swallowing only half a tumbler full, “he would drink three pots before
he went to bed!” (about 15 gallons.)
Wednesday, October 1. The King dictated a letter to the Governor at Cape
Coast, stating, that the King of Cape Coast had broken the law by
insulting an Ashantee man, who swore, by the King of Ashantee’s head,
that if the Cape Coast King did not kill him, he must pay 110 periguins
of gold to the King. This practice, though it savours of madness, is yet
often resorted to for revenge, as it is almost sure to end in the ruin
of the other party. The Cape Coast King had threatened, that the
Governor would put the Ashantee man in the slave hole till he died,
which appeard to irritate the King very much.
The King then enquired if I had any yams at home; I told him I had a few
of his last present; he told me he would send more to the house for me,
which he did, and gave me 5½ ackies gold; then pressed me to take some
gin and water; on his being told that it must be very little, for I was
afraid of an attack of spleen and liver, and eat little and walked much,
he said that was proper.
Thursday 2. Through this and the afternoon of yesterday I felt very
feverish, not being able to get any sleep for the rats at night. I kept
my room all day; the King sent a pot of palm wine in the evening. Adoo
Quamina called.
Friday 3. Whilst writing letters, Apokoo sent his compliments and would
be happy to see me; I went, and he said he was sorry he had not seen me
for some days. I told him I was sick the two former days, and to-day was
writing to my family how I liked Ashantee; he hoped I would give the
King a good name in England. I should tell truth. He enquired if I would
like to see his croom (village.) I replied yes! He was going there this
evening, and if no palaver came, he would send his people for me in the
morning, to carry me. He asked if I was not for one of his daughters,
that he might be called my father. He then enquired why I did not wear
my hair tied, and let my beard grow; he recollected Colonel Torrane and
Mr. White having tails at the siege of Annamaboe, and they looked very
handsome. He requested me to show him the skin of my arm, he gazed on it
with seeming pleasure, begged I would allow him to touch it; on
receiving permission, he rubbed his hand over it, exclaiming “_Papa
Taffia_,” (very handsome) and repeated his invitation to go to the
croom. I took my leave.
As I was going home I met a man white-washed, carrying a vessel covered
over with a white cloth: this I have been often told is Tando fetish,
but can learn nothing more. Music and a great crowd went with it to Adoo
Quamina’s house, at the front of which they put it down, and sacrificed
a child of Cudjoo Cooma’s, the Akim revolter, over it, as an annual
sacrifice of the King’s.
Saturday 4. Apokoo sent his people for me in the morning, who took me to
his croom, about three miles S.W. of Coomassie. The road was in good
order, and newly cut on account of my going; his slaves all turned out
to see me, many of them never having seen a white man before. Apokoo
came to the entrance of the croom, which is small, to meet me, and took
me into the place where he lives himself; it is like all country houses
here, a square lined with palm leaves and thatched with grass; his own
room, raised on the floor, painted with red inchuma or ochre, and at one
end of it, his couch raised on wood with plaited palm leaves, and
covered with large cotton cushions. Near his head hung three strings of
fetish, made of gold, red earth, horn, and bone, in the shape of thigh
bones, horns, jaw bones, &c. &c. One side of the square was fitted up
with a forge and bellows to work gold; another served as a cooking
place, and the fourth for his sons to sleep in. About 11 o’clock he went
to one of the side places to eat, that he might not trouble me in his
room, as he said. Before he began, small pieces of yam were laid on his
fetish; a small table was then set before him, and clean water poured
into a brass pan, with which he washed his right hand, and then eat with
it:—they are careful not to touch victuals with their left hand. A large
pot of yams and another of fish being boiled, he satisfied himself
first; the remainder was then divided into as many lots as there were
persons to partake; when the door was opened, and about twenty sons and
daughters, with their calabashes, received each their mess. He had given
my servant two fowls, some fish and yams, and told him to make any thing
I could eat; I told him to make a soup of the fowls. When I was eating,
Apokoo said he thought I was ashamed, and requested I would let him put
down the screen; I told him I dared not eat much through the day, being
afraid of sickness. He enquired if I wished to go to sleep, for his
couch was at my service. I declined the offer, and he went to sleep
himself. Shortly after, four of his wives came from town with a mess for
him; he was awaked to know if they were to have admittance, as usual: he
ordered them to set down the meat and go away; they pretended to do so,
but sat down under one of the sheds, and began to annoy the slaves, but
their stifled laughter soon awoke Apokoo, who stretched out his neck,
and seeing them, told them in a passion, it was because I was there that
they wished to stop, and that they had better be off; they took the hint
and made their retreat. He got up to shew me his gold ornaments, which
weighed 146 bendas (£1168.) and made his people kindle the forge fire to
melt some rock gold to make a fish; but the mould not being perfect, it
was spoiled. He enquired if ever I had been in a yam plantation; on my
replying in the negative, we went to see one; he asked if I would allow
him to ride in my hammock, I gave him leave; it was better than his
basket, he said, except that he did not like his legs hanging down. He
wished me to dig up a yam; the people brought me a long pointed stick,
which is forced into the earth to loosen the yam, afterwards the fibres
are cut with a knife. After I had dug up ten, he hoped I would accept of
them as a present; yams are set like potatoes in Europe, they are put in
the ground about December, so that they are nine months growing to
maturity. He said he should not go to Coomassie that night, as he had to
decorate his drums with tigers skins, but that he would be in on
Tuesday. If I wished to come out and see him before that time he would
send people for me, and be glad. I said I should come out some other
time, but not so soon. I set off for Coomassie about six o’clock, having
spent a very agreeable day.
About seven o’clock the King sent for me; on my going, he would trouble
me, he said, to read a book he had that day found in a man’s possession.
It proved to be a Danish note to the King for three ounces per month,
dated August 1, 1811; it seemed as if a seal had been affixed to it, but
the impression had disappeared, and it was very much worn. The King said
he never knew of it; that an Ashantee captain had received and kept it,
but he would enquire about it. His majesty wished me to drink something,
I declined it; he hoped I was not sick, I said no, but drinking made my
head ach; he hoped I would sleep sound, paid me many compliments that I
cannot repeat; enquired of my servant if I was a good master, with other
questions of the like nature.
Saturday 11. The King sent for me, and on going to the palace I found
them in full council talking palavers. Adoosee was ordering a messenger
to go to Quamina Bootaqua, to make him proceed to Cape Coast, and inform
the Governor that Payntree had sworn by the King and had broke his oath,
Bootaqua having sent word to the King of it; but they did not mention
any thing to me. After this, Adoosee informed me, that messengers have
gone from Amanfoo, sent by Sam Brue, to complain that the Cape Coast
people had come armed against him to kill him. After hearing a long
statement of grievances, they told me I must write to the Governor about
it; I said I would, at the same time I assured the King that Sam Brue
was a slave trader, and not to be tolerated at Cape Coast, his conduct
was so infamous; they then called on his messenger to know what reason
Sam had to leave Cape Coast; he entered at great length into the
grievances experienced by Brue from the Governor in Chief and officers,
because he owed eight ounces of gold; I was called in to reply, which I
said I could not condescend to do, until I heard from the Governor in
Chief, as they had sent messengers to complain to him. Adoosee charged
four messengers with what they were to tell the Governor, making them
take fetish and other formalities usual only on great occasions, thereby
giving the affair an importance it did not merit. The King, on the
breaking up of the council, said he would send for me shortly after, to
write an account of the affair to the Governor; when I returned home, I
did communicate the whole to the Governor, as the King’s letters are so
hurried.
I heard nothing from the King all day, but at night a Fantee man called
on me, who had been taken by the Ashantees in last year’s war, and whom
I had been trying to liberate by speaking in his behalf to the King, and
concerning four ounces of gold that had been taken. The captain
concerned in it, to get quit of the palaver, had urged one of his wives
to swear the man had lain with her; she accordingly made a formal
complaint; the man was put in irons in the bush and only released
yesterday morning as they thought to catch the King when he had some
palavers pending, which would make him angry; they therefore brought it
before the King yesterday morning, thinking he would order the man’s
head to be cut off; but he told the King that this palaver was brought
against him because I had spoken for him; the woman was called, who
insisted the man had lain with her, the man denied it, and on being
offered fetish he cheerfully took it, and swore by the King to the
contrary. The woman would not do so, and the King ordered the irons to
be taken from the man, and put on the woman, telling her, she had not
looked at the man properly, as it must be some other person.
Tuesday 14. This morning a man was beheaded at the door of the house
where I live, by Aboidwee, the house master: it appears, the man in
question was brother to a caboceer, and presumptive heir to his
property; tired of waiting so long he made fetish incantations, and
other ceremonies peculiar to them, to destroy his brother; this coming
to the brother’s ears, and also, that he had enjoyed one of his wives
five times, he complained to the King and requested he would put the
offender to death to save his own life; the King complied, and ordered
Aboidwee to put the sentence in execution.
Wednesday 15. The Adaï custom. I went as usual with flags, and first
received the usual offering of rum, and ten ackies of gold instead of a
sheep. I called on Baba, the chief of the Moors, in the afternoon, who
said he would teach me Arabic if I would teach him English; I said I
would; but I am afraid he is too old for progress. I called on Odumata
in my way back, who annoyed me as usual to drink palm wine, although it
gives me a head ache. Akotoo, the King’s brother, was there, who said he
had only seen me four times since the mission went away, and wished me
to call on him. The conversation turned on the King’s going to war, and
his anxiety for me to go and see how they killed their enemies, and he
would give me gold to feed me. I was told by a Fantee man, that Sam Brue
had procured 200 guns and a quantity of powder for the King, for slaves
he had sold to the Spaniards now on the coast.
Friday 17. Deputies from the Warsaw states arrived a few days ago, to
settle the differences between them and the Ashantees. It is thought, a
fine to the King and future tribute may compromise the matter. Odumata
informed me, that the slave ship has 600 slaves on board; and that,
through Sam Brue’s exertions; he confirmed the report of the guns and
powder.
Sunday 19. The heaviest rain, thunder, and lightning I ever saw, and has
continued for several days and nights. About 7 o’clock A.M. the King’s
drums announced his going to the market-place, where all his chiefs went
and were drenched with wet till 2 o’clock P.M. when the King sent for
rum and palm wine and dismissed them drunk and dirty. On Monday the
scene was continued till the slaves had got the house covered in.
Tuesday 21. Agay the linguist returned from Assin, where he had been
four months; and brought with him a number of Fantees and their
families, as slaves. During the eruption of the Fantees in 1816, many of
them ran to the Assin country to try and elude the vigilance of the
King, but he heard of it, and sent Agay to demand them, who, after a
long negociation, succeeded. A council was held at Abrassoo on the
Barramang road, and the slaves were sent to Barramang to build a new
croom for the King.
Sunday, November 2. The King has been busy for the last twelve days
making fetish, &c. for the success of the war; the Moors going every
morning to the palace for prayer and sacrifice: to day being Adaï
custom, I went as usual, and received ten ackies of gold and a flask of
rum, the foremost in the assembly, which was numerous.
Friday 7. A serious palaver has arisen between the King and Adoosee the
chief linguist, he having taken a bribe from some person to misrepresent
a palaver to the King; this coming to the King’s ear, he sent in a fury
to Adoosee, who, on being charged with it, thought his life would be the
forfeit, and sent an express to Apokoo to come and intercede for him;
Apokoo being at his croom, it has been several times talked before the
King, but no settlement, has taken place.
Several people have been making application to me to demand them of the
King, as belonging to the forts, having been detained as slaves during
the Fantee war, and when Winnebah fort was destroyed. They are commonly
very old, and of the female sex.
Saturday 8. Adoosee has got his palaver settled by paying twenty ounces
of gold, and six or eight sheep to the King; Adoosee’s friends alleged
that he ought not to pay any thing, because when any palaver comes he
settles it at once; but if he is not there, they have to go to council,
which in fact is true; but notwithstanding his abilities, and that he
takes his seat as usual, the King looks at him with a gloomy eye. The
King has been busy making human sacrifices for the success of the war,
at Bantama, Assafoo, and Aduma, in the evenings; and the Moors make
their offerings of sheep in the palace in the mornings according to the
moslem ritual. Though the zealous Christian may lament that the Gospel
has not taken place of the fetish, yet the friends of humanity will
rejoice that the King favours the Moors, as many lives have been saved
that would otherwise have been destroyed at the present crisis. To day a
bullock was offered up in the chief market-place, previous to the
entrance of the chiefs, caboceers, &c. into the town, to meet in
council, and determine on the method of conducting the war: in the
afternoon, Boitinnë Quama, King of Dwabin, sent his compliments to me to
announce his arrival. Shortly after, the various bands of music declared
the arrival of the tributaries, &c.; the King of Ashantee took his seat
in the market-place, and received their compliments as they passed
before him. About nine o’clock at night Boitinnë, King of Dwabin paid me
a private visit, and brought me a present of two curious Gennet cats.
Sunday 9. At day break the firing of guns, music, &c. announced a custom
for the husband of the King’s sister (the second woman in the kingdom),
he having died in the bush on Friday, about 7 o’clock; the King went to
the market-place to make custom, and sacrificed two men; several others
were killed by various caboceers. In the evening Apokoo and the other
captains who are to exhibit their gold, paraded the streets, firing
musketry, &c.; the crowd was great. At 8 o’clock, his majesty of Dwabin
came with the messengers he sent to Cape Coast to have a suit of
clothes, he said two trunks were at his house and he brought a sword to
shew me, which the Governor had sent.
Friday 14. Before I got up, I was annoyed with a crowd of captains who
began to annoy me for liquor. I ordered them out and desired a boy to
keep the door fast. I sent a dash of wine, rum, sugar, soap, butter, and
perfumery to the king, who was highly pleased. To all the principal
captains, a dash of rum, wine, and sugar, till I had nearly expended my
stock: the whole day was a continual annoyance from visitors, troubling
me for drink, but as I was resolved to give to those only who were
worthy, many of them were disappointed. This week past Apokoo and
several of the captains have been making an exhibition of their riches;
this is generally done once in life, by those who are in favour with the
King, and think themselves free from palavers. It is done by making
their gold into various articles of dress for show. Apokoo, who sent for
me before his uproar began, shewed me his varieties, weighing upwards of
800 bendas of the finest gold; among the articles, was a girdle two
inches broad. Gold chains for the neck, arms, legs, &c. ornaments for
the ancles of all descriptions, consisting of manacles, with keys,
bells, chairs, and padlocks. For his numerous family of wives, children,
and captains, were armlets and various ornaments. A superb war cap of
eagle’s feathers, fetishes, Moorish charms, &c. Moorish caps, silk
dresses, purses, bags, &c. made of monkey skin. Fans, with ivory
handles, made of tiger skin, and decorated with silk. New umbrellas made
in fantastical shapes, gold swords and figures of animals, birds,
beasts, and fishes of the same metal; his drums, and various instruments
of music, were covered with tiger skin, with red belts for hanging them.
Ivory arrows and bows, covered with silk and skins, and many other
weapons of war or fancy, such as the mind in a like situation would
devise. Apokoo was anxious that I should come and see him when out, but
from the noise, I judged that they were too turbulent for me to venture
without a chance of being insulted.
Saturday 15. Again annoyed by the people wishing for drink. Apokoo
called with his retinue to thank me; for the Governor had given his
people a flask of Jamaica rum. He had got three days to play, as he
called it, and was sorry that he had not seen me. I told him I had very
seldom been out, except when there was no noise, as the people were so
unruly in the evening.
Monday 17. In the afternoon Apokoo sent a message, saying he was come to
the door of the house to play and shew me his gold, hoping I would come
out. I went and found a Moorish carpet spread, at one end of which I was
seated under an umbrella, while Apokoo and his wives, children, and
captains danced by turns before me. Some of his young wives were dressed
with great taste, a rich silk cloth with a bag made of fine fur, slung
over the shoulder, studded with gold ornaments: on the left shoulder
they held a pistol, and in the right hand a silver bow and arrow. During
the dance, if Apokoo was pleased with them he took the bow and hung it
on some of the ornaments, when she retired from the dance; this was a
strong mark of approbation, if I may judge from the applause that
followed: to some he gave a little gold. Several times he took from
their necks various ornaments which he placed on my knees and over my
left shoulder; this was the greatest mark of honour he could shew me;
and his band played a tune in praise of England, and of our abilities in
settling differences. Many of the captains sent him presents of gold and
rum. I gave him a large flask of wine, which he said pleased him more
than all the others, as it would shew the people I thought him a good
man.
Thursday 20. The Moorish caboceer of Alphia called to day, requesting I
would allow him to bring his brother and nephew who had arrived, as they
wished to see me: on receiving my permission he sent for them, and as
they immediately made their appearance, they must have been waiting at
the door. I shewed them a compass, sand-glass, quadrant, some
phosphorus, and several other things; at the sight of each they bent
their heads to the ground, exclaiming “Allahoo Akabir!” God is great. I
gave the caboceer a wax candle, piece of a perfumed soap (which he was
going to eat!) a flask of Jamaica rum, and some sugar; things he had
never seen before: he begged to be allowed to touch my hand, and
continued calling out Ah! bielane Wasieh! Ah Nasara! Ah white visier! Ah
Christian. He said he had a sister whom he would make me a present of,
if I would have her. The caboceer of Alphia is brother to the caboceer
of Premehinie, east of Ashantee, in the Sarem region, and subject to Saï
Tootoo; it is 14 days journey to Alphia, one day to Brookoom, where the
head fetish of that country dwells, and one day more to Crumassia and
Sodie, a range of high hills.
I told him I would buy his horse if he would put a reasonable price on
it, and would give him a note to get powder, rum, &c. at the Cape: he
said the Ashantees brought rum to Sarem, but they boiled pepper in water
and sold it to them; he never tasted such good adrue (medicine) as mine.
I have been learning Arabic this last month, principally from the
Shereef Abraham, who comes from Boussa, where Mungo Park was drowned,
and he, as he says, was an eye witness to it; his great sanctity made
the King of Ashantee send for him to pray and make sacrifice for the
success of the war. The other Moors here look on him with an evil eye,
because he will not wear fetishes as they do, and be present at human
sacrifice. This place now presents the singular spectacle of a Christian
and Mahometan agreeing in two particulars, rejecting fetishes, and
absenting themselves from human sacrifices and other abominations: the
rest of the people, of whatever country they may be, when the King’s
horns announce any thing of the kind, strive who will get there first to
enjoy the agonies of the victims. The Shereef told me to-day, that the
reason he came so seldom to see me, was, that the King had heard he was
teaching me the Koran, but he wished him not to do so, he did not wish
me to know how “to call on God;” but, said Abraham, I shall teach you as
much as I can, that when you go to your own country you may give the
Moors a good name, for I told the King you knew Arabic before you saw
me, and we sometimes spake together in that language. He had a beautiful
copy of the Koran which he intended to leave me, but the King had told
him he must have it, that when any trouble came he might hold it up to
God, and beg his mercy and pardon: but he would try and get a small one
for me.
Saturday 22. This morning a slave belonging to the house master swore by
the King’s head that he must kill him to-day. A great uproar ensued,
while they put him in irons, and they got out the family stools and
sacrificed fowls and sheep, pouring the blood on them to propitiate the
wrath of the King from the family. The King was then told of it, who
said as that was his fetish day he could not kill a man that day, but
to-morrow he would behead him.
It appears he had connection with one of his brother’s wives, who,
hearing of it, cautioned him from doing so again, or else he would tell
the King and make him kill him: he was again found with the woman, and
his brother went to the King to complain. Hearing this, and fearing the
torture, he swore by the King that he must shoot him with eight muskets.
The King on being told this, said he would put such small shot into the
muskets as only to wound him, and then he should torture him; hereby
fulfilling his own law, which he considers sacred.
Sunday 23. About 12 o’clock sent for by the King, whom I found scolding
his sister for disobedience in one of her slaves. After sitting some
time talking on indifferent subjects, the King said he should go to
council, about what he was going to say to me. Shortly after he sent one
of his sons to say his father was going to eat and wash, if I would be
kind enough to return home. I heard that messengers from Elmina had
arrived the evening before, and expected to hear of some complaint of
breaking the law, as they style it: although I could not reconcile it
with an observation I had made; a pair of razors I had presented to the
King were invariably sent to me to sharpen, as the King wished to shave
with them, when any favourable affair was to be talked, and that morning
they came as usual.
I was again sent for, and the King announced in a formal manner his
intention of going in person to make war on Adinkara, the King of
Buntookoo, and wished me to announce it to the Governor. I therefore
wrote a letter of the King’s dictating, stating this to the Governor,
and requesting him to give on trust 300 oz. kegs, powder, and 300
muskets, and sending to the Governor in Chief six periguins of gold, and
to the Governor of Annamaboe four periguins, to purchase a cloth for
him, the handsomest they could find, and inviting them to send him a
dash and make the town’s people do the same, for the prosperity of the
war. His Majesty was very lavish in his compliments of the generosity of
the English, and their great riches; he then enquired if I was willing
to go to fight, I replied certainly, if I could obtain the Governor’s
permission, I should like it very much: he thanked me very warmly. I
heard, on my return to the house, that the Dutch General had sent as a
present to the King 60 oz. kegs powder, and the Elmina people 40, which
caused this stir.
Monday 24. Sent for again to write the Governor word that the King sent
down 30 men to be clothed as soldiers, if the Governor could spare
clothes, one of them to be as captain and one a serjeant, with a flag.
His Majesty also wished to have arrow root, Port wine, sugar, candles,
and a few other things for the campaign. I was then told to write a
letter to the Danish Governor in Chief to the same effect, and to ask
him for payment of what was due on his note. I foresaw this would make
an uproar; and on the note being handed to me to know what was due on
it, when I told the King that nothing was on it, he got into the
greatest rage I have yet seen him in, with the captain who receives the
pay. This man had been sent down to Accra about three months ago, to
receive what pay was due, Mr. Bowdich writing to the Danish Governor in
Chief to know, for the King’s satisfaction, what was sent. On his
return, the latter stated that the King’s note was paid up to the
ensuing Christmas. There being a great deficiency between what was
stated in the letter, and what the captain produced, he charged Mr.
Bowdich with mis-stating what was in the letter; Quashie Apaintree, the
linguist, was sworn on the King’s fetish to interpret proper; the
Ashantee still insisted, and to clear himself, said the book was _not_
paid to Christmas. The King and linguists remembered this, and when they
heard that the note was actually paid to the end of the year, every one
tried who would be loudest in their accusations against him. Apokoo, who
is his chief, was loudest against him, he said he had used him
disrespectfully, and never gave him any of the dashes he received;
besides he had given the lie to an English officer, and at the same time
he cheated the King; he therefore left him to the mercy of his Majesty.
The King said he must return him all the gold back he had lent him; and
as for the fort at Accra, he might take the pay when he pleased. A hat,
certainly a bad one, was brought in, and the King asked me if I thought
it worth the price charged for it. I replied I was not a judge, as such
hats were not sent out for us; but if I were, I must positively decline
interfering in the King’s affairs with his servants. By degrees the King
worked himself to such a height of passion, that throwing his cloth
around him, and hastily rising, he ordered the captain’s arrest. The
King’s sons seized on him, and he stood appalled, as the silver cane
fell from his hand. I once thought the King would have committed some
extravagance, none of the chiefs daring to rise; Agay at length arose,
and in his energetic manner requested that his majesty would recollect I
was present. The King ordered his sons to go with the captain to his
house, and bring him all the gold they found; he then withdrew, but I
heard him storming in his apartments. Shortly after, Odumata’s brother
came to say, that the chiefs might thank me, as were it not for my sake,
every one of them would have been turned out of the palace by the
slaves. Agay, who was the only one who followed the King, came to
apologise for the abrupt departure of his Majesty: he hoped I would not
be offended, and requested I would go home and dine, as it was late, and
the King would send for me soon.
Tuesday 25. The King sent for me to write another letter to the
Governor, saying he had sent down three pieces of rock gold as a pawn
for powder; they were the largest I have yet seen, one of them weighing
about 20 ounces. I gave his Majesty a packet of letters to be forwarded
to Cape Coast: he rallied me on the size of it, and said he supposed I
wrote the Governor and Mr. Bowdich every palaver in town.
To-day the stool of Alphia was declared in abeyance; the son of the
caboceer Premehinia having brought a complaint against the caboceer of
Alphia, who is brother to the former; his sable highness came on a
beautiful Arabian, of a very small size; at the sound of drums and horns
he danced and went through various evolutions.
Friday 28. To-day the caboceer of Alphia was deposed, and his brother
the caboceer of Premehinia had the stool attached to his other
possessions. In the afternoon whilst I was out, the Moorish prince, with
a large retinue, called to pay me a visit, I found one of his attendants
sitting at the door with a gold sword, who, on receiving permission,
went and told him I was come home; shortly after he came, and expressed
great wonder at all he saw. He said I had too many silver spoons, and
modestly requested I would give him one or two; his attendant who fanned
him thought so too, as he attempted to steal one, but one of the
servants happening to pass, he threw it under the table. I wished him to
sell me his horse, but he said he was too great a man to walk home, and
the ground hurt his feet.
Sunday 30. The King paid me a long visit, he heard, he said, that my
horse had died, and had come to see me least I should think he forgot
me, but he had so much fetish to make, and so many palavers to settle,
that he had little time. The conversation then turned on the travels of
Englishmen, and the white men drowned in the Quolla (Niger.) I explained
to his Majesty the objects of the expeditions sent from England to the
interior of Africa, and expressed how anxious I was to get Mr. Park’s
books and papers for the King of England; his Majesty promised to aid me
in doing so, and before he went away, desired me to point out to him
what I conceived the proper method.
The King then began to talk about my living with him, and if I liked to
do so; he said I was like a king, and wished his people to treat me with
respect, and every one run to see me when I went out, as they run to see
him. I said that some of his people wished to accuse me of treason for
putting buckles in my shoes at the Adaï custom. The King said that none
dared do so, but those whom he ordered, any other would have their heads
cut off: but I was different, and he knew Englishmen did what was
proper. His majesty took his leave with many expressions of personal
attention, which, whether they were sincere or not, were at least to be
received with politeness.
Monday, December 1. One of the King’s nephews came to see me, but was
terribly afraid to pass the man in irons who swore on the King, least he
should swear that when the King killed him, he must also kill his
nephew, which would cost a deal of gold; for such is the sacredness of
the law, that in that case the King must do it. I had a key of a door
where I could privately let him out, without passing through the courts
of the house, by which he gladly made his escape. This man has been no
small annoyance, as no person of rank will venture to call on me, least
they should be brought into trouble by his swearing on their heads.
Tuesday 2. The King to-day made a present of 10 periguins of gold to the
Moors in town for their services, and they were to divide it themselves.
This created no small altercation among them; those belonging to the
town wished to keep it all, and not give the Shereef Abraham any, who
came from the banks of the Niger; as the King had that morning told him
he wished him to accompany him to the war, he told them it was of no
consequence, as he should not accompany the King unless he was looked on
with the same degree of rank as Baba, as, indeed, he was superior from
his knowledge, and belonging to Mahomet’s family. On this they gave him
three periguins, the same that Baba had: all were then pleased with
their portion except one, called Aboo, who only had 10 ackies; he
consoled himself by making the usual exclamation, “God is great! he
never dies, he never sleeps,” and said he left the palaver in his hands.
Thursday 4. Apokoo paid me a visit to thank me for some medicine I had
given him, being sick after his great custom; he enquired if I heard
that Fantee messengers were come to this place, I said no, but I
expected them soon to take the King’s fetish, as he wished them to do
so, previous to his going to war; he then told me that the King heard
there were some on the path, and could not think what their message was;
I told him they must either be those the Governor was sending up, or
Fantees with the King’s tribute; on his going away, he requested I would
let him out by the door I had the key of, as he also was afraid of the
man in irons swearing on his life, and was glad he could avoid passing
him.
Friday 5. This was the coldest morning I have felt since I came to
Africa, being scarcely able to take breakfast, I was so chilly; the
thermometer stood at 65°.
I was desired to write a letter to General Daendels, telling him the
King had lost his notes for the Dutch forts, and requesting him to give
new ones to Akimpon. The King’s father had conquered the Akim chief, who
held a note for Dutch Accra; he also conquered the King of Adinkara, who
had the Elmina note, both of which were given up to him; he would not
take them both in one note as the General wished, but he must have one
payable at Elmina and one at Accra. When the King weighed out the gold
for his messengers expences, he weighed 10 ackies for me, which I hoped
his Majesty would take back, as I did not wish for them, and requested
he would not think I wished payment for writing a letter for him. My
scruples were laughed at by them all, and the King said “that white men
were very singular, as they gave gold or a good dash to any one who did
any thing for them, yet they would not take any: he wished to do
something like white men, and when any one did any thing for him he gave
them something, and he wished me to take this to shew his good will.”
Odumata, who is the greediest man in Coomassie for gold, whispered, if I
did not like it, I might send it to him when I got home. I did not
exactly understand him, or I would have offered it to him then with
pleasure, to expose his avarice.
The captain who was arrested last week for peculation on Danish Accra,
appeared in his place to day; he had promised Amanquateä and Quatchie
Quophie, the two chief captains, a large present if they would settle
the affair for him, which they did, and he received the letters to
proceed to the fort as usual.
Apokoo having told the King of the inconvenience arising to any chief
coming to me, from the culprit in irons being in the way, he was removed
to a private part of Apokoo’s house, where he could annoy no one, till
the Adaï custom, when he is to be beheaded, as the affair cannot be
settled without.
Sunday 7. Several of the Moorish caboceers came to take leave, as they
were going to-morrow to their own country previous to the war, and were
to meet the King on the road when he went, and consequently would not
see me again for some time; on my enquiring how long the King was to be
absent, they replied, God had told them seven months would finish the
war; they enquired if I should like to see them at Cape Coast, as they
should come and see me, to which I said I should. After drinking coffee,
&c. they took a hurried leave, as one of the King’s people came to tell
me one of his Majesty’s daughters was dead, and shortly after, constant
discharges of musketry announced the custom. The King in the afternoon
came to the market place close to the house, to make custom with his
chiefs. I understood that human sacrifices were to be offered, and
walked out to avoid the uproar.
On my way I paid a visit to Baba, who was performing ablution; he said
he was going to prayer, but would soon have done, I told him I would sit
down till he had finished. Cow hides were spread in rows for the
worshippers, in the front was a large hide for Baba. All having taken
off their sandals and prostrated themselves with their faces to the east
(to Mecca,) the service began by one of them chaunting the usual call to
prayer; the chorus of Allahoo Akaber! (God is great) was well performed
by the others.
There was something solemn and affecting in it, contrasted with the
heavy discharges of musketry and shouts of the populace in the distance,
which proclaimed the bloody sacrifice was begun, while the vultures and
crows wheeled in mazy circles expecting their usual share of the
banquet, and the sun shot his last gleams through the heavy fogs that
encircled the town.
As I went home I passed the headless trunks of two female slaves, laying
neglected and exposed in the market place, that had been sacrificed, one
by the King and one by the deceased’s family. The vultures were
revelling undisturbed amidst the blood.
I happened to-day to throw down a tumbler of wine and water with my
foot, having placed it on the ground, while the Moorish Shereef was with
me; he bent his head to Mecca, pronouncing “God is great!” and told me
it was my good angel who had done so, for who might tell but there was
poison in the cup to destroy me? he said man had always two angels
attending him, one on his right hand as his good angel, and one on his
left as his evil one; whatever good he did was prompted by the former,
and whatever ill by the latter one. I have never found them without a
reason for every thing, or a name, except to the mother of Moses, whom
they say nobody knows on earth; the Shereef gravely enquired if I knew
the name of Aboobaker’s father, I assured him I did not; he told me many
of the Moors could not tell, but as he was of Mahomet’s family he knew
more things, and told me it was _Kahābata_.
I heard from the Sarem Moors that they fight with bows and arrows
steeped in deadly poison, the least scratch of which is instant death.
They gather scorpions tails, snakes heads, and the poisonous parts of
any reptile that affects man; this, with several vegetable substances
which they would not name, are put in a pot, and set over the fire at
sun rise; they boil it all day and must not eat or drink, but stir it
about repeating incantations, and shaking a pair of iron castanets,
without which, the charm would be incomplete. I saw an old hag at this
work on the Bantama road, who would not answer my question as to what
she was doing, but made many wry faces, and squint looks, for me to be
gone and not spoil her work, and while I stood, she stirred, and
muttered, and clattered the castanets with greater fury.
My attention being anxiously turned towards information concerning the
Niger and its course, all enquiries end in making the Nile its
continuation. An old Moor from Jennë told me, unasked, that while he was
at Askanderee (Alexandria) twenty-six years ago he saw a fight at the
mouth of the Nile between ships, and one of them was blown up in the air
with a terrible explosion. This must have been the battle fought by Lord
Nelson, although there is a mistake in the date of seven years; he
surely could not invent such a story. He states also, that returning to
Masser (Grand Cairo) the European armies advanced to that place; the
first army took every thing they wanted and would not pay: but when the
second European and Turkish army got possession of it, they paid for
whatever they wanted. All the Moors were ordered to retire to one
quarter of the city, and not allowed to mix with the soldiers; this
agrees with Sir Robert Wilson’s account of the Egyptian campaign. I
shewed him a seal I have, of Pompey’s pillar, which he said he knew; he
had travelled from Jennë to Masser on a joma (camel) and drew me a map
of the Quolla and Nile from its source to its emptying itself into the
sea at Alexandria. There is one thing that disagrees with Mr. Park’s
account, they call the Niger Quolla at Jennë, Sansanding, &c. and
describe the Jolliba as falling into the Quolla to the east of
Timbuctoo. When I told them of the conjectures that the great river of
Africa emptied itself into a large lake, they laughed at such an idea,
and reasoned so as to put wiser heads to the blush. “God,” say they,
“made all rivers to run to the sea, you say that small rivers go there:
the Quolla is the largest river in the world, and why should it not go
there also? Was it to lose itself in the lake, where could the waters go
to?” They describe the Quolla as about five miles in breadth, and having
a very rocky channel, the banks on both sides very high and rugged; in
many places, canoes often take a day to pass a short distance, from the
dangerous whirlpools, and sudden squalls: at other places, the stream
runs with great rapidity.
They think the Mediterranean sea to be circular, without mixing with the
ocean; seven rivers from Africa turn their course to it, but only two
reach the shores, of which the Nile is one. The rush of the waters of
the Nile, when they meet the sea is so great, that the waves are driven
into the air with great force, and retire like waves against a rock.
They call the Mediterranean sea Bahare Mall. The Red sea, say they,
assumes various colours at different periods, from seven streams pouring
their course into it, red, blue, yellow, &c. Hence they call it Majumaal
Bahare, or the confluence of streams. They are very fond of mystical
numbers, and often quote seven. The lake Caudie they call Bahare Nohoo,
or the water of Noah, from the tradition that the deluge broke out from
thence. They describe it as encompassed with rocks, within which is a
bed of sand, and then the water. This we may allow to be a little
fanciful, as I have seen a map of the earth drawn by Baba, where the
world is supposed to be round, and encompassed with a rocky girdle, the
sea is supposed to flow between this and the earth, which is placed in
the centre. They are not singular in this idea; as all rude nations form
the same notions of the globe: but though we reject, with reason, their
foolish notions of many things, it would be no great sign of wisdom to
refuse every information from them.
Man is a reasoning animal, and enquires into the nature of things in a
rude, as well as in a civilised state; and if he cannot give a just,
will at least give a plausible reason for many things.
The Moors say “That the noise people hear, when they stop their ears
with their hands, is the rolling of the waters of libation in paradise,
where Mahomet purifies all those he saves from hell, before they enter
into the state of the blessed. It is for this reason they perform
ablution before they pray; the fire burning other parts of their bodies,
while their face, hands, feet, &c. remained untouched, hence Mahomet
when he looks for them, knows them from Jews, Christians, &c. They have
also a sentence written on their foreheads, “Hooalie Jahanamoo naataka
raboo baskafaatee Mahomada roosoola lahee sallee allahoo alahe
wasalame.”
Inoculation for the small pox is practised in the Moorish countries;
they take the matter, and puncture the patient in seven places, both on
the arms and legs. The sickness continues but a few days, and rarely any
person dies of it. It is also done in Ashantee. Seven is their mystical
number.
Monday, December 8. To day the King killed a man on account of his
daughter who died yesterday, and to be out of the way, I called on
Odumata, whom I found well charged with palm wine: his usual discourse
of the greatness of the King and the manner of the Ashantees fighting
took up his time: he said that when white men wished to fight, they sent
a book to the other party, telling them they would meet them on such a
day, but the Ashantees took their enemies by surprise, which shortened
their wars. I told him he had repeated the same story about fifty times
in two months, and wished to know if the English did so at Annamaboe,
where fifteen white men killed thousands of Ashantees; this put him on
the fidget, as I knew it would, and he said that it was on him the
English fired first, and he fought them without the King’s leave, who
was angry when he heard that they had returned the fire of the fort; I
told him it was a fine excuse to cover their defeat. He enquired if I
thought they could not have taken the fort? I told him if they could
have done it they would. He said, if the King says we must do any thing,
we must do it. I asked him, if the King told them to pull down the moon,
if they could do it? He then got up from his chair and began to
manoeuvre how he and Apokoo were to have made a breach in Annamaboe
fort, to the no small enjoyment of several of his wives, captains, and
slaves, who were present; they were to have burned the gates, and with
axes to have cut through the walls. He said they had Dutch and Danish
flags, which they had taken from forts; why, I enquired, did they not
show the English trophies? They had none, he said: and the King had told
them, that were he to kill white men from England, he might as well kill
all the cocks in the kingdom; the one told the hour, and when to rise in
the morning; the other brought them good things from England, and
learned them sense; besides, if any of their slaves did ill, they told
them they would sell them to the whites, which made them better. I told
him black men had the eyes of a thief, the paws of a tiger, and the
belly of a hog, for they were never satisfied; he said I was right, for
they were now going to war, and would take whatever they could find; he
thought 30,000 Ashantees would be killed, but that was nothing. He then
locked up his wives because I put evil in their heads, by saying that
Englishmen allowed every one a husband. I then took my leave.
Monday 15. Baba, the chief of the Moors, having told me that a Moor was
going to Jennë, I took the opportunity of writing a letter to two
Europeans who reside there, and, I suppose, belonged to Mungo Park’s
expedition, seven soldiers being unaccounted for, who were in good
health when they were separated from Mr. Park. There are also two white
men at Timbuctoo, who have been there several years. The Moors are
confident that the letter will reach them, which is much to be desired,
as some information may be obtained of that celebrated traveller. Baba
came, and the old Moor with him, to whom I delivered the letter; he
received it from Baba with much ceremony, and to induce him to forward
an answer, I promised him a suitable reward[125]. The whole of the Moors
came in a body with drums, muskets, horns, and all the attendant pomp of
chiefs; they had just taken leave of the King, and came to do the same
to me. Having remained about half an hour, and drank some wine, they set
out for their journey with noisy clamour.
Sunday 21. Apokoo called and told me he was going to morrow, with the
King, to the camp, on the Barramang path, to make fetish, and would
return on Wednesday: he seemed to expect that I would say I would go
also; but as the King had not sent to me, I did not express any wish. A
boy brought some milk covered up, and he lifted the lid to look what it
was, some of it touched his fingers, and he sent for water, herbs, and
different things to purify his fingers; he said he would give me a
present if I would give over drinking milk: I told him if he sent me an
ounce of gold daily, I would not do it; he cursed the milk, and the boy
for bringing it. Thus many of them are so particular, they will not stay
where eggs are, another shuns a fowl, one hates beef, and many mutter a
charm if they meet a pig. The Moorish Shereef discovered a piece of pork
one day in the boy’s room, and made such a noise, that I thought one had
struck him, nor would he cease till I ordered it away.
Monday 22. The King, and almost all the captains, set out early this
morning, with great bustle for the camp, many sent their compliments
previous to going.
Wednesday 24. The King and all the people returned in the evening, and
went to the upper market place; where the King seeing me at the door,
ordered them to pass down the street to the palace, the chiefs all
saluting as they passed. The King, who was the only one that did not
walk, made his people halt, and held out his hand to me, which I took,
and bade him welcome to his capital; he enquired if I was well, and
after he passed, he looked round with a smile and shook his finger at
me: I suppose because I did not follow him to the camp. His Majesty
afterwards sent his compliments, as did several of the chiefs.
Thursday 25. This being Christmas day, I displayed the flag, and paid
every attention to it that I possibly could; many of the chiefs hearing
of it, sent their compliments, expecting a present, but of course were
disappointed.
Friday 24. Baba called, and began an oration about Sam Brue, hinting
that he should like if I could get Brue, the slave trader, back to Cape
Coast. He was my good friend, I was his friend, the Governor was my
friend, Brue was his friend, and a long genealogy fit to puzzle a
Scottish or Welch family herald. I told him no person must interfere in
such affairs. He had that morning received from Brue, powder, guns, and
cloth for slaves he had sent down; he brought me a piece of the cloth to
shew me, it was very coarse with large red figures on it. I told him
when he washed it, he would need to take his staff and put on his
sandals to hunt after the colours; he told me he had found that out; for
he had washed a piece, and he could not tell what colour it was. He then
began a dissertation on the _good_ the slave trade did them, and what
changes he had seen since he came here; he thought God intended to
change the power of white men, and give it to the blacks and Moors. I
told him he was going to make Mahomet a liar, as the Alkoran told them
that the whites were to have sovereign dominion to the end, because of
Noah’s sons’ behaviour to him when drunk; and if God was inclined to
hide his face from white men, because of any ill they did, I did not
think he would transfer it to Africans for any good they had done; he
said I was right, and when they thought wrong the Christians could put
them right. Seeing a Prayer Book on the table, he enquired if that was
“Lingeel,” the name they give the New Testament; I replied it was the
form of worshipping God in English Churches; he wished me to read a
little of it to him, as he had heard that white men prayed to God so—and
muttered in a form, it must be allowed, too often resorted to by lazy
clergymen. They conceive to worship God in any other way than chaunting
or singing is absurd. I have had more than once to sing (if I may
presume to call it so) from the psalms of David, and chaunt the
responses of the service, to convince them that there is something more
than mere muttering in prayer, were it properly performed, besides
describing the organ used in churches to assist the harmony. They have
often asked me about the high priest at Rome, and whether or not we had
any thing shaped out that we called god. I told them the English
abhorred all representations of the Eternal, and that nothing was
adequate to represent him. They are very tenacious on this point, and as
scrupulous as any Protestant may wish, conceiving it an inexcusable
crime to have any thing of the kind. They have many times enquired if we
offer any sacrifice to God. I told them that our Scriptures do not allow
the shedding of blood of any kind; the last great expiation of the
Christians being performed by Jesus when he died on the cross, in
commemoration of which, the offering of bread and wine formed the
sacrifice. Neither did we pour out libations[126] before drinking,
because any thing poured forth before drinking, or victuals set apart
before eating, is an offering to devils.
The Shereef Abraham coming in with one or two more, I enquired about
Solomon’s Al Genii, and whether or not they knew any thing of free
masonry. I had questioned them several times before, and knew none of
them were free masons; they now told me that there was such a sect in
Arabia, and conceived them to be magicians, as they controlled the
spirits of air. They were much astonished to hear that I was one, and
eagerly enquired if I knew about Solomon’s seal, the building of the
temple, and other matters, which universal belief endows free masons
with,—matters, I told them, I might not speak of. They told me they knew
we kept some of our genii on a floating island in the sea; if any ships
came near it, the genii were instructed to laugh at them, and the island
disappeared; with other such stories. One of the boys told them I had a
stuff (phosphorus) which they supposed gave me such power; they wished
to see it, and laughed at first at the idea of any thing in water
producing fire, or that I could confine that element and dare to keep it
in a trunk; I put it to the proof, by burning a piece of cloth, paper,
and mat, and told them if they were not satisfied they might have some
on their skins, but they did not choose it, and called out in wonder,
“Houa Kahina iakul naroo malekaneran,” “he is a magician and eats fire,
he is the King of fire;” be it remembered that this last appellation is
peculiar to the devil. The Shereef after thinking some time, enquired if
that stuff was not made from the bones of genii? I told him bones were
in the composition. He wished to know if we killed genii and took their
bones, I told him blood was never shed in England but for great crimes;
true, he said, but none could see _us_ do so. I told him there was an
eye that never sleeps, at which he bent his head, pronouncing “God is
great.” The Moors then held a conversation in Arabic, by which they
settled that I must be in the secrets of Solomon, and the Shereef
Abraham related one of the Arabian tales, by which Balkes or Bilkis,
Queen of Sheba, is made out to be the child carried away by the dog in
one of the stories of that work. Balkis, according to them, adored the
sun, and Solomon made her turn and worship God; he commanded the genii
to transport her palace from her own country to Jerusalem, and the three
palaces he built for her in Arabia Felix had gold mixed with the mortar
with which they were formed. They wished to know if I could move a
house? I told them, such was the mystery attached to our concerns, that
it was difficult to answer them; any thing not concerned with masonry, I
might answer; this, they said, was what the people in their country
said. Abraham said he was sure the Arabian magicians made use of bones
from genii to make fire and control them. It would be a curious
circumstance to know that phosphorus, and inoculation, existed in Arabia
in the days of its splendour, and continue now; as they are considered
as two of the most eminent among modern European discoveries. After they
were gone, I called on Odumata, whom I found all talk as usual. He said
he knew I wished to take some of the King’s sons to Cape Coast for
education, but the captains had represented to his Majesty, that they
did not wish it. If the King wanted gold, and they had it, they would
give it him; and were always ready when he called them, to receive his
foot on their necks, and swear to do whatever he wished them, or never
to return. The reason he gave, was, that they were afraid of being
discovered when they cheated the King, which they made no secret of
avowing, and having their heads cut off. I told him he did not like a
white man to live here then; yes, he said, they all liked that; but he
was sufficient to settle all palavers between the King and the English,
without any of the King’s people knowing English. He began to boast of
the many wives and children he had, more than Englishmen. I told him
there was a possibility of an Englishman knowing his father; but no
black man could tell his; they were all slaves, and rendered incapable
of inheriting their father’s property; none of his children need to
thank him, he neither could give them any thing while alive, nor leave
them any thing when dead, and many of them kept wives, while their
slaves enjoyed them. He said I spoke very true, but that I could not
show keys with him; he produced two large bunches, and I offered him an
ounce of gold if he would shew me a lock for each key; he evaded this: I
took them in my hand, and found many of them broken, and various
articles of lead and iron to make the bunches large; his people, and
some chiefs that were with him, enjoyed his perplexity, if I might judge
from their chuckling.
Several of the King’s brother’s slaves appeared in pursuit of two of
their fellows, flogging them with whips; one of the culprits bounding
over every obstacle, threw himself at Odumata’s feet, which saved him
from their flogging; the man who had charge of him appeared, and in a
long and animated harangue, with many gestures, stated the trouble he
had had from the runaway, and concluded by swearing, the man must be
given up to him in the morning to go and work. It is customary for
slaves, when they fall under their master’s displeasure, to take shelter
in some other chief’s house, who tries to get them excused.
Saturday 27. The King sent for me, to give me letters which had arrived;
and on my opening them, two small packages of gold tumbled out. The King
asked, if they were for me or him. I enquired if he expected gold from
any one at Cape Coast, he said, no. I told him, it was unlikely gold
would be sent to any one but me. The King, turning to his captains, said
the Governor was a good man, sending me gold whenever I asked for it,
and I eat a great deal of gold. I told him, I never wished a present of
gold from any one; what I got was my pay, as Englishmen did not give
gold to one another. He intended returning his messengers on Tuesday, as
he said, two of them having come up in English uniforms, as the Governor
was to fit out thirty at the King’s request. His Majesty wished me to
taste a bottle of tincture of rhubarb the Governor had sent him; I did
so, lest he should think there was something bad in it. I had then to
taste some tincture of cinnamon he had received some time ago; I
swallowed them with great distaste, as I had felt very unwell the
preceding day, and that morning, and had taken medicine just before the
King sent, and not eaten any breakfast.
In the afternoon Apokoo called; he had heard Adoo Bradie had been on
board a ship, and that 400 flags were hoisted to receive him;[127] that
was the reason, he said, they did nor wish any of the King’s people to
learn to read and write, they became white men, and saw so many fine
things, they never thought of returning to Ashantee. I told him if it
was disagreeable, it would be given over. Every one was pleased, he
said, to think any Ashantee great man was well used at Cape Coast; but
it turned their heads, not being accustomed to it. The King would give
Adoo Bradie fetish when he came back, and if he told the King lies, the
fetish would catch him, and where would be the good? The English would
have all their trouble for nothing.
His Majesty, some years ago, took one of Apokoo’s daughters to wife; she
is now one of the finest women in Coomassie, and must have been a great
beauty. It was discovered by the chief eunuch that she had intrigued
with one of the attendants. It was told the King that one of his wives
had proved false; “let her die instantly,” said he in a rage; the slave
whispered him “it is Apokoo’s child.” He rose in silence, and went to
the harem, and the culprit being sent for, the King turned his head
away, while he folded his cloth around him, and lifting the curtain to
let her pass, he exclaimed “go, you are free! your father was my
father,[128] he is my friend, and for his sake, I forget you; when you
find any man good enough for you, let me know and I will give him gold.”
Her father has not allowed her to marry again.
When any public execution, or sacrifice, is to take place, the ivory
horns of the King proclaim at the palace door, “wow! wow! wow!” “death!
death, death, death!” and, as they cut off their heads, the bands play a
peculiar strain, till the operation is finished.
The greatest human sacrifice that has been made in Coomassie during my
residence, took place on the eve of the Adaï custom early in January. I
had a mysterious intimation of it two days before, from a quarter not to
be named. My servants being ordered out of the way, I was thus
addressed, “Christian, take care and watch over your family; the angel
of death has drawn his sword, and will strike on the neck of many
Ashantees; when the drum is struck, on Adaï eve, it will be the death
signal of many. Shun the King if you can, but fear not.” When the time
came to strike the drum, I was sitting thinking on the horrors of the
approaching night, and was rather startled at a summons to attend the
King. This is the manner he always takes to cut off any captain or
person of rank; they are sent for to talk a palaver, and the moment they
enter, the slaves lay hold of them, and pinion them, and throw them
down; if they are thought desperate characters, a knife is thrust
through their mouth to keep them from swearing the death of any other,
when they are charged with their crime, real or supposed, and put to
death or torture.
Whilst I was with the King, the officers, whose duty it is to attend at
sacrifices, and are in the confidence of the King, came in with their
knives, &c. and a message was sent to one chief to say, that the King
was going to his mother’s house to talk a palaver, and shortly after his
Majesty rose, and proceeded thither, ordering the attendants to conduct
me out by another door.
This sacrifice was in consequence of the King imagining, that if he
washed the bones of his mother and sisters, who died while he was on the
throne, it would propitiate the fetish, and make the war successful.
Their bones, were therefore taken from their coffins, and bathed in rum
and water with great ceremony; after being wiped with silks, they were
rolled in gold dust, and wrapped in strings of rock gold, aggry beads,
and other things of the most costly nature. Those who had done any thing
to displease the King, were then sent for in succession, and immolated
as they entered, “that their blood might water the graves.” The whole of
the night, the King’s executioners traversed the streets, and dragged
every one they found to the palace, where they were put in irons: but
(which is often the case) some one had disclosed the secret, and almost
every one had fled, and the King was disappointed of most of his
distinguished victims. Next morning being Adaï custom, which generally
brought an immense crowd to the city, every place was silent and
forlorn; nothing could be found in the market, and his Majesty proceeded
to the morning sacrifice of sheep, &c. attended only by his confidents,
and the members of his own family. When I appeared at the usual time, he
seemed pleased at my confidence, and remarked that I observed how few
captains were present. He appeared agitated and fatigued, and sat a very
short time.
As soon as it was dark, the human sacrifices were renewed, and, during
the night, the bones of the royal deceased were removed to the sacred
tomb at Bantama, to be deposited along with the remains of those who had
sat on the throne. The procession was splendid, but not numerous, the
chiefs and attendants being dressed in the war costume, with a musket,
and preceded by torches; the sacred stools, and all the ornaments used
on great occasions, were carried with them; the victims, with their
hands tied behind them, and in chains, preceded the bones, whilst at
intervals, the songs of death and victory proved their wish to begin the
war. The procession returned about three P.M. on Monday, when the King
took his seat in the market place with his small band, and “death!
death! death!” was echoed by his horns. He sat with a silver goblet of
palm wine in his hand, and when they cut off any head, imitated a
dancing motion in his chair; a little before dark, he finished his
terrors for that day, by retiring to the palace, and soon after, the
chiefs came from their concealment, and paraded the streets, rejoicing
that they had escaped death, although a few days might put them in the
same fear. I had been attacked by a violent fit of ague in the morning,
from having stood so long in the sun the day before while with the King,
it being unusually hot. I dared not send out my people to procure any
thing, least they should be murdered, and in fact there was nothing in
the market to be had: there was not even a drop of water in the house.
The sacrifice was continued till the next Adaï custom, seventeen days.
[Footnote 125: “Mr. Wm. Hutchison, British Resident at Coomassie, the
capital of Ashantee, hearing there are two Europeans at Jennë, takes the
opportunity of a Moor returning to that place, to write to them. It is
earnestly requested, that some information will be sent to Cape Coast
Castle, whether or not, those, to whom this is addressed, belonged to
the expedition of Captain Mungo Park, or by what means they reached
Jennë. As no certain accounts have reached England of the fate of that
gentleman and his companions, any particulars will be interesting; also,
whether or not the Niger is the river known here by the name of Quolla,
Joliba, or any other appellation unknown in Europe. Also, its course,
and the opinions among the natives as to its termination, with the names
of any towns or countries it may run through. It is also reported that
there are two white men at Timbuctoo: should it be possible to render
any assistance to either, it will be done from Cape Coast Castle on
accounts being received of the certainty of their situation; and the
means which may be found to make the Europeans on the Quolla revisit
their native country: in the mean time, any information will be
anxiously expected, as to the fate of their companions; and whether they
have heard of an English expedition, lately arrived at the Niger. Two
notices in English and Arabic accompany this, offering a reward for
information.
December 9th.]
[Footnote 126: I have observed some of the Moors who have been a long
time in Ashantee pour forth a little of any thing before drinking. It
may be remarked, that all the worshippers of the fetish do this, and
also set apart some of their victuals before they eat.]
[Footnote 127: The signals happened to be drying on board H.M.S. Cherub,
Captain Wills, then lying in the roads of Cape Coast.]
[Footnote 128: It will be remembered, that the present King carried an
elephant’s tail before Apokoo, until he unexpectedly succeeded to the
stool.—See page 295.]