§ SIR JOHN HAYsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether it is true that war has been commenced with Ashantee; whether precautions have been taken to meet the drain of life which must ensue in so deadly a campaign; and whether a largely increasing expenditure may be looked for in consequence in the Gold Coast Colony?
§ MR. CARDWELL,in reply, said, it would probably be in the knowledge of the House that in the course of last year a war commenced between the King of Ashantee and a friendly tribe adjoining our settlements on the Gold Coast, arising 258 out of an unprovoked incursion of the Ashantees into that country, attended with great ravages and loss of life and property. The operations which were now going on arose out of a continuance of the hostilities of last year, or rather out of a probability of the renewal of those hostilities, unless vigorous measures were taken to repress them. Reinforcements had been sent out to the Governor, and every precaution had been taken to supply him with all necessaries calculated to ensure the health and safety of troops in that country. The last Report from the Governor announced that the troops were in good health and spirits. No doubt these operations were attended with some danger and expense, but the object of them was to prevent the recurrence of these outbreaks in future years.