§ In reply to Mr. M'ARTHUR,
§ MR. KNATCHBULL-HUGESSENSir, we have to-day received Despatches from the West Coast of Africa up to the 16th of April, and I regret to say that the news is not of a satisfactory character. After two severe engagements, in which the Fantee tribes had fought bravely and maintained their positions, they had retreated along the whole line, and the Ashantees were reported likely to advance upon Cape Coast and Elmina. The Administrator, Colonel Harley, who in his last Despatches stated his belief, that the Ashantee force did not exceed 4,000 men, now tolls us that he had been misinformed, and that the estimate of 30,000 or 40,000 was probably nearer the truth. It is due to Colonel Harley to say that he has taken every step in his power, and has from the first rightly appreciated the nature and character of the invasion, which were misapprehended by Mr. Pope Hennessy. The cause of the invasion was placed beyond doubt by a letter from the King of Ashantee to the Administrator, which stated that the invasion was the result of the cession of Elmina, by the Dutch to the English Government, and that he was determined to re-take it. Every precaution has been adopted, and I trust that the next telegram will be of a more satisfactory character.
§ In reply to Sir CHARLES ADDERLEY,
§ MR. KNATCHBULL-HUGESSENsaid, that the Houssan police were engaged with the Ashantees, and he was sorry to say there had been some casualties, not very serious, however, and of no very great extent.