§ LORD BRABOURNEI wish to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies a Question of which I have given him private Notice—namely, Whether he has any further information to give than that contained in this morning's papers with reference to the threatened War with Ashantee?
THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY,in reply, said, it would probably be satisfactory to his noble Friend (Lord Bra-bourne) if he read a telegram which had been received at the Colonial Office from the Lieutenant Governor of the Gold Coast. It was as follows:—
Telegram from Lieutenant Governor Griffith to the Earl of Kimberley, dated Gold Coast, January 24, 1881.
§ (Received Colonial Office 3 A.M., February 5, 1881.)
§ "It is with the deepest regret I have to state to your Lordship my belief that the Ashantees intend to force another war upon the Gold Coast Colony, and that they may commence hostilities at any moment. On the 18th of January an Ashantee Prince, who had escaped from Coomassie, entreated British protection; next day a messenger from the King of Ashantee, bearing his gold axe, and accompanied by ambassadors, one being Saibee Enquie, who signed the treaty of peace with Sir Garnet Wolseley at Fomunnah, requested an audience, when they demanded that the refugee should be given up to them. I declined, whereupon Enquie, supported by the others, stated that if I did not surrender the man the King of Ashantee would attack Assim. I called Enquie's attention to the Treaty, Articles I. and III., and warned him that the consequences of breaking them would be very serious; the messenger and suite then left, but subsequently I instructed them to remain at Cape Coast until to-day, considering it best to put my reply to the King's demand in writing.
§ "The refusal of a demand from Ashantee, accompanied by the gold axe, means war on the part of the Ashantees, that they will cut their way to the accomplishment of their purpose. The gold axe was sent down in 1873, and war followed. All chiefs, public officers, and respectable merchants warned mo to prepare for war with the Ashantees, and that it is imminent. I am very loth to believe it, but, nevertheless, am taking every available measure and precaution in my power for the protection of the Colony. I shall carefully avoid provoking hostilities and shall act strictly on the defensive."
§ He might add that no information had reached Her Majesty's Government previously to the receipt of that telegram of the probability of a war with Ashantee. They had heard vague rumours of possible misunderstandings; but nothing 235 whatever indicating that anything serious was likely to happen. The Lieutenant Governor stated that he had available 1,000 men, composed partly of West Indian troops and partly of Native Houssa police, and Her Majesty's Government had ordered reinforcements to the number of 400 West Indian troops to proceed to the Gold Coast to assist the garrison.