"Ramseyer to Basel"

On the news brought by Kumawu ambassadors to Abetifi. Describes Kumawu as a small Asante province one day's journey west of Agogo, with the two main towns Kumawu and Bodumase. The messengers arrived on 15th August. Their report and requests were: A short while ago Kumawu, Mampong and Nsuta sent ambassadors to the great council in Kumasi to ask that Kalikari should be put on the stool - if this occurred they argued inter al the Juabens would return from Koforidua. At which Owusu Koko, banished under Karikari but now the most important man in Kumasi (a brother of Prince Ansah’s) said that if Kwaku Duah was not put on the throne, then Kumasi would be burnt to ashes before anyone else was installed. At this there was fighting (one of the two ambassadors had actually been present and claimed to have seen the fighting on the streets of Kumasi at first hand) - it lasted all day on the 4th August and 17 chiefs were killed and 3000 people altogether. After this Karikari asked the Kuwamu so whether since they had supported his candidature they would now support him in battle – which they refused to do. Out of this critical situation the ambassadors had been sent asking the Kwahua to join them in an alliance, and to help them in a request to the English Government to be taken into the protectorate. The Kwahu answer (at a council on 17th August) was to ask for a larger deputation from Kwahu, and some gold-dust as earnest money. Ramseyer has also heard that the friendship of Agogo for Kumasi is no longer as strong as it was. In a digression he writes that although his name is used by this Kumawu embassy (they came to him first and the Abetifi chief they visited after) and although he corresponds with the Governor, he is in no way the Governor's agent. He regards himself as a missionary and an ambassador of peace and as such everyone - Asantes, Kwahus, - he treats with friendship. This business is no concern of his, but if they want to go to the governor, he can write to his brother to help them meet the Governor - more than that he cannot do.

18.08.1883

18.08.1883

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