"Ramseyer to Basel"

His first report on the Nkoranza war. His information on events in Asante (he offers this is in the face of the many rumours circulating) is that about 1,5 years previously Nkoranza had declared itself independent of Asante, whereon Prempeh had gathered 'the few people who remained true to him' and sent an army off to Nkoranza which had to withdraw per several battles. The army was brought together again and sent against Nkoranza (Ramseyer repeats Haasis' report that many young men had fled to the coast in order to be free of involvement in the war) - Ramseyer is not sure what has happened except that the Nkoranzas are not a populous peoples and that they had no allies, and had withdrawn towards Ateobu. The Kumasis then threatened Ateobu with war - but Ateobu has been for the last 2 years under British protection - the colonial government has decided to act. Three weeks before this letter was written Ferguson travelled through Abetifi in a forced march to Ateobu to discover how the land lay. He brought a letter to Ramseyer from the Governor saying that this step was necessary - they must show the Asantes that they could protect their Protectorate. 10 days before the receipt of the letter the first section of 55 Hausas with one officer and one doctor arrived, and five days later 2 more officers and 120 soldiers. They have two cannon and a sort of mitrailleuse. En route is Colonel Scott and 6 more officers and 150-200 Hausas - and a maxim gun. The officers and troops so far are billeted in the town, but they will receive Colonel Scott on the station. Ramseyer wonders if with all this force the Colonial Government intends to attack Kumasi: 'I have often asked the Governor about Kumasi’s being taken under English law, and it seems this is only a question of time.'

23.10.1893

23.10.1893

Text