"Müller to Basel"

A report on events in the Volta Region, especially relations with the German Regime, and acts of the latter. In view of the approaches made to Clerk by Baumann, an official of the German colonial regime, with regard to the founding of a station at Krakye (they would have to have Governmental permission, this would be willingly given, though schools must include a 5-year course in German), Müller has himself written an official letter to the regime acquainting them in general terms with the mission's plans to expand north & north-east of Buem, these including the objective of setting a European mission station in the area. A postscript to the letter includes the information on the activities of the German regime: 4th December - 4 European officers with 110 soldiers and 100 carriers arrived in Kpando. ‘On the Sunday’ officers went with 25 soldiers to the Ada merchants' village on the Volta, burnt it down, broke up their canoes; and, threw their salt into the water. The Amfoe people wrote a letter asking for the German flag, though would not come to Kpando for it since that might seem to be submitting to Dagadu of Kpando as well. The salvoes which accompanied the raising of the German flag caused a panic in Vakpo, where it was thought a war had started. 'On Tuesday' they came to Ntwumuru, and Lieutenant von Doering spoke in a friendly way, and said that now trade must come to the German coast to which all paths must be kept cleaned. No more should go to the English coast, and 'English' merchants must leave the district; 'because they were not only merchants but also political agitators'. That same day messengers came from Tafi saying that the Avatime people were going to fight them for having accepted the German flag. The entire company set out for Tafi overnight, accompanied by the Kpando and Anfoi people. But the Avatime chief went to Amedjofi and received a German flag from the missionaries. When the Germans set off for Wurupong a Herr Wöckel had to stay behind with yellow fever in Hall's house. The Germans are against the slave trade, and explained that in a German colony there were no slaves - everyone was free. Several slaves left their masters straight away and joined the German expedition.

16.01.1895

16.01.1895

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