"Lodholz' Report for the Second Quarter of 1871"

Includes some information on relations between the Okyenhene and the English Government in Cape Coast over the Asante war. In April the Okyenhene was called to Cape Coast to assist in concluding a peace with Asante or at least to send ambassadors with full powers for this purpose. They were in fact sent late, arrived when the Fantes had already concluded a peace, and since they could not help much with the main problem (the return of the Asante prisoners) since they were mostly either dead or sold, they were not treated well, and this news created uproar on their return. In mid-June a representative of the Cape Coast Government came to Kibi who had a stern message for the Okyenhene, though also soft words. The stern message created another sensation- the Okyenhene interpreted it as meaning that Akim might be surrendered to the Asantes if the Okyenhene did not co-operate in the peace negotiations, at which the Okyenhene swore an oath that they would never submit to the Asantes while he and any of his people were alive. So a message was sent back to Cape Coast particularising which of the Asante prisoners had died, and which had been sold, and responsibility for the latter by implication put on the Government, since they had been sold to buy powder and lead when the Akim army was called out at the beginning of the war.

26.06.1871

26.06.1871

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