"Marquart's Resignation Letter"

He links his resignation with that of Inspector Schott. He did not wish to be connected with a mission which, supported on the whole by people in poor and middling circumstances, spent so much of its money supporting the local community and the local employees. The result he claimed had been to build up an avaricious attitude in the employees especially. If one tried to break into the habitual relationship one was immediately taken as an enemy, standing between the kind givers and their black brothers. He reports a rumour in Akim that when Praetorius arrived on the coast he asked Missionary Rottmann (cashier) if he hand handled out the presents to the local people, whereon Rottmann had to say ‘No’ and his ears were boxed and he fell to the ground. Marquart gives a very disillusioned picture of the local employees. Imm. Boakye, for example, is named as one of the best of the local workers, but receives about £30 p.a. when his travelling allowance is added to his salary, has a farm and so no food costs, and still goes into the gold-diggings with his family. He is also hostile to the clothing etc. worn by local employees and their wives, citing especially the clothes of catechists' wives, silks etc. He also claims that little is being obtained for the outlay, citing the lack of skill of catechists and teachers, especially in arithmetic (this is not an ironic remark).

07.11.1884

07.11.1884

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