"Müller's Report for the First Quarter of 1867"

The first part of this report is printed, more or less verbatim, in the 1867 Annual Report, pp 129-130. Unprinted material in the concluding sections: He describes a journey northwards from Anum. Preaching in Bose and Dame - in the latter they were little understood since this is an Ewe-speaking Ayigbe village. In fact, the further north they went, the less Twi was understood. Notes that the population lives on the hills. Between Boso and their night's lodging, in Sohai, they had to cross a 4-hour plain, completely uninhabited, the path crossed only by game tracks, the vegetation stunted. At Sohai he suffered a heavy attack of fever, with dysentery and vomiting, so was unable to complete his plan to travel two days' further north to 'Tschomai' (Dsome, presumably). He learned, however, in Sohai, that the people there were Ewe speaking, though they would know a little Twi because of the frequent contacts with Asante. They also had no information to give about Dahomey. They knew what kingdom borders on Ayigbe, but knew nothing of Dahomey, and indeed the Bremen missionaries reckon that the nearest road to Dahomey leads from Ho, and takes 6 days. As for Asante - the nearest Asante town to Dsome must be a long way away from it. ‘Our work will therefore have to be concentrated on the Anum district.’ When relations with Akwamu are good, the work can be extended in that direction. There are a few fishing villages on the Volta, and of course the capital itself should be considered as a place for mission work. However, for the past 1 1/2 years there has been enmity between Anum and Akwamu, and no-one from Anum is prepared to run the risk of going there. Akwamu has barred the way to the sea to the mission, both on land and on the river. 6 months previously Fetzer had been driven back when he tried to pass the villages of Ogoli and Ananse which are in alliance with Akwamu. If possible, two catechists should be posted to Akwamu. This might make for a change of heart there. The Akwamu objective seems to be the restoration of Akwamu rule over Anum and Peki. At the moment they are having to pay large sums for transport of groceries and the post, and things are much delayed. But they have nothing certain to report about the war - there are many rumours. Only, the Anums seem quiet, and not worried about being attacked in the near future. They had attempted to start a school under the shade trees in Anum, but found out that the children had to have everything translated into Kyerepong.

25.04.1867

25.04.1867

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