A shower of letters from the Gold Coast were received
in London on Thursday, but they contain little news of importance. Sir Garnet. Wolseley had arrived (September 27), and his Staff was immediately dispersed to raise native corps, Captain Glover being, of course, the most successful, the Houssas crowding up to serve under their "father." It is believed that another Mohammedan tribe may be secured, and twenty-five miles of the road to Coomassie have been cut, hitherto without accident. The Fantees, however, are said to be cowed, and the local correspondents are unanimous as to the necessity for 2,000 Europeans, if a march is to be made in December on Coomassie. Once defeated, they all seem assured of the Ashantee King's fidelity, but advise that a Resident should be established permanently at his Court. That is to say, they advise that England should go to war whenever it pleases Caffee Calcalli to cut off the Resident's head. Annexation would be simpler than that, but if that is disliked because it would civilise the Ashantees, there is no course except to change the dynasty. There is, it is said, a suspicion afloat on the Coast that the King knows little about the matter, but the suspicion appears unreasonable. Kings, however savage, are apt to inquire where their soldiery are.
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