ABSTRACT
The Company’s officials now had to adjust themselves to a new state of affairs, in which their chief trade had ceased to exist, and what may be called the Ashanti Question came more and more to occupy their attention. The people of Cape Coast, originally Asebu rather than Fante, had been tending more and more to identify themselves with the Fante, and from 1809 onwards had done so completely, both as regards enmity with Elmina and as regards their policy towards Ashanti. The Ashanti point of view is plain enough. Fante, Assin, Akim and Akwapim were all parts of the Ashanti empire, rebellious provinces which needed frequent punishment. The British had hoped to save the Fante from subjugation, but had failed, and they were only allowed to remain in the country because it suited the convenience of the Ashanti that they should maintain their trading posts.
