Similarly the protectorate of the tribes inland up
to the boundary of the Ashanti kingdom changed hands. The natives
were not consulted as to this treaty, and some of those formerly
under British protection, especially the natives of Commendah,
refused to accept the transfer, and beat off with loss the Dutch
troops who attempted to land. The Dutch men of war bombarded and
destroyed Commendah.
This step was the commencement of fresh troubles between the
Ashantis and the English. The Commendah people were Fantis, and
as such the implacable enemies of the Elmina people, who had under
Dutch protection been always allies of the Ashantis, and had been
mainly instrumental in supplying them with arms and ammunition. The
Fantis, regarding the Elmina natives and the Dutch as one power,
retaliated for the destruction of Commendah by invading the territory
of the Elmina tribe, destroying their villages and blockading
the Dutch in their port. Another reason for this attack upon the
Elminas was that an Ashanti general, named Atjempon, had marched
with several hundred men through the Fanti country, burning,
destroying, and slaying as usual, and had taken refuge with his
men in Elmina.
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