Reep to Carnarvon (Parliamentary Under-Secretary)
Royal Mail Steam Packet Company
No 55 Moorgate Street
London, E.C.
29 October 1858
My Lord,
In consequence of the anxiety you expressed that nothing should be left undone to insure the speedy conveyance to Van Couvers Island of the party of Engineers who proceeded out per La Plata from Southampton on the 2nd Ultimo, I wrote in addition to the Official instructions, of which you were furnished with a copy, a private letter to our Agent at Panama on the subject, and I have now much pleasure in transmittingforManuscript image for your Lordships information a copy of the Agents reply.
I am much gratified to find that no delay occurred on the Isthmus of Panama.
I have etc.
R.P.T. Reep
Minutes by CO staff
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This is very satisfactory as far as the conveyance of the first detachment of men by the Isthmus is concerned, but much less satisfactory as regards the very heavy cost of the transport of the baggage. Annex draft acknowledging & thanking for the information.
C Oct 29
Other documents included in the file
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Draft, Elliot to Reep, 3 November 1858, thanking him for the information.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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J.M. Hurtado to Reep, 1 October 1858, advising that Captain Parsons's detachment had arrived and departed from Panama without incident, and estimating the cost of shipping luggage (twenty-five tons) from Colon to San Francisco would exceed £1,000.