In reply to your letter of the 
23 instant, I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to request that you will acquaint
               
Sir E.B. Lytton that passages to Colon, en route to 
Vancouvers' Island, have been secured for 1 officer and 20 Men of the Royal Engineers, on board the
               contract Mail Steam Packet which will leave Southampton on the 2 proximo.