Ripon to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to
request that you will acquaint the Duke of Newcastle that
Colonel Moody and several of the Officers of the Royal
Engineers serving in British Columbia under his command
will have completed the usual term of Foreign Service in
October next, and His Royal Highness the Field Marshal
Commanding has enquired whether steps should be taken for their relief.

Before giving any directions in the matter, Sir George
Lewis would wish to be informed whether, in His Grace's
opinion, it is probable that the services of the Royal
Engineers will be required in the Colony for any lengthened
period, in which case it will be necessary to relieve the
Officers in question.