Parsons to Lytton

I have the honour to report the arrival of my Detachment of
the Royal Engineers at Panama on 25th inst.

There being no Ship of War in Port I endeavoured but could not
obtain permission to embark at once from the railway station on board
the American Mail Steamer for California; permission was afterwards
granted to embark two days before the time of sailing, this I take
advantage of and will proceed on board tomorrow.

I have to request that you will be pleased to reconsider
the pecuniary arrangements made in England for my transit to
Victoria. One thousand pounds were placed at my disposal.

The Railway expenses across the

Isthmus of Darien amounted to £221.11.6

The passage money to California is 973. 2.0

From San Fransisco to Victoria about 250. 0.0

Other incidental expenses such as pay advanced to Men in England,
Quarters and Messing at Panama, transfer of Baggage &c have to
be added; so that if you will kindly cause Drafts of mine to the
amount of £600 in addition to be honored by H.M. Paymaster General
(whose blank bills I have been supplied with) I shall feel that funds
will not be wanting in case of casualty or unforseen delay in
providing a passage from San Fransisco.

In proceeding to San Fransisco the men will be provided with
second class accommodation as in British Contract Steamers. I
cannot incur the responsibility of putting them in the Steerage,
though the passage money would be less, as large numbers of
Steerage Passengers have to sleep on the deck with only a canvass
awning to protect them from very variable weather for 14 days,
and exposed to the prejudicial influences of the damp night air
of the tropics. I need not mention in addition, the class of persons
with whom my men would be constantly associated.

The Steamers running North from this place have latterly been
carrying from 1200 to 1500 through passengers to San Francisco &
Victoria.

I beg to assure you that every precaution will be taken to
diminish expenditures and to procure cheap transit. Should a
British Ship of War be at San Fransisco I will communicate with her.

I have received every assistance from the British Consuls
at Colon & Panama, from Signor Hurtado, the Intendente of Panama
& from his Brothers the Agents of the British West India Mail Steamers.

I am happy to add that the health of men is good and that they
have adjusted themselves to my satisfaction. We expect to be in
Victoria about 21 October.