February l0th, 1900:
Lord Strathcona addressed the following letter to Colonel Steele:-
"I am writing a few lines to express my gratification that you have accepted the command of my little force, for I am sure that its control and its work will be safe in your hands. No doubt you are at the present time busy with matters of organization and equipment in consultation with the Minister of Militia. I feel sure that in the interests of the force and Canada, every care is being taken to insure that only the best and most suitable men for the services that are required will be selected, and that no regard will be paid to purely personal and other considerations. Naturally, the same remark will apply to the officers, who are being, and may be, nominated for the various positions.
While I wish the utmost economy to be exercised, compatible with efficiency, I desire that the equipment of the force shall be in every way suitable for its probable work, and the best of its kind; and the Hon. Mr. Borden has assured me that everything purchased will be subject to rigorous inspection.
We have purchased here at the request of the Minister, certain articles that are needed, and only a day or two ago three Maxim guns and ammunition were ordered and 50 binoculars for the Commissioned and Non-Commissioned Officers. The Maxims, ammunition and glasses will be addressed to the Chief Ordnance Officer Cape Town, to your order, and will be there on your arrival.
I shall be glad to hear from you as frequently as you find time to write before your departure as to the progress that is being made with the organization and equipment, and I hope you will not hesitate to cable me fully and freely, either directly, or through the Minister, if the necessity arises.
I had hoped to go out to Canada in order to be able to witness the departure of the force in the "Monterey". Lately, however, I have had one or two bad colds and by the advice of the Doctors I am postponing my visit for a couple of months, although it is a great disappointment to me.
With best wishes, and again assuring you of the pleasure with which I approve of your nomination to the command, and of my conviction that the force will be a credit in every way to the country from which it goes, believe me, etc."
