March 23rd. 1900:
Copy of letter from Lord Strathcona to Lord Roberts:-
"I beg to send you herewith a copy of a letter I have addressed to-day to Sir Evelyn Wood (with whom I was placed in communication by the Secretary of State) respecting the departure from Halifax on Saturday last of the corps raised in my name. It was a great disappointment to me not to be able to see the men off personally, but I have had one or two bad colds recently, and the Doctors advised my postponing my visit to Canada for a couple of months. I may say, however, that I have had many kind letters from Canada, among others from the Governor General, speaking in high terms of the men and of the horses. The men are typical Westerners, accustomed to life on the prairies of the great North West, good shots and fine horsemen. The horses have been raised in the same parts of the Dominion which are, I imagine, in some respects similar to the veldt in South Africa. The corps will probably arrive in Cape Town the second week in April. I commend them to your consideration and hope that you will be able to give them an opportunity of seeing some service in the campaign which is progressing so favourably under your brilliant and skilful direction.
Those who are connected with the outlaying countries which form part of the British Empire and are associated with the Motherland in the struggle in South Africa gratefully appreciate all that you have been doing to strengthen the Imperial sentiment amid the multitudinous matters that must demand your attention; and we all expect great results from your wise and tactful handling of this great part of a great subject. I venture to send you herewith a copy of the letter I received from the Queen's Private Secretary, and I may add that Her Majesty's message was read to my corps on the occasion of its embarkation at Halifax.
