Creator
Geo[rge] G. Mackenzie
Recipient
R[obert] U[nderwood] Johnson
Transcription
[4]
Yosemite Park. The item was doubtless inspired by Hutchings himself. Any such appointment would be a disaster.
[1]
Raymond, Fresno Co., Calif.
Dec. 9th, '90
Dear Mr. Johnson:
I am settled for a time near the above address. I came down by way of Wawona, purposely to learn something about Mr. Newsham's intentions. I learned enough to satisfy me that he proposes to make a sort of white-washing report of the condition of the Valley and of the Grove; furthermore, that all his recommendations are likely to have been suggested by the Washburns. After I came here I received a note from Newsham (dated at San Francisco) to the effect that he had just rec'd from Sec. Noble some published letters of mine about Yosemite, and that he is "pleased to say that they throw some light on the subject that will be of use to" him. He is "sorry that his time in the
06354
[2]
Valley was so short that he could not see more of" me. I hope that you will continue to have a lookout for his report and have a copy sent to me immediately on its presentation. If it is crooked, I will try to make Mr. Newsham sorry that he saw so little of the Valley and so much of me. Indeed, my fingers have been aching for a week to write what I think about Mr. N's indescreetness. They have been restrained only by a doubt whether it would not be more politic to wait a little while, and get his report to work on. There is a movement over Mariposa way to have the western boundary of the Nat'l reservation changed - lessening the limits. I expected this, as there are good grounds for objection to the presently assigned
[3]
boundaries. However, I think it would be better, as a part of the plan to get the Yosemite Valley embraced in the Nat'l park control, that the boundaries should for the present remain as they are. I would like to know whether the Times printed my last letter - on the subjects of a patrol and the purchase of a road. The latter question promises to be useful in reforming the Valley management. It is too intricate for explanation here, but I have already got hold of some strings that can be pulled effectively at the right time.
Yours Very Truly
Geo. G. Mackenzie
A Stockton paper announces that Mr. Hutchings is likely to be appointed Superintendent of the
[5]
Raymond, Fresno Co., Calif.
Dec. 9, '90
Dear Mr. Johnson:
I posted a note to you this morning, and afterwards received yours of Nov. 28 - which had been up the road towards Yosemite. The information in your note concerning your recommendation of me in connection with the Park is so much of an unforeseen circumstance in my mind that I cannot yet think it probable that anything will result from your endeavor. This, none the less, is gratifying to me. I would best show my appreciation of your kindness in case of the effort in my behalf being successful, by doing whatever I should have to do to the uttermost of my ability. It would not be without hesitation that I would undertake a part in the executive management
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[7]
Before leaving Yosemite I sent to the Overland an article opposing the use of soldiers as guardians of the Park except as a last resort. I will probably hear from it soon. I am about to write an article on the geological formation of Yosemite. The opinions of Whitney, Silliman, Russell and others are quite wrong, and have never been finally set right, although Muir long ago took nearly the right view.
[6]
of the Park. For several reasons I would much prefer to decline such employment - chiefly because people of one kind might thereby find an excuse for saying that my interest in the establishment of the Park had been one for my own advancement. But, knowing myself to have been utterly free from any such thought, I could better afford to put on a thick skin to such comments than to refuse the opportunity if it should offer itself. However, I will not overconcern myself in respect to the matter, as I cannot think it possible that there will be occasion for either refusal or acceptance. Fortunately, I belong to the blessed who want little, ask less, and expect nothing for themselves. But, all the same, I thank you heartily for your good opinion and good will.
Very Truly Yours
Geo.G. Mackenzie
Location
Raymond, Calif.
Date Original
1890 Dec 9
Source
Original letter dimensions: 20.5 x 28.5 cm.
Recommended Citation
Mackenzie, George G., "Letter from Geo[rge] G. Mackenzie to R[obert] U[nderwood] Johnson, 1890 Dec 9 ." (1890). John Muir Correspondence (PDFs). 1978.
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/muir-correspondence/1978
Resource Identifier
muir06_0743-let.tif
File Identifier
Reel 06, Image 0743
Collection Identifier
Online finding aid for the microform version of the John Muir Correspondence http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt0w1031nc
Copyright Status
Copyright status unknown
Copyright Statement
Some letters written to John Muir may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Owning Institution
Holt-Atherton Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library. Please contact this institution directly to obtain copies of the images or permission to publish or use them beyond educational purposes.
Pages
4 pages
Keywords
Environmentalist, naturalist, travel, conservation, national parks, John Muir, Yosemite, California, history, correspondence, letters
