I address you in behalf of the Commissioners appointed under the Act of Congress, establishing the Yo Semite and Mariposa Grove as a ground for recreation. The action of Congress with regard to the Yo Semite was doubtless taken in view of the peculiar value of its natural scenery; the purpose of its action was to give the public for all future time the greatest practicable advantage of that scenery, and the duty of the Commission is to secure the accomplishment of that purpose. What affects natural scenery favorably or unfavorably to the enjoyment of mankind is the principal study of your lives, and as you are at present making a special study of the scenery of the Yo Semite you may find it convenient to give some thought incidentally to two general questions your advice upon which would be of great service to the Commission:

1st Are there any conditions affecting the scenery of the Yo Semite unfavorably which it would be in the power of the State to remove, or the further and increased effect of which might be prevented?

2nd What can be done by the State to enhance the enjoyment now afforded by the scenery of the Yo Semite?

The Commission being required by Act of Congress to perform its own duties gratuitously and no provision having been made for meeting any expenses in the premises, I cannot promise the pecuniary remuneration for your advice which it would be your right to demand but it is hoped that the importance of the Commission’s duty as a field of study for Artists and the great interests of the public in having the action to be taken by the State well advised present sufficient grounds of apology for requesting your professional assistance as a favor.

[434]

Virgil Williams and Thomas Hill in Yosemite Valley, Summer

I yesterday received yours of July 31st. Yours of 22d July and Vaux’s letter to which you refer have not reached me. I am anxious to receive them that I may know what the Central Park proposition is. I have just received a telegraphic dispatch, delayed more than a month, from the Freedmen’s Aid Union, offering me a salary of $7000. I shall wait a few days in hopes of getting a letter on the subject, giving me better information, but I have no intention of accepting it. I am not fit for any duty requiring much writing or exciting labor.

I did not write you by the last steamer because during the previous week, I was travelling and was ill. Since I last wrote, I have been to the Yo Semite with the Colfax party. Bolles of Springfield & Allen who were part of it I enjoyed very much. There were also Bross of Illinois, and some other Eastern men, and a dozen Friskans. Mary and the family moved up at the same time and are now living at our old camp. We had also a meeting of our Yo Semite Commission, of which I am Chairman, and adopted an elaborate report to the legislature which I had prepared. I left there a fortnight ago, and stopping a day at Bear Valley, came on here. Travelling the greater part of two nights, (getting some sleep under a haystack) and taking ranch fare, I fell into a very severe illness on the boat, and had to keep my bed, closely watched by the doctor for several days. I am pretty well now, and shall go to work tomorrow upon the College park. I hear nothing from the Company and wrote by last steamer [436]

The Colfax Party in Yosemite Valley, August 1865
Top row, far left, Samuel Bowles. Middle row, third from left, Schuyler Colfax; third from right, William Bross. Front row, second from left, Olmsted; third from left, Mary Perkins Olmsted; fourth from left, William Ashburner; fifth from left, Albert Richardson.

[437]

We have had one short spurt of overland telegraph news—the principal item being Ketchum & Co’s “robbery” of $5,000,000 and flight, so the dispatch has it. I assume it to be an exaggeration, as all the wording of it indicates a malicious disposition. I had the night before telegraphic advice of the payment of my $6000, & felt as if I had just come out from a cold bath. I suppose that I lose 100 shares Mariposa, worth about $1200, as I have had no advices of its sale, though I requested that it should be sold some months since. Sold or not, no doubt the money is sunk with the general wreck.

August 31st

I continue pretty well. Have heard nothing this week from Mary.

Vaux’s letter, a short note stating that he had heard that the Park Commission had passed a resolution reappointing us, without full particulars, reached me last night. I have telegraphed to know if it will do for me to wait till October before coming home. I propose to accept it, but cannot until I am finally relieved of Mariposa. My plan is, if possible, to take the Nicaragua Steamer of the 13th Octr.