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Department of the interior Washington September 27, 1892. My dear Sir: I have yours of the 19th instant, relative to
the Yosemite Park, propounding me three questions upon which you desire to be informed, which I will answer in the order in
which they are presented: 1st. As to the reservation made by the President referred to in the protest of the Anti-Park Association
of Tulare Co., is this reservation of 7000 sections substantially the one proposed by Muir in his article on 'A Rival of the
Yosemite?' the King's River Canon region? I do not recollect to have seen the protest spoken of,and from an examination
o f the records of this office, I find that the same has not been presented here for consideration. The land embraced within
the National Park was set aside, not by the President, but by an act of Congress, approved October 1, 1890, 26 stats., 650,
a copy of which I herewith enclose you. I also enclose a copy of the rules and regulations prescribed by me for the observance
of parties who visit the park. 2d.Will you kindly say whether or not the public lands committee passed any legislation in
regard to the Yosemite, either State Park or the national one? Congress having no jurisdiction over the State Park, no legislation
has been had with reference thereto, but it, by act of July19, 1892, granted to the county of Mariposa, California, the right
of way for a free wagon road, or turnpike, across the Yosemite National Park in said State, on the condition that said road
should be completed within five years from the passage of the act and the United States in no wise to be liable for any expense
at any time on account of the building of the road,or turn-pike, or for keeping the same in repair, and upon a forfeiture
or abandonment thereof, the land covered by the right of way shall revert to the