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March 19, '86. Dear Mr, Muir: If you will apply to Dr. Gray he will refer you to a vigorous protest I sent him, at his
request, for the government, anent the preservation of the California trees, and I can write no. more if I write till doomsday.
The question of forest reserves of all kinds is daily assuming huge proportions, and that of the big trees of California,
though the most interesting in the whole world's tree history, is not half so important as that of the California forests
generally, upon whose retention the climate and well-being of the West of America so greatly depends. An opinion is gradually
gaining ground that the non-interference of the British government in the preservation of forests and the forests of its possessions,
is not only a mistake but a crime: and that the giving to colonists absolute right over the timber of their purchased lands
is an injustice to posterity: that as a proprietor takes measures to prevent a tenant exhausting the soil and leaving it ruined
for a successor, if such can be found, so a government should interfere to prevent states from being uninhabitable by reason
of their productive power being exhausted by the greed of the existing generation. I fear, however, that neither in your
country or our's are we prepared to favor so paternal a policy on the part of our rulers. I often think of the glorious days
I spent in America and of Strawberry. Valley in particular. I have not given up all hope of another trip, though I must confess
the chances diminish with years and growing occupations, responsibilities, and drags. I have sent you a little printed matter
from time to time. I hope you received them. Most truly yours, J. D. Hooker