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The Players, Sixteen Gramercy Park New York , July 5, 1906. /Dear Muir: Sound the loud timbrel o'er Yosemit-ee Jehovah
hath triumphed: His forests are free You have perhaps noticed that the bill to accept the recession of the Valley trust
became a law on the 11th of June. Finis coronat opus I hope there is no darkey in that woodpile You remember that when in
the month of June, 1889, you and I planned the details of the campaign for a Yosemite National Park, one of the chief objects
in our mind was to create a reserve which should be so well managed by the national government that California would be glad
to merge into its protecting environment the long mismanaged valley. This having worked out exactly as planned, I send you
my congratulations on the accomplishment of our hearts' desire. The Sierra Club, which under your leadership bore the brunt
of the fight for Recession must be very happy. I am sorry to hear that it was burned out and lost all its archives; but it
will live in its ashes and do battle for outraged Nature -- the Big Trees next, which the misguided will now wish to cut down
for the building of the new San Francisco. I must write to Colby for the Club record of its service to the state and nation
in defense of the forests and to send my congratulations and good wishes. I hope all your expectations of good health for
yourself and thegirls are being realized. How I wish I could have you for my guide to theGrand Canyon, as I did to the Yosemite
Perhaps another year. Now I must keep near my desk. I am, thank Heaven, in good health and enjoy my work. Mrs. Johnson is
in Florence. She will return early in the fall. My children and grandchildren are also well. So I have much to make me happy
in spiteof the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of a moderate income. I hope you are not failing to make record
of your eventful days. Begin with the most important things and work downward. In the new interest which the world has in
California that Yosemite Guide seems an imperative duty. The days come and go and we are all getting older. Look into thy
heart and write. I think of you often, my dear Muir, and wish I could tell you all my wonderful experience at Vesuvius.
Faithfully yours, R. U. Johnson 03746