Transcription:
1 Please return to J Muir letterhead Porterville Cal. Jan 7, 1899 My Dear Mr. Muir - I am moved to write to you
about a matter which seems to me of great public importance. I came here last August - with a commission as Federal Forest
Supervisor of the Southern Sierra Reservation (4000,000 acres or more). Last season 200,000 sheep invaded the reservation
by virtue of a temporary concession made by the Secretary of the Interior. I need not relate to you the damage and desolation
which these sheep have wrought? You know all about such results from personal observation. Certain land and sheep speculators
have sent on 02525