Manuscripts
J.M. (James Madison) Edmunds letter to William H. Stevens
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J. N. Edmunds letter to William Higby
Manuscripts
Letter from J.N. Edmunds of the U.S. General Land Office to William Higby, chairman of the Committee on Public Lands, regarding the presentation of the Yosemite Gorge and Big Oak Grove to the state of California. Includes detailed descriptions of the Yosemite Valley, Big Oak Grove, and surrounding areas. Edmunds concludes that the Land Office recommends the "concession of these grand natural objects...to the State of California as places of public resort for health and recreation." He also includes instructions for the future use of the sites (no private ownership, development, etc.). Contemporary presentation copy of original letter.
mssHM 74642
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Edmund Randolph letter to Ogden Hoffman
Manuscripts
Randolph writes of abolitionists and supporters of slavery, and asks that Hoffman "will lend me your aid in procuring the support of the latter." He asks Hoffman to contact Senator Phelps of San Francisco, whom Randolph describes as "a man of influence."
mssHM 19011
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William H. Taft, Hot Springs, Virginia, letter to Hamilton Holt, New York :
Manuscripts
Taft writes to the managing editor of The Independent magazine that he would like to assist Holt but is not able to do anything until August, asks him to write again later in the month. Taft states that "The Independent has been very good to me and has supported me, especially with respect to the colored disaffection, and I am anxious to respond if I can, but you know human energy has its limitations."
mssHM 23528
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William Raymond letter to Mrs. J.M. Raymond
Manuscripts
Letter from William Raymond to his mother and sister, written from San Pedro, California, shortly after Raymond had returned from an oceanography research trip on Catalina Island. Raymond was in charge of hydrographic work for the expedition, as well as lending his expertise in conchiferous mollusca. He accompanied William E. Ritter, a professor of zoology at U.C. Berkeley who in 1903 secured funding from Ellen Browning Scripps and E.W. Scripps to found the Marine Biological Association of San Diego, which later became the Scripps Institute of Oceanography at UC San Diego. Raymond's fellow researchers included zoologists Charles A. Kofoid and Calvin O. Esterly, as well as men named Cady, Bancroft, and Jorrey. The letter also mentions work being done by geologist Ida Shepard Oldroyd and zoologist Alice Robertson. Raymond writes of dredging work near Silver Canyon, in the harbor at Avalon near the Isthmus, at Little Harbor, and at Long Point. He describes the topography of the ocean floor and of "small but good" harvesting results. Raymond writes of the types of conch shells collected, some of which were "new to the trip, if not undescribed." They later discovered a few "extremely rare species...so rare that Mrs. Oldroyd says that have not even at Washington a good one." Raymond writes extensively of the sorting and preserving process, as well as answering his mother's questions about his cooking and camping conditions. He mentions sailing to the island on the Banning brothers' steamer Hermosa, and notes that "the Bannings are trying to start a new town at the Isthmus," although in Raymond's opinion "better places for a town might be imagined." Back in San Pedro he reflected on the future of such expeditions, noting that "Ritter is in a quandary about how to keep the work going." He was optimistic that "L.A. people seem enthusiastic about our work" and that a donor had given $25 at a recent lecture. Raymond hoped that "there will be something for our expenses" and thought he might not make further research trips. Includes envelope.
mssHM 78779
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Hazard Stevens letter to Allen H. Bent
Manuscripts
In this letter written at Phoenix, Arizona to Allen H. Bent, Librarian of the Appalachian Mountain Club, Stevens notes receipt of Bent's letter requesting a photograph for the next publication of Appalachian. Stevens writes that he has written his sister to send him the photo and would appreciate a copy of the magazine, for which he will pay.
mssHM 29263
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William S. Lyon letter to J.W. Vandervort
Manuscripts
Letter from William S. Lyon in Los Angeles, California, to John W. Vandervort, an early owner of property on Mount Wilson. Lyon writes to let Vandervort know that his two plants are ready for spring delivery, and that he hopes the recent frosts did not kill his poinsettia and hibiscus plants. Also includes an invoice for one hibiscus and one euphorbia plant, as well as delivery charges to Pasadena.
mssHM 72846