Kentfield, California,

January 30, 1908.

To the President,

Washington, D.C.

My dear Mr. Roosevelt:

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your message of appreciation, and hope and believe it will strengthen me to go on in an attempt to save more of the precious and vanishing glories of nature for a people too slow of perception.

Your kind suggestion of a change of name is not one that I can accept. So many millions of better people have died forgotten, that to stencil one's own name on a benefaction, seems to carry with it an implication of mundane immortality, as something purchasable.

I have five good, husky boys that I am trying to bring up to a knowledge of democracy and to a realizing sense of the rights of the "other fellow", doctrines which you, sir, have taught with more vigor and effect than any man in my time. If these boys can not keep the name of Kent alive, I am willing it should be forgotten.

I have this day sent you by mail a few photographs of Muir Woods, and trust that you will believe, before you see the real thing (which I hope will be soon) that our Nation has acquired something worth while.

THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON

January 22, 1908.

My dear Mr. Kent:

I have just received from Secretary Garfield your
very generous letter enclosing the gift of Redwood Can-
yon to the National Government to be kept as a perpetual
park for the preservation of the giant redwoods therein
and to be named the Muir National Monument. You have
doubtless seen my proclamation of January 9th, instant,
creating this monument. I thank you most heartily for
this singularly generous and public spirited action on
your part. All Americans who prize the natural beauties
of the country and wish to see them preserved undamaged,
and especially those who realize the literally unique
value of the groves of giant trees, must feel that you
have conferred a great and lasting benefit upon the
whole country.