When Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove were set aside as a public reserve by the federal government in 1864, the State of California was charged with creating a commission to administer the new grant. Frederick Law Olmsted was delegated the job of preparing a report and the policy which should govern the management of the grant.

A statement of the Commissioners appointed to manage the valley and grove in the public interest protesting the fact the California Legislature passed a provision, over the veto of the Governor, ceding part of the valley to private owners.