HARBOR VIEWS

Sir:
I found the June 30 issue particularly fascinating, primarily
because of Robert Boyle's splendid piece on New York Harbor (Haven Of
Havens).
He did not, however, explain how Ellis Island got its name. It is
named after Samuel Ellis, who once owned what he called ''my Oyster
Island.'' His will, deeding the island to the City of New York, is
to be found in the archives of the Museum of the City of New York.

HENRY CLIFTON JR.
New York City
Sir:
My compliments to you for your salute to Miss Liberty.
Your articles are a fine tribute to SPORTS ILLUSTRATED and to our
country and the many people who make it what it is.
JOHN C. LONG, M.D.
Plainview, Texas
Sir:
Miss Liberty . . . wasn't she a powerful mare who made a late
challenge in the Preakness in '47? No? Now I remember, Rene Liberte,
a tiny French phenom who set the tennis world on its ear by nearly
winning Wimbledon sometime in the Roaring Twenties. No? Then surely
she was the sleek, blackhulled challenger that almost brought the
America's Cup to Canada in the '50s. Wrong again?
Oh. Wait a minute, that Miss Liberty? You don't mean to tell me
you devoted half your June 30 issue to a statue.
JOHN C. MAYO
West Hartford, Conn.
Sir:
A quote in your piece on recently naturalized John Lee
illustrates an attitude shared by many of this generation's
immigrants (Ride 'Em, Bela!, June 30). Lee states that ''becoming
an American was a matter of convenience.'' Contrast this view to the
fierce pride of earlier generations of immigrants in becoming
American citizens.
EDMOND F. DI RENNA
Denver