Part 20 (1/2)

”_Resolved_, Article 1. That it is granted to the _Sacred Heart Review_ of Boston, United States of America, permission to erect a monument on the site of the ruins of Old Isabella, in the district of Puerto Plata, whose purpose shall be to commemorate the site whereon was built the first Catholic church in the New World. This monument shall be of stone, and wholly conformable to the plan presented. It shall be erected within a plot of ground that shall not exceed 10,000 square yards, and shall be at all times solidly and carefully inclosed. If the site chosen belongs to the state, said state concedes its proprietary rights to the pet.i.tioners while the monument stands. If the site belongs to private individuals, an understanding must be reached with them to secure possession.

”Article 2. The builders of said monument will have perpetual control and owners.h.i.+p, and they a.s.sume the obligation of caring for and preserving it in good condition. If the builders, as a society, cease to exist, the property will revert to the munic.i.p.ality to which belongs Old Isabella, and on them will revert the obligation to preserve it in perfect repair.

”Article 3. The monument will be considered as public property, and the local authorities will give it the protection which the law allows to property of that cla.s.s. * * * But on no condition and in no way could the government incur any responsibility of damage that might come to the monument situated in such a remote and exposed location.

”Article 4. We declare free from munic.i.p.al and coast duties the materials and tools necessary for the construction of said monument, and if it is introduced in a s.h.i.+p carrying only this as a cargo, it will be permitted to said s.h.i.+p to make voyage from Monte Christi or Puerto Plata without paying any of said coast imposts.

In view of these concessions the monument committee will present to the mayor of the city a detailed statement of the material and tools needed, so that this officer can accept or reject them as he sees fit.

”Article 5. Wherefore the Secretary of State, Secretary of the Interior, and other officers of the Cabinet are charged with the execution of the present resolution.

”Given at the National Palace of Santo Domingo, Capital of the Republic, on the twenty-fifth day of November, 1891, forty-eighth year of independence and the twenty-ninth of the restoration.

(Signed) ”ULISES HEUREAUX, _President_.

”W. FIGUEREO, _Minister of Interior and Police_.

”IGNACIO M. GONZALES, _Minister of Finance and Commerce_.

”SANCHEZ, _Minister of State_.

'Copy exactly conforming to the original given at Santo Domingo, November 28, 1891.

”RAFAEL Y. RODRIGUEZ, ”_Official Mayor and Minister of Public Works and Foreign Affairs._”

With these concessions in hand, a committee, consisting of Capt. Nathan Appleton and Thomas H. c.u.mmings, was appointed to go to Was.h.i.+ngton and secure recognition from the United States Government for the enterprise.

The committee was everywhere favorably received, and returned with a.s.surances of co-operation and support. Hon. W. E. Curtis, head of the Bureau of Latin Republics in the State Department, was added to the general monument committee.

Meanwhile the _Sacred Heart Review_, through Dr. Charles H. Hall of Boston, a member of the monument committee, put itself in communication with the leading citizens of Puerto Plata, requesting them to use every effort to locate the exact site of the ancient church, and make a suitable clearing for the monument, at its expense.

In answer to this communication, a committee of prominent citizens was organized at Puerto Plata, to co-operate with the Boston Columbus Memorial Committee. The following extract is taken from a local paper, _El Porvenir_, announcing the organization of this committee:

”On Sat.u.r.day last, a meeting was held in this city (Puerto Plata) for the purpose of choosing a committee which should take part in the celebration. Those present unanimously resolved that such a body be immediately formed under the t.i.tle of, 'Committee in Charge of the Centennial Celebration.'

”This committee then proceeded to the election of a board of management, composed of a president, vice-president, secretary, and four directors.

The following gentlemen were elected to fill the above offices in the order as named: Gen. Imbert, Dr. Llenas, Gen. Juan Guarrido, Presbitero Don Wenceslao Ruiz, Don Jose Thomas Jimenez, Don Pedro M. Villalon, and Don Jose Castellanos.

”To further the object for which it was organized, the board counts upon the co-operation of such government officials and corporations of the republic as may be inclined to take part in this great apotheosis in preparation, to glorify throughout the whole world the work and name of the famous discoverer.

”As this is the disinterested purpose for which the above-mentioned committee was formed, we do not doubt that the public, convinced that it is its duty to contribute in a suitable manner to the proposed celebration, will respond to the idea with enthusiasm, seeing in it only the desire which has guided its projectors--that of contributing their share to the glorification of the immortal navigator.”

The following official communication was received from this committee:

”PUERTO DE PLATA, March 19, 1892.

”Dr. CHARLES H. HALL, _Member Boston Columbus Memorial Committee, Boston, Ma.s.s., U. S. A._

”DEAR SIR: We have the honor of acquainting you that there exists in this city a committee for the celebration of the quadro-centennial whose purpose is to co-operate, to the extent of its ability, in celebrating here the memorable event.

[Ill.u.s.tration: TOSCANELLI'S MAP.]