therefore the point of departure for Christian civilization
in the western hemisphere, whose principal products were apostles
like Cordoba, Las Casas, and others, defending energetically and
resolutely the rights of the oppressed inhabitants of America, and
themselves the real founders of modern democracy, be it

"_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 petitioners 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 ownership, and they assume 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
municipality 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 class. * * * 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 municipal and coast duties the
materials and tools necessary for the construction of said
monument, and if it is introduced in a ship carrying only this as a
cargo, it will be permitted to said ship 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, s