The Municipal Council considering that, in the tremendous disaster of the 28 December et seq., all the civilized nations of the world, sympathizing in the distress of the surviving Messinesi, united in various ways, to relieve and mitigate their sufferings, considering that the Republic of the United States of America chose to take part in this great affirmation of the solidarity of humanity by means of enduring works, namely, by the construction of one thousand five hundred houses, for the shelter of a good portion of the surviving population, a magnificent hotel, a church, and three school buildings; considering that this new proof of affection furnished by the worthy American people merits being signalized, and that a tribute is due in equal measure to those also, who, with so much zeal and affection, have devoted their energy and activity to this work for several months; convinced in consequence that the executive body interprets the voice and feeling of the entire populace, in solemnly expressing the most sincere sentiment of gratitude, at the moment in which the gallant officers and sailors of the glorious American Navy are leaving these shores, tried by suffering; assuming on account of urgency, the power of the community, the Council, by unanimous vote DETERMINES _a_) to communicate to His Excellency the President of the United States of America, through His Excellency the Ambassador, resident at Rome, the profound gratitude of the survivors of Messina for this proof of the common bonds of humanity, furnished on the occasion of the tremendous disaster of the 28 December. _b_) to confer the honorary citizenship of Messina upon Messrs. 1) Lieutenant Commander Reginald Rowan Belknap. 2) Lieutenant Allen Buchanan. 3) Ensign John W. Wilcox. 4) Ensign Robert W. Spofford. 5) Assistant Surgeon Martin Donelson. 6) John Elliott. _c_) to make the aforesaid Commandant Mr. Belknap the warmest expression of appreciation for the kindly care with which he assumed a difficult undertaking, and carried through an extensive and complicated work. _d_) to recognize also the zealous efforts, effective and harmonious, of the other officers and of the Engineer Elliott, who contributed their co-operation to such a degree. After being read, the present proceeding is approved and signed. _The Mayor._ (Signed) A. MARTINO. _The Senior Assessor._ (Signed) A. MARTINEZ. _The Secretary General._ (Signed) G. CRISAFULLI. The present document has been published in the pretorial bulletin of this Community on the feast day tenth of June, and no objection has reached this Office.