Chronicles of Notre Dame du Lac
Edward Sorin, CSC -- Translated by John M. Toohey, CSC, 1895

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1859

pg 377       that my decision is final and decisive.
               To V. R.      I remain, V. R. dear Sir,
               F. Sorin      Sincerely yours in J.C.
                               +James, Bishop of Chicago
                  On the same day the Rev. F. Sorin acknowledged the receipt of 
             the message in the following terms:
                  Monseigneur
             Your esteemed letter in answer to may last takes me by surprise.  
             It I were the only one interested, I would not have waited for a 
             second similar injunction; but I am charged with the interests of 
             other people who trust to me to protect them.  To carry out your 
             orders without offering a word in their favor would be simply 
             betraying their confidence.  It we differed still more from your 
             manner of judging of our difficulties, it seems to us that we have 
             still a right to our convictions, especially when everything seems 
             to be dependent on a legal and common document which should afford 
             an answer and a decision.  Your order to vacate the college can be 
             founded only on the fact of nullity of our lease; without doubt