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

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1841-1842

pg 15        He therefore accepted the presage of the circumstance gladly, by
             which heaven seemed to tell him, as formerly it told the apostle, 
             that in this land he would have to suffer.  Long afterwards he 
             will remember that it is in the name of the Cross that he took 
             possession, for himself and his, of this soil of America.
                  Here, we must mention the names of Mr. and Mrs. Byerly, who 
             received the Brothers with a heartiness that surprised as much as 
             it edified them.  Mr. Byerly was a merchant of New York--a 
             convert to Catholicity of just one week.  The fervor of his first 
             sentiments, added to the natural goodness of his heart, caused 
             him, during the three days of their stay in New York, to be most 
             eager to do them any and every service that they might need.
                  The City of New York at this time contained about three 
             hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants, at least fifty thousand 
             of whom were Catholics.  The Brothers had the honor of being 
             presented to the venerable Bishop Dubois and of spending nearly a 
             day with him at the residence of the pastor of St. Paul's in 
             Brooklyn.  He died two years afterwards.  He was the first Bishop 
             of New York, where he had spent more than twenty years.  There