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

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1844

pg 68        imperatively commanded, there was a means of securing some 
             vocations for the Brothers, perhaps even for the Priesthood.  The 
             carrying out of any plan for this purpose required an immediate 
             outlay, but left a hope that this outlay would be afterwards 
             repaid by the very products of the trade they had been taught.
                  A charter was therefore asked for from the legislature, and 
             obtained by the same member who had taken charge of that of the 
             college, under the title of Manual Labor School of the Brothers 
             of St. Joseph.  This charter constituted the Brothers into a 
             legal body in the eyes of the public, and as such they could 
             legally enter into contracts with regard to their apprentices, 
             make regulations and conditions for them, and enforce them by 
             law.  This was a valuable privilege.
                  Shortly afterwards a legal form and engagement was drawn up 
             and printed, to be signed by the guardians, the children, and the 
             superior.  One of the principal clauses was that the apprentices 
             were to remain in the house until the age of twenty-one years, 
             and that the house should furnish them at their departure with 
             two complete suits of clothes.  It is understood as a matter of 
             course that at the end of their time they should have a good