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

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1853

pg 180       indirectly, the probable time of his visit, had written to him at 
             St. Laurent, Lower Canada, not to come.  But on arriving he 
             declared that he was not a man to be discouraged until he had 
             tried everything in his power.  However, it was clearly intimated 
             to him that he was received as a friend--as F. Chappe--but by no 
             means in the capacity of Visitor.
                  He asked for no more, and pretty soon he was surprised at not 
             finding things as bad as he had expected.  He had come to take 
             with him those that wished to return to France, but to his great 
             surprise he discovered that nobody appeared to suspect the real 
             object of his visit.  The difficulties were known only by the 
             Minor Chapter; outside of it, all was peace and silence.  Hence 
             his mission had no object, unless he should take upon himself to 
             publish matter thus far kept secret.
                  He was satisfied to see in private the individual members of 
             the Chapter, and he left no means untried to bring them to other 
             sentiments, but all was in vain; not one seemed ready to adopt his 
             views--which appeared to surprise him not a little.  He could not 
             help recognizing in those souls, who in his opinion were deceived 
             by the evil spirit, a real desire of what was right, and 
             especially an immense longing for peace.