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

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1859

pg 365       this transaction.  All formalities were soon complied with, and F. 
             Sorin was invited to Chicago for the signature and the exchange of 
             deeds.
                  Meanwhile a distinguished lawyer came to Notre Dame, Mr. H. 
             Ewing of St. Louis, son of the ex-secretary of State of the United 
             States, and a very devoted friend of the society.  The affair in 
             question was immediately placed in his hands.  Not only did he 
             examine it seriously, but he went in person to Chicago as the 
             representative and attorney of the Congregation to see that all 
             things be done in a legal manner.
                  Having had several long interviews with the Bishop of Chicago 
             and his lawyers, Mr. Ewing returned to Notre Dame two days 
             afterwards, declaring that he could not advise F. Sorin to proceed 
             farther in this purchase; that the Bishop could not legally give 
             such a title as he thought he could offer; and that by signing 
             this contract the society of Holy Cross would expose itself to 
             serious difficulties, adding that he had tried, but in vain, to 
             convince the Bishop of this.  As a matter of course this advice 
             was followed and the contract laid aside.