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

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1859

pg 387       even a Bishop, and that every agreement should be put in writing, 
             since his successor would not be obliged to recognize it, even 
             when on this word a community had placed reliance and had acted:
                  2.  That contracts no matter how well worded and how 
             conformable to law would be of no effect and would not protect the 
             interests of a community making a contract with a Bishop, except 
             in so far as it would please the latter to maintain them, unless 
             when there is question of something that does not fall under 
             public opinion, such as the cultivation of a field, etc.  For it 
             would be rash for a young community to try to manage a college 
             successfully under the very eyes of the Bishop and contrary to his 
             will; and if the moral influence of such opposition did not at 
             once discourage a society, the serious threat of a suit, even if 
             there was no cause, would assuredly prevent all resistance to a 
             Bishop, since to make such opposition would be to take a stand 
             amongst the enemies of the Church or amongst those that have 
             renounced their character.