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

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1880

pg 522       60 years; but where in the almost boundless field of his labors 
             did he leave his mark and immortalize himself as he did here?
                  Nowhere did he purchase any ground but here.  As he himself 
             stated to the writer, one day, after ministering to the wants of 
             his dear Indians, while gazing over the two pretty lakes on the 
             shores of which he stood in admiration, the thought flashed on his 
             mind that such a beautiful spot should be secured for God.  What a 
             delightful place for an orphan asylum and a college!  Instantly, 
             he resolved to buy it.  "How well inspired," said he another day 
             to F. Sorin, when he returned to Notre Dame fifteen years later, 
             "how well inspired I was when I entered these 524 acres!"
                  Were he living yet he would say the same and would bless God 
             the more.
                  When the present state of Notre Dame is compared of that of 
             the primeval forest, entered from the Government some fifty years 
             ago by Father Badin, the inspiration of its acquisition ceases to 
             appear a groundless assertion.  That is was a providential design