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twelve months." Upon being urged in September, 1869, whether he could not send one or two Brothers at once to prepare the way for the next year, he added, "we have none, but even if we could, Rome must be consulted." 21 Bases for Reopening St. Mary's College. By coincidence or appoint- ment Superior General Sorin found himself traveling in the same ship that fall with the Most Reverend Claude M. Dubuis, Bishop of Galveston. They were on their way to Europe and Rome. The two men had an oppor- tunity to discuss the problem of cooperating in the educational plans for the new Diocese of Galveston. Upon their arrival in Rome a contract was concluded on January 13, 1870, by which Bishop Dubuis agreed to turn over to the Congregation of Holy Cross the College of St. Mary in Gal- veston. According to the contract, three or four Brothers were to be sent as soon as possible to conduct an English-speaking school, whose program was to include a commercial course. The idea of maintaining a seminary in connection with the college was apparently given up for the time being. Until other arrangements were made, the Bishop agreed to furnish one e;f the parish priests to say Mass for the Brothers at the college. The Con- gregation was to have full management of the institution, but the Ordi- nary or his Vicar-General retained the right to recommend a given number of students for free tuition.2 9 Reopening of St. Mary's College. When Sorin returned to Notre Dame, he presented the project agreed upon to the Provincial Chapter for ap- proval. "It was decided to accept the proposition of the Bishop of Gal- veston," according to the minutes, "and establish a commercial college in the City of Galveston. Father Daniel Spillard, C.S.C., was appointed superior of the establishment," the staff to consist of himself and four Brothers. 30 In the summer, instead of Father Spillard, Brother Boniface st was sent 21 Excerpts from the Prowncial Archives, made by Brother Bonaventure Foley. :tContract between Bishop C. M. Dubuis and Edward Sorin, Superior General of the Congregation of Holy Cross, cited by Reverend Raymond J. Clancey, C.S.C., in The Congregation of Holy Cross Comes to the Diocese of Galveston, 1-2. 30 Provincial Chapter, 1870, excerpts furnished by Brother Bonaventure Foley. 31 Brother Boniface (Francis Muehler) was born in Nieheim, Germany, January 4, 1828. At a very early age he decided to make teaching his lifework. He studied in the schools of Germany and came to America, where he was employed as a day teacher in St. Paul's School, Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1853 he joined the Brotherhood of Holy Cross and made his final vows in 18 55. He proved an excellent choice as director for St. Mary's College in Galveston, which prospered greatly during his three year 3 ' administration. He died February 20, 191 3.
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