ne (Neapolitan) Fathers, who
will be heart and soul with us and grant all our best desires. Or,
thirdly, to obtain permission to act as a band of missionaries in our
country under the protection, for the present, of some bishop. . . .
It is a consolation to me to see that our affairs are so far
developed and known, and our views are so identical that you can act
on your part, and write, without having to delay for information
[from me]. You can easily imagine that it was no pleasant state for
me to be in while in suspense about what would be the determination
you would come to. Thank God and Our Lady, your recent letter set
that all aside! The work now to be done is plain, and the greatest
care and prudence is to be exercised not to commit any fault, or make
any mistake which may be to us a source of regret afterwards."

In another letter he says that Cardinal Barnabo spoke of the
unpleasant relations likely to exist after his restoration to the
order, and then continues:

"The cardinal had a long conversation with me, and he suggested
whether God might not desire of me a special work. I told him I would
not think of this while the dismission was over my head. He said, 'Of
course not; for if you are a _mauvais sujet,_ as the General thinks,
God will surely not use you for any special mission.'" The letter
here details more of the exchange of views between the cardinal and
Father Hecker, the latter astounded to hear from this direction
suggestions so closely tallying with his own interior aspirations
about the apostolic outlook in America. "But," continues the letter,
"you must well understand that I should not accept such a proposition
for myself before having asked the best counsel of men of God and
received their unhesitating approval of its being God's will. There
are holy men here, and I take counsel with them in every important
step; and they are religious, so that they are good judges in such
important matters. . . . If God wishes to make use of us in such a
design, and I can be assured of this on _competent authority,_
whatever it may cost, with His grace I will not shrink from it. I
call competent authority the approbation of good and holy men, and
one like the cardinal, who knows the country, knows all our affairs
now, and has every quality of mind and heart to be a competent judge
in this important matter. Though you have made me your plenipotentiary,
yet this is an individual affair, one we did not contempl