On January 7th, 1851, several citizens of Ste. Marie, Quebec, Canada, were sent in all directions through the community to announce that a certain Mr. Louis Roussy, who for some weeks had been doing his best to convert the Catholics of the parish, had at last consented to hold the public discussion which had been previously demanded of him in vain. The result was that, by one o'clock, over four hundred persons had crowded into the large hall of the presbytery around the Rev. Mr. Chiniquy and Mr. Roussy, for whom a platform had been erected to enable the crowd to hear to advantage.

Mr. Joseph Harbeck was elected chairman, and Messrs. F. H. Gatien, notary, and Leandre Franchere, merchant, were requested to act as secretaries, and to take notes of what was said and done during the discussion. Messrs. Chiniquy and Roussy then agreed to abide by the decisions of the majority on all personal questions, or those of privilege (but not those of doctrine) which might arise during the discussion. The chairman also undertook to preserve order and silence in the assembly.

Mr. Roussy requested that ten persons should be appointed to assist the chairman with their advice and to enable him the better to maintain order. The Rev. Mr. Chiniquy replied that he did not see the necessity of naming so great a number of persons, as it would tend to complicate matters and lengthen out questions that might arise for decision; besides, that there was no necessity for so many persons to maintain order amongst such peaceable, respectable men as were those among whom he had the pleasure and honor to find himself; but since it was Mr. Roussy's desire he would not oppose it.