Letters of Marcellin – 077
Marcellin Champagnat
1836
The register containing copies of the letters of the administration was not really well maintained until after January 1837, from page 23 on. The preceding pages include, in rather haphazard fashion, copies of whatever letters could be found. The letter to Dr. Fredet is among the latter, but undated. The only thing we can say with any degree of certainty is that it was written before 1837, so we have placed it at the end of the 1836 letters. Besides, considering its subject matter, it can be perfectly well understood without a date. As for Dr. Fredet himself, cf. his biographical sketch.
Dear Doctor,
Your letter under date of 25th July informs me that it seems that the waters of Aix-les-Bains did you more good than last year. I bless and will bless the sovereign Master for that. I just received a letter which you were good enough to bring and forward to me; allow me once again to express my appreciation in writing.
You tell me, to my great astonishment, that you are no longer our doctor, since, you say, we have more confidence in someone else. I assure you, Doctor, that I do not understand those words…. Are you reproaching me for the friendly visits of Mr. Mocquin, or are you attributing to me the lack of confidence of one of our incurable men in an operation which you knew would be useless?
Finally, Doctor, I wonder if you are glad to have some sort of reason to let me know that I do not pay you enough? I knew that, and I told you as much; but in any case, I think I have paid you according to our agreement.
I will wait for your bill. He who helped me to pay larger debts will also help me to pay this one. If, despite my lack of monetary gratitude, you are still willing to care for us, we beg you to leave us the right to choose, whenever you cannot come yourself. Please also tell us how much you ask per visit, since you yourself broke our first arrangement by not abiding by its conditions. I think I paid you for your subsequent visits at the rate of five francs each, a sum I decided on myself, since I could not get a bill from you.
I have said and I will always say, no matter what happens, that you have given us very good service, and that I would like to be able to show you my gratitude with something more substantial than words.
Meanwhile, please accept the assurance of the respect and attachment with which, Doctor, I have the honor to be your most devoted servant.
Edition: Translation from: Lettres de Marcellin J. B. Champagnat (1789-1840) Fondateur de l?Institut des Frères Maristes, présentés par Frère Paul Sester,1985.
fonte: Daprès la minute AFM, dans RCLA, 1, p. 7