From the glowing terms of this letter, we may conclude that it was at the prefects request that Fr. Champagnat sent him the statistics. Since we do not have the request, we do not know what occasioned it. Perhaps it was to justify the annual contributions that the general council was making (cf. L. 12), or to complete the file on the request for authorization.

For the statistics, which are not included with the copy, see note 2 to L. 159.

Mr. Prefect,

Your well-known love for everything connected with the good of society, the encouragement and support you offer those who contribute to it, the goodness which has always won hearts to you and which makes you so dear to the department whose glory and happiness you are, the benevolence with which you have honored us in particular, and our desire to please you, are what make us confident that you will accept favorably the statistics of a society which dares to congratulate itself on your protection and begs you to receive them as the testimony of its devotedness and the expression of its gratitude.

I am, with respect, your most humble and most obedient servant,

Champagnat

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, RCLA 1, p. 73, nº 79