The Founder had written about the same subject the preceding 7th March (L. 246). It is possible that he had not received a reply, and he certainly had not been given a promise, since before sending the brothers back to Saint-Martin-la-Plaine he writes again, putting the mayor in a corner. In order to get a faster and surer answer, he has one of the brothers deliver the letter in person. According to L. 303, it would seem that some promises or arrangements were made, since the brothers from Saint-Martin were back at their post at months end.

Mister Mayor,

Knowing your good dispositions towards the establishment of our brothers in St-Martin, I am taking the liberty of asking you on what footing you think you can put them next year, so that at least their subsistence can be guaranteed. You know that over and above one brothers foundation expenses which have not been met, the annual salary is still incomplete. If things are going to go on this way in the future, you can see for yourself that we will not be able to manage. We are ready to do our share to be useful to your town, but first of all, to do good, one must be able to live, which would not be possible if the brothers salary, modest enough to begin with, remains partly unpaid.

So I hope, Mister Mayor, that in your wisdom and good will toward the brothers, you will find some means to regularize their existence in St-Martin. Please give the bearer of this letter whatever guarantees you can offer us.

Accept….

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. 144, nº 184