The word continued which appears at the beginning of this letter refers to L. 291, which had been written a few weeks earlier. In the course of the month, the brothers had no doubt received their authorization as town teachers. Consequently, according to the law, the town had to pay their salary. If it did not have the money, it could request it from the general council of the department. The latter could also help out by paying debts and granting bonuses to encourage teachers (cf. Law of 28th June 1833, art. 13). This could therefore make it possible for the priest to settle his debts with the brothers; Fr. Champagnat suggests this to him, so as not to let the opportunity slip by.

Mister Mayor,

(Continued) I hope, Mister Mayor, that the authorization of our brothers in St-Martin will make it easier for you to pay us our back salary from previous years. I will be infinitely grateful for everything you will be so good as to do in that regard, all the more so since the motherhouse was obliged to advance them money which really overburdened it. All our resources come from the small savings the brothers can make out of their modest salary and the help offered us by the charity of pious individuals. It is under that double title, Mister Mayor, that I am so bold as to ask you to please help us with your powerful influence, to obtain the sums which we need so badly and which the law itself allots to us. If I can possibly do so, I will have an opportunity to speak to you about it in Montbrison, and to extend to you in person the profound respect and extreme grati-
tude with which, etc….

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, pp. 156-157, nº 199