Everything leads us to believe that at the same time letters 320 and 321 were written the previous February, the Founder must have repeated his request to the baron for the admission of two brothers to the Institute for Deaf-Mutes. The latters reply was no doubt positive, but also set down certain conditions which the Founder accepted, taking it for granted that this type of special education required a serious training. Cf. The School for Deaf-Mutes in St-Etienne, p.....

Dear Baron,

I am very grateful that the council is well-disposed towards the free admission of two of our brothers to the Royal Institute for Deaf-Mutes, and I thank you in particular for the letter you did me the honor to write me on this matter.

We are involved in choosing two subjects capable of attaining the Councils goal and our own. We will have them take the examination you spoke to us about and they will not come to you without the required certificates. As for their stay at the Institute, we are as eager as the council that they become capable of carrying out their functions properly, and that consequently, they stay there as long as may be needed to take the required examinations. In that connection, they will make whatever commitments the administrative council requests. As for the schedule of the house, I hope they will make it their duty always to give an example of constant and exact fidelity and that they will conform in everything to what is done at the Institute.

All we are waiting for is the confirmation of our request by His Excellency the Minister of Public Instruction, and we will send our subjects on their way.

Please accept the profound respect with which, etc….

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. 184-185, nº 230