Fr. Péala must have answered L. 335 very quickly, explaining why it was impossible for the town of Tence to do what Craponne had been able to do. Fr. Champagnat replies that he mentioned Craponne simply by way of example, and shows what could be done in Tence. We must presume that these suggestions were not acceptable, since the following October, the Brothers of the Sacred Heart went to Tence, where they stayed until 1903; they reopened the school in 1917, and left it for good in 1938. It was only then that the Marist Brothers took it over, and they are still there.

Father,

In suggesting to you that the contract made with Craponne could serve as a basis for the arrangements we have to make with the town of Tence, we did not mean to imply that they would be exactly the same.

The city of Craponne offered a building suitable for receiving a large number of boarders, with sufficient furnishings for that purpose. Besides, the establishment is in a position to have a large number of them. Since the town of Tence does not offer us the same advantages, it is essential to modify on its behalf the contract made with Craponne.
1º We cannot put fewer than four brothers in Tence.
2º Consequently, it is essential that the town commit itself to an annual salary of 1600 francs.
3º It will receive nothing from the day-boarders if there are any, nor from the children of neighboring parishes if any are enrolled.
4º We do not see how the establishment can manage: the schools are not free, or only partly so, according to what you explained to us in your last letter.

It is important that we understand each other on these different points and that we be in agreement on them as far as possible. The longer we go on, the more we feel the necessity of having our brothers salary, very modest though it be, guaranteed in advance. We also know from experience that only establishments which are free either totally or at least in great part, succeed well and sustain themselves.

I have the honor to be with great respect, 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, p. 187, nº 233