L E T T E R S

302Letter Nr. 42Paris, October 4, 1836[To Count Gasparin, Minister]Mr. Minister,I have the honor of recalling to your benevolent memory that on thetenth of August last I was introduced to you by Count Montalembert whopleaded in my favour (he gave you a note about this) to obtain from theMinister of the Interior the authorization to establish in Paris a house for Polishchildren and financial aid to help found this establishment. As you were kindenough to welcome this project with interest, I am taking the liberty of nowasking you for a definitive decision, Mr. Minister.The information given you by the Count Montalembert and CountCaesar Plater about the house of the Poles (11 Rue Notre Dame des Champs)of which I am the director have sufficiently reassured you with regard to usand I flatter myself that you are well disposed toward us. My intention, Mr.Minister, being to profit by a return of religion and order which is taking placein the minds of a great part in the youth of the Emigration and to consolidate itby impregnating in it a direction toward studies leading to useful work. Thesetting up of a Polish School in Paris would serve me effectively by furnishinga suitable occupation for the people at my house and by procuring in timesome financial aid for the relations that I have with some Polish families makeme hope for a development of that institution. Already my compatriot andfriend Prince Giedroyć presently a colonel in the service of France (living inParis, 10 Place du Pantheon) has confided his son to me and I have taken himas a student in my house to begin the realization of my project. However, sothat it is realized and able to form the first nucleus of students I will be obligedto take some students of parents who are poor. For their upkeep I would have