19th Century Letter to French University Dean from Staff Requesting Autonomy in their Roles

On offer is an excellent communication between a 19th century French university dean and several of his staff.

The document is a letter, written by 3 persons to an unidentified ‘Dean’ (Doyen). Context puts this in an academic setting. The letter opens with this:

nous honourons toujours des function que vous voulez bien nous confuie; nous pouvons repondre de notre zele a les remplir; mais nous avons de nos lumieres une assez juste definace pour croire n'avoir bien fait qu'an moment ou vous avez sanctione notre ouvrage ce qui nous donneroit quelque confinace dans le travail que nous allons mettre sous vos yeux est la bonte du principe qui nous a de conduir; car quoique nous fuissons disposes a ecouter vos interests l'espirit de conpra dont il sembloir permis d'attendre et de savoir quelque inspirations

[Translation: we are always honoured by the functions that you are willing to entrust to us; we can answer with our zeal to fulfill them; but we have of our lights a fair enough definition to believe that we have done well only when you have sanctioned our work, which gives us some confinement in the work that we are going to put before your eyes is the goodness of the principle that has led us; for even though we are willing to listen to your interests, the spirit of understanding seems to allow us to wait and to await some inspirations…]

This 8 page letter is an excellent example to the tenor and substance of academic exchanges that were taking place in the academic environment of early 19th century France. For an academic or academic manager, it would be a fine addition to a personal collection.

The document is 8 pages in length and is comprised of 2 sheets of paper, both folded in half to create 2 leaves. The paper is a pale blue in colour. The pages measure 8.75 inches by 6.75 inches and are in good condition. The handwriting is legible.