He has learned that towards the end of April 1872, when he left for Europe, an article appeared in a German Catholic newspaper, defaming and trying to discredit him. He is afraid that some of his friends not knowing why he left for Europe, are inclined to blame him for what has happened in Lyons, Iowa since his removal. In order to remove such apprehensions he begs McMaster to insert a statement which follows in his paper, to show that neither he nor the congregation are to blame for the confusion now existing in the parish, but that it is all the fault of some neighboring priests. To this is added: a letter written for publication in the Freeman's Journal, in which he recounts the events connected with his removal as pastor of the Church of St. Irenaeus, Lyons, Iowa, Diocese of Dubuque. Jean received two letters from Bishop John Hennessy of Dubuque, one on March 18, 1872, cancelling his charge of the St. Irenaeus' parish but making no mention of his successor; the second on April 26, 1872, abrogating his permission to say Mass in the Diocese of Dubuque. After the receipt of the first letter he did not fulfil any parochial duty; after the second he did not say Mass in the diocese, notwithstanding the reports of the German newspaper. The Bishop did not appoint a pastor in Jean's place, and out of this all the confusion has arisen. On March 31, 1872 Father Pat McLaughlin presented himself as pastor, but, failing to have the proper credentials, he was refused admission to the church. He then said Mass at the German church and announced from the altar that Jean's Mass was not good, and all who had heard it were excommunicated, an action for which he was denounced by both Bishop Hennessy of Dubuque and Bishop John Ryan of St. Louis. After Jean's departure McLaughlin, still finding the church door locked against him, hired a gunsmith to pick the lock and said Mass in the church. He then took the Harmonium out of the church and to his house, but the Congregation got it back and sued him. Sometime later another priest came, announcing himself as pastor, but he also, on not showing his credentials, was refused access to the church. He left after trying to destroy the temperance society. At last a third priest, Father Mackey, came with the proper papers from the Bishop and was received by the congregation. In all this Jean sees no blame that can be attached to him. The law suit over the mechanic's lien for materials furnished when Jean had some work done was not settled justly. Bishop Hennessy won the case, but only after some one had sworn that Jean had no right to contract debts. :: I-1-o A.L.S. 2pp. 8vo.