Lefevere, Peter B., Bishop of Zela, Detroit, Michigan, to Archbishop John Baptist Purcell, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1862 January 28

The accusations against Father Cornelius Moutard of Jackson, Michigan are entirely false and are the work of a group of men who disapproved his closing and re-renting some pews from which they carried on selfish speculations which resulted in a lawsuit. They lost the suit and threatened to see that he was forced to leave the congregation and they are responsible for articles appearing in the papers, and the letters which Purcell has received concerning Father Moutard. Lefevere is pleased that there are many good Catholics in Michigan but those who are not good are worse than infidels, and he looks upon the men who wrote the letter to Purcell as not being good Catholics. Because they may have made some money by the advent of the Canals and Railroads they try to dictate to the priests and bishops and they do not even understand the first principles of Catholic Religion. Lefevere is sorry that he cannot accept Purcell's invitation to attend the Silver Jubilee of the German Orphan Asylum, but he will be busy with some arrangements previously made. :: II-5-b A.L.S. 3pp. 8vo.