Benoit, Father Julian, Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Archbishop John Baptist Purcell, of Cincinnati, Ohio, 1871 December 5

After working hard to build the Cathedral of Fort Wayne and to clear it of debt, he was surprised to receive a letter from Purcell's secretary telling him that Bishop John H. Luers had borrowed $8000 from St. Alcysisus Orphan Asylum and had given a mortgage on his Cathedral to secure the amount. The money obtained was not used for the Cathedral, but was spent for private speculations. Now the orphanage has notified him that the $8000 with interest to date must be refunded three months hence or they will foreclose the mortgage. If he had the money he would promptly and cheerfully pay the loan, but Luers' personal property has not been found so far and there is nothing left to pay the debts except real property. It will take time to dispose of that real property and if the creditors will wait, they will not lose anything as there is an abundance of real estate. He wishes therefore that Purcell would speak to the trustees of the orphanage and persuade them not to institute court proceedings, for if they do, Benoit will be a demurrer. Although a bishop is the legal owner of church property, he is in reality only owner in trust. As such a trustee, he cannot mortgage or sell the property without the consent of interested parties, much less when the proceeds are used for his own benefit. Therefore, Benoit wrote to the secretary of the trustees, telling him that the mortgage was worth no more than waste paper. A law suit will advise the trustees to be patient, Benoit will see them paid as soon as possible. He hopes Purcell will be successful in his mission of peace. :: II-5-e A.L.S. 3pp. 8vo.