Though _Cornelius_ was chosen by the unanimous Voice of the People and Clergy, yet _Novatian_, a Presbyter of the Church of _Rome_, who aspired to the same Dignity, not only refused to acknowlege him; but having gained a considerable Party among the People, Five Presbyters, and some Confessors, he wrote in their Name and his own to St. _Cyprian_, and no doubt to many other Bishops, laying heinous Crimes to the Charge of _Cornelius_; namely, his having sued for a Protection from the Pagan Magistrates, which was ranking him among the _Libellatici_, who were excluded from all Dignities and Employments in the Church. St. _Cyprian_ having received this Letter, and at the same time one from _Cornelius_, acquainting him with his Election, as was customary in those Times among Bishops, he caused the one to be read in a full Assembly of the People and Clergy, but suppressed the other, looking upon it as a scandalous Libel[358]. [Sidenote: _St._ Cyprian _calls a Council_,] However, to prevent the Calumnies and false Reports that might be spread abroad by _Novatian_ and his Partisans, he assembled a Council of all the Bishops of his Province, who, hearing of the Schism in the Church of _Rome_, resolved to send thither two of their Body, who should carefully inform themselves of what had passed in the late Election, and on their Return make a faithful Report of all they had learnt. Pursuant to this Resolution, _Caldonius_ and _Fortunatus_, Two _African_ Bishops, were dispatched to _Rome_ with Letters from the Council to the Clergy of that City, and to the Bishops who had been present at the Ordination of _Cornelius_. The Bishops no sooner received these Letters than they answered them, assuring their Brethren in _Africa_, that _Cornelius_ had been lawfully chosen; and at the same time commending him as a Person, on account of his extraordinary Piety, and exemplary Life, most worthy of the Dignity to which he had been raised. [Sidenote: _which acknowleges_ Cornelius.] Their Testimony was soon after confirmed by _Caldonius_ and _Fortunatus_ returning from _Rome_, and like wise by _Stephanius_ and _Pompeius_, Two _African_ Bishops, who had assisted at the Ordination of _Cornelius_; so that he was universally acknowleged all over _Africa_[359].