No. 8. Juan Panisso. Prison of the Martyrs. Maintenance, two sueldos and the bread of the Contractor.
No. 8. Juan Panisso. Prison of the Martyrs. Maintenance, two sueldos and the bread of the Contractor.
Juan Panisso, a native and inhabitant of this city, a married man, in custody in the secret Prison of this Holy Office, with his property sequestrated, for uttering heretical speeches. Respecting this prisoner, information was forwarded last January, that proceedings were on foot for taking the depositions of the witnesses against him, with a view to their publication. The audience for this purpose was held on the twentyninth of this month, and the prisoner answered to the charges with a full denial. In this state the case remains at present.
April, 1730.
The prisoner was furnished with the publication of the testimony, and allowed to confer with his counsel. He drew up articles of defence, and in this state the case remains.
June, 1730.
The prisoner’s defence was received on the third of this month, and the audience for communication with his counsel was held on the eighth, when his final defence was made. On the ninth,sentence was passed with the assistance of the Ordinary, unanimously, that the prisoner should be put to the regular torture, before the execution of which, it was resolved that the case should be referred to your Highness, which was done on the tenth. The matter remains in this state waiting for the decision of your Highness.
August, 1730.
On the first of July we received the order of your Highness to put the prisoner to the torturead arbitrium. On the twelfth an audience was held, in which a sentence to that effect was passed. The prisoner was informed of the same, and admonished in the customary manner, but persisted in his denial. He was then put to the torture,[18]but suffered the whole without confessing anything. On the fifteenth, with the assistance of the Ordinary, his case was definitively judged by a sentence pronounced unanimously, that the prisoner hear his own condemnation read in the hall of the Tribunal with open doors; that he make an abjurationde levi, be severely reprehended and warned, absolvedad cautelam, and be banished from this city, Madrid, and the court of his Majesty, to a distance of eight leagues, for the space of five years, the three first of which to be spent in the royal garrison of this city. This sentence was referred to your Highness the same day, and on the fourteenth of August, the answer received in which your Highness ordered that the prisoner be brought into the hall of the Tribunal, and there, with closed doors, be severely reprehended andwarned, that he be admonished to abstain from the like offences in future, and forthwith dismissed. This was executed on the same day, together with the audience for binding him to secrecy, and making inquiries respecting the prison. The prisoner was then dismissed.
Dr Don Miguel Vizente Cebrian y Augustin.
March, 1730.
Isabel Boxi, alias Modroño. Prison of Sta. Maria. Maintenance, two sueldos and the bread of the Contractor.
Isabel Boxi, alias Modroño. Prison of Sta. Maria. Maintenance, two sueldos and the bread of the Contractor.
Isabel Boxi, alias Modroño, widow, native of Vilaseca, in the diocese of Tarragona, aged sixtythree years, confined in the secret prison of this Holy Office, with her property sequestered, for witchcraft and superstition. Respecting this prisoner your Highness was informed in the month of January, that the witnesses were giving their testimony against her for publication. Nothing was done in all February, and part of the present month, with respect either to this or the other cases, for this reason; the Inquisitor, Licentiate Don Balthasar Villarexo has been out of health most of this month, and I have been in the same state all the month of February. For the same reason, also, no account was transmitted the last month, there being no proceedings to relate. At present, we have done nothing more than hold an audience for the publication of the testimony against the above prisoner, and shall proceed with this case after the holidays.
April, 1730.
The publication of the testimony was done on the eighteenth and twentyfourth of this month, on which occasions the prisoner made her answers to the charges, and denied the whole. In this state the case remains at present.
May, 1730.
The publication was communicated to the prisoner, and she conferred with her counsel, and drew up her defence. Sentence was passed, and the same referred to your Highness.
June, 1730.
On the third of this month, the order of your Highness respecting the prisoner was received, which having confirmed the sentence, anautowas given in the church of Santa Agueda on the eighteenth of this month, the prisoner being present in penitential garments, with the insignia of her offences. Her sentence was read and she made an abjurationde levi, after which she was absolvedad cautelam.[19]On the nineteenth, she received a scourging, and on the twentieth, after being reprehended, admonished, and threatened, she was informed that she must pass three yearsof confinement, in Vique, and be banished seven years more from Tarragona, Barcelona, and Madrid. On the same day, the audience was held for binding her to secrecy and ascertaining the state of her connexion with the prison. The day following she was despatched to Vique where she now remains in the custody of a learned person who is to instruct her in the Catholic Faith.
Dr Don Miguel Vizente Cebrian y Augustin.
March, 1730.
No. 3Ana Vila y Campas. Prison of La Cruz. Maintenanace, two sueldos and the bread of the Contractor.
No. 3Ana Vila y Campas. Prison of La Cruz. Maintenanace, two sueldos and the bread of the Contractor.
Ana Vila y Campas, a native and inhabitant of this city, aged thirtyfive years, and a widow, confined in the secret prison of this Holy Office, with her goods in sequestration, for witchcraft and superstitious impostures. With relation to this prisoner, your Highness was informed in the month of January, that the depositions were collecting against her. The audience has since been held, and after the holidays, the cause will be carried on.
April, 1730.
On the seventh and twentyfirst of this month, the audience for publication was held, in which state the case remains at present.
May, 1730.
The prisoner communicated with her counsel, answered to the charges, and was sentenced. The sentence was referred to your Highness.
June, 1730.
On the thirteenth day of this month, the order of your Highness confirming the sentence, was received, in consequence of which anautowas given in the church of Sta Agueda, where the prisoner was present, in penitential garments, with the proper insignia of her offences. Her sentence was read, she made an abjurationde levi, and was absolvedad cautelam. On the nineteenth, she was scourged, and on the twentieth, was reprehended, admonished, and severely threatened, after which the audience was held for binding her to secrecy, and making inquiry respecting the prison. On the night of the same day, she was carried to thecasa de la Galera, where she is to be confined for ten years, at the expiration of which term, she is to be banished perpetually from this city and Madrid, for the distance of eight leagues. She remains at present in the charge of a learned person, who will instruct her in the Catholic Faith.
February, 1736.
Joseph Fernandez in the secret prison of this tribunal, for having written and spoken divers heresies, blasphemies, and insults against our Holy Faith.Distitute.Maintenance, two sueldos, and the bread of the Contractor.Prison of the Innocents.
Joseph Fernandez in the secret prison of this tribunal, for having written and spoken divers heresies, blasphemies, and insults against our Holy Faith.
Distitute.
Maintenance, two sueldos, and the bread of the Contractor.
Prison of the Innocents.
Joseph Fernandez, a native of the town of Santa Llina, in the bishopric of Urgel, aged eighteen years, formerly an apothecary, and latterly a soldier in the cavalry regiment of Calatrava, taken from the Royal prison of this city of Barcelona, and transported to the secret prison of this tribunal, on the twentieth of the present month of February. Thisprisoner made a spontaneous confession on the fifteenth of January of the present year, declaring that he had made an explicit league with the devil, and had granted him his soul. He furthermore stated that he had uttered, on many occasions, divers impious and heretical sayings against God, and against Christ and his Holy Mother. This confession was ratified on the eighteenth and twentyfirst of the month; and on the twentyeighth, in consequence of his confession, a sentence was passed, that the said Joseph Fernandez be reprehended, admonished, and warned; that he make an abjurationde vehementi, be absolvedad cautelam, and intrusted to the charge of a Calificador or learned person, for the purpose of being instructed in the mysteries of our Holy Faith, ratifying his previous confession, which sentence was ordered to be referred to your Highness, and transmitted the same day.
On the eighteenth of February, the answer of your Highness was received, with a confirmation of the sentence, which was not put in execution, in consequence of the prisoner’s having written several letters to the Inquisitor Don Balthasar Villarexo, which letters contained insulting, heretical, and blasphemous matter against our Holy Catholic Religion, as well as contemptuous and insolent language against the said Inquisitor. For this reason an order was issued for his imprisonment, and the said Joseph Fernandez was, on the twentieth of the same month, taken from the Royal Prison, where he was then confined. On the twentysecond and twentythird, an audience was held, in which he confessedthat the letters were his, and that he had written them for the purpose of getting free from the Royal Prison, and the garrison where he was confined for desertion. He having named several persons in prison, before whom he had uttered heretical speeches, a commission was expedited on the twentyeighth to take their depositions. The cause is delayed till the depositions are completed.
April, 1736.
On the twentysecond of March, the depositions of several witnesses were received, and some of them were ratifiedad perpetuam rei memoriam, as the deponents in question were about to depart for the garrisons, to which they were condemned. A meeting of the Calificadores was held on the twelfth of April, and the proceedings examined. On the thirteenth, an order was issued that the prisoner should be taken from the intermediate prison, which he then occupied, and transferred to the secret prison. On the seventeenth, nineteenth, and twentieth, audiences were held, in which he confirmed what he had before declared in the audiences of the twentysecond and twentythird of February; namely, that his confession of leaguing with the devil and giving up his soul, was wholly fictitious, having been fabricated by him for the purpose of getting free from the garrison of Oran, where he was confined. He further confessed, that he had, in reality, uttered speeches against our Holy Faith, but that this also was done for the purpose above stated, and not with any belief in his own assertions.On the twentyseventh of the present month, an audience was held, in which the prisoner nominated for hisCurador, Dr Joseph Viñals, who accepted the trust, and was allowed to exercise it. On the same day, the prisoner, in the presence of hisCurador, ratified his confession without adding or diminishing anything, and the prisoner having been admonished in the regular manner, the accusation against him was presented.
May, 1736.
The prisoner answered to the accusation on the twentyseventh and thirtieth of April, confessing the charges to be true, repeating as before, that he had spoken the words as a means of being liberated from his confinement in the garrison of Oran, and without any bad intention. Having appointed the abovementioned Dr Joseph Viñals for his counsel, he conferred with the prisoner respecting his case on the second day of the present month. The counsel declared that he was ready for the proofs and a definitive decision, whereupon a commission was ordered for a ratification of the testimonyin plenario. On the eleventh, the ratifications were received, and on the twentyfifth and twentyninth, audiences were held, in which a regular and formal publication of the testimony was performed.
September, 1736.
On the first of June, publication was made of several letters written by the prisoner to different persons. On the fifth, the answers of the prisonerto the charges were ratified before Dr Joseph Viñals, hisCurador, and the prisoner communicated with the counsel respecting his defence. On the thirtieth, the defence was offered by the prisoner’s counsel, and a commission was granted to make the inquiries requested therein. On the eighteenth of July, the twentyeighth of August, and first of September, the result of these inquiries was received in the tribunal. On the fourth of September, an audience was held, and the prisoner informed that the matters for his defence were arranged, to which he answered, that he had nothing further to offer, and was ready for the decision. One of the charges against him, being that he had affirmed the physicians had pronounced him disordered in his mind, sometime in the last year, an order was issued for the physicians of the prisons to examine him. On the twentyfifth of September, a paper was received from the two physicians declaring that they had examined him, and that he was not then, nor had been at any time previous, in a state of mental alienation.
December, 1736.
On the eleventh of October, an audience was held, at which the Ordinary attended, and sentence was passed, that the condemnation of the prisoner be read before him in the hall of the tribunal with open doors; that he make an abjurationde levi, and be banished eight leagues from this city and Madrid, for the space of three years, the first of which to be passed in confinement in some garrisonto be fixed upon for that purpose; also that he be severely reprehended, admonished, and warned, and returned to the confinement from which he was taken, when brought to the prison of this tribunal. Ordered also, that before the execution of the above sentence, it be referred to your Highness, which was done on the thirteenth of October. The matter is now in waiting for the answer.
January, 1737.
On the eleventh of this month, the answer of your Highness was received with the order respecting the prisoner, in execution of which, his sentence was read to him in the hall of the tribunal, and he made an abjurationde levi, was absolvedad cautelam, admonished, reprehended, and warned, after which he was sentenced to ten years banishment from this city and the Court, to the extent of eight leagues, the first five years of his banishment to be passed in confinement in the garrison of Oran. The same day an audience was held to bind the prisoner to secrecy, and make inquiries respecting the prison; after which he was sent to the Royal Prison of this city.
Secret prison of the Inquisition of Barcelona, January thirtyfirst, 1737.
Don Francisco Antonio de Montoyer.
January, 1737.
Miguel Antonio Dundana, alias Miguel Antonio Maleti, in the secret prison of this tribunal, for heretical speeches.Prison of St. Bartholomé.Destitute.Maintenance, two sueldos, and the bread of the Contractor.
Miguel Antonio Dundana, alias Miguel Antonio Maleti, in the secret prison of this tribunal, for heretical speeches.
Prison of St. Bartholomé.
Destitute.
Maintenance, two sueldos, and the bread of the Contractor.
Miguel Antonio Dundana, alias Maleti, a native of the city of Coni, in Piedmont, aged twentyfour years, a soldier in the regiment called the Queen’s Dragoons, confined in the secret prison of this tribunal on the sixth day of December last, for heretical speeches. On the tenth, fourteenth, and seventeenth of the same month, the customary audiences were held, in which the prisoner confessed nothing to the point. On the last day he nominated for his counsel, Dr Manuel Bonvehi, who accepted the trust, and the confessions of the prisoner were ratified. The accusation was then presented, to the several articles of which the prisoner replied on the sixteenth and nineteenth of the same month, declaring that some of them were false, and some true; but that he had uttered the words in mere jest. On the twentieth, an audience was held, in which the prisoner conferred with his counsel concerning his defence, and ratified the answers made to the articles of the accusation, making an end by calling for the proofs. On the same day, letters were sent to the other Inquisitions, requesting that their records might be inspected to know if any proceedings existed against this person. On the eleventh of the present month, a commission was granted to ratify the testimony for a decisive trial.
March, 1737.
On the sixteenth of this month, the ratifications of the testimony were received in the tribunal, the business having been delayed on account of the great diversity of quarters occupied by the regiment of the Queen’s Dragoons.
May, 1737.
On the eighth, ninth, and tenth of April, the testimony was given in publication, and a copy of the same given to the prisoner, that he might arrange his defence by the help of his counsel. On the eleventh, an audience was held, in which he conferred with Dr Manuel Bonvehi, his advocate, and on the second of May, an audience was held, in which his defence was received. On the ninth of the same month, the commission and papers relating to the affair, were sent for.
June, 1737.
The papers were not received this month, on account of the difficulty in finding the requisite persons, but it is expected the business will be accomplished shortly.
July, 1737.
On the sixth of this month, the papers were received, and on the eighth the prisoner communicated with his counsel. On the seventeenth, the testimony against him was attestedin plenario, and his condemnation confirmed. On the twentyninth, the proceedings of the trial were examined, and theReverend Father M. Fr. Mariano Anglasell being present in the capacity of Judge Ordinary of the bishopric of Solsona, it was unanimously ordered that the prisoner be put to the regular torture; which sentence was ordered to be previously submitted to your Highness.
September, 1737.
On the thirtieth of August, your Highness confirmed the above sentence, and ordered that the torture should be givenad arbitrium, to extort a confession of the acts and intentions of the prisoner. The papers relating to the trial which had been forwarded, were received back on the seventh of the present month. The prisoner being under the hands of the physician, on account of his health, the torture could not be applied till the twentieth, when the physician having certified that he was then in a condition to endure it, an audience was held, and the charges against the prisoner repeated, to which he answered that he had nothing to reply, further than what had been already said. He was then apprised of the sentence against him, and despatched to the torture room, where he confessed that he had uttered many of the assertions imputed to him, but that it was done in sport, and at times when his companions had intoxicated him, and he was not conscious of what he said, believing in his heart the contrary to what he had uttered.
On the twentyfifth, an audience was held, in which he confirmed without alteration, what he had confessedunder the torture, adding that he had made other assertions of the like nature, all for the motive above stated, and without entertaining inwardly any belief contrary to the precepts of the Holy Mother Catholic Church. In this manner the prisoner attempted to palliate his heretical speeches. On the twentyseventh, his confessions having been examined, they were attested, and the censure previously passed upon him confirmed, by which he was declared to be strongly suspected in the faith. On the twentyeighth, a final decision was given in the presence of Father P. Mro. Fr. Mariano Anglasell as Ordinary, and the prisoner was sentenced unanimously to be brought into the hall of the tribunal, and there, with open doors before the Secret Ministers, and with the insignia of his offences, to hear his condemnation read, make an abjurationde vehementi, be absolvedad cautelam, be severely reprehended, admonished, and warned, and then to be banished from this city, Madrid, the Court of His Majesty, and the town of Guisona and Tarragona, to a distance of eight leagues, for the period of eight years; the first five of them to be spent in confinement, in some garrison in Africa, to be fixed upon for this purpose, and that he be previously intrusted to the care of some learned person to receive instruction in the faith.
November, 1737.
On the sixteenth of October your Highness was pleased to order that the prisoner attend at anauto de feif one should occur soon, otherwise to be ledto some church in the guise of a penitent, and there hear his sentence read, make an abjurationde levi, be severely reprehended, admonished, and warned, and banished for life from Spain, after passing five years of confinement in the garrison of Oran, where he should be put under the care of some learned person, to receive instruction in the mysteries of our Holy Faith. On the third of November, the sentence was executed in the church of Sta Agueda. The same day he was sworn to secrecy, and despatched to the Royal Prison of this city, thence to be transported to his confinement in Oran. A letter was sent to Father Fr. Pablo de Colindus at that place, intrusting to him the instruction of the prisoner.
Inquisition of Barcelona, Nov. 28th, 1737.
Don Francisco Antonio de Montoya y Zarate.
July, 1739.
Juan Bautista Segondi, imprisoned for the crime of searching for treasures. Prison of San Francisco Xavier.Maintenance, two sueldos, and the bread of the Contractor.
Juan Bautista Segondi, imprisoned for the crime of searching for treasures. Prison of San Francisco Xavier.
Maintenance, two sueldos, and the bread of the Contractor.
Juan Bautista Segondi, a native of the town of Perpignan in France, and an inhabitant of this city, aged fortytwo years, a married man, and by trade a watchmaker, confined in the secret prison of this tribunal, with a sequestration of his property, on the fourteenth of July, for superstitious and necromantical practices. He was assigned two sueldos and the bread of the Contractor, on account of the Treasury, as little of the prisoner’s property was secured. On the fifteenth, the first audience was held, in which he confessed that he had used the hazel rod for the purpose of discovering the situation of water, metals, and mines, inheriting the capacity to practise this art, from his being a seventh son, without the intervention of a female, and being born in the month of May. He stated that he had heard his father declare such persons could make the abovementioned discoveries, by holding the hazel rod in their hands. On the twentieth and twentyfourth, audiences were held, in which he confessed nothing more. The accusation was then presented against him, the several specifications of which he granted to be true. On the twentyfourth, he was furnished with a copy of the accusation, and nominated for his counsel, Dr Joseph Vila. On the twentyseventh, an audience was held, in which he communicated with his advocate, respecting his defence, and the cause was received for proof in a full trial. A commission was granted for the ratification of the testimony.
August, 1739.
The testimony having been ratified, it was given, in publication, on the nineteenth of this month, at which time, and on the twentyfirst, the prisoner replied thereto, by confessing the truth of the charges, and an additional one, of the same kind, being produced against him, it was also given in publication. On the twentysixth, an audience was held, in which the testimony, and the responses ofthe prisoner were read to his advocate, Dr Joseph Vila, and arrangements were made for the defence.
September, 1739.
On the ninth of this month, the defence was offered, and on the twelfth, the cause was judged before Father Mro. Fr. Mariano Anglasell, as Judge Ordinary, and sentence was passed upon the prisoner; which was, that he be brought into the hall of the Tribunal, and there, with open doors, hear his condemnation read, make an abjurationde levi, be severely reprehended, admonished, and warned, and apprised, that if he commit the smallest act of the nature of his former offences, he shall incur the penalty of two hundred lashes. It was also ordered, that the sentence, before execution, be submitted to your Highness.
October, 1739.
The confirmation of the sentence having been received on the ninth of this month, it was put in execution on the thirteenth, on which day audience was held to swear secrecy respecting the prisons.
Inquisition of Barcelona, Oct. 31st, 1739.
Don Francisco Antonio de Montoya y Zarate.
July, 1731
Joseph Oliver. Prison of La Cruz.Destitute.Maintenance, two sueldos, and the bread of the Contractor.
Joseph Oliver. Prison of La Cruz.
Destitute.
Maintenance, two sueldos, and the bread of the Contractor.
Joseph Oliver, a native of this city, aged twentyseven years, a married man, and by occupation a husbandman. Proceedings were instituted against this person, and his actions having been attested to, he was ordered, on the eleventh of this month, to be imprisoned, with a sequestration of his property, for performing superstitious and magical cures. On the fifteenth of this month, he was confined in the secret prison of this Holy Office; and on the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth, audiences were held, in the last of which, the accusation against him was presented. In the aforementioned audiences, and in his answers to the accusation, he confessed the most of his crimes. On the twentieth and twentyfirst, he communicated with his counsel, and the case was admitted for proof in a full trial. The customary preparations being made, and the testimony ratified, the proofs are preparing for publication, and in this state the case remains.
August, 1731.
On the eighteenth and twentyfirst of this month, the audience for publication was held, and the prisoner having answered to the charges, the audience for communication with his counsel, was held on the twentyseventh. By the advice of his advocate, the prisoner concluded his defence without alleging anything in his own justification. In this state the case remains.
September, 1731.
On the sixth of this month, judgment was pronounced before the Ordinary, and the prisoner was unanimously sentenced to attend at anauto de feif one should take place soon, otherwise at some church, in penitential guise, with the insignia of his crimes; and there hear his condemnation read, make an abjurationde levi, be severely reprehended, admonished, and warned, and be banished eight leagues from this city, Madrid, and the Court of His Majesty, for the period of ten years, being first confined three years in the garrison of this city of Barcelona. It was also ordered, that, before the execution of the sentence, it be submitted to your Highness.
October, 1731.
On the first of this month, the answer of your Highness was received, ordering that the prisoner should hear his condemnation, and undergo the first part of his sentence in the hall of the tribunal, then to be banished as above specified, for the period of five years. This order was executed on the fifth, when the prisoner was sworn to secrecy respecting the prisons, and forthwith despatched.
Dr Don Miguel Vizente Cebrian y Augustin.
December, 1732.
Blas Ramirez, a native of the village of Paya, in La Huerta, bishopric of Murcia, a soldier in theregiment of dragoons of Tarragona, aged thirtytwo years. Sent prisoner to this Holy Office, by Dr Jacinto Christofol, Curate of the town of La Selva, in the archbishopric of Tarragona, and Commissary of the Holy Office. A letter accompanied the prisoner from this Commissary, dated the eighth of November, and another of the same date was received from Dr Joseph Solano, chaplain of the regiment abovementioned. In both of these it was stated that the said Blas Ramirez had made a league with the devil, according to his own spontaneous confession. The aforementioned Dr Joseph Solano having communicated the case to the Archbishop of Tarragona, he was directed by him to transmit information of the same to the Commissary Dr Jacinto Christofol, who apprehended the said Blas Ramirez, and sent him under a guard to this Holy Office. On the thirteenth of November, Luis Pusol, the Familiar, gave him in charge to the Alcayde of the secret prisons, and on the same day the Inquisitor Fiscal offered a request that he might be kept in thecarceles comunes, till the letter of the above Dr Joseph Solano should be examined, and his reasons explained for putting him into the hands of the Commissary as an offender against the faith, as well as to ascertain if there existed other evidence against him besides his confession. On the sixteenth a commission for making investigations upon this head was granted to Dr Mariano Morlaus, Commissary of the Holy Office, in the town of Tarragona, as the regiment abovementioned was quartered inthat town and the neighbourhood. On the twentieth the commission was returned with the information that the abovementioned Dr Joseph Solano had left that place for Logroño, there to remain till Lent.
In the meantime the prisoner requested an audience, which was granted on the nineteenth of November, and he made the following declaration. When he was a youth he lived with the Curate of his village, and performed the offices of cooking, sweeping the house, and such other work as is usually performed by women, on which account some people called him a hermaphrodite, which, however, was not the fact. After his master died he suffered much poverty and mortification on account of the ridicule which this brought upon him. He joined the religious orders of St Francis and St Dominic, but was expelled from both when the report became current that he was a hermaphrodite. Finding himself overwhelmed with vexation and poverty, he at last invoked the devil to assist him in his misfortunes, offering him his soul if he would change his appearance into that of a woman, that he might earn a living by prostitution. The devil accordingly appeared to him several times, first in a human shape and afterwards in that of a monstrous animal. He demanded a certificate of the possession of his soul, which he was unwilling to grant, but offered to give him his word to surrender himself after seven years, if the devil would grant him his conditions. He afterwards repented of his iniquitous practices, and sought a remedyfor his soul by following the directions of the Rector of the town of La Selva, Commissary of the Holy Office, and those of the Chaplain of his regiment, Dr Joseph Solano, which persons, in consequence of his confessions, transmitted him a prisoner to this Holy Office. A request has been made that letters be sent to the Inquisition of Navarre, demanding an examination of the said Dr Joseph Solano.
April, 1733.
Letters were sent to the Tribunal of the Inquisition of Logroño, requesting an examination of Dr Joseph Solano, who was residing in that district. On the twentieth of November, a letter was received from Dr Mariano Morlans, Commissary of the Holy Office in the town of Tarrega, bishopric of Solsona, stating that a priest of that town was ready to denounce the prisoner, from what he had heard of the colonel of his regiment respecting his compact with the devil. On the twentysecond of the same month, a commission was demanded for the above mentioned Dr Mariano Morlans to examine the said priest, and summon the colonel referred to, as a witness against the prisoner. On the eleventh of December following, the said Commissary Morlans transmitted the information against the prisoner, gathered from thirteen witnesses, most of whom deposed that they positively knew the prisoner to be a woman, and one of them stated that he had asked the prisoner how she could, being a woman, procuresuch a thick beard. She replied that she had produced it with the help of an ointment; that she had been seduced and abandoned in her youth; that she afterwards dressed herself like a man, and turned soldier.
Another of the witnesses deposed that the prisoner informed him she was once a boy, and entertained a wish to become a female from her attachment to a young man. That the devil appeared to her in the shape of a handsome youth, and demanded what she wanted; to which she replied that she wished for the shape of a female. This the devil granted her, and they made a compact, by virtue of which she was to be alternately male and female, changing sex every seven years; which alteration she had effected by means of a certain herb.
On the seventeenth of December, the Inquisitor Fiscal requested that the acts and declarations of the prisoner might be attested, and this having been done in a junta of four Calificadores, the same persons unanimously presented the prisoner as a wizard, sorcerer, and one holding an explicit compact with the devil.
The information above specified having been received distinct from the prisoner’s own declaration, in the audience which he had requested, the Inquisitor Fiscal petitioned that he might not be tried as anEspontaneo,[20]on account of what hehad concealed in his confession, that he might be removed into the secret prison, and his trial instituted forthwith. On the eighteenth of the same month, orders were issued for confining him in the secret prison, and commencing his trial. Three audiences were held, in which he confessed nothing beyond what he had declared in his first confession on the thirteenth of November. On the twentyfirst of January the accusation was presented, and an audience was held the same day, when the prisoner replied to the charges. On the two following days the acts which he had omitted in his confession were attested, and the prisoner declared that although in the bargain which he had made with the devil he had offered to surrender up his soul, yet he had not paid him any worship, nor abjured our Holy Faith, notwithstanding he internally consented to the delivery of his soul, and in consequence departed from our Holy Faith and God our Lord.
The prisoner was furnished with a copy of the accusation, and on the twentyfourth conferred with his counsel, reserving his defence till after the publication of the testimony. The case was then admitted for proof, and the witnesses residing at a great distance, and in various places, the ratification of the testimony was delayed for some time. The business being finally accomplished, publication of the testimony was made on the thirteenth and fourteenth of April. In the audiences which were held on those days, the prisoner declared nothing of consequence. The audiencefor communication with his counsel was held on the sixteenth, and that for the defence will be held as soon as possible.
* * * * * * * *
[Here occurs a chasm in the manuscript.]
July, 1740.
Juan Ginesta, confined in the secret prison.Prison of the Martyrs.Maintenance, two sueldos and the bread of the Contractor.
Juan Ginesta, confined in the secret prison.
Prison of the Martyrs.
Maintenance, two sueldos and the bread of the Contractor.
Juan Ginesta, a native of this city, aged twentyfive years, was confined in the secret prison on the sixth of June, with sequestration of property, for performing magical cures and deceptive tricks, and uttering speeches against our Holy Faith. The first audience was held on the eighth, when he confessed that he had taught a person to perform cures by the application of certain remedies, and the uttering of a prayer; and also that he had practised the same arts himself. On the ninth, another audience was held, in which he confessed other practices of the same nature, and that he had uttered many speeches, by way of joke and pastime. On the fifteenth, the third audience was held, in which he declared, that having been questioned several times whether he had been in the Inquisition, he had answered, Yes. The accusation against him was presented on the eighteenth, at which time, and on the twentyfirst and twentyfifth, the prisoner answered to the charges, confessing the performance of the cures imputed to him, and themode of executing them, denying withal some parts of the accusation. On the twentyfifth, he was ordered to be furnished with a copy of the accusation for the purpose of making his defence within three days. He nominated for his advocate Dr Manuel Bonvehi. On the twentyseventh, an audience was held, in which the prisoner communicated with his counsel respecting his defence. The Inquisitor Fiscal demanded ratification of the testimony, and the case was admitted for proof in a full trial. The testimony was then ratified and given in publication on the thirteenth, fifteenth, and nineteenth of July. On the twentythird an audience was held, in which the prisoner conferred with his counsel. The publication of the testimony was read to him, and he was furnished with the necessary papers for drawing up the defence. On the twentyninth an audience was held, when the prisoner’s counsel presented the defence, and demanded investigations; for which purpose a commission was granted on the same day.
September, 1740.
The result of the investigations was presented on the third of August, and on the eighth, were communicated to the prisoner’s counsel, when the defence was concluded. On the eleventh, before the Judge Ordinary, the Most Reverend Father, M. Fr. Mariano Anglasel Merzenario, sentence was passed that the prisoner be brought into the hall of the tribunal, and there, with closed doors,in the presence of the Secret Ministers, hear his condemnation read, be reprehended, admonished, and warned, and afterwards banished eight leagues from this city, Madrid, and the Court of His Majesty, for the period of two years; which sentence was submitted to your Highness on the thirteenth of the same month, and on the tenth of September the answer was received ordering the first part of the sentence to be executed as above specified, and the prisoner to be banished for one year. This was carried into execution on the eleventh of September, and the audience held for binding the prisoner to secrecy and taking the customary precautions respecting the prison; after which an order was despatched to the Alcayde to take him from his confinement.
Inquisition of Barcelona, Sept. 27th, 1740.
Don Francisco Antonio de Montoya y Zarate.
Augustin Tamarit, a physician, of the town of Salas, was imprisoned in the Inquisition on the third of July, 1757, and tried for heretical speeches. The following are some of the articles of the accusation, with the imputed assertions qualified; that is, their character and tendency formally pronounced by the officers of the Inquisition.
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the twentyninth day of March, one thousand seven hundred and fiftysix, at the morning audience, the Inquisitors Licentiate Don Joseph Otero y Cossio, Licentiate Dr Manuel de Guell y Serra as Calificadores, and Father Mariano Alberich, Jesuit, Fray Augustin Voltas, Dominican, Fray Raphael Talavera, Minim, and Fray Buenaventura de Lanuza, Observante, all of this Holy Office—having read article by article the following propositions,qualifiedthem in the following manner.
A certain person, a native of these kingdoms, has asserted,
That the Moors were wealthy, prosperous, and in the enjoyment of plentiful rain, directly the reverse of us Christians, and concluded by saying ‘What remains for us but to join the Moors?’ On another occasion he asserted that it was better tobe bad than good, as good people were generally poor, and bad ones rich.
The first part of this proposition is scandalous, savouring of Molinism and apostacy. The last is heretical.
Speaking of the bishops, he said, in answer to a question, ‘What power have they to ordain priests?’
This proposition is insulting to the episcopal dignity, and by the way in which it is expressed, the inference is drawn that it is virtually heretical.
That the friars and ecclesiastics devoured the people, and that the king ought to take them into his service, by which means he would have soldiers enow.
This is scandalous, and insulting to the ecclesiastical and secular state.
That the figures of the Saints were said to work miracles, and if this were the fact, let one of them be thrown into the river to see if he could save himself.
Blasphemous and virtually heretical.
That it was a great pity for a man to be obliged to tell another, meaning the Confessor, everything he did, and that it would be better to speak into a hole and stop it up, for ‘what good did confession do?’ That he went to confession but once a year, signifying that but for constraint he would not go at all.
This is heretical, as it is a scorning of the Divine institution of sacramental confession.
Speaking of the supplications which are made for rain, he asked, ‘What use is there in runningafter these Saints, and what power have they to make it rain? What is the use of carrying in procession these images?’ meaning several, and among others that of Nuestra Señora del Coll, ‘as they are nothing but bits of wood or stone.’
A heretical blasphemy.
Speaking of the Bull of the Santa Cruzada, he asserted that if he was sovereign, he would hang every one who received the Bull.
This is insulting, et sapiens hæresin.
Speaking of the chapels and hermitages in the village where he lived, he asked ‘What do those images do there?’ meaning, ‘Why do not people destroy them?’
A heretical blasphemy.
Others saying to him ‘Let us go to mass,’ he answered by asking, ‘What could they get by hearing mass?’ thus disturbing the devotions of the hearers, and scorning this holy performance.
Considered in connexion with the other assertions, this is scandalous, and sapiens hæresin.
Speaking of Indulgences, he said with some contempt, that he should value six dineros more than all the Indulgences together, and that they were good for nothing.
Scandalous and heretical.
Speaking of prodigies and miracles, he said that from the time of Christ to the present day there had been no miracles, that he knew this well, since he had conversed with a learned person. On another occasion, discoursing on the same subject, he said, that God had never performed amiracle, and he knew it, making at the same time the sign of the cross upon his forehead.
Heretical.
Speaking of tithes, he asserted that, were it not for compulsion, he would not pay tithes, and that it would be better for people to enjoy the fruit of their labors themselves, and not the ecclesiastics.
Insulting and scandalous.
Speaking of burials and supplications for the dead, he asserted that when he died he would as willingly be interred in common, as in consecrated ground, and that but for compulsion he would not have a mass said for his soul.
Sapit hæresin.
He spoke with disrespect of the Holy Inquisition, and said that the Inquisition corrected none but madmen and fools, making them declare just what was desired, and then punishing them.
Scandalous and insulting to the Holy Tribunal.
The bells tolling for a dead person, some one said to him, ‘Let us say apaternosterfor the dead,’ to which he replied with contempt, ‘To what purpose all these prayers for the dead?’ The other person answering that they were supplications for his soul if in Purgatory, inasmuch as the souls, which do not go to heaven or hell, are detained in Purgatory, he replied scoffingly to this effect: ‘Who has ever been in Heaven, Hell, or Purgatory, to tell us what becomes of the souls of the dead?’ adding, that sooner than die he would be transformed to a horse, an ant, or any other animal, for dead men never come back, and thatwhen dead he would as willingly be buried in rubbish as in consecrated ground.
Heretical.
Speaking of supplications for rain, he said they were good for nothing, and that it was nonsense to waste money for this purpose, for whether supplications were made or not, it would rain and shine just as it did in other parts of the world; that the rain depended upon the clouds, and God did not concern himself about it, adding, ‘Search in what part God exists to make it rain;’ and some one answering him, he repeated that they must get this error out of their heads, about supplicating for rain, as it was of no effect.
Scandalous and heretical.
That St Thomas committed errors like the rest, and that it was useless to cite the authority of the Holy Fathers, for they were not to the purpose.
Scandalous and insulting to the Holy Fathers.
That we could not be certain that the supplications produced rain or cured sickness, and that it was superstitious to believe so as the vulgar did.
Heretical.
The person who uttered the above sayings is declared unanimously to be a scandalous, presumptuous, and insulting blasphemer of the Saints, Holy Fathers, the Pope, and Ecclesiastical State, and to be suspectedde vehementi.
Mariano Alberich.Fr. Rafael Talavera.Fr. Augustin Voltas.F. Buenaventina de Lanuza.Juan Antonio Almonacid,Sec’y.
[Dr Tamarit, however, was fortunate enough to escape with a penance, the customary reprimands and threats in case of repeating his offences, and an imprisonment of about three months.]
In the town of Cardona, in the bishopric of Celsona, on the thirtieth of May, one thousand six hundred and fortyeight, in the afternoon, appeared voluntarily, before the Revered Joseph Riera, Presbyter and Commissary of the Holy Office of the Inquisition, and Dr Pablo Serra, Presbyter Rector of the said town of Cardona, and Notary, sworn, a woman calling herself Vitoria Sala, wife of Hermenter Sala, who came, as she stated, to give information of something relating to the Holy Office.
Questioned, what she had to declare.
Answered, that about a year ago, while she was confessing herself in the church of San Diego, of the aforesaid town of Cardona, to Father Fr. Felix Coll, a regular Ecclesiastic of St Francisco, and at that time Conventual of the Convent of San Diego, on many occasions during the act of confession or immediately after, and while in the confessionary, he had told her that he should ruin her, and many times he practised touching her face, thighs, and back. On one occasion he endeavored to feel of her bosom but she prevented him. At other times he touched and squeezed her with his hands, and in one instance attempted to kiss her, which sheavoided by turning away her head. He told her that she must not discover these things to any other confessor, for he did not behave thus with any bad intention, but for the purpose of removing her scruples, and that it would be for her benefit.
The deponent was informed that the Promoter Fiscal of the Holy Office presented her as a witness in a cause under his direction against the said Father Fr. Felix. She was directed to give attention while her deposition was read word for word, and she declared that it was all true, and that she had nothing to add, diminish, or alter, respecting it, as it was the truth, and if necessary she was ready to repeat it anew against the said Father Fr. Felix Coll; that she did not make the declaration out of malice or ill will, but solely to discharge her conscience. The said Vitoria not being able to write, I, the said Commissary, sign in her name.
Joseph Riera,Presbyter Commissary.
Before me—
Pablo Serra,Presbyter, Rector of Cardona,sworn Notary.
In the town of Cardona, in the bishopric of Celsona, on the fourth of August, one thousand six hundred and ninetyeight, before the Reverend Joseph Riera, Commissary of the Holy Office of the Inquisition, appeared, according to summons from Celadonio Siejas, sworn Nuncio of the Holy Office, a woman calling herself Vitoria Salas, an inhabitant of the town of Cardona, in the bishopric of Celsona,aged, as she stated, thirtyfive years, more or less. She was formally sworn to declare the truth and preserve secrecy.
Questioned, if she knew why she was summoned to appear.
Answered, that she supposed it to be on account of the following statement which she had made to the Inquisition. She had confessed herself in the chapel of San Luis, or the church of the Convent of San Diego, in the town of Cardona, to Father Fr. Felix Coll, of the order of St. Francisco, then residing in the said convent, and, during confession or immediately after, while in the confessionary of that chapel, where he was deputed to hear confessions from February till September, 1697, he, at various times to the number of twenty or twentyfive, touched her with his hands, squeezed her face and neck, and on one occasion attempted to kiss her, but she prevented him by turning away her head. Also, on another occasion, he told her that he should ruin her, and that she must not speak of it or discover it to any one, as he did not act from any bad intention, but that all was done for her benefit. He further told her that he wanted to go to her house.
Questioned, if she knew that this person had solicited any others during confession or immediately before or after.
Answered, that she had no knowledge of any such matter, but had been told by Marianna Guer y Savall, that the same Father Fr. Felix Coll hadsqueezed her hands in the act of confession several times.
The above is the truth according to the oath of the deponent. She was enjoined secrecy, which she promised. I sign in her name,
Before me—
Vitoria Sala.Dr Pablo SerraPresbyter,Rector of Cardona, &c.
MOST ILLUSTRIOUS SIR,
When the guilty acknowledge their offences and repent with sorrow, God accepts them and grants them his most holy grace; and inasmuch as I have been so unfortunate as to commit some offences which relate to this Holy Tribunal, I transmit the following confession of them, not being able to present myself in person.
I was accustomed frequently in the town of Cardona, to hear the confessions of a married woman named Vitoria Sala. I never took any great liberties with her, but touched her a few times while in the confessionary. Neither I nor she had any bad intention in this, but as I perceived that she was affected with some internal inquietude, I took her by the hand and touched her face and bosom with the other, as also her neck; this I did thirty or forty times. These slight faults I confess before God and the Holy Tribunal on account of the scandal which they may occasion. I cast myself at the feet of your Excellency, hoping to have my offences overlooked with love and charity, and promising henceforth the amendment of my errors.Trusting in this my conscience remains quiet, and I continue secure in my obedience, praying to God for the prosperity of your Excellency.
Gerona, September fourteenth, 1697.
Your most humble servant, who kisses the feet of your Excellency,
Fr. Felix Coll
MOST ILLUSTRIOUS SIR,
Since my letter of the fourteenth of September, to your Excellency, I have conducted myself with great circumspection on account of the charges I made to your Excellency against myself for faults committed against the Holy Tribunal. And as I am hindered from presenting myself at the feet of your Excellency, I again place myself in the same condition, under the shelter and patronage of the Holy Tribunal, in order that your Excellency, as the father of all piety and clemency, may clear my conscience and soul. Your Excellency must know then, that during a year which I lived in the town of Cardona as preacher of the convent, I was in the practice of confessing a certain female named Vitoria Sala, who was afflicted with many scruples, and in order to remove them at the pressing instances of her husband, I suffered myself to be led away by the devil so far as to behave with much impropriety towards her, as on many occasions when she was at my feet, I uttered to her very unchaste language, touching her bosom and face with my hands. This I did to the amount of seventy times or thereabout. Also, being without the confessionary,I gave her many embraces, and solicited her to love me. Although it be true that I practised these evil deeds, yet by the mercy of God I did not injure her honor or reputation.
Furthermore at the same time I was so forgetful of my duty, that, falling unhappily in company with a female named Marianna Guer y Savall, who came to the holy confessionary to confess her faults to me, which faults were committed in my own person, the devil was so crafty that he caused me, a miserable sinner, to be led away in ten or twelve instances to speak language of endearment to her, and touch her bosom and face. These, father of all clemency, are my depraved actions in the Holy Sacrament of penitence. Instead of directing these two souls in the way of salvation, I led them to the devil by reason of my incontinence, malice, and little fear of God. And now, as God has granted me time, place, and occasion, I throw myself, like another Prodigal Son, at your feet, that like a loving father you may extend toward me whatever may be requisite to punish my heavy sins and offences, promising henceforth, to amend my evil ways, that the light of God may shine more clear. May God prosper and guard the infinite years of your Excellency.
Barcelona, May seventeenth, 1698.
Your most unworthy servant, who kissesthe feet of your Excellency,Fr. Felix Coll.
P. S. Although I write from this city, yet I have come hither to throw myself at the feet ofyour Excellency. My residence is in the Convent of St Francisco in Gerona.
In the Imperial College of Tortosa, on the eighteenth day of March, seventeen hundred, the Inquisitor Licentiate, Don Juan Joseph Hualte presiding sole in the afternoon audience, having examined the information and proceedings in this Inquisition against Fr. Felix Coll, an Ecclesiastic and Confessor, of the Order of St Francisco, and a resident in the Convent of that order in Gerona,
Ordered that he be reprehended, admonished, and directed to refrain from confessing females in private; submitting this sentence to the Council.
Before me—
Don Juan de Castilla.
[Further proceedings were carried on against this person, but suspended by his death.]
In the town of Besahi, on the twentysecond day of February, one thousand seven hundred and eightyfour, before me, Estevan Castanir, Presbyter and Curate of the Parochial Church of St Vicente, and me, Lorenzo Terrader, Presbyter and Canon of the Collegial Church of Besahi, Notary, sworn to preserve secrecy and perform faithfully our duties, appeared, according to summons, and made oath to declare the truth, and preserve secrecy, Juan Ricart, porter royal, a nativeof the above town, of age, as he stated, thirtyfive years or thereabout.
Questioned, if he knew the cause of his being summoned to appear.
Answered, that he could conjecture nothing.
Questioned, if he knew that any person had said aught which was, or appeared to be contrary to our Holy Catholic Faith and Evangelical Doctrine.
Answered, No.
He was then given to understand that information had been received and sworn to in this Holy Office, that a certain person had, accompanied by others, been to a certain castle in search of enchanted money; that they had signed a compact with the devil; that on reading a book the devil had appeared to them and promised them riches; and that he, the said Juan Ricart could give intelligence of these and many other things. For this reason he was admonished, in the name of our Lord and his glorious and blessed Mother, to bethink himself and declare the whole truth.
Answered, that in June or July, 1783, he learned that Narcisso Mañalich, Advocate, with some associates were about to visit the devil in search of money; which information he had communicated to the Alcalde of this town; that these persons went to the castle of Madremaña, where the devil appeared to them. They read from a book, and the devil asked what they wanted. The one who was reading (name not known) answered, ‘Twentyfive millions.’ The devil replied they must givethemselves to him. They signed the agreement, and were allowed six years to live. They then demanded the money and were told that they must bring him a certain stone (piedra de espiritu). They went afterwards to the castle of Esponella, read the book, and the devil came. He asked what they wanted. They answered, the money which he had promised. He asked for the stone, and they replied that some one had stolen it. He then exclaimed, ‘Fulfil your promise, and I will fulfil mine,’ and disappeared. All this the deponent learned from the account of Mañalich and his companions.
Some days afterwards, the greater part of the same persons were assembled at the house of Juan Traver de Ursall, in Barcelona, where the deponent was present to watch their proceedings, by the direction of the Alcalde of Besahi. He was also to endeavour to get possession of the book, and have them all apprehended. The other persons present were the said Mañalich, Juan Fraver de Ursall, his wife, a young man of the family, and Monsieur Josef. It was resolved in the meeting, to choose a new reader, and practise further operations. A person in the town of Junquera was elected, and it was resolved to go to the castle of Benda, on the next Tuesday. The deponent went to the Alcalde with this intelligence, and he despatched a party, with the deponent, to lie in wait for them at a place on their route, but they had taken the alarm and avoided the deponent’s company. The deponent was informedby Tomas Riera that he had gone by night to Gerona, to get some nails out of the coffin of a child of three or four years, and that on beginning to dig, there appeared to him many visions. Mañalich told the deponent that he believed the devil never cheated any one, but performed all his promises. The abovementioned Tomas Riera had slept with Monsieur Josef, and he was accustomed to hold conversations with the devil in his own language; and the persons aforementioned had informed the deponent that Monsieur Josef had obtained money of the devil.
Questioned, what was the age, personal appearance, &c., of the said Narcisco Mañalich, and of all the others. [Here follows the description.]
The above is the truth according to the oath of the deponent, &c.
Juan Ricart,Porter Royal
Before me—
Lorenzo Terrader,Canon, and PresbyterNotary, appointed for this investigation.
In the town of Besahi, bishopric of Gerona, on the twentyfourth day of February, one thousand seven hundred and eightyfour, before the abovementioned officers sworn to preserve secrecy and perform well our duties, appeared, according to summons, and made oath to declare the truth and preserve secrecy, Miguel Berga, advocate, a native of this town, aged thirtythree years.
Questioned, if he knew or conjectured the cause of his being summoned to appear.
Answered, that he supposed it to be on account of Mañalich’s affair.
Questioned, if he had written any letter or communication to the Holy Office of the Inquisition, giving an account of any crime within his knowledge; what were the contents of that paper or communication, and by whose hand was it written.
Answered, that he had written three letters to Dr Ignacio Sans Pabordre, at Figueras; that in the first, dated July fourteenth, 1783, he stated that the said Mañalich had told him he had gone twice with his associates to the castle of Esponella after money, and that both times the devil had appeared to them; that they had all signed a bargain with him, and were promised the money when they returned to the castle.
The second, dated August fourth, 1783, stated that Mañalich had declared that the sixth day of that month was fixed upon to visit the castle of Monroig, in search of money.
The third, dated the thirteenth of the same month, informed that he had seen Mañalich, but could give no further intelligence respecting the affair, and that something more might be learned from Juan Ricart.
The deponent went on to declare that Josef Llonella informed him that he and the said Mañalich, accompanied by Jaime Gubert, a young man of Besahi, went to Montpelier to meet a Jew, in order to learn from him the means of obtaining money by diabolical art. The Jew gave them a maggot within a tube, and told them a maggotmust be added to the tube every day to be eaten, and that if they swore, which they did, to make a league with the devil, and perform what he directed them, written upon a paper, they should have what money they pleased. They signed in blood an agreement with the devil, written in his own characters, and promised never to go to confession. Notwithstanding they did everything according to the Jew’s directions, they got nothing.
The deponent continued in these words;—‘Some time afterwards I called upon Mañalich, endeavouring to bring him into the company of the abovementioned Dr Pabordre Sans, or Dr Revira, Canon of the Cathedral of Gerona, but he replied to me that he would not see either of them till he got the money; and furthermore informed me that they and the devil had fixed upon the sixteenth of August for the time to receive the treasure; that the devil appeared to them dressed in red, and promised if one of their number were given up to him, they should have thirtyone millions; that Mañalich offered himself, and the devil gave him eight years to live, but this period was not to begin till the money was received. I exclaimed, “The devil will deceive you.” He answered that the devil’s promises were truer than the Faith, and further told me that to raise the devil, the following things were necessary;—a book which directed everything that was to be said, a loadstone, apiedra de espiritu, six nails from the coffin of a child of three years, six tapers of rosewax made by a child of four years, the skin and bloodof a young kid, an iron fork with which the kid was to be killed, camphorated high proof brandy, lignumvitæ charcoal to make a fire, and hazel rods. Intelligence of all this I gave to Sr Domero Gerones, the Vicar Boada, and the Alcayde. The Alcayde sent Juan Ricart, his porter, to join them, and learn the day fixed upon for going, after the money, in order that he might take them prisoners. This Juan Ricart went with them for some days, and gave notice when the Jew arrived who was to read the book. The Alcayde set a watch for them, which was discovered, and the Jew escaped.
‘After this, I endeavoured again to bring Mañalich into company with Dr Pabordre Sans. This I effected, but found that Mañalich would not declare the truth to the Doctor. He gave me to understand that he still retained the book and instruments enumerated above, and they should let the business lie by for some time, without speaking about it, and then renew it and get the money of the devil. Afterwards, when I censured his conduct, he tried to make me believe that all he had told me was a fabrication, but I have always believed it to be the truth.’
The above having been read to the deponent, is declared by him to be correctly recorded, and the truth according to the oath sworn by him.
Signed,
Miguel Antentas y Berga,Advocate.
Before me—
Lorenzo Terrader,Presbyter and Canon,Notary in this investigation.
In the town of Besahi, on the thirtieth day of May, one thousand, seven hundred and eightyfour, before the abovementioned officers, sworn to preserve secrecy and perform faithfully their duties, appeared, according to summons, and made oath to declare the truth and preserve secrecy, Josef Gircos, Advocate of Besahi, a native and inhabitant of the said town, of age, as he stated, thirtysix years or thereabout.
Questioned, if he knew or conjectured the cause of his being summoned to appear.
Answered, No.
Questioned, if he knew that any person had said or done aught which was, or appeared to be contrary to our Holy Catholic Faith, and Evangelical Doctrine.
Answered, No.
He was then given to understand that information had been received and sworn to in this Holy Office, that certain persons, Narciso Mañalich and Josef Llorella, had been at Montpelier to visit a Jew, &c. [Here follows a recapitulation of the preceding testimony.]
Answered, that he had heard the same from Narciso Mañalich, and what he knew of the matter was the following;—‘About eighteen months since, this person and Josef Llorella y Saler, of this town, left the place, accompanied by a young man named Gubert. To what place they went, and whether they kept company all the way, I do not know. They were gone about three weeks, and shortly after their return I heard Miguel Antentasy Berga, Advocate, of this town, declare that they had been to Montpelier, in France, to meet a Jew who was to show them how to obtain money by diabolical arts; that the Jew gave Mañalich a maggot in a tube, to which he was to add a new maggot every day to be eaten, and that the Jew told them they might have as much money as they wanted by swearing a pact with the devil, and doing what he prescribed to them upon a written paper. One of the conditions was, never to go to confession. For these instructions I think the said Antentas told me they paid the Jew seven or nineLouis d’ors. On their return from Montpelier, at a village or place near Bisbal, they made trial of one of the Jew’s methods of obtaining money. This was done at a spot where two roads crossed each other. A trench was dug in the ground and a hen killed, with the blood of which they all wrote their names on a paper and placed the same in the trench, taking care, as the Jew directed them, not to be frightened. Notwithstanding they complied with all these directions, the money did not appear.
‘After their return to this town, they went with some others to the castle of Esponella, where the book was read for the purpose of raising the devil. Here the devil appeared in the shape of a man dressed in flesh colored clothes, and, as Antentas told me, with large eyes. The devil asked what they wanted, to which Mañalich or some other replied, “Money, good money, and not enchanted.” The devil told them they should have it if one of the number would give himself up, but this no one of them was willing to do.
‘Llorella related the affair to his wife, and she gave information of it to Antonio Rigalt, that he might assist in extricating her husband from such a desperate business. Rigalt consulted Antentas and they concluded to lay the case before the Inquisition, which was done.
‘What Antentas knew of the affair he learnt of Rigalt, Llorella, and Mañalich. Afterwards, when Llorella repented of his connexion with the others, and left their company, I think I heard him say, at the house of Antentas, that he had seen, shortly before, in the possession of Mañalich, the paper which the Jew gave them, and that the devil appeared to them in a flesh colored dress, with large eyes and sharp finger nails. I was afterwards told by Antentas that Mañalich, seeing Llorella had left them and they could not proceed with their undertaking according to the direction of the Jew, who informed them that if one of the number died or left them they must get another, made choice of an uncle of Traver beforementioned, for this purpose.
‘Mañalich then resolved to give himself up to the devil according to his demand, stipulating for some years’ grace. This matter was discussed by the company at the castle of Esponella, in connexion with a plan for getting thirtyone millions, or some such sum, from the devil. The plan, however, failed in this manner. On the night of Monday, before St John’s day, in 1783, the company, or part of them, met at the house of Traver, but Mañalich being suddenly taken sick, could not accompany them to the castle.
‘Antentas also informed me, that he told Mañalich that the devil would deceive him, and that he could not make any man rich. To this he replied that the devil fulfilled all his promises, and that if he once got the money of him, he would go to confession nevertheless, and so would cheat the devil. He also told me, in the month of August of the same year, that Mañalich had resolved to make an attempt for the money again, at the abovementioned castle, or at another, called the castle of Buadella; that he deferred it on account of the affair having become noised abroad. Since this time I have heard nothing of him or his undertakings, except that he proposed another journey to Montpelier, and offered two hundred pounds to Simon Escaellar or Ventura to accompany him.’