Records of the Spanish Inquisition, Translated from the Original Manuscripts

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 give themselves 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 informed by 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 Presbyter

Notary, 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 maggot must 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, a piedra 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 blood of 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 Antentas y 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 nine Louis 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.’

The above is the truth, according to the oath of the deponent, who declares that he has not spoken out of malice, but solely in obedience to his conscience, and having been read to him, is declared to be correctly recorded.

Signed—

Josef Gircos, Advocate.

Before me—

Lorenzo Terrader Presbyter,

Notary in this investigation.

*  *  *  * 

Don Leonardo Vidal, assistant to a founder of brass cannon, aged twentythree years, a native of San Estevan de Ripollet, in the diocese of Barcelona, and residing in la Rambla, near the theatre, next door to a tallow chandler’s, to discharge his conscience, and for no other purpose, gives the following information to the Holy Office.

Antonio Suarez, the keeper of a coffee-house, opposite the Theatre in la Rambla, has in one of his rooms six or eight pictures, rather coarsely done, two of which contain indecent figures. All of these the informant has seen, but remembers only one, which represents a young man taking hold of a female who has her bosom indecently exposed. The said Antonio is about fifty years of age, lame and splayfooted, with one arm partly crippled and the fingers contracted.

Also, with the same motive, he gives information that Dr Manuel Portius, Presbyter, a public teacher of Latin and the Humanities, aged thirtyeight years, of a low stature, and with a somewhat long nose, living in the Baxada de San Miguel, in the third story of a house, the corner of which is occupied by a baker, has several pictures, colored and uncolored, among which are some representing females whose bosoms are scandalously exposed, and others with improper representations. One of these has this title; ‘L’Abbé a la Toilette,’ and exhibits with other figures, a priest in his calotte, very nicely dressed in the clothes of a layman, seated at the side of a lady, with whom he appears to be talking about dress. All these pictures of Dr Manuel Portius are handsomely executed, and consequently the more provocative and scandalous. They are hung upon the walls of his cabinet or study, in view of every one who enters, and particularly of his pupils, the number of whom, as I understand, amounts to nearly thirty.

Furthermore, he gives information that Don Felipe Crame, a captain in the royal artillery, tall, light complexioned, red haired, and blind of one eye, aged thirtyfive years, being in conversation with the informant and three others, whose names will be hereafter specified, made the following observation:—‘A Spanish officer whom I hold in estimation, has said that it was not the will of God that there should be any kings, which could be proved by a passage from scripture.’ This passage he quoted, which was not to the purpose, but only, as I remember, stated that God told the Israelites that a king was not convenient for them. The name of this officer, the said Don Felipe Crame did not mention, and nothing else respecting him is known to the informant.

The persons who heard these observations from the mouth of the said Don Felipe Crame, were Don Manuel Pe, an assistant of the cannon founder, and Don Antonio de la Torre, clerk of the director of the foundry. There are also others who have some knowledge of the same; namely, Don Manuel Brito, and Don Alexandro Vicente, assistants in the foundry.

The informant undertook to make an accusation in the name of the above persons. He also apprized the said Don Felipe Crame, that he was under an obligation to denounce his friend, and as the informant knows not whether this has been performed, he gives the present information in order fully to discharge his conscience.

Barcelona, February fourth, 1793.

Leonardo Vidal.

TO OUR COMMISSARY, THE REVEREND ANTONIO FONT, PRESBYTER

We herewith transmit you a letter, received by us, from Don Leonardo Vidal, assistant to a founder of cannon, and a resident in this city. We hereby commission you to summon him to appear before you, and ascertain according to form whether the letter be his, causing him to specify clearly every circumstance of person, place, and time, relating thereto. This done in due form, and before a Presbyter in your confidence to serve as Notary, you will forward the minutes of the examination to us along with these papers. Our Lord preserve you many years.

Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, February seventh, 1793.

Dr Don Pedro Diaz de Valdes.

The Licentiate,

Don Manuel de Merra y Paniagua.

Dr Don Joseph Francisco Gonzales de Noboa,

Secretary.

*    *    *   

TO THE REVEREND CURATE OF THE PARISH OF ST MARTIN DE PROVENSAL

Information has been received in this Holy Office, that Antonio Axis, and Josefa, his wife, who perform cures, and practise various superstitions, have taken up their abode in Clot, in the district of St Martin de Provensal. The tribunal have, in consequence, ordered that a letter be despatched, ordering you to make investigations respecting these facts, and also respecting the life and conduct of the said persons, whether they obey the precepts of the church, and attend at confession and communion. Our Lord preserve you many years.

Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, September ninth, 1803.

Dr Don Cyro Valls y Geli, Sec’y.

ANSWER

In obedience to the orders of the Holy Tribunal of the Inquisition, which God preserve in all its strength, dated the ninth of this month, I have made the following investigation. I summoned before me Joseph Masvidal of this village, and made him swear not to divulge to any one the questions I asked him, and also to declare to me the truth. I demanded who informed him that Antonio Axis could cure his disorder. He answered, Felipe Cadena of this place, and Pablo Marine of the Llano de Barcelona. Felipe Cadena stated that the said Antonio had cured him by cutting off the crest of a black cock, taking from it three drops of blood, mixing it with water and making him drink it, adding that if a priest were in the house, it would be necessary to go out of doors to practise the operation.

I demanded what medicines the said Antonio prescribed him. He replied that the first was a white onion and five plantain leaves. These were cut up and placed upon his stomach, which relieved his pain, a symptom which the wife of Antonio pronounced good. The cure, however, not being effected, he was ordered to procure a partridge, twentyfive needles, and a new pot, all of them to be bought and carried home with the left hand. The needles were to be stuck into the partridge with great fury, and the whole put into the pot. Then at midnight the sick man was to set it on the fire with the left hand, and with the left hand keep stirring the fire till two o’clock in the morning. He informed him that during this, the tables and plates would put themselves in motion, but that he must not be frightened, as he should be present himself. All these directions were followed, and there were also present at the time, Francisco Vintro, and Francisco Siralt, his brothers-in-law, to keep him in courage during the operation. At two o’clock he took it off the fire, but found himself no better. Antonio’s wife, Josefa, directed broth to be made for him, he being as thin and spare as if he had suffered a long illness. This was done the next morning, when he found himself exceedingly weak and fatigued. A similar case occurred, as he believes, to a tavern keeper in Barcelona, which is known to the Reverend Father F. Juan Mesados.

His health not improving for the space of three months, he saw Axis again, who made signs of the cross upon the parts of his body where he felt pain, but this had no more effect than the preceding experiments. Axis then told him that he was possessed by five companies and five captains of evil spirits, that the companies amounted to five hundred in number, and might be easily cast out, but the five captains were not so easily got rid of. He proceeded to exorcise them, and Masvidal fell to screaming and behaving like one possessed. The little ones, as he called them, being despatched, he went to work upon the captains, and the first night, after supper, about nine o’clock, he began to make signs of the cross, and talk in unintelligible language. He then gave two loud screams, so horrible as to frighten every one; and Axis affirmed that they were heard in the farthest regions of the air by the other spirits. On this occasion, the two brothers-in-law, beforementioned, were present.

Axis declared that the spirits were not despatched, and he exacted a promise from them by the mouth of the patient, that they would depart at nine o’clock the next morning; but continuing to remain at that time, they promised anew in the same manner, to depart at nine that night. The patient sent for Juan Munseis, Juan Baxo, and Antonio Torras, all inhabitants of the place. At nine o’clock, the performances before described, were repeated, the patient suffering greatly, crying out and talking, as people do when bewitched. This was repeated morning and night, for five or six days.

All this producing no effect, they advised him to confess the whole to the abovementioned Reverend Father, F. Juan Mesados Servita. This was agreed to, and Axis, the patient, Munseis, Torras, and Baxo, went to his cell. The Reverend Father repeated some exorcisms, and Axis repeated his crossings and supplications. He afterwards declared he had seen the spirits, and described their shapes.

My informant also stated that Axis possessed the power to restrain the tempests, for as they were returning in company from St Cypria, a storm overtook them, and he was in great terror. Axis told him that a shower of stones was falling at San Cucufase del Valles, but that he need not fear, as he would shelter them from it, by means of a prayer that he knew. And so it happened, for the shower fell as they learned afterwards, but did not touch them, although they were forced to travel quite to the seashore. Furthermore, Axis declared to him that he had been in hell, and described to him the condition of the damned. One night some evil spirits appeared to him, and offered him money if he would give himself up to them, but he would not consent.

I likewise summoned to appear before me, Isidro Lepu of this place, and obliged him to swear to declare the whole truth, and preserve secrecy. I demanded whether he knew Antonio Axis, and his wife, Josefa Axis. He answered that he did, inasmuch as they lived in the same house with him, although in a different part. I asked him if he knew whether the said Axis performed cures. He replied that he knew of his performing some, and that Axis asked him to go in company with him one night, adding that they would hear a loud noise, but he must not be frightened being in his company, as they would be out of danger; that they must go at midnight, and without any clothes. This proposal was rejected. Axis replied to him, that he had no way to get a living, but my informant persisted in his refusal.

The above are the literal declarations which I have taken under oath from the person named. I have, moreover, strong suspicions that Axis and his wife neglect mass on many occasions. Axis himself during his residence this year in my parish, has not confessed, nor taken the Pascal communion, although this has been done in the house where he lives, and I have entreated him and his wife to comply with the observance. Besides what is related above, he has attempted many other superstitious cures upon people belonging to Barcelona and strangers; all which I certify to be the exact truth.

Dr Francisco Guiu, Parochial Curate.

St Martin de Provensals, October second, 1803.

*  *  *

MOST ILLUSTRIOUS SEÑORES,

The supernumerary Inquisitor Fiscal declares that a commission should be granted for the purpose of examining this letter, and also to examine and ratify the depositions of the delator and the witnesses, which is submitted to the opinion of your Excellencies.

The Licentiate, Basarrate.

Secret Chamber, October tenth, 1803.

MOST ILLUSTRIOUS SIR,

In obedience to the dictates of my conscience and the counsel of my confessor, Padre Gervasio Minguella, Carmelite Calzado, I inform your Excellency of the following act which I have committed. Upon three several times, at the solicitation of one of my companions, I went to visit a woman for the purpose of learning, by a divination with cards, whether a certain young man, to whom I am betrothed, would return hither from Olot, where he now is. The above woman, having consulted the cards, answered that he would return; but that it would be sometime first. Other things she also informed me by divination. The woman’s true name I do not know, but she is called Pepa dels Gossos, and lives in the Calle dels Tallers. I entreat that your Excellency will pardon this weakness of mine, for I was not aware that I was committing an offence. My confessor informs me of the fact that I have been guilty, and that I must, within six days, give notice of the same to your Excellency.

God preserve your Excellency many years.

I kiss the hands of your Excellency.

Your servant, Antonia Puxant,

daughter of Jaime Puxant, Calle del Hom.

Barcelona, February third, 1805.

TO PADRE GERVASIO MINGUELLA, CARMELITE CALZADO.

We herewith transmit you orders to proceed in company with another person of sacerdotal character to officiate as Notary, having first sworn fidelity and secrecy, and summon before you, Antonia Puxant, daughter of Jaime Puxant, living in the Calle del Hom. You will ascertain from her, upon oath, whether the subjoined letter be hers, whether she affirms the contents to be true, and whether there be any part of the same to alter, or any addition to make. Within four days of this, you will ratify the above depositions before the Notary, and other trustworthy persons, and if any testimony which may corroborate the same should offer, you will receive it, and ratify the said testimony at the end of four days in like manner. Information respecting the character and credit of the witnesses, you will transmit, written in the margin of the depositions. Also in a separate paper you will forward an account of the character and christian conduct of the person denounced. This order is to be returned to our hands with all the other papers. Our Lord preserve you many years.

Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, February thirteenth, 1805.

Dr Don Joseph de Llozer.

Licentiate, Don Manuel de Merra y Paniagua.

Dr Don Juan de Rodas.

D. D. Juaquin Moner, Secretary.

MOST ILLUSTRIOUS SEÑORES,

I return your Excellencies the order of the date of February thirteenth, of the present year, along with the deposition of Antonia Puxant, native of Ripoll, in the bishopric of Vique, daughter of Jaime Puxant, resident in the Calle del Hom, of this city. With this you will also receive the depositions of six other witnesses to the same facts, which I have taken by the information of the abovementioned Antonia. The tardiness with which this business has been accomplished, will be overlooked by your Excellencies, on reflecting upon the extent of my occupations, and on the fact that the people from whom the depositions were taken, are of the laboring class, seldom at their houses, and of consequence difficult to find. The last named among them was not met with till the twentyseventh of March.

With regard to the declarations of Antonia Puxant, I have to state that both in her deposition, and in the ratification, she appears to have disclosed the truth with perfect ingenuousness, as far as her knowledge extended and the interrogatives went, although a mistake was made in the name of the street, in which Pepa de los Gosos performed her divinations, which she affirmed was the Calle de Nazaret; but on being reminded of the error, she informed me, after the ratification, that it was the Calle de Farlandina which is situated at the head of the street leading from the convent of Nuestra Señora de los Angeles, to the Casa de Charidad of this city.

Respecting the persons denounced by the said Antonia Puxant, both in the deposition and ratification, I have summoned only those who, as I understood from her, were present when the aforementioned Pepa de los Gosos performed her divinations before the said Antonia. As to the other persons and matters, referred to by her, I have instituted no proceedings respecting them, deeming an additional order from your Excellencies necessary to this step.

I have also to inform your Excellencies that the said Antonia Puxant is very anxious that her father, Jaime Puxant, may know nothing of her declarations, and in particular, that in the ratification, respecting Margarida Puxant, inasmuch as this woman is married to the brother of the above Jaime Puxant. She states further, that she heard sometime since that the above Margarida, her aunt, had been summoned before our Holy Tribunal for witchcraft and superstition; whether at the instance of her father or relations, or other persons, does not appear, and for this reason or some other, a discord had arisen between them.