Records of the Spanish Inquisition, Translated from the Original Manuscripts

With respect to the character and occupation of the denounced Pepa de los Gosos and the fact whether she observes the precepts of the church, I cannot transmit you any information, as I do not know the person, and have not yet been able to find her; but according to all that can be learned from the witnesses, she is undoubtedly guilty. They inform me she is very cautious in concealing herself.

In relation to the other witnesses, I have to remark the following. As to Gertrudis Poc y Marti, mentioned in the deposition of Antonia Puxant, it appears to me that he has concealed the truth in his declaration, from fear or some other motive; which opinion is confirmed by his having delayed the ratification beyond the specified time, so that it was found necessary to summon him anew. He appears, however, after he had been charged to declare the truth on the eighth of March, when the ratification took place, to have made a full and ingenuous declaration, which corresponds with the statements of the above Antonia Puxant.

As to the deposition of Rosa Llobet, it appears to be true, although nothing to the purpose. This person was summoned as she was supposed to be the lady of the house where the divinations were performed, from the description of Antonia; but I found, upon examining her, that she was not. Still some information was obtained by her means, she having informed me that a house near the one abovementioned, on the left hand, is a great resort for young females for some unknown purpose. In consequence, I have summoned the occupant, Francisca Jacoba, whom I shall hereafter refer to.

Respecting Madalena Masllorens, I believe that she has declared sincerely the whole truth. It is to be observed that this person is not the proprietor of the house in the Calle de Farlandina in which Pepa de los Gosos practised her arts, as was thought by Antonia Puxant.

With relation to Francisca Jacoba, who occupies the first floor of the first house in la Riera Alta, on the left hand as you go from the Convent of the Capuchins, she confesses that the said Pepa de los Gosos has visited her house upon business, as many other persons have done, but affirms that she never practised there, any performance or divination with cards; yet from her manner of answering the interrogatories, and her warmth in defending the said Pepa, talking at great length in her favor, and declaring she had been accused falsely, I have no doubt she is a friend of hers, and, therefore, that her testimony is very suspicious. In this, however, I may be mistaken.

With respect to Maria Tintorer, who is the proprietor of a house in the Calle de Farlandina where the divinations above referred to were performed, I think she has spoken the truth, and that her whole testimony may be credited. As to the Gipsey of the Calle de St Pablo, Señor Augustus Fuster, and the other females, I have not summoned them, waiting for an order from your Excellencies to this effect.

With regard to Antonia Ragas, I think her testimony may be admitted, as it corroborates that of Antonia Puxant in some points. Respecting the other witness, mentioned by Antonia, named Margarida, I have not been able to take her deposition, as she has been long confined by sickness, in the hospital in this city.

The above, Most Illustrious Señores, are the depositions which I have taken, and the judgments I have formed respecting them. I trust you will pardon the faults which I have committed therein, and rectify my errors.

I remain your Excellencies’ most humble servant, and kiss the hands of your Excellencies.

Fr. Gervasio Minguella, Carmelite Calzado.

In the city of Barcelona, on the twentieth day of February, one thousand eight hundred and five, before the Reverend Father Fr. Gervasio Minguella, Carmelite Calzado, Presbyter and Commissary appointed for this investigation, and me, Fr. Joseph Abella, Presbyter Carmelite Calzado, Notary, having sworn to preserve secrecy and perform faithfully our duties, appeared, according to summons, and made oath to declare the truth and preserve secrecy, Antonia Puxant, a native of Ripoll, in the bishopric of Vique, daughter of Jaime Puxant, of this city, aged seventeen years.

Questioned, if she knew or conjectured the cause of her being summoned to appear.

Answered, that she supposed it to be on account of a letter which she had caused to be written in her name, to the Holy Tribunal, on the third day of the present month.

Questioned, at what time and place, and in the presence of what persons were the operations with the cards performed; also, with what words and gestures, and whether the performer received any rebukes for her actions, or appeared to be of sound mind.

Answered, that about six months ago, at the request of the deponent, she performed the operation three several times in the space of three or four weeks at different places; that is to say, the first time in the Calle de la Riera Alta, at the other times in the Calle de Nazaret. The houses she did not know. In the Calle de Nazaret the entrance was by a small door in the lower story near a garden. The places she could recognise on seeing. The person who performed the operation was always unwilling to do it at her own house. Those present on the first occasion were four in number; the deponent, the operator, one of her friends called Gertrudis, and sometimes Jesus, because she lives in the Calle de Jesus. She was a married woman. The fourth was, as the deponent imagined, the lady of the house. On the second occasion there were present the two first persons before mentioned, a young woman named Antonia Ragosa, living in the Calle del Conde del Asalto, a native of Ripoll, and the lady of the house called Helena or Magdalena. On the third occasion there were present the two first persons, and another called Puntina, the widow of a weaver. The operations were performed with singular actions and unintelligible language. All that the deponent could understand was the word ‘Barrabast.’ Nobody rebuked the performer, and she practised the whole seriously, and in her right mind.

Questioned, what things she divined.

Answered, that she told her what money she had in her pocket; what she was thinking about; that her father wanted her to marry a young man whom she disliked, and that on this account her father was displeased with her. Sometimes she made wrong statements, but this the deponent thinks was done designedly, and in order that she might not be discovered. She also told the deponent that the young man of Olot, to whom she was betrothed, and whose name was Caspar Giralt, would write to her within three weeks, and that he would visit this city, adding other information. The operator always chose Friday for her performances, and the deponent paid her two reals vellon.

Questioned, if she knew that any other persons had said or done anything which came under the cognisance of the Holy Office.

Answered, that she had heard of four other persons who performed divinations. One was named Fargas, and lived in a lane near St Paul’s Church. Another was named Teresica, and appeared to be a married woman. She lived in the same street. Another was called Garvi. Her residence unknown. The last was called Teresa, and sometimes Ballarenga, a married woman, and formerly living in the Calle de la Parra. The deponent was told by a young woman named Felipe, that on the second of this month she passed the night with the said Ballarenga, where they burnt a rosary and a two real piece along with some holy water. On the following morning the said Felipe showed the deponent some black powder which she stated to be the ashes of the rosary and money, and said it was a potent love powder. The deponent was also informed by a young woman named Ursula, who lives in la Riera Alta, that a person living in Barceloneta carried on the same practices.

Questioned, if she knew anything more.

Answered, that a young woman named Teresa, living in the Calle del Conde del Asalto, told her that a certain man declared to her mother, that he knew a woman who would carry her to Olot in an hour’s time, upon the condition that she should not invoke any Saint.

Questioned, what was the age and personal appearance of the abovementioned Pepa de los Gosos.

Answered, that she was a little old woman with sunken eyes and a wrinkled face.

Questioned, if she knew anything more.

Answered, that a woman named Serafina Xuera, wife of Señor Miguel in the Calle de St Olegario, had told her there was a woman in her house who performed divinations.

Questioned, if she knew anything more.

Answered, No.

The above having been read to the deponent, is declared by her to be correctly recorded. She further states that she has not made these declarations out of malice, but solely in obedience to her conscience. Secrecy was enjoined upon her, which she promised, and not being able to write, I, the said Commissary, sign in her name.

Fr. Gervasio Minguella,

Carmelite Commissary.

Antonio Puixant.

Before me—

Fr. Joseph Abella, Carmelite Calzado, Notary.

*  *  *  *

In the suburb of Barceloneta, on the thirtieth day of October, one thousand eight hundred and six, before the Rev. Juan Pedrals, Presbyter and Commissary, and me Ignacio Ribes, Presbyter Notary, sworn to preserve secrecy, and perform faithfully our duties, appeared, according to summons, and made oath to declare the truth and preserve secrecy, Manuel Baxo, a native of the town of Blancas, in the bishopric of Gerona, aged sixtyfour years, and dwelling in Barceloneta, in the Calle del Sementerio.

Questioned, why he had demanded audience.

Answered, to give the following information to the Holy Office. Within about three years he had observed that his wife, named Cecilia Pruna, and vulgarly la Cileta, had, on many occasions, in his house, performed such practices as these. About ten or twelve o’clock at night, she took a sheep’s liver and put it in an earthen pot with a small quantity of water. This she boiled over the fire and kept piercing it with a nail set in the end of a stick, which he observing, she hid the stick and made use of a knife for this purpose. She practised divinations with cards to ascertain whether any person would be rich or poor, married or single, or whether any one arriving from America brought money or not. There was a ship which ran out to sea in the night, with the Collector of the Customs and some of his officers on board, and while the whole city was in suspense as to their fate, not knowing whither the ship had gone, she informed the second officer of the marine that he might be under no apprehensions, for they had arrived at Naples, without any injury, which in fact turned out to be the case. Furthermore, she used to gather dead men’s bones out of the graveyard, and burn them to powder, but what she did with this powder he did not know. She also made use of certain grains which she obtained at the Convent of Jesus, and observed that in order to be efficacious they should be gathered at the time when our Lord was in his tomb, and not suffered to touch the ground. These practices his wife had learned from a sailor of St Felio Guixots, named Pedro Torrent, according to what she had stated to a woman residing in the house. The deponent had made many exertions to persuade his wife to comply with the precept of the church, and attend mass, but she refused.

Questioned, what persons were present when these superstitious and necromantic deeds were done, what persons took part in them, what instruments were used, what words spoken, what ceremonies performed, and whether the whole was done seriously or in a jesting manner; whether she was rebuked by any one, and by whom; whether, after being rebuked, she continued the practices, and whether she was in her right mind.

Answered, that various persons were present on the above occasion, but their names and residences were unknown to him. Many persons likewise unknown had participated in the operations. As to the instruments used, they had been already described, as well as the manner and ceremonies; that it was not done in jest, and she was in her right mind; and finally, that he had often reproved her without effect.

Questioned, what was the age, personal appearance, and residence of the person in question.

Answered, that she was about sixty years of age, tall, of a swarthy complexion, and lived in his house.

Questioned, if he knew that any other person had said or done aught contrary to our Holy Catholic Faith, or against the proceedings of the Holy Office.

Answered, No.

The above being read to the deponent, he declared it to be correctly recorded, and that he had nothing to add or alter in relation to it; that it was the truth, and not uttered by him out of malice or ill will against his wife, but solely in obedience to his conscience. Secrecy was enjoined, which he promised, and added his signature.

Manuel Baxo.

Juan Pedrols, Commissary.

Before me—

Ignacio Ribes, Notary.

*  *  *  *

To the reverend Vicar of Santa Maria de los Reyes to whom is intrusted the district of the Calle del Santo Hospital, Barcelona.

It is desired in this Tribunal of the Holy Office, to learn the conduct in a religious, moral, and political relation, of Dr Don Josef Baldrich, advocate of the Royal Audience, and a resident in the Calle de Jerusalem, at the corner opposite the church of St Augustin, in this city. To know whether he observes the regulations of our Holy Mother Church, and his general character in religion and politics. For this purpose the Tribunal have directed that instructions be sent you to make all possible exertions to this end, both in the discharge of your ordinary functions, and by cautious and secret inquiries from persons of good credit, not omitting anything in these researches which may discover his most secret thoughts upon the matters above specified.

The above instructions I communicate to you by order of the Tribunal. God preserve you many years.

Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, October thirtieth, 1818.

Don Jose Aymar y Soler, Sec’y.

ANSWER TO THE ABOVE

To Don Josef Aymar y Soler, Sec’y.

Sir,

Dr Don Josef Baldrich conforms punctually to the precepts of the church, and regularly presents me his certificate to this effect. I have also ascertained by inquiries, that his character is good in a political view, and that he is a well informed and industrious person. I can furthermore state that I have never had any complaint against him, all which intelligence I transmit in discharge of the duty imposed on me. God preserve you many years.

Barcelona, November seventh, 1818.

Cloy Tuberi, Presbyter and Vicar del Pino.

*  *  * 

To the Reverend Cura Parroco of Canellas.

This Tribunal of the Holy Office, desire to know the religious, moral, and political behaviour of the Baron de Canellas; whether he follows the precepts respecting Easter, and the other regulations of our Holy Mother Church; and, having learnt that he has taken up his residence in your town, the Tribunal have ordered that you receive instruction to make all possible researches for this purpose, both in the performance of your ordinary duties and by making inquiries through the instrumentality of trustworthy persons, with all proper caution and secrecy; the satisfactory performance of which, the Tribunal expect from your prudence and zeal.

These instructions I transmit by order of the Tribunal. God preserve you many years.

Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, November fourth, 1819.

Don Jose Aymar y Soler, Sec’y.

ANSWER

To Don Josef Aymar y Soler, Secretary of the Holy Office of Barcelona.

In compliance with the order of the Tribunal of the Holy Office, I am enabled to state that the Baron de Canellas has resided in this place ever since the beginning of 1815, except being occasionally absent on account of the season or his health, as at the present time; he is now at Manlleu where he has resided since the first of August of the present year, with the intention of passing the hot months there. It has not been ascertained when he means to return, but I believe he has determined to do this next January.

As to his moral and religious conduct, he commonly hears mass once or twice a day, says his prayers very devoutly, and enjoins the same upon all his family; but when his mental irregularities occur, which have happened three or four times within six years, he is highly phrenetical, and will utter blasphemies like a heretic, as I have been informed, although such a thing has never happened in my presence or that of my vicar. Even in these fits of delirium, however, he manifests towards us some respect and fear. His last attack, according to what I have been able to learn, endured from January till the end of April of the present year, during which he conducted in a most inexplicable manner, behaving at times very regularly, and at others like a madman. During all this period I believe he never failed to attend mass at the stated time, although he declared that he was no better than a dog, that he possessed neither faith, hope, nor charity, that everything was a dream to him, and that he had no belief in the divine mysteries.

Sometimes he would fall to raving, and declare that he had all hell within him, on which occasions he would utter the most horrid blasphemies. Finally at the end of the period abovementioned he grew tranquil, and I directed him to observe the ordinances relating to Easter, threatening him, in case of refusal, with a denunciation to my prelate. All the threats and exhortations I could use were fruitless for some time. At length, learning that the Missionary Fathers from Villanueva were to take this parish in their way in the course of their labors, he sent me a message, desiring me to grant him a forbearance for a few days, as he was in readiness to perform his duties to the mission. Notwithstanding, however, the assurances I had received from the Missionary Fathers, they did not visit us, and the Baron remained without confession, in which state he left this place for that in which he now resides.

In the year one thousand eight hundred and eighteen he also omitted the above duty in this place, and passed the Lent at the college, in the capital, where he confessed, and took the sacrament, as appears from a regular certificate which he showed me. When in good humor, which happens the greater part of the time, he exhibits outwardly, great piety and zeal, taking much care that his religious worship is accompanied with every mark of respect, and paying the regular sums for the support of my church. He is also very charitable, in which point, indeed, I can bear witness that he follows his natural inclination.

Father N. de Barbara, lecturer in philosophy, of the Franciscan Convent, at Villafranca, preached in this place during the last Lent, and had many disputes with the Baron while he was in the height of his extravagances. In the course of these the Baron uttered some assertions which, had they proceeded from a person of sound mind, would have been reported to the Holy Tribunal, but in his condition it was judged best to consider him as a madman.

In fact, I am convinced that with occasional seasons of intermission, he is not to be looked upon as a sane person; and finally with all his singular piety and devotedness to the cause of the church, charity to the poor, and apostolic zeal in speaking against the vices of these miserable days, I perceive in him a great fund of excessive vanity and pride.

The above information I lay before the Tribunal of the Holy Office, to be applied to the requisite purposes. God preserve you many years.

Francisco Marcer, Cura Parroco.

Canellas, November 18th, 1819.

The Inquisitor Fiscal declares it as his opinion that the investigation of the above matter should be suspended and recorded for want of proof.

D. Castillon.

Secret Chamber, November 23d, 1819.

The said Inquisitor having examined the above proceedings, in his morning audience, on the day before stated, ordered that the investigation be suspended for want of proof, and that it be recorded in the registers under the name of the person referred to.

Attest. Dr Don Cyro Valls y Geli, Sec’y.

*  *  *  *

INFORMATION has been received and sworn to in this Holy Office, that a certain person has, in the presence of others, among whom was Juan Bonafos, surgeon, living in the house of Don Antonio Canals, uttered the following assertions.

1st. That the priests in the holy sacrifice of Mass, have no power to bring Christ down from heaven, which is proved by the example of the English, who, although so learned a people, yet do not believe this, which they would if it were true, from their great sagacity.

2d. That the French have done right in breaking up so many ecclesiastical and lay communities, which were the cause of such a multitude of dissensions and altercations, destructive to the crown and to the Apostolic Roman Catholic Church.

3d. That the chaplains dress in black to cover their ignorance, inasmuch as they know nothing.

4th. That there is no hell nor purgatory.

5th. That the highest disgrace which could befall him in this world, would be to have one of his relations a monk, or the Beneficiado of a parish.

6th. That if the Tribunal were to order him to be arrested, he had arms in his house and would resist till he had killed four or five.

In consequence of this, we hereby grant a commission to our Commissary Dr Antonio Amill, for the examination before Dr Andres Fernandez de la Cuesta, Presbyter, as Notary, of the said Juan Bonafos, according to the formula herewith subjoined. The name and residence of the speaker and those who were present, are to be recorded, as also all the circumstances of time, place, &c., as prescribed in the above direction; the whole to be forwarded to us with this commission. God preserve you.

Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, June eleventh, 1791.

The Licentiate,

Don Manuel de Merra y Paniygua.

Dr Don Pedro Diaz de Valdes.

Juan Antonio Almonacid, Sec’y.

In the city of Barcelona, on the eleventh day of July, one thousand seven hundred and ninetyone, before Dr Antonio Amill, Presbyter and Commissary of the Holy Office, by virtue of a commission of the Holy Tribunal of the Inquisition of Catalonia, and me, Andres Fernandez de la Cuesta, Presbyter and Notary, having sworn to preserve secrecy, and perform faithfully our duties, appeared and made oath to declare the truth and preserve secrecy, Juan Bonafos, surgeon, a native of the village of San Lorenzo de la Muga, in the bishopric of Gerona, of age, as he stated, twentyone years.

Questioned, if he knew or conjectured the cause of his being summoned to appear.

Answered, that he did not know.

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, Yes, inasmuch as about six months before, he had heard Joseph Coch, a surgeon, native of Sellern, and at present residing in Barcelona, make the following assertions.

1st. That the priests &c. [The six assertions specified above.]

On another occasion, the deponent having stated to him that he had been in the Carthusian Convent, where he read an edict of the Holy Tribunal, prohibiting several books, and among them, one called Avisos de Moises, the above person replied, that as Christ had abolished the law of Moses, he hoped that another Christ would come and abolish the laws of the first. He moreover told him that he had prohibited books in his possession, which in fact he showed to the deponent. Their titles the deponent does not know.

Questioned, in what place the abovementioned Josef Coch made these assertions, and what persons were present at the time.

Answered, that it was at the house of the surgeon Baramon, in the Calle de los Flasades; and that the person present was Antonio Trabe, surgeon, who lives with Dr Torner, Beneficiado of San Justo.

Questioned, what was the age and personal appearance of the said Joseph Coch.

Answered, that he should suppose him to be about thirtythree years old; that he was of a middling height, with a thin, pock marked face, and black hair.

The above is the truth, according to the oath of the deponent, who states that he has not made this declaration out of malice, but solely from conscientious motives. Having been read to him, he declares it to be correctly recorded. I add his signature.

Juan Bonafos.

Dr Antonio Amill, Presbyter Commissary.

Before me—Juan Bonafos.

Dr Antonio Amill, Presbyter Commissary.

Before me—

Andres Fernandez de la Cuesta,

Presbyter Commissary, Notary.

*  *  *  *

IN the city of Barcelona, on the twentysecond day of March, one thousand eight hundred and ninetytwo, before Dr Andres Fernandes de la Cuesta, Presbyter and Commissary of the Holy Office, by virtue of a commission from the Holy Tribunal of the Inquisition of Catalonia, and me, Francisco Junca, Presbyter Notary, appointed for this investigation, sworn to preserve secrecy and perform faithfully the duty,—appeared according to summons, and made oath formally to declare the truth and preserve secrecy, Francisco Beau, clerk, a native and inhabitant of Barcelona, and residing in the Calle dels Tallers, in the house of the Earthen Ware Company, on the second floor, of age, as he stated, thirtyeight years.

Questioned, if he knew or conjectured the cause of his being summoned to appear.

Answered, that he supposed it might be for the purpose of inquiring about the following matter. Being one day at dinner, in the tavern of Domingo –, in the Calle de la Paja, he heard a certain Estruch, and another person who was a fifer in the Walloon Guards, talking about the French affairs. The said fifer spoke against the christian religion and Spain, and Estruch opposed him. Among other things in the conversation, this fifer observed that he believed only three things; but what these were, the deponent could not recollect—it was so long ago—only one of them, as it appears to him, related to giving charity. He declared that he possessed many books, and was not afraid of the Inquisition, for he had already been engaged in some disputes relative to a woman, which had come under the cognisance of the Holy Tribunal, or some of the officers. More of the conversation than this, he does not remember.

The deponent was then told that information had been received and sworn to, that a certain person had uttered, in his presence, and in that of others, the following assertions; that fornication was no sin, and as to the rest, the whole was made good by giving charity to the poor. Other persons having mentioned the commandments, he replied, that they were all fulfilled by giving alms. Speaking disrespectfully of the church, he asserted, that the friars and chaplains did nothing but eat and stuff their paunches; that the church sought nothing but her own interest, collecting tithes from one year’s end to another; that the Pope had no more power than any other man; that he did not believe in the decalogue, nor the obligation to hear mass and confess, but only that there was a God, and that men were bound to give to the poor, and not steal. The conversation turning upon the miracles performed by the intercession of the Saints, he asserted that he believed none of them, because he had not witnessed them. Those of Christ being mentioned, he made this remark;—‘What a length of time from that period to 1791! and yet you believe them!’ thereby giving it to be understood that he did not believe them.

The deponent was therefore admonished in the name of God our Lord, and his Glorious and Blessed Mother, Our Lady, the Virgin Mary, to bethink himself and declare the whole truth.

Answered, that he heard the whole of these assertions except the first and last, relating to the miracles.

Questioned, why he had not given information of what he had heard to the Holy Office, inasmuch as it was so directly contrary to Our Holy Religion and Evangelical Law.

Answered, that he was so occupied with his dinner, and the debates going on, that he never thought of the obligation.

Questioned, from what cause and motive, and to what end the said fifer uttered these scandalous expressions; how many times, and what persons were present. Also, whether he was mad or drunk at the time, and whether he had been rebuked; how many times this was done, and if he abstained.

Answered, that he knew nothing of the cause, motive, or end of these words being spoken; that they were uttered only once at the noon above specified, in the sight and hearing of the deponent. That the persons present were the abovementioned Domingo, and a certain Juan, who, he believed, resided in the Calle Condal, next the house of Dr Juncia, on the second or third floor; also another person whom he did not remember; that he judged him to have been in his right mind, having asked the said Domingo in the presence of Estruch whether this man had not drunk too much, to which he replied that it could not be the effect of the wine, as he had, on other occasions, drunk more. That he did not recollect whether he was rebuked, but only that they kept disputing.

Questioned, what was the personal appearance and age of the said fifer.

Answered, that he was of a middling size, about forty years old, and had been the gardener of the citadel; that he belonged to the grenadier company of Brias, according to his own statement.

The whole of the above is the truth according to the oath sworn by the deponent, who also declared that the declarations were not made by him out of malice or ill will, but solely to discharge his conscience. The whole being read in his hearing, was declared by him to be correctly recorded, and he added his signature.

Francisco Beau.

Dr Andres Fernandez de la Cuesta,

Presbyter and Commissary.

Before me—

Francisco Juncia, Presbyter Notary

for this Investigation.

*  *  *  *

IN the city of Barcelona, on the fourteenth day of June, one thousand eight hundred and two, before the Reverend Cayetano Tuco, Presbyter and Commissary appointed for this investigation, and me, the Reverend Juan Palol, Presbyter Notary, sworn to preserve secrecy and perform faithfully our duties, appeared, voluntarily, and made oath in the name of God our Lord to declare the truth and preserve secrecy in everything upon which she might be questioned, a woman, calling herself Maria Anna Sauri, a native of the town of Trem, in the bishopric of Urgel, of age, as she stated, forty years, a resident in Barcelona for twentysix years, and at present residing in the Calle de Basea, in the fourth story of a house opposite a carpenter’s, next the stairs called den Casador. She was the widow of Juan Martines, merchant, a native of the town of Figueras in the bishopric of Gerona.