Records of The Spanish Inquisition Part 25

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 s.e.m.e.nterio.

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 quant.i.ty 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 s.h.i.+p 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 s.h.i.+p 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 ma.s.s, but she refused.

Questioned, what persons were present when these superst.i.tious 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 partic.i.p.ated 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.

G.o.d 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.

G.o.d 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. G.o.d 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 pa.s.sing 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 ma.s.s 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 ma.s.s 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 h.e.l.l 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 a.s.surances 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 pa.s.sed 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 wors.h.i.+p 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 a.s.sertions 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. G.o.d 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.