Records of the Spanish Inquisition, Translated from the Original ManuscriptsWhite, Andrew Dickson
History
Records of the Spanish Inquisition, Translated from the Original Manuscripts
White, Andrew Dickson
Inquisition -- Spain -- History -- Sources
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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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