Records of The Spanish Inquisition Part 15

CALIFICACION.

In the Holy Office of the Inquisition of Valencia, on the seventeenth day of May, one thousand seven hundred and fiftysix, the Inquisitor, Dr Don Inigo Ortiz de la Pena being at his morning audience, in which he presided alone, there appeared the Calificadores, Padre Francisco Siges, of the Order of Mercy, Padre Antonio Mira, Jesuit, Ex-Rector of the college of San Pablo, Padre Juan Bautista Llopis, of the Order of Mercy, and Padre Augustin de Vinaros, Ex-Provincial of the Convent of Capuchins, who, having conferred together respecting the acts and a.s.sertions now to be specified, qualified them in the following manner, viz.

1st. The person in question, in the presence of many others, on the night of a certain day which is named, declared that he possessed the power when anything was stolen, to ascertain who was the thief; and in proof of this, the said person, on the same occasion declared that in a former instance, when a quant.i.ty of money had been stolen, and search was making for the thief, he offered, upon the condition that no harm should ensue to him or the culprit, to find him out; which being agreed to, he wrote the names of those whom he suspected of the theft upon papers and put them in a fire, when those containing the names of the innocent were consumed, and that of the guilty one remained. He then uttered certain words, which signified '_Christ our Lord_,' by virtue of which the name of the delinquent was preserved from burning. And by virtue of these, words, '_Ego sum; factus est h.o.m.o; consummatum est_,'

the paper was drawn from the fire. The name of the thief was then read, and the money found upon him within his stockings.

_Declared unanimously that this contains a profession of superst.i.tious necromancy, and a practice of the same, with the effects following; also an abuse of the sacred scripture._

2d. The a.s.sertions in the above article having been listened to, it was replied to this person that the thing could not be done without some pact with the devil, to which he answered that it was so honest and just a deed that he would perform it immediately after confession and communion, and even before the Inquisitors, inasmuch as it was done by repeating the words of Christ, which were the Latin expressions given in the first article. It was repeated that the thing could not be done in this manner, and that it ought to be denounced to the Inquisition; whereupon this person persisted in his a.s.sertions. He also stated that he knew another way of performing the same kind of divination, which was by collecting the ashes made by burning the papers, and rubbing them upon the back of his hand, where they would leave impressed the name of the culprit. He furthermore a.s.serted that he knew another method, which he did not explain.

_Declared unanimously that this contains a confirmation of the preceding, with a heretical a.s.sertion, and a new profession of necromancy._

3d. The same person continuing the above conversation, a.s.serted that he possessed certain instruments which were useful for many things, and proceeded to take from his right breeches' pocket a paper containing three or four folds of something, which were not distinctly seen by reason of the night. And it being demanded of him where he had learned his arts, he replied that he had obtained them from a book of magic in his possession, which taught him how to do whatever he desired.

_Declared unanimously that this contains another profession like that already qualified._

4th. He declared to the person to whom the above a.s.sertions were made, that out of the abovementioned book he could acquire the art of making himself invisible; also that in this manner a man could be made invulnerable to the thrust of a sword; in proof of which he would make trial upon the body of a dog or cat, that they might see the truth of it.

_Declared unanimously that this contains a new profession of necromancy._

5th. The person who bore witness to these proceedings having asked him whether he knew any art respecting playing at ball, he replied that he did not at present, but would make researches and come to the house of the above person, where he would teach him other arts which he knew, to gain the favor of the ladies. This was agreed upon, and this person gave him directions to find his house, offering him money if he would make these disclosures to him, all with a view to give information of the same to the Holy Office, in order to purify our Holy Faith, and extirpate everything contrary thereto.

_Declared unanimously that this contains a profession of necromancy qualified as above, with the addition of an amatory necromantical practice._

6th. Some days after this, in consequence of the above agreement, he went to the said person's house, where he gave him a strip of parchment about a finger's breadth wide, and a span long, slit through the middle and united at the extremity, on which was written the following. '_Ego + sum, Exe + h.o.m.o, consummatum + est, Ego Joaquinus Aprecor Domini nostri Jesu Christi in vitam eternam seculi seculorum, libera me de omnibus rebus, de ignis cautus et omnia instrumenta hominum detenta me ach die, ach nocte, custode rege et gubername amen._' This was rolled up within a piece of lead and a portion of bone, and, according to his direction, was to be worn next the skin, near the arm, in the shape of a cross.

This would, as he a.s.serted, secure the wearer against any thrusts with a sword. The articles have been exhibited.

_Declared unanimously that this contains a practice with instruments of superst.i.tious necromancy, added to a doctrine for their application which is abusive of the sacred scripture and insulting to the holy cross._

7th. On the same occasion, he gave to this person another piece of parchment, half a finger's breadth wide, and above two yards long, at one end of which was drawn with ink a leg and foot, and at the other a heart surmounted by a cross, with other figures and letters in different parts. With this he took divers measures upon the body of the person abovementioned, from one shoulder to the other, from the shoulder to the chin and nose, from the chin to the stomach, measuring also the face, which he informed him was done to secure him from wounds. He directed him to rub it over with the wax which dripped from the tapers burnt during the celebration of ma.s.s. This was to be done on nine several days, and the operation was to be concealed from view by his cloak. The parchment was exhibited.

_Declared unanimously, that this contains an additional profession of necromancy, with an exhibition of additional necromantical instruments, and the method of using them, added to an insult to the holy sacrifice of the ma.s.s and the holy cross._

8th. On the same occasion, he gave to this person three bits of parchment three fingers' breadth long, and one wide each; two of them containing each two lines of writing, and the other three, all numbered on the back; also another written parchment. He directed him to wear the thinnest of these pieces on the little finger of his left hand, under a white stone set in a ring, and informed him that when this stone turned red he might play at any game except dice or _las quillas_, with a certainty of winning, but if it should turn black he was to abstain from playing. The parchments abovementioned were, before this was done, to be placed inside his right shoe, next the ancle, and sprinkled with the Holy Water used at ma.s.s, after which they were to be worn next the heart. The parchments were exhibited.

_Declared unanimously, that this contains an additional profession and doctrine of superst.i.tious necromancy, with an additional method of practising it, added to a new insult to the sacred ceremonies of the ma.s.s._

9th. The said person having requested to see the book of magic which he declared was in his possession, he refused to exhibit the same, declaring that the person who made the demand would not be able to read or understand it, but that he had studied the whole in a certain place which he named.

_Declared unanimously, that this contains a profession of possessing a book of magic, and studying the same for the purpose of practising it._

Finally declared unanimously, that the person under qualification be p.r.o.nounced under suspicion _de levi_.

FR. FRANCISCO SIGES, P. ANTONIO MIRA, FR. JUAN BA. LLOPIS, FR. AUGUSTIN DE VINAROS.

DON JOACHIN DE ESPLUGUES Y PALAVICINO, _Secretary_.

In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Valencia, on the twentieth day of May, one thousand seven hundred and fiftysix, the Inquisitors Licentiate Don Antonio, Pelegen Venero, and Don Inigo Ortiz de la Pena being at their morning audience, having examined the information received in this Holy Office against Don Antonio Adorno, a soldier in the regiment of Asturias, belonging to the company of Don Jorge Duran, by birth a Neapolitan, and a resident in this city, for the crimes of professing necromancy and amatory divination, and practising the same with insult to the holy sacrifice of the ma.s.s and the holy cross--

Ordered unanimously, that the said Don Antonia Adorno be confined in the secret prison of this Holy Office; that his property be sequestered; his papers, books, and instruments seized, and arranged for his accusation.

Ordered further, that before execution, this be submitted to the members of His Majesty's Council of the Holy General Inquisition.

DON JOACHIN DE ESPLUGUES Y PALAVICINO, _Secretary_.

[_In this part of the trial are inserted the originals of fourteen letters, received from the different Inquisitions in the kingdom, stating that their records had been examined without finding anything against the prisoner. Also a letter from the Grand Council of the Inquisition at Madrid, confirming the above order._]

In Council May 31st, 1756.

The Dicasts Ravazo, Berz, Barreda, and Herreros.

Let justice be executed according to the above order.

TO OUR CALIFICATOR DR BOXO, AND THE FAMILIARS NAMED IN THIS LETTER.

Don Antonio Adorno, the subject of the accompanying warrant of imprisonment, is a soldier in the company of Don Jorge Duran, belonging to the regiment of Asturias. He is a Neapolitan by birth, of a middling height, robust, dark complexioned, with a long scar over his left eyebrow, and a dint in the top of his forehead. His age is twentyfour or twentyfive years. In order to apprehend him, our Calificator, Dr Joseph Boxo, will conduct himself in the following manner:--

He will consult, with great secrecy and caution, accompanied by our Familiar Francisco Suner, or, in his absence, any other Familiar in that neighborhood, as Notary, the Colonel or Commander of the regiment, where the said Don Antonio Adorno shall be found, and if necessary, exhibit to him the Warrant. His a.s.sistance is to be required in the apprehension, which being performed, his person is to be immediately identified. All the papers, books, and instruments found upon him are to be seized, as well as those which may be found among his baggage. Care should be taken that he may have no time to conceal anything, and all the effects seized, the Calificador will remove to his own house. At the same time, all his other property, if he possess any, will be sequestered, an inventory thereof being taken, and the whole left in the hands of such person as the Colonel or Commander may appoint for the safe keeping of the same, commanding him not to part with anything without our order. If any cash should be met with, the Calificador will secure it, as well as the clothes for the use of the prisoner, all which are to be transported to his house along with the papers, books, and instruments above specified.

This done, the Familiar Suner, or whoever shall act as Notary, will divest him of every kind of offensive weapon, and conduct him to the town of Arbos on horseback, without pinioning him, as this is only directed in cases where an escape is attempted. Two stout fellows armed will guard him on each side. At Arbos, he is to be delivered into the hands of our Familiar Raymundo Freiras, an inhabitant of that place.

Should he not be at hand, the prisoner is to be brought onward to Vilafranca and committed to the care of our Familiar Pedro Batlle, along with the papers, books, instruments, money, and clothes of the prisoner, all which are to be brought from the place of his arrest, as well as the warrant for his imprisonment, a copy of the inventory of his goods, this letter, and the adjoined pa.s.sport for the Gate of the Angel in this city. The transfer being made to any one of the abovementioned Familiars, a receipt will be taken, which it is to be transmitted to this tribunal, as also a bill of the expenses paid by the person receiving it, from the time he undertook the business till his return home, specifying the pay of the guard, horse hire, his own and the prisoner's expenses.

The Familiar of Arbos or Vilafranca, will, in the same manner, transport him with whatever he may receive from the Familiar of Reus, to this city, which he will enter at dusk just before the gates are shut. He will enter at the Gate of the Angel, and present the accompanying pa.s.sport of the Governor to the Officer of the Guard. Should the Patrol demand to see it, it may be exhibited to them, after which he will proceed directly to this Royal Palace of the Inquisition, and inquire for the Alcayde. Into his hands will then be delivered the prisoner, and all the effects pertaining to him, together with the warrant of imprisonment, the inventory of the goods, and this letter. The next day he will come before this tribunal and give a relation of his proceedings. G.o.d preserve you.

Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, June 30th, 1756

The Licentiate, D. JOSEPH DE OTERO Y COSSIO.

The Licentiate, DON MANUEL DE GUELL Y SERRA.

JUAN ANTONIO ALMONACID, _Sec'y_.

ANSWER.

MOST ILl.u.s.tRIOUS SEnORES.

Until the 10th of the present month I was not able to succeed in apprehending Don Antonio Adorno, as he did not make his appearance in this quarter before that date. The capture was made with great caution, the commander having contrived to deliver him into my hands in the prison of the regiment, from which place he proceeds this day, Tuesday, July 13th, under the care of the Familiar Rafel Bellveny, the Familiar Francisco Sunez being sick.

No inventory of his property was taken, as none was to be found either upon his person or in his knapsack, except the papers herewith transmitted, and a book containing various doc.u.ments respecting the n.o.bility of the house of Adorno. No money has been found, and the prisoner is considerably in debt to the regiment. The commander has kept every article of his clothing, so that it has been necessary to purchase a suit for him. G.o.d preserve your Excellencies many years.

DR JOSEPH BOXO, _Calificador and Commissary of the Holy Office_.

Reus, July 13th, 1756.

FIRST AUDIENCE.