Records of the Spanish Inquisition, Translated from the Original Manuscripts

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.

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.