Records of the Spanish Inquisition, Translated from the Original Manuscripts

by Andrew Dickson White

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

Answered, that he supposed it to be on account of Mañalich’s affair.

Questioned, if he had written any letter or communication to the Holy Office of the Inquisition, giving an account of any crime within his knowledge; what were the contents of that paper or communication, and by whose hand was it written.

Answered, that he had written three letters to Dr Ignacio Sans Pabordre, at Figueras; that in the first, dated July fourteenth, 1783, he stated that the said Mañalich had told him he had gone twice with his associates to the castle of Esponella after money, and that both times the devil had appeared to them; that they had all signed a bargain with him, and were promised the money when they returned to the castle.

The second, dated August fourth, 1783, stated that Mañalich had declared that the sixth day of that month was fixed upon to visit the castle of Monroig, in search of money.

The third, dated the thirteenth of the same month, informed that he had seen Mañalich, but could give no further intelligence respecting the affair, and that something more might be learned from Juan Ricart.

The deponent went on to declare that Josef Llonella informed him that he and the said Mañalich, accompanied by Jaime Gubert, a young man of Besahi, went to Montpelier to meet a Jew, in order to learn from him the means of obtaining money by diabolical art. The Jew gave them a maggot within a tube, and told them a maggot must be added to the tube every day to be eaten, and that if they swore, which they did, to make a league with the devil, and perform what he directed them, written upon a paper, they should have what money they pleased. They signed in blood an agreement with the devil, written in his own characters, and promised never to go to confession. Notwithstanding they did everything according to the Jew’s directions, they got nothing.

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.