Dr Joseph Montes, Presbyter Notary
of the Holy Office.
In the city of Valencia, on the fourteenth day of April, one thousand seven hundred and fiftysix, before Dr Lorenzo Ballester, Presbyter, Confessor of the secret prison of the Holy Office, appeared, according to summons, and made oath to declare the truth and preserve secrecy, Joseph Sanches Masquefa, scrivener, residing in the house of Felipe Matheu, scrivener, of this city, a native of the city of Origuela, of age, as he stated, nineteen years.
Questioned, if he knew or conjectured the cause of his being summoned to appear.
Answered, that he did not know, but supposed it to be for the purpose of learning what he had heard of a conversation in which a certain soldier of the regiment of Asturias, in the garrison of this city, was engaged; this person, who, as he had been informed was named Don Antonio * * * and was by birth a Neapolitan, was of a middling height, somewhat full faced, dark complexioned, and about twenty or twentytwo years of age. On the evening of the eleventh of the present month, discoursing upon various subjects, this person remarked that he was acquainted with several arts, and in particular knew one by which he could ascertain who was the thief when a theft had been committed, and which he had practised on the following occasion. A soldier of his regiment had stolen two or three dollars from another, at which the sergeant was expressing his displeasure, and Don Antonio told him that if he would promise no harm should ensue to the thief or himself, he would discover who had stolen it. This the sergeant agreed to, and Don Antonio wrote the names of all who were suspected of the theft upon pieces of paper. These he put into the fire, where they were all consumed except the one bearing the name of the thief. This was seen by all present, and some of them endeavoured to snatch it from the flames but were unable. Don Antonio alone was able to perform this action, and when the name of the thief was read, he was searched and the money found in his stockings.
This relation having been listened to by Felipe Matheu, he asserted that the thing could not be done unless by a league with the devil, and that it was a matter which ought to be laid before the Inquisition. Don Antonio replied that it was an action which he should not hesitate to perform immediately after confession and communion, for it was done by uttering words that had been spoken by Christ; that is to say, ‘Ego sum, Christus factus est homo, consummatum est,’ expressions which were good and holy. A conversation then ensued in Italian, between Don Antonio and Joseph * * * a servant in the house of Felipe Matheu, which was not understood by the deponent. The conversation was broken off by the said Matheu.
Questioned, if any other persons were present at this conversation, besides those already named.
Answered, that there were also present Joseph Gil, a scrivener, in the same house, two Alguacils, one of whom was named Alba, and three soldiers of the regiment abovementioned, whose names he did not know.
Questioned, if he knew whether the said Don Antonio was subject to any occasional insanity, or was given to wine.
Answered, that he knew not of his being subject to any such irregularities, and that the above conversation was maintained on his part with much seriousness. The above is the substance of what is known to him respecting the matter, and not related from malice toward the said Don Antonio, but solely according to his conscience and oath. It was read in his hearing and declared by him to be the truth. Secrecy was enjoined upon him, which he promised, and added his signature.