WRITTEN BY SIGNOR GASPERO DEL TORTO AND SIGNOR CARLO ANTONIO
UGOLINUCCI TO THE AFORESAID MONSIGNORE FRANCESCO CENCINI.
[Letter II.]
The proofs you send did not arrive in time, because to-day finally,
after so many disputes, the execution of poor Signor Guido has taken
place, he having been beheaded, while the four cut-throats have been
hanged. The case was decided Tuesday, but because it was a churchman
who had sinned, and because it was claimed that the death-sentence was
not in keeping therewith, a messenger was dispatched to Arezzo later
on to get proofs of it. But the Pope yesterday set his hand thereto,
and has decided the case, so that to-day it has so followed
completely. Now that the will of God has been fulfilled that he should
suffer such a punishment, it has at least been brought about, in view
of the arguments made in his defence, that he died the death of a
gallant man. For aside from the fact that he has died with exemplary
courage, he has also been pitied by all gallant men, and his house has
lost nothing in the matter of reputation. All Rome was there, as you
may well believe. And [the mistake] cannot be made good with such
speed as this may be written, because there have not been lacking
admonitions of greatest consequence, since the Ambassador of the
Emperor spoke of that point on Tuesday, as he himself told me day
before yesterday; and than the matter was settled precipitately.
I have finished the argument before the Congregation of the Council,
and at any time that Monsignor Secretary wishes to take it, I think we
shall be ready. I pray you favour me with those copies of the proof as
soon as possible. And if Canon Philippo does not give us the
opportunity, he should be good enough to acknowledge it to me that I
may think of other measures, wishing once for all to get out of this
imbroglio if it shall be possible. And finally, I remain with all
reverence, my most illustrious and most excellent Signor, Your humble
and obedient Servant,
GASPERO DEL TORTO.
ROME, _February 22, 1698_.
To the most illustrious and most excellent Signor, my dear Signor,
Signor Francesco Cencini, Florence.
[Letter III.]
My most illustrious and excellent Signor, my most worshipful Patron:
Tuesday this most unfortunate case was brought up and the Congregation
of the Governor decided--Delay and according to instructions. The
instructions were that they would await the proofs of the well-known
clericate. At this favourable decision the defence took heart and
Guido's good friends began to breathe again. Then last evening at
eight o'clock Monsignor signed of his own accord the warrant, in
denial of the clergyship which might be alleged and of the minority of
one of the accomplices. No sooner had he signed the warrant than the
news of it sped throughout the City, and with it the assurance of the
sentence, which has been executed to-day since dinner against the
five; that is, the loss of his head in the case of Signor Guido, and
the gallows for the other four accomplices. I will not tell your
Excellency my own grief, because you yourself will be able to be a
true witness of it. These proofs would have been of the greatest
relevancy, but not in this case, because Monsignor wished it so.
I enclose the Fisc's argument, except a single response, which I will
send to you as soon as I can lay hands on it, that your Excellency may
have the entire case.
Now that Signor Advocate del Corto has abandoned his own interests I
may serve your Excellency in the matrimonial case and in the other of
Gomez. Therefore I set myself to all that in order that I may serve
your Excellency, praying evermore your continual commands, that I may
ever be your Excellency's obedient servant,
CARLO ANTONIO UGOLINUCCI.
ROME, _February 22, 1698_.
[File-title of Pamphlet 17.]
_By the Most Illustrious and Most
Reverend Lord Governor in
Criminal Cases, or by
the Most Excellent Lord Venturini._
_ROMAN LAWSUIT._
_For the Heir-beneficiary of the former Francesca
Pompilia, formerly wife of the former Guido
Franceschini, against the Fisc and
Associates in the Lawsuit._
_Memorial of Fact by the Honourable Procurator
of the Poor._
_At Rome, in the type of the Reverend Apostolic Chamber_,
1698.