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.