LORENZO TERRADER, _Canon, and Presbyter
Notary, appointed for this investigation_.
* * * * *
In the town of Besahi, bishopric of Gerona, on the twentyfourth day of
February, one thousand seven hundred and eightyfour, before the
abovementioned officers sworn to preserve secrecy and perform well our
duties, appeared, according to summons, and made oath to declare the
truth and preserve secrecy, Miguel Berga, advocate, a native of this
town, aged thirtythree years.
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.
Signed,
MIGUEL ANTENTAS Y BERGA, _Advocate_.