To Don Josef Aymar y Soler, Secretary of the Holy Office of Barcelona.
In compliance with the order of the Tribunal of the Holy Office, I am
enabled to state that the Baron de Canellas has resided in this place
ever since the beginning of 1815, except being occasionally absent on
account of the season or his health, as at the present time; he is now
at Manlleu where he has resided since the first of August of the present
year, with the intention of passing the hot months there. It has not
been ascertained when he means to return, but I believe he has
determined to do this next January.
As to his moral and religious conduct, he commonly hears mass once or
twice a day, says his prayers very devoutly, and enjoins the same upon
all his family; but when his mental irregularities occur, which have
happened three or four times within six years, he is highly phrenetical,
and will utter blasphemies like a heretic, as I have been informed,
although such a thing has never happened in my presence or that of my
vicar. Even in these fits of delirium, however, he manifests towards us
some respect and fear. His last attack, according to what I have been
able to learn, endured from January till the end of April of the
present year, during which he conducted in a most inexplicable manner,
behaving at times very regularly, and at others like a madman. During
all this period I believe he never failed to attend mass at the stated
time, although he declared that he was no better than a dog, that he
possessed neither faith, hope, nor charity, that everything was a dream
to him, and that he had no belief in the divine mysteries.
Sometimes he would fall to raving, and declare that he had all hell
within him, on which occasions he would utter the most horrid
blasphemies. Finally at the end of the period abovementioned he grew
tranquil, and I directed him to observe the ordinances relating to
Easter, threatening him, in case of refusal, with a denunciation to my
prelate. All the threats and exhortations I could use were fruitless for
some time. At length, learning that the Missionary Fathers from
Villanueva were to take this parish in their way in the course of their
labors, he sent me a message, desiring me to grant him a forbearance for
a few days, as he was in readiness to perform his duties to the mission.
Notwithstanding, however, the assurances I had received from the
Missionary Fathers, they did not visit us, and the Baron remained
without confession, in which state he left this place for that in which
he now resides.
In the year one thousand eight hundred and eighteen he also omitted the
above duty in this place, and passed the Lent at the college, in the
capital, where he confessed, and took the sacrament, as appears from a
regular certificate which he showed me. When in good humor, which
happens the greater part of the time, he exhibits outwardly, great piety
and zeal, taking much care that his religious worship is accompanied
with every mark of respect, and paying the regular sums for the support
of my church. He is also very charitable, in which point, indeed, I can
bear witness that he follows his natural inclination.
Father N. de Barbara, lecturer in philosophy, of the Franciscan Convent,
at Villafranca, preached in this place during the last Lent, and had
many disputes with the Baron while he was in the height of his
extravagances. In the course of these the Baron uttered some assertions
which, had they proceeded from a person of sound mind, would have been
reported to the Holy Tribunal, but in his condition it was judged best
to consider him as a madman.
In fact, I am convinced that with occasional seasons of intermission, he
is not to be looked upon as a sane person; and finally with all his
singular piety and devotedness to the cause of the church, charity to
the poor, and apostolic zeal in speaking against the vices of these
miserable days, I perceive in him a great fund of excessive vanity and
pride.
The above information I lay before the Tribunal of the Holy Office, to
be applied to the requisite purposes. God preserve you many years.
FRANCISCO MARCER, _Cura Parroco_.
Canellas, November 18th, 1819.
The Inquisitor Fiscal declares it as his opinion that the investigation
of the above matter should be suspended and recorded for want of proof.
D. CASTILLON.
Secret Chamber, November 23d, 1819.
* * * * *
The said Inquisitor having examined the above proceedings, in his
morning audience, on the day before stated, ordered that the
investigation be suspended for want of proof, and that it be recorded in
the registers under the name of the person referred to.