JOSEPH GASULL, _Presbyter Notary_.
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In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the twentyninth
day of August, one thousand seven hundred and eightyone, the Inquisitor
Licentiate, Dr Manuel de Merra y Paniagua, ordered to appear before him
according to summons, a foreigner, established in this city, who, being
present, was formally sworn to declare the truth and preserve secrecy
with respect to everything which he knew, and concerning which he might
be interrogated, and in relation to everything which he might see or
understand, and everything which might befall him.
Questioned, his name, birthplace, residence, condition, age, and
occupation.
Answered, that his name was Pedro Remson; that he was born in the town
of St Jean in the district of Laval, in France; that he had resided in
this city four years, doing business as a linen draper; that he had no
wife, and was about thirtyfive years of age.
Questioned, if he knew or conjectured the cause of his being summoned to
appear by this Tribunal.
Answered, that he neither knew nor conjectured.
Questioned, if he had said or done anything which was or appeared to be
a matter within the cognizance of the Holy Office, or against our Holy
Catholic Faith and Evangelical Law.
Answered, that he had never said or done anything contrary to the
Catholic Faith, nor anything pertaining to the cognizance of the Holy
Office.
He was then told that information had been received and sworn to in this
Holy Office, that he, the deponent, had uttered certain speeches
containing matter which came under the jurisdiction of the Holy Office;
that he was summoned to be examined respecting it, and that he would do
well to confess the whole before he was compelled to it.
Answered, that he was confident he had never said or done anything of
the kind unless the following could be denominated such. About a year
since, conversing with Carlos Coquet with whom he resided in this city,
speaking of our Lady, of Mary and her image, the deponent affirmed that
the Holy Virgin Mother of God was the only one, and that there was no
difference between the image of Our Lady, of Mary, and any other. On
another occasion, about the same time, he told the abovementioned Coquet
that in France they were not obliged to present certificates of
compliance with the annual precepts of sacramental confession and
communion; that he considered it a burdensome practice and exposed to
great abuses, and that he had understood these certificates were often
sold about to persons who did not choose to comply with the precept,
which thing he had heard publicly declared in coffee houses and
clubrooms, but did not recollect by what persons.
At another time, finding that at his meal the oil did not suit his taste
nor agree with him, he observed to the said Coquet that he thought he
should not offend by eating the fat of beef on fast days, in place of
oil.
On another occasion, about the same time, being out of the city, Josefa
Coquet, wife of the abovementioned Carlos Coquet, was looking over his
books, among which she found one entitled La Henriade, by Mons.
Voltaire, which book belonged to Bernardo Carles, a Frenchman, who
passed through this city for Andalusia, and gave the book in keeping to
the deponent. He received it knowing that it was a prohibited book. When
the deponent returned to the city, the said Josefa Coquet told him, with
a mysterious look, that she had seen this book, and that her Confessor
had ordered her to give information of it to the Holy Office. He replied
that she had done wrong, and should have given up the book on mentioning
it. He offered her the key of his writing desk that she might see
whether he had any other bad or prohibited book.
Another day, talking with the aforesaid Coquet about the infallibility
of the Pope, the deponent declared that inasmuch as he had never read in
any book that the Pope was infallible, although he believed and held him
to be the head of the church, yet he was persuaded that God alone was
infallible; that the catechism which was taught him in France did not
declare that the Pope was infallible, and therefore he did not believe
it; but if his confessor or any other learned person were to say that he
was, he should believe it; upon which Coquet was offended and went off
to his own apartment. Further than this he did not remember to have said
or done anything relating to matters of religion, and if he were
apprised of anything, which had been denounced to the Holy Office, he
would disclose all he knew with the same sincerity.
He was then told that information had been received and sworn to in this
Holy Office, that he, the deponent, had said he was a freemason, and had
a book containing the constitutions of that society, that he produced
the book, read a portion of it, and declared that there was nothing in
it contrary to the Catholic Religion; furthermore, that the person to
whom he made these assertions and read the book, making some objections,
and telling him to conceal the book and take care that it came not to
the knowledge of the Inquisition, for they would punish him, he laughed
at him.
Answered, that it was false that he had ever told any one that he was a
freemason, as he was not, nor ever had been one of that order, although
he had held communication with some of them in France, had dined with
them, and seen them converse together by signs; also, that he never
possessed, nor said that he possessed a book containing their
constitutions, and although he once had a book which spake in praise of
freemasons, and commended their charities and other good works, yet it
was false that he ever read any part of the same to any person; that he
burnt this book with some other papers in presence of the abovementioned
Josefa Coquet, and that he did not remember to have made the assertions
imputed to him.
He was then told that information had been also received and sworn to,
that he, the deponent, on a certain occasion, gave to another person a
book whose author was Mons. Voltaire, informing him that he had
possessed it for fifteen years; and that a certain ecclesiastic
reprehending him for it, he replied that the book was not his, and that
on the same day, in presence of the person aforesaid, he burnt some
papers, saying, that he did it for fear of the Inquisition.
Answered, that the first part of this assertion was false; namely, that
relating to the work of Mons. Voltaire, and that no part of it was true,
except what he had already related as having passed between him and
Josefa Coquet; that it was true he had burnt, in her presence, the book
in praise of the freemasons, the history of the Incas of Peru, and some
papers relating to the entertainments given to the Prince of Chartres,
who was considered as the head of the freemasons, and also that he
declared he had done the same for fear of the Inquisition.
It being late, the audience closed, and the deponent was ordered to
appear again the next morning. The whole was read to him and he declared
it to be true, which I certify.
PEDRO REMUSSON.
JUAN ANTONIO ALMONACID, _Sec’y._
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To the Members of the Tribunal of the Inquisition of Catalonia, at their
Royal Palace, Barcelona.
Barcelona, March 20th, 1802.