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Title: Page 0047 (Criminal proceedings against Pablo Lopez)
Text: 47 worthy of it ; that he might display all the awful appa~ ratus of justice, prepare executioners, multiply tortures, and invent punishments, for
Show more47 worthy of it ; that he might display all the awful appa~ ratus of justice, prepare executioners, multiply tortures, and invent punishments, for none of them, could in the least terrify me, since a soul, strong in its innocence, Is appalled by nothing but by vice and, crime. oe Three days after, he again made his appearance, with a softened countenance ; but this affected mildness soon vanished, on entering upon our business. _ He repeated the charges made in our preceding interview, to which I gave similar replies, and, on coming to the last, I again expressed a desire that whatever I had said against the seducer, Garrido, should be inserted in the proceedings, and I, therefore, repeated the whole in more explicit terms. Neither entreaties nor threats could move me from this purpose; I wished, at all events, that the in- famy of my calumniators should remain on record, since they had carried their shameless effrontery so far, as to. accuse me of crimes, which the very clerk who was taking down my deposition had alone committed 5 the Judge was at last compelled to yield, and, under feelings of the utmost irritation, he directed Garrido to write all I had said against him. : | | : ~ From that moment, I was restored to the intercourse of my friends, and began to breathe somewhat freely. My extraordinary confinement and trial were the sub- jects of conversation, in all parties and circles, in the capital; many humane individuals sought to render my condition more tolerable, and, withont wounding my delicacy, ingeniously supplied my wants. All classes of persons called to order some trifling article of cloth- ing, and paid me five or six times the value of my work. I then discovered how inventive benevolence is 1n behalf of an unfortunate being, and how delightful it is to him. to be the object of such a feeling, when his own neces- sities and destitution of human assistance make him. view it as a blessing from Heaven. The.old presented me their purses, and offered me their consolations ; and even the fair sex, adorned with all the graces of bloom- ing youth, did not disdain to enter the abode of crime and sorrow, and to remain there with impatient curiosity inquiring about my situation, fears and hopes; I saw gE ———— on wirbaneiailsbeeahie sedece iar ctesie tensa aataceiaen ‘ Sa " . Lermintirec ache Nar Me si SS ES ie OSS Salt na gens clea Dea : Dae ee ae ee ene ete Pe st ohatRa TSR tity Ja sragersserbeep apocrine een = aici a i i mieneeee Hest Arana aici tie ag seh meateaieeehabninnnia dai ress near per eceeenioractedipirnineetcaiar sain dit ii PoE PRELAISE GE BAL TOES aS ; ashe i ~ Eee eae are Sh SO Seas stares a �
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Title: Page 0048 (Criminal proceedings against Pablo Lopez)
Text: their beautiful eyes filled with tears, on contemplating my poverty and unmerited sufferings. Tender and ge- nerous souls! let me be permitted to pay
Show moretheir beautiful eyes filled with tears, on contemplating my poverty and unmerited sufferings. Tender and ge- nerous souls! let me be permitted to pay you, with the liveliest emotion, the pleasing homage of my grateful. heart. You were able to reconcile me to human kind, already become an object of abhorrence toa mind galled with so many vexations, persecutions and ingratitude. You inspired me with fortitude in my successive tor- ments, convincing me that though there were amongst my fellow creatures wicked tyrants & executioners, fully entitled to my implacable hatred, there were not wanting some deserving my love, for their honesty, humanity and benevolence. Notwithstanding, my present situation was, under circuinstances, comparatively happy; yet, it was not wholly free from anxieties and trouble. I was ordered to appoint an attorney and advocate, as counsel for my defence; no one would undertake it. I never considered that my poverty was the base motive which influenced the advocates of Madrid in their refusal; but, that they looked on my cause as hopeless, knowing that a power- ful party had destined me to be the victim of their triumph, and that they would never pardon me, nor allow any effort to be made to snatch me from their power. I was, therefore, left to my fate, as one on whom any assistance would be thrown away ; in consequence of which the Judges, who were commissioned to superin- tend the state trials, named for me an attorney and an advocate; the latter, who was called Don Juan Cabello, being quite inexperienced, was expressly appointed to conduct my defence, it being his first essay. Aware of their appointment, I earnestly sought an in- terview with them, in order to make them acquainted with all the circumstances of my trial, and to arrange with them my means of defence ; but they turned a deaf ear to my solicitations, and if they did sometimes con- descend to call on me, in consequence of my repeated solicitations, it was only to tell me, that I might give up all hopes of being saved, my crimes being but too well proved, and in a manner that would admit of no palliation ; they could, therefore, do nothing but pity �
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Title: Page 0044 (Criminal proceedings against Pablo Lopez)
Text: 44 ddeile multitude, the seeds of anarchy, and teaching dis- respect to the law, insubordination to the magistrates, contempt of His Majesty’s
Show more44 ddeile multitude, the seeds of anarchy, and teaching dis- respect to the law, insubordination to the magistrates, contempt of His Majesty’s sovereignty, (which I had styled tvranny), and insult to the holy religion of our forefathers, and to its respectable ministers, all this pro- ducing the most pernicious effects on account of the na- tural power of my tones, and of the air of conviction which I gave fo my discourses ; and lastly, that it was known I had received three dollats a day, and (he iro- nically added) both himself and thé public did me the justice to think that I had well edtned them ; and on that head I need not be afraid, that the delicacy of my conscience would have to upbraid me. : To this tissue of calumnies I replied, that it was very true I constantly attended the Galleries during the sit- tings of the Cortes, and that I had myself, asked and obtained permission of the President to énter with my crutches, which served me as a leg, and without which I could not walk ; the prohibition, moreovet, did not extend to them, as it was only canes, or weapons, unne- cessarily used, that were objected to, and the usé of which is not allowed even in friendly parties of pleasuré among the better sort of people ; but, that permission however was not intended as a distinction in my favour, nor had it so dastardly a source as his Worship had de- signated it. I admitted also that I used to attend places of general resort, where the inhabitants of the Capital ised to meet to obtain intelligence of the signal victo- ries, which at that period were repeatedly and almost unremittingly gained by the allied British and Spanish forces, under the command of the fortunate and illustri- ous Duke of Wellington ; that I there spoke as did many other Spaniards, of the speeches and debates of the Cortes, in which I felt myself as deeply interested as my Countrymen, that I felt a pleasure in confessing, that I always formed humble vows for those patriotic Deputies, who, without wavering, sought their country’s welfare. That I held discoures contrary to the Consti- tution of the Spanish Monarchy, I denied, as the articles thereof, both separately and collectively, were the objects of my veneration ; and that my King and Religion were �
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Title: Page 0045 (Criminal proceedings against Pablo Lopez)
Text: 45 held so sacred by me that I never mentioned them, but in such terms, as they were spoken of in the fundamen- tal law of the state, even though I
Show more45 held so sacred by me that I never mentioned them, but in such terms, as they were spoken of in the fundamen- tal law of the state, even though I had no other motive than to obey that which it prescribed. I also added that it was not in my power to modify the tones of my voice, so as to render them less full and powerful than nature had made them ; nor could I forbear to feel warmly, and to manifest the same in my gesture and delivery, which could never be a crime ; that my attendance in the galleries of the Cortes, had caused me to notice that the trifling uproar, and the few cries that had now and then been heard in them, came only from individuals, known for their open opposition to free principles ; and that I had more than once contributed to restore order, actuated by the deep respect with which that sanctuary of laws inspired me ; I denied also having ever received the smallest sum, from any person whatever, to diffuse opinions which were too well impressed on my heart, to make an infamous traffie of them, since | owed my sus- tenance to my own manual labour, in the exercise of my trade as every body knew; I affirmed that the patriots neither gave nor received any fee for their opinions, leaving it to their own intrinsic worth and merit, to _ create proselytes ; and that those who gave bribes to ex- cite noise in the gallery and to promote disorderly con- duct, were people of another class, as two artillery men had given voluntary information to his Excellency Don Pedro Villa Campa, then Commander General of Ma- drid, that a Clergyman, commissioned by an Escribano called Garrido, (the same who attended the Judge in this very act) used to give them a peseta,* a loaf, and a glass of brandy every day, to go to the Galleries of the Cortes, there to create a tumult, and that amongst other things they were directed to shout “ the Constitutioa for ever,” that they might be thought favourable to the same, and that excesses coming from a different source might be attributed to the liberales ; that an equal bribe and commission had been given to many others; that the Clergyman being taken into custody plainly avowed the fact, and unhesitatingly named the aforesaid Garrido as * A silver coin, worth about tenpence, English money. �
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Title: Page 0046 (Criminal proceedings against Pablo Lopez)
Text: _ the distributor of the bribes. On hearing these words my Judge rose up ina furions manner, and his face dis- torted by passion, and his voice
Show more_ the distributor of the bribes. On hearing these words my Judge rose up ina furions manner, and his face dis- torted by passion, and his voice trembling with rage, told me I was a vile calumniator, and ought either to prove what I had asserted, or abide by the punishment which the laws awarded for similar offences. I replied, that I was so confident of what I had asserted, and could so easily prove it, that I was determined from that moment not to answer any of the counts, unless my replies were taken down in the written proceedings, ver- batim as I uttered them, and I had also ocular demon- stration of such being the case. This he firmly refused, and endeavoured either to inspire me with fear, of the consequences, or with mild remonstrances to persuade me, that my desire was useless as well as dangerous, till after a lapse of four hours, during which this singular scene lasted, finding I was not to be moved from my purpose, my Judge angry beyond measure, put an end to the business by saying, that my stubborn temerity put too many obstructions in the way of those who wished to save me, and, convinced that those who were any Ways interested in my fate, that I really deserved the worst; that they who thought I was possessed of doci- lity were grossly mistaken, since my words, actions and countenance, plainly showed my pride and rashness ; therefore, I ought to be prepared to experience the se- verity of justice, in the punishment of my enormous crimes ; and, to prove the effects of His Majesty’s in- dignation, since I had despised his proffered goodness and mercy. He then turned his back upon me in the most insulting manner ; when I, with aloud voice, firmly told him that he was too hasty in qualifying other peo- ple’s actions, particularly those which regarded my own character ; that my supposed pride was but the confi- dence which innocence inspires, and my obstinacy that well grounded and just resistance of not wishing to cast a Stain upon my reputation, by confessing crimes I was never guilty of; that I was exceedingly sorry I had in- curred His Majesty’s indignation, but that I thought it unworthy his noble heart to extend his favour to a man, who, by his baseness, would have rénderéd himself un- �
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Title: Page 0053 (Criminal proceedings against Pablo Lopez)
Text: a Me a a a 53 defence of my Country, and of that very King of whom I am called an enemy; they were infamously serving against his Majesty in the
Show morea Me a a a 53 defence of my Country, and of that very King of whom I am called an enemy; they were infamously serving against his Majesty in the employment of the Usurper, and calmly sending to the scaffold those loyal men, who under less obligations than themselves were fighting for a country which they had deserted. I will ask nothing Sir, not even to challenge those Judges, though I might well do so, nor has he any thing to ask, who from ihe commencement of his process has seen all legal forms trampled on in it, and all those laws devised for the protection of oppressed innocence, either passed over or forgotten. Where is the legal information that has been - given against me, or what are the legal grounds on which I have been proceeded against ? Where are the witnesses 2 Where the documents bearing evidence of the supposed crimes ef which the Fiscal accuses me ? Where is the law which condemns as crimes the acts I have been charged with? What are those strong testi- monies that justify my conduct, done with ? When have my pleas been listened to, or what means have I been allowed to propose them? Have I had sufficient time allotted me to produce evidence in my favour. Have I been allowed a view of the proceedings, as I had no one to defend my cause? Can the name of counsel be given to my advocate, who attends to my defence in the manner which the Court now sees, who never would listen to, except as it were by force, and then only to in- timate to me the necessity I was under of preparing for death on the gallows? Well Sir, if such isto be my fate I shall meet it with that courage which innocence alone supplies ; I shall end my life free from dishonour since I end it free from guilt, It is not my own crimi- nality, but the passions of wicked men, which have brought me to this pass; and may my blood so unjustly shed fall upon their heads, I will die a stedfast friend to my Country’s glory and independence, the peace of my grave shall not be disturbed, and I leave to my worth- less murderers the ignominy of their conduct, the de- testation of good men and the anguish of their own re- morse, if there should be yet remaining in their pitiless bosoms a small particle of honesty and humanity.” The ee Eee �
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Title: Page 0042 (Criminal proceedings against Pablo Lopez)
Text: Neen nnn cemmeasannniaatiammmmmmn al hatte eat eee aes 42 He then insisted that I should confess, what were the confidential secrets I had been
Show moreNeen nnn cemmeasannniaatiammmmmmn al hatte eat eee aes 42 He then insisted that I should confess, what were the confidential secrets I had been honored with, by several Hi members of the Cortes, (whom he named, and who were i; actually in confinement) since (he said) my frequent i visits to them, and the familiarity that existed between i us, had been already proved ; and without doubt, I was an instrument in those vile and abominable plots, they had forged against the King and Country ; which plots had been fortunately detected, as well as my share in them ; it would be therefore quite useless, (he continued) | that I should persist in my. denials and flimsy subter- en fuges, as by so doing, I should let slip an opportunity of tk saving my own life and character, by a timely informa- | tion, which would atone for my former errors, and pro- wif cure me the advantage of entitling myself to the Royal i favour ; nay, even to the rewards, which I should have a right to expect, for so signal a service, since the King, as well as his loyal servants, well knew, that false zeal, ignorance, and the deceitful brilliancy ofliberal opinions, rather than the depravity of my own heart, had influen- ced my conduct. I was displeased beyond measure at this insinuating offer, and with some warmth replied, that though a poor tradesman, and consequently desti- tute of those qualifications, which an accomplished edu- | cation afforded, yet I possessed sufficient elevation of wee mind, to resolve, not to purchase life, at the vile price of mee infamy, betraying the confidence of my friends, far more Ba valuable to me than the treasures of all monarchs : that ee now, happily, my inward feelings were in perfect unison nia with truth ; that the anxious love I had manifested for Bie the independence and liberty of my country, being pure, i disinterested, and free from every mean motive, had ae procured me the good will of some illustrious patriots, a who admired those qualities, and their unpretending and x frank manifestation ; and that, according to the know- ledge I possessed of the character, learning, and virtue of those individuals, I looked on them as men, who were truly a boast, and an ornament te their country ; that in their conversation I ever found something to learn, | since it breathed nothing contrary to the principles of 3 strict virtue and purified patriotism ; a fond affection �
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Title: Inside front cover; includes "Beales Collection bookplate"
Text: oor aapinnretaitne enema pinnae lei 0 te Venue Sue — . LIBRARY oe to. BEALES COLLECTION E SCA a WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY C1.6% �

Title: Page 0068 (Criminal proceedings against Pablo Lopez)
Text: a eee . reaper ereerers area nn Se aaa aD athe hheeeteneneeeaiiena te dietane 4a eee tee ee 68 was sorry to discover an obstacle to my salvation in
Show morea eee . reaper ereerers area nn Se aaa aD athe hheeeteneneeeaiiena te dietane 4a eee tee ee 68 was sorry to discover an obstacle to my salvation in the false persuasion I entertained of my innocence, im which was implied an evil judgment against my fellow crea- tures and a suspicion of the reetitude of my Judges, who had undoubtedly sentenced me according to law, their conscience, and the evidences given during the pro- ceedings. He begged I would dismiss such erroneous ideas, which shut the door of my repentance ; and ad- ded, that I ought to feel resigned and convinced of my guilt ; and to confine my desires, words and actions, to ask that pardon from God, the King, and mankind, whieh on account of my crimes I stood in need a 4 ought (he said) to be aware, that the Lord whomI had addressed and who had suffered so severely for my sake, had his arms open ready to receive me ‘to his bosom, provided I should humbly implore his mercy ; but that he was on the contrary prepared to reject me, should my pride, obstinacy, and ingratitude, provoke his jus- tice. “ Father” replied I, “I am not certain that in my present agitated state, I may not have given utterance to some rash expressions against divine Providence, which from this moment my lips disavow and my heart abhors ; I venerate its decrees and submit to its dis- pensations, though they may wear the appearance of in- justice ; persuaded as I am that my weak reason is in- competent to investigate them; but do not, Father, de- prive me of the consoling idea of my innocenee. How cana man have offended the supreme goodness, who has such a profound veneration for it? Would it not be a hypocritical falsehood and against the divine law, to say I think myself guilty, when my conscience free from every passion that might influence it, says other- wise? And the crime which is imputed to me, being merely one of opinion, how can you expect me to think those Judges to be just who have trampled upon law, and the usual forms of justice? Have my exceptions and pleas been listened to? Have my services been weighed in the balance of fair, and impartial Justice against my offences, even supposing them real? Can I look serenely on the condemnation of so many illus- �
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Title: Page 0064 (Criminal proceedings against Pablo Lopez)
Text: aa on nance. ar ilheeehaceieeninnnaicienmmitenaane damnatene tamentnahta teem ames emanate ete e 64. | Mine Sir, are by far more sound and just ; the
Show moreaa on nance. ar ilheeehaceieeninnnaicienmmitenaane damnatene tamentnahta teem ames emanate ete e 64. | Mine Sir, are by far more sound and just ; the voice of. conscience which at this moment speaks without dis- guise, tells me I'am innocent. I shall‘appear before the supreme Judge with that confidence inspired by a. soul unspotted by crime, and'a knowledge of his mercy, from | whiely I hope the forgiveness of such of my involuntary weaknesses, aS are inherent to human nature. Retire Father, and leave me to myself, your offices are useless, * and even hurtful. Go, I repeat, for T look upon youas, | an ignorant man, or rather as an emissary of Satan ex- pressly vomited out of Hell, for the purpose as I said before, of disturbing my peace of mind, exasperating my temper, and endangering my salvation. I then begged the sentinel, to call in the officer on duty, whom I entreated, in consideration of my la- mentable situation, to permit the entrance of every in- dividual who should call, whether Clergymen, Military men, or others ; but that he should prevent all Friars, of whatsoever order, rank, or dress, from having ac- cess to me, since the one before me, far from bestow- ing that assistance and ‘consolation, which my circum- stances called for, had increased my torments, and agitated my soul, by the gross. and impudent terms, in which he addressed me. ‘The Officer acceded to my request, and I could plainly perceive in his coun- tenance, his determination to enforce it. The Friar, | who might have made the same observation, and fear- ing probably that the exclusion would begin, by send- ing him out, in a manner not the most agreeable, thought proper to retire, and, drawing hishood over his face, went out muttering some farewell phrases, between his teeth ; whilst I thanked God, for being so easily freed, from his importunities, and his strange and abominably ugly form. . | Shortly after, the Curates of St. Martin and Santa Cruz appeared. I immediately discovered in the former, that mildness, and ’suavity of manner, that in-. formation and that amiable and attentive charity, which so well became the sanctity of his profession, and which are the never failing characteristics of a good heart; whilst in the latter, I perceived a strong bias, in fa- �
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Title: Page 0055 (Criminal proceedings against Pablo Lopez)
Text: 55 ing His Majesty’s benignant feelings, by inciting him to shed blood to satisfy justice. The six remaining Judges represented to the King, that
Show more55 ing His Majesty’s benignant feelings, by inciting him to shed blood to satisfy justice. The six remaining Judges represented to the King, that having taken a mature and deliberate review of the proceedings, and considering the feebleness of the evidence and my former services, they were of opinion Justice required that I should be acquitted, that my character should be vindicated, and that reparation should be made me for the injuries I had suffered in these proceedings; but, at the same time, keeping in view the existing political circumstances, which did require some measures beyond the common course of Justice, although within the sphere of it they thought they should act conscientiously by deciding on. that punishment which they had sentenced me to, that they were very sorry if they had incurred His Majesty’s displeasure, but that he might, in the exercise of his so- vereign power, award me the punishment he thought proper. This firmness, evinced by the Judges, did them great honour, and with the same did they repeatedly behave on other trials of the same nature, which the liberticide faction frequently submitted to their decision. I owe to truth and to this trait of integrity these just praises, as wellas some repentance for the asperity 1 made use of in upbraiding them at the scene of my trial, but the exasperation of my mind at that time may be pleaded in excuse of my warmth. . Those who had infiuenced the Royal mind dared not openly to blame the Commissioners’ firmness ; but being determined to make use of their ascendancy, wantonly to ruin all those, who had either inspired them with jea- lousy, or provoked their angry passions ; they persuaded His Majesty to approve the only vote that condemned me to death, and such an approbation took place by a small paper written by the King’s own hand, and simply | saying : “I agree to the separate vote of Judge Vas- quez Varela.” Thus these execrable beings, who exclusively assuming the title of loyal supporters of thrones, are the most pernicious enemies both of nations and kings. did not hesitate to cast upon the monarch the unexampled_ stain of passing judgment of death by �
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Title: Page 0056 (Criminal proceedings against Pablo Lopez)
Text: a aaVO———— ee ee ' eel eet 56 less himself, against a man whose innocence had been twice G ih | virtually acknowledged by those very Judges who
Show morea aaVO———— ee ee ' eel eet 56 less himself, against a man whose innocence had been twice G ih | virtually acknowledged by those very Judges who had we been selected to sacrifice him. ie Whilst these things were going forward, of which I | had not at that time the least intimation, I continued, i (with the exception of the fortnight above-mentioned) in open intercourse, enjoying the advantages which the | kind inhabitants of Madrid strove to procure me. Alas! | van Bs I. could not divine that I was very soon to meet with one Lee | of the most trying events I had ever passed through in ae my life; an event, the terrible remembrance of which a still depresses my mind and freezes my bloed, even more than when I was under its terrors. ie On the night of the 27th December, 1815, the Secre« a tary of the Court of Commissioners appeared at the Hee Carcel de Corte or prison, where I was confined, and as+ sembling all the prisoners who were considered state < | criminals into the porter’s hall, then occupied by a strong 4 military detachment, he intimated to each of them re- ? id spectively the sentence which His Majesty had been | ma pleased to award against them ; to some the galleys in | Africa, and to others confinement in Castles and Fort- resses ; a portion was more mildly treated, being merely sent to Convents or Houses of Correction, but all were deprived of the places, honours, dignities and salaries, they severally enjoyed. ‘These sentences were imme- diately put into execution, by transporting those unhap- py men, in travelling carriages, to their respective places OT Sao oe Be sete tensoreteeeg ae -am eere are tae 2 Ra ae: bane a . of destination. I took leave of those iliustrious victims, | the partakers of my sufferimgs and associates in my tae principles, exhorting them to bear with patience the ~ te IS fresh vexations they were going to experience, and to J, keep in mind the noble cause for which they were per- secuted. I received their last embrace, and mingled my tears with theirs. My eyes followed them till they were ati 44 th iat out of sight, and my heart was torn with anguish on see- | ing virtue and patriotism in chains, while crime, perfidy, vice and treachery, infamously occupied’ the place to Hy which they had no title. et No mention having been made of me, (nor of two | fae | others, who were the next day merely sentenced to ba- | �
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Title: Page 0057 (Criminal proceedings against Pablo Lopez)
Text: | 57 | nishment from Madrid and all royal residences,) the charitable governor thought proper to favor me, by put- ting the secretary in mind of my
Show more| 57 | nishment from Madrid and all royal residences,) the charitable governor thought proper to favor me, by put- ting the secretary in mind of my existence, asking him if there was no sentence for me; to which he replied ta | there wasnone. I, therefore, (that cruel, despotic and Me inhuman act being over,) retired to my room, drawing i the most fatal conclusions from that affected forgetful- ness, A day or two afterwards, several individuals informed me, that as I was a man of no rank or consequence, I i was left to be sent as a common criminal to the galleys a in Africa, amongst felons and convicts of every descrip- a tion. Yet, this information could not divert my mind from the evil, which I had unhappily ;but too well fore- seen, On the 20th of the same month, at 7 o'clock in the morning, I was roused from my sleep by a voice that’ called me by name, and which I knew to be that of an inferior officer of justice, who told me to rise and prepare for my departure. I quickly did so, thinking I was to be led forth en la Cuerda,* as I had been informed I should ; I therefore under this impression on leaving my | room took the way which led to the staircase, but my a guide directed me to go further into the building, and at stopping at the door of a dark cell, I there observed a | two prison officers and a servant with large heavy fet- ters ; they took me into that gloomy place and after an accurate and scrupulous examination of my body, they put the fetters on my sound leg only, causing me such pain as I scarcely was able to bear. The courtenances of the men exhibited great agitation, and one of them a called Antonio, more merciful than those of his kind mi generally are, and who had previously shewn me some ei good-will, told me in a broken tone of voice, that what HE was then going forward had no particular meaning and i that I need be under no anxiety. ‘That I am not (re- | plied I), though I well know that in a few hours I shall pine Soteira wees i phere aap eaeee a STE nen eye 8 nme apie nane pag: 2 Amidst a set of Convicts, who are conducted to their pu- nishment tied together by a rope. �
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Title: Page 0058 (Criminal proceedings against Pablo Lopez)
Text: ——_ aaaanninaiaiennniiintenen anaemia aaaanmnnieds . an 58 | ne be led into the Chapel ;* I possess all that courage which 7 innocence gives, to
Show more——_ aaaanninaiaiennniiintenen anaemia aaaanmnnieds . an 58 | ne be led into the Chapel ;* I possess all that courage which 7 innocence gives, to endure my unjust doom ; had I been 7 more careful of my life, than of speaking the truth, a | single word would have saved me}; but I will never | purchase life at the price of infamy. Let my enemies do with me what they choose, I will mock their cowardly triumph by my firmness, and will rather die than ap- pear humiliated before them. They then brought me my breakfast which I scarcely tasted, and I was afterwards left alone to the indulgence of my own thoughts and the horrors of my situation, Sa) altho’ my mind was beforehand prepared for the event, ba 3 still its proximity could not but make that impression ae which was so very natural. The terrors of death pre- sented themselves to my affrighted imagination, and the sad conviction that I could count the moments of my re- maining existence. The last beams.of light were shining upon me, Very soon the darkness of eternal night would overshadow me for ever. All I held dear was to vanish from my eyes, my wife, my family, and my ‘ friends. I shall no longer see (said I to. myself), that | sun whose light enlivens and delights all mortals. Na- Vee ture will array herself in all the luxuries of vernal beauty, Wied but the delightful impression will not penetrate that , humble grave where my cold remains shall for ever lay. An infamous scaffold awaits me and previously an an- guish still harder to be borne. And what are the crimes that have brought me to such an unfortune end? My love towards my country and my scrupulous observance of its laws? No, that cannot be. Virtue can never be entitled to the reward of crime. It is to the injustice of men, to their ambition, to their bad passions, and to their thirst for dominion over their fellow-creatures, that I owe my being led to the scaffold, These thoughts and ideas completely overpowered me and giving way to the impulse of my feelings, I fell into a state of lethargic insensibility, retaining so indistinct | a feeling of existence that I am at a loss for words to Z * Chapel—Capilla, (Estar en la capilla—to prepare for | a death), spoken of Criminals who are in the chapel of the prison previous to their being taken to the place of execution, es eb ORR PRE NE i ges SiS ke neste reer Soars = SS Sea =: �
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Title: Page 0065 (Criminal proceedings against Pablo Lopez)
Text: Se oe 65 vour of anti-constitutional principles, and, a certain hardness of heart, which proved very distressing to my feelings, and caused me to
Show moreSe oe 65 vour of anti-constitutional principles, and, a certain hardness of heart, which proved very distressing to my feelings, and caused me to repent my unwise choice. He, of St. Martin, lamented with me, the injustice of mankind ; he thought me innocent, and spoke to me of the life tocome, in the eternal duration of which Almighty God dispensed his justice, on all mortal ac- tions ; andin whose presence, all eur little passions completely vanished, and from whose vengeance neither political motives, nor those pretences under which hu- man malice endeavours to conceal itself, could devise anescape. There it was that eternal truth would over- come calumny ; and I should reap the just reward of my long sufferings ; that it little mattered, whether or not I appeared guilty, in the eyes ofa misjudging world, (the period of our earthly existence being so limited,) provided I was acquitted by my conscience, and by my supreme Judge, and considered by him worthy of a ne- ver-ending reward. The Curate of Santa Cruz spoke in a different style: his whole care was to explain to me at length the dogmas of religion, requiring me to assent to them, and suppos- ing me in doubt, though my answers shewed that I had none, he set about dispelling it with no less dullness than ignorance, 3 This difference in their opinions, being calculated to perplex me, I inwardly determined to listen rather to the curate of St. Martin, whose mildness and learning so much more eontributed to my consolation, being every way far superior to his fellow clergyman. My agitation on this head being calmed, I had some scruples respecting my asperity, towards the Trinita- rian Friar; unwilling to leave unrepaired, the injus- ticeimplied in my observations to him, which I then thought contrary to Christian morals, and to my own character, I candidly imparted the whole occurrence, to both my directors, and manifested to them, a desire to call him back, and ask his pardon, as a proof of my repentance. The Curate of St. Martin stated it to be his opinion, that nothing more was re- quired, than my inward feeling and plain avowal of my ee a ee ne ln i A el a oe tit ma �
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Title: Page 0066 (Criminal proceedings against Pablo Lopez)
Text: sted he deeeieneneeeienmed thie teeta eee nad eae ace ee 66 | fault, in order to justify me, before God, who. knew the sincerity of my heart ; that,
Show morested he deeeieneneeeienmed thie teeta eee nad eae ace ee 66 | fault, in order to justify me, before God, who. knew the sincerity of my heart ; that, my seeing the Friar again ought to be avoided, as his appearance, and some. imprudent expressions, which he might. make use of, would probably disturb again, that imperfect, calm, which Ithen experienced. The Curate of Santa, Cruz thought otherwise ; giving it. as his opinion, that I | ought tosend for the Friar, as no kind of humiliation, y could be deemed sufficient, to make reparation, for any disrespect, however small, shewn to a Priest; that I wastoo much blamed as an irreligious man, and_there- fore my taking such a step in favour of a minister of re- ligion, would be a public testimony to the contrary. I adhered to the latter advice ; and though the form of the Friar when he appeared, excited the same ideas as before, yet I humbly begged he would pardon my. vio- lence which he did in odd, and friar-like phrases, and giving me a corner of his.not-over-clean Cloth to kiss, he withdrew. Although I made every exertion to appear calm, my heart was suffering the indescribable torments ofan in- ward struggle; I could not blend the idea of my inno-. cence, with that of my punishment ; and the infamy at- tached to the way in which I had to suffer shook my im- perfect resignation. I then thought my want of firmness was a rebellion against. the decress.of heaven, and that jt would unhappily diminish the merit of my sufferings. Ab! what an agonizing situation! I wish my enemies may never experience the like, It being already late, and. the attendants knowing the violence.of my internal sufferings and my want of food, presented me a basin of broth; but what broth ! a black : stinking fluid, in a dirty leaden vessel, at the sight and | smell of which my enfeebled stomach recoiled. I did not conceal my reluctance to taste it, and begged that out of the small funds I had still left, (the produce of the gene- rosity of the inhabitants of Madrid,) I might be provi- ded with a nourishment of. a better description, and ina cleaner. and more decent vessel, The brethren of the order of peace and charity, who were then in the Chapel, told me that I should have that sort of nourishment I �
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Title: Page 0067 (Criminal proceedings against Pablo Lopez)
Text: seal 67 wished, however costly it might be, without being put. tothe least expense ; but.as to the vessel, that could not be dispensed with, as it.
Show moreseal 67 wished, however costly it might be, without being put. tothe least expense ; but.as to the vessel, that could not be dispensed with, as it. was an, established custom: not to allow,the use of glass, or any other ware, which might be broken to pieces, and made an instrument with which Culprits, about, to ascend the Gallows, might commit suicide. This caution, however, judicious | may now think it, then excited my, wonder. I thought it was only made use of towards me, and I imagined that so great an anxiety was only manifested, that an opportunity may. not be lost of giving, by the means of my punishment, a horrible and exemplary lesson to those who had es- teemed me, anda delightful revenge to my bloody-mind- ed persecutors, The idea of:my innocence recurred to my imagination with redoubled vivacity, and I expe- rienced so violent an agitation, that I wished that: mo- ment to breathe my last, to. escape its, endurance; and not being able any longer to restrain the impulse which almost over powered me, I vehemently exclaimed, fixing: my eyes on the image of our deceased; Redeemer, which his holy Virgin Mother held in her arms, “ O Lord, thou who arta modelof innocence and sufferance, do not with- hold thy support from that unhappy man who. so. much needs it ; or grant that this moment may, be my last, lam not afraid O Lord, of that death I. behold sonear, but. I want to learn how to meet it with becoming resignation, in the infamous manner in which it is prepared, What are. the crimes, oh God, which I have committed in thy sight, to deserve such adoom? Is thy, justice dormant while the ianocent man.is oppressed, and the wicked trium- phant,? Will thy vengeance ever just and. inevitable, leave the iniquity of those who-trample. on. virtue and, innocence, unpunished ? Wilt thou permit me, guiltless, to die with the stain of criminality upon me? What then will become of afflicted virtue, when it.meets with. nothing but oppression, tyranny, and degradation 2” I, was then interrupted by the Curate of Santa Cruz, who said that I was upbraiding God. unjustly, and that my, . complaints, bordered on desperation ; that I ought to think better, and be persuaded that divine: justice, was... not liable to error; that I euffered justly, and. that. he aT yy ann en mmmmnneeananeieeeen seen Seger ot aoe Se A Fat a i a ee RE na SiS fea: a weitere 5a oe aed en taser ES mi asad h Sade titam etna dened �
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Title: Page 0059 (Criminal proceedings against Pablo Lopez)
Text: og express it, nor do { think they-can be found in any lan- guage te give an adequate description of it. : I was roused from my torpor by the noise
Show moreog express it, nor do { think they-can be found in any lan- guage te give an adequate description of it. : I was roused from my torpor by the noise created by the opening of the door of my cell, and endeavouring to collect my scattered spirits, I exerted myself so far, as to appear calm before the keeper and. his servants, who then entered, and whe in silence carried me away in:the same chair in which I was sitting to the Chapel, the door and antichamber of which were occupied by grenadiers with drawn sabres. On-entering I observed on one side an altar with an image of the Holy Virgin de las Angus- tias, an arm chair (in which I was placed), and two other plain chairs; the Curate of the prison was also there, accompanied by a strange Clergyman, who both regarded me with looks of silent sorrow. Scarcely had I taken possession of the seat, from which I was to be delivered mto the hands of the executioners, when a man dressed in black appeared at the Chapel door, and, without advancing beyond the threshold, enquired for me, to which I replied ; he then asked me if I was Pablo Lopez, on my answering in the affirmative, he pronoun- ced these clear and decisive words, His Majesty, our Lord the King, has been pleased to sentence you to the ordinary punishment of the gallows. And what is the crime for which His Majesty sentences me to so cruel and infamous a punishment ? (enqnired I.) I have been told nothing else replied the personage, and disappeared. As I had long entertained the idea that this would be the end of my trial, such a harsh manner of announcing my fate made not the least impression on me. I had, be- fore hand, asked a fellow prisoner to recommend me to an ecclesiastic, to assist me in those awful moments in which I then daily expected to find myself; and he pointed out a friar of the order called Agonizantes, whose mildness and goodness would attenuate as much as pos- sible the bitterness of my situation. I begged the keeper of the prison to.send for him, and that Priest, although a stranger to me, obeyed my summons with alacrity. My object in this application, was to avoid the un- speakable torments which, under the pretence of religious charity, are inflicted on the unhappy convicts in Spain, �
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Title: Page 0060 (Criminal proceedings against Pablo Lopez)
Text: Or Seeeemeete a mat ld aa i cra aa al aaa en ee 60 during the two days they spend in the Chapel. Every friar, whose.lungs are sufficiently strong to
Show moreOr Seeeemeete a mat ld aa i cra aa al aaa en ee 60 during the two days they spend in the Chapel. Every friar, whose.lungs are sufficiently strong to allow him to exert his voice in an uncommon measure, and with such a barbarous calmness as to insult the miserable sufferer He makes it a duty of Christian charity to go and give vent ted to his imprudent and importunate zeal, by alarming and ih Held terrifying the poor victims. They remind them in strong | terms of the shortness of the moments they have to live, which they count with the most tedious accuracy. They, | paint a hideous picture of their crimes. They insist on | the justice of the sentence. They ponder on the severity of the supreme and inflexible Judge, before whom they are shortly to appear. They enter into a minute descrip- tion of the tortures of an eternal Hell, in the detailed account of which they introduce as many extravagant ideas as their wild fancy suggests, in order to overwhelm the unfortunate individual, who listens to them, with ter- ror and affright. They seldom utter those consoling and mild ideas which Religion presents. They never repre- sent the Deity under that character of goodness and mercy which would inspire the criminal with confidence ; all on the contrary is severity, inexorable justice, terror and pains, as horrible as their duration is eternal. I had already begun to experience some effects of that mistaken and afflictive charity. I had only been a few | moments in the Chapel, when the news of my approach- | ing fate being divulged amongst the prisoners, those in | the yard (who are generally the most profligate and des- | perate Characters) began in a solemn and frightful tone, | (which was answered from the rest within, in their rooms or cells, clanking their irons at the same time), to sing a Salve Regina to the Virgin with many other prayers, soliciting her favour that she would obtain for me from | the disposer of all events, a good death. ‘Their melan- | choly accent, tuneless voices, the unpleasant accompa- | niment of the irons, and the object of their sorrowful and devout prayer which they repeated every hour, had \ such an effect upon me, that I confess the first time 1 iv heard it my body was covered with a cold perspiration and I felt my spirits so much depressed, that I was obliged to use uncommon exertions, not to show sym- RV SSS Reh eens �
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Title: Page 0062 (Criminal proceedings against Pablo Lopez)
Text: - nent eeeeaeeatameet Oe ee ee 62 make a trial of his skill and my patience. I am not equal to the task of describing his odd and ridiculous
Show more- nent eeeeaeeatameet Oe ee ee 62 make a trial of his skill and my patience. I am not equal to the task of describing his odd and ridiculous appearance, although I am anxious to attempt it. His diminutive size, his dark olive complexion, his flat nose, his severe look, and unseemly manners, soon persuaded me that his soul, the inmate of so ill a body, must par- ticipate in the faults of its ridiculous dwelling-place. He stared at me with impudent curiosity, and without further introduction sat down in a chair close to mine, and addressed me in the following manner, “ who would have thought two years ago that you would have come to this? But you have richly deserved it, for havin ae followed heretical doctrines contrary to our holy Reli- ka gion.” I calmly replied, “ Father I thank you for your of polite and charitable way of addressing me, but you | must know that I neither want your assistance, nor your counsels, having entrusted the care of preparing my soul for the awful event that awaits it to two respecta- ble parsons, worthy of my confidence, who are true mi- nisters of Christ Jesus, and from whom I anticipate those consolations and assistance which it belongs to _their holy character to afford.” “Then I see” said he _ in a@ very angry tone, “ you still preserve that capri- cious stubbornness which has always distinguished you, and which has brought you te the state you now are in, Your contempt of a minister of the most High, but too well declares the feelings of your heart. I perceive in you the fatal symptoms of final impenitence. I dont come here for my own pleasure, but by an order from the Almighty and to fulfil my duty ; and in the name | of that God, I tell you that you have but a few hours to live; that you have been a most wicked and criminal man, who have turned your back on the reli- gion of your Fathers by adopting erroneous and hereti- cal tenets, and by declaring yourself an enemy to the King, who is the image of the Godhead on earth ; for which enormous crimes and heinous sins against God, the King and your fellow creatures, you could not atone by the loss of a. thousand lives, if you had so many. There is no other resource left you, but that Divine Mercy, which you as a rebellious sinner tenaciously re- | 7 �
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