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 � Show less
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 � Show less
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, � Show less
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 � Show less
- 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 � Show less
61 f.weakness. The keeper then appeared to tell ao fiat his Excellency the Count de Miranda, the elder of the brotherhood of peace and charity, wished Show more61 f.weakness. The keeper then appeared to tell ao fiat his Excellency the Count de Miranda, the elder of the brotherhood of peace and charity, wished, to know whether the said brotherhood should attend me during the time I had to-spend in the Chapel. I replied that I submitted in every thing to the will of his Ex- cellency, and that he might act as he should think proper, and I also begged that he would ‘call on me ds I had something to communicate to him. The keeper promised me he would tell him, assuring me atthe same time that his Excelleney would not disappoint me; for that he found a pleasure in consoling as far as he was able those who were. unhappily in the same-si- tuation, in which I then found myself. | : ed The Friar I had sent for then arrived, ‘who in a:por lite, mild, and truly charitable manner, .pitied my fate and gave me consolation and advice, which considerably strengthened me; but, he at. the same time informéd me that he was sorry it would not be possible for him to attend me in the Chapel, since but a few days. before one of his community had publicly suffered death, for a most atrocious crime; and on which aceount his com- panions abstained from all public acts, until. time should wipe off that stain, which, though it ought'only to ‘fall on the criminal himself, appeared. to extend to the whole body of which:he was a member, in the eyes of evil minded persons; therefore under these circum- stances he was obliged to conform, to the general deter- mination. I was deeply.grieved at being thus deprived of his assistance, but unwilling to press him because ‘I thought the motives of his denial to be well-grounded, I begged him to point out a trusty!priest, from whose charity and learning I might expect ‘the assistance I wanted ; he named the Curate of the Parish of: St. Martin, and. I, -in addition, the Curate of Santa Cruz, both of whom the good: Friar promised to send me. The two Clergymen who were in the Chapel when I entered, continued pacing up and down, maintaining the strictest silence, when on a sudden there appeared a Friar of the order of Trinitarians, who was coming to ¥F Tee aaa SSS ee ee ae eS � Show less
63 ject. Look to it” said he (raising his voice to the ut- most pitch), “ this is the last assistance which a merci- ful God allows you; should you Show more63 ject. Look to it” said he (raising his voice to the ut- most pitch), “ this is the last assistance which a merci- ful God allows you; should you neglect to improve it, hell is opening beneath your feet, and the Devils are preparing to carry away your pertinacious and unhappy soul.” He would have gone on, but I, annoyed by his tiresome and insolent verbosity, interrupted him by say- ing, “ Father as soon as I saw your strange and ridicu- lous form, I was convinced that. the common enemy of mankind (and not God as you say), had sent you here, to disquiet my soul and put my salvation in danger ; and he could not certainly have entrusted such a com- mission to a person more capable of fulfilling it than yourself. Tell me pray, on what grounds do you charge me with impertinence ? What knowledge do you pos- sess of my character to tax me with being headstrong and obstinate ? What evidence do you adduce to prove that I am a vicious and desperate character? - Wherein have I been guilty of apostacy from the religion of my. Fathers ?. Upon what foundation do you call that man an enemy to his King, whom, ne one in his own station has surpassed in making every kind of sacrifices for his cause, and who though now condemned to an unjust and shameful death by an act of the Royal will, still offers up to Heaven his most fervent prayers for his Majesty’s life, prosperity and success 2 Can the resignation with which I am awalting a most unmerited execution, and my having of my own free will called in two respectable priests, who by their virtues and plety may prepare me to meet death as I ought, be construed into symptoms of irreligion, of impiety, of impenitence, of having fol- lowed tenets condemned by our holy Church? And even if I were so criminal and so hardened in my ob- stinacy, as you have calumniously and grossly supposed in your last insolent speech to me ; would the exaspe- rations, the effrontery and coarseness,which you have so improperly displayed, be fit means to convince and re- claim me? Is such the peace, the charity, the mode- ration, the mildness of that Gospel, of which you un- uly call yourself a minister? Are these your ideas of _ the sanctity, omnipotence and mercy of our God ? � Show less
- i aia er eee ee er OO E e e 107 the only question, therefore, is as to the best means of carrying the latter into effect. The Board of Public Credit Show more- i aia er eee ee er OO E e e 107 the only question, therefore, is as to the best means of carrying the latter into effect. The Board of Public Credit are right in stating that they cannot dispose of the property attached to that establishment; and, as public credit is grounded on an absolute confidence, if once part of that property is taken from the said esta- blishment, all confidence will be lost. But there is a middle course, which is to authorise the Government to afford from the treasury the amount of the value of the house, as well as a capital stock, equivalent to the annuity granted to Pablo Lopez, for I can find no reason to alter the resolution of the Cortes. The expression used by Sen. Romaro de Alprente that that individual was a man hanged, but yet alive amongst us, is exact. And since there is no reasonable motive for the Congress re- voking their resolution, and, on the other hand, the ob- servations made by the Board of Public Credit are cor- rect, I believe that the Cortes ought to direct that the Treasury should provide the necessary funds for the purpose in question. “ The point was then declared sufficiently discussed upon, and the resolution proposed by the Committee adopted, with the following amendment, made by Sen. Diar del Moral : that the pension granted to Pablo Lopez be revertible to bis wife and children. FINIS. ee —— eee eae eam aetna rae miasentemrianerntenittttinte � Show less
a Cada Basen add a nedeae ahead eee ca a aude 98 This affair must not be looked upon as an object which treats of the investigation of the reward Show morea Cada Basen add a nedeae ahead eee ca a aude 98 This affair must not be looked upon as an object which treats of the investigation of the reward which the country grants to a well deserving defender, and to one who, by great prowess and signal services, might _ have obtained the title of hero ; this matter is not, nor can it be examined under such an aspect ; it is that of an honest Spaniard, who, after having shewn, from the year 1808, his love of the liberty and independence of the nation, contributing as much as he was able to the ser- vice of the Spanish troops, sacrificing in its ranks the only son he had, and being afterwards faithful to the ge- neral vow of the nation, and to the precepts of the go- vernment, declared himself a zealous lover of the Con- stitution, which had been proclaimed and sworn to, and of the National Congress, and placing these merits and services as the basis of the process, was the victim of the most atrocious calumny and scandalous injustice; his persecutors treating with ridicule, by their proceed- ings, the decorum of the Cortes and the honour of the Deputies, selecting the Cojo de Malaga as the Chief of the designs, which they attributed to them, and deriving from thence the results which are sufficiently obvious. The Edict which was prepared for the act of conduct- _ing Pablo to the gallows, and which may be met with in folio 225 of the proceedings, signed by the Chairman-of the Committee, who was engaged in them, is the best testimony of these truths. It says: In consequence.of the proceedings which have been instituted against Pablo Lovez, known as the Cojo de Malaga, as aringleaderand hired chief of the riotous galeriants of the said ordinary and extraordinary Cortes, for supporting the annulled Constitution, the decrees extorted by the liberals, the endeavour to degrade the Sovereignty of Our Lord the King Ferdinand VII., to destroy the sacred rights, and to raise up the government and sovereignty of the peo- ‘ple, he is condemned to the gallows. Can we hear with tranquillity such a web of calum- nies and injuries? and will not our indignation be in- creased on knowing that there were no grounds for them, and yet by them an honest Spaniard was sentenced to be hanged. I assure the Congress, that when I consider � Show less
from an information made in Malaga in 1815, it appears that the Sendicos esteemed Lopez as a man of enlighten- ed conduct in every sense of the word, Show morefrom an information made in Malaga in 1815, it appears that the Sendicos esteemed Lopez as a man of enlighten- ed conduct in every sense of the word, and on this ac- count the Magistrate declared that he deserved the re- putation of ‘a good patrician for his political behaviour. “The Committee judges from what has been shown that his zeal and patriotic ardour, his services, and his uncommon sufferings, entitle him to particular conside- ration and to the national gratitude and beneficence ; ~and are of opinion that from the public funds he should be presented with a House in Malaga, his native place, ‘worth from 70,000 to 80,000 ‘rials, and bearing this in- seription—“ Recompensa por la Patria,” and moreover that he should receive from the same souree a pension of 8,000 rials a-year. This report having been read— Senor Giraldo spoke as follows : a greater proof cannot be given of the injustice, perversity of heart, and mean- ness of the enemies of the Constitution, than the pro- ceedings carried on against Pablo Lopez, which are now before the Congress—and_ which ‘cannot be read with any degree of serenity. ! have scanned them over ina few hours and I wish all the Deputies had done the same, and then there would be no one who on hearing the re- port of the Committee, would evince any signs of dis- satisfaction on account of its want of moderation. Let any one place himself in ‘the situation of the unhappy Cojo de Malaga, proceeded against for being a friend of the Constitution, accused of ‘a crime which had no existence, condemned to the degrading punishment of death on the gallows; without the appearance of any proofs, nor even of that which they wished to attribute to him as an excess, placed in the chapel, bound by the hangman, and led almost to the foot of the gallows, and he will then know that nothing is sufficient to compen-~ sate for such grievous ills; and'to shew to the whole world that if there have unfortunately been some Spa- niards who degenerating from the-noble character of that nation, have acted as infamous defamers, calum- nlators, unjust accusers and judges; the whole nation at once makes a compensation for the injuries which the delinquents have done toits name and reputation, I � Show less
102 the fact which Iam going to relate. Several witnesses having been examined as to whether Lopez did or did not contribute to or cause the tumult in Show more102 the fact which Iam going to relate. Several witnesses having been examined as to whether Lopez did or did not contribute to or cause the tumult in the Galleries, one only deposed to the particular, and how did he do so? Let the Congress observe the evidence of this witness—he says, that on one occasion there were shouts and cries of Off Off, and at the Same time he received a violent blow in the back, and that turning his head he saw the Cojo de Malaga the third person from him, This assertion alone was in the eyes of the Judge who presided, sufficient to prove the charge and to cause the culprit to be condemned to the punishment with which this assembly is already acquainted. Sen. Florez Citrada then followed—] shall not speak ofthe report, nothing having been said against it, I only rise to justify the committee with respect to the objec- tion advanced by Sen. Giraldo, of the seeming parsi- mony of the remuneration awarded to Pablo Lopez. The Committee themselves have thought so too, but at the same time they have taken into consideration that although this individual’s merit may be very manifest, he is not the only one deserving of the reward of the Country—there are many in this case and although all aré not in his state, they must not on that account go unrewarded ; so that the Committee have been obliged to be somewhat economical, contrary to their inclination, of fully acknowledging the deserts and sufferings of this individual. The point being considered sufficiently discussed, the report of the Committee was approved, and Sen, Calatrava said—the Congress has just done an act of justice in rewarding a Patriot who was near los- ing his life for supporting the Constitution and the li- berty of his Country; but i¢ seems to me that the Con- gress must perform another act of justice in order to complete their intention, and that is to punish: the slan- derer. Inthe Town of Malaga, in which a House and Lands producing annually 8,000 reals, is ordered to be given to Pablo Lopez—there lives one of those impos- tors who accused as principal promoters of the disorder Pablo Lopez and other Patriots whom he has endea- � Show less
—— 103 voured to ruin, and who is now enjoying at the expense of the nation a reward for his infamies, which exceeds that bestowed upon Pablo Lopez Show more—— 103 voured to ruin, and who is now enjoying at the expense of the nation a reward for his infamies, which exceeds that bestowed upon Pablo Lopez for his Patriotism. I have approved this proposition with much pleasure, having witnessed his virtues in a prison in which we were confined at the same time, and I had occasion to observe his resignation and great modesty ; I must also remark that the enemies of the Constitution asserted that he received 60 rials a day from the Cortes, and having been myself among other deputies appointed by the ordinary Cortes, for the formation of the Criminal Code, this unhappy man thinking that a porter would be named for this Committee, solicited the situation for himself, and this was the period in which the Anti-Con- Stitutionalists supposed that the Cortes gave him 60 rials a day. I have as I said before seen him in the Prison, and admired his heroism and fortitude. I shall only call the attention of the House to this particular, the favour being already granted. But will it be just that whilst the nation is granting him this remuneration as a man persecuted for sustaining its just cause, it should suffer persecutors to remain unpunished and con- tinue in their enjoyment of what they have unjustly acquired by their infamous conduct? ‘Thus I am of opinion, that the Committee should take this again into consideration, and propose to the House as the means of indemnifying the nation, what it expends in rewarding the good Patriots, to apply the property which they who caused their misfortunes are enjoying. JOURNAL OF THE CORTES. MEETING OF THE 71H NOVEMBER, 1820. The Committee of rewards presented the following report :—“ The Cortes decreed on the 14th of Sep- tember last, that in consideration of the extraordiaary patriotic services of Pablo Lopez, known as the cripple of Malaga, a House of the value of 70 to 80,000 rials � Show less
- ae : a - - . . $. cf . ee ee 104 vellon, should be given him out of the public funds in that City, and that he was to receive besides out of the Show more- ae : a - - . . $. cf . ee ee 104 vellon, should be given him out of the public funds in that City, and that he was to receive besides out of the same public property a capital stock, the interest on which should amount to 8,000 rials. « That resolution was passed to the Minister of Fi- nances, who, inferring from the expression public funds ! that it had reference to the public credit, communicated a it to the Board, charged with the direction of that esta- J ee blishment ; and the said Board in consequence of such “9 Bd communication, represented to the Minister on the 2\1st, | stating, that although they wished to have it in their power to carry at once into effect a resolution in which the Congress should shew their high sense of Justice,they however conceived that its execution could not be in- cumbent upon them, as there was no question in this case of paying any of the debts specified under the title of pubéic debts, but only of remunerating the Pa- triotic merits of Pablo Lopez, and such was not the ap- Ce plication given to the funds aud property of the esta- ia blishment ; which could not be chargeable with giving effect to that remuneration, for being exclusively applied to the payment of the debt of the State, any other bur- then laid upon them was irrelevant and destructive of that confidence which is the support of public credit ; and they added that although the donimation of public funds comprehended all those who belonged to the State, inclusive of those of the public credit, the reso- fe lution of the Cortes could not be applicable to the ae latter, since they were specifically and invariably des- Hi tined to the payment of the public debt, as well as the af property from which they are derived; and that there- fore no debt which was not strictly a debt of the State could be paid out of the said funds, in conformity with the solemn promises made to the public creditors by all the Decrees and regulations issued on the subject ; a principle which ought to be most punctually and scru- pulously adhered to, as the only way of re-establishing the confidence of the nation, facilitating the means to pay the public creditors, and consolidating the credit of the State. Seen eee coats erm ee ee te eed a ee Seah par cies 4 i a SE OS SS eS Oe eS Se Seay Gees kee oe : ed ie sa bi oe Lis fy � Show less
106 ought not to go back from what has been already done in the grant of a reward which is to be of everlasting memory. Where is the propriety of Show more106 ought not to go back from what has been already done in the grant of a reward which is to be of everlasting memory. Where is the propriety of conferring a situ- ation under Government to one who cannot effectually discharge its duties ? Let, therefore, the moderate reward already granted by the Cortes be carried into effect, for I believe that Pablo Lopez will be well satisfied with any if, granted to him by the Congress, while he may a perhaps reject it from the hands of Government. Sen. Almero Alprente : We are called upon to decide as to the fulfilment of a resolution of the Congress, the most worthy not only of the generosity, but also of the justice of the Spanish nation. The individual who is the subject of this discussion has been hanged for his love to the country ; an expression which I may be properly allowed to use, as he did fully drink out the cup of bitterness attending that punishment. The Go- vernment has been directed to discharge the obligations which the nation was laying under towards that indivi- dual, and the Board of Public Credit are right in their remonstrances on the subject: but the Cortes can make an exception to any general rule. Why not fulfil what has already been promised ? My opinion is that the former resolution of the Cortes ought to be carried into effect, and that Pablo Lopez should not be deprived of the house granted to him, with the inscription ordered upon the same, as it will reflect honor, not only to him and his family, but likewise to the whole Spanish nation. This is not now the cause of that individual but of the country, which ought to exert itself in shewing its gra~ titude : and since it has already rewarded so many others, it is just that it should also do now the same to one who is not less meritorious than all of them. | : Sen. Diar del Morall : There is no answer, in my opi- nion, to what has been stated by the honorable members who have preceded me; but, as it is indispensable to give punctual effect to the decrees of the Cortes, which forbid the application of the property assigned to the Public Credit to any other object, and, on the other hand, there is no reason for making any alteration in the reward granted by the Congress to Pablo Lopez ; rs � Show less
ed 105 « The Minister of Finances has laid by order of the King before the Cortes the preceding statement for their consideration, and the Committee Show moreed 105 « The Minister of Finances has laid by order of the King before the Cortes the preceding statement for their consideration, and the Committee of Rewards and Fi- nances, united, find it perfectly grcunded ; but, consi- dering on the one hand that all the existing national property out of which the remuneration granted by the Cortes might be carried into effect, as well as that which may accrue, in consequence of the reforms now pending in the Congress, 1s wholly applied to the ex- tinction of the public debt, and on the other hand that it is indispensable to give effect in the less prejudicial and more expedient possible manner to the resolution of the Cortes, are of opinion that a pension for life of 8,000 rials might be granted to Pablo Lopez, on the public treasury or upon any of the funds attached to the same, recommending him at the same time to Government, in order that he may be placed when opportunity offers in a suitable situation, to indemnify him for the grant of the Hlouse made by the Cortes, and the salary of which shall not be for the same reason incompatible with the pension. 3 7 : This report having been read, Sen, Silves said, that the Committee had no interest in supporting it, but that having seen the communication from Government which had given occasion to it, they had acknowledged the just grounds of the observations made by the national board of public credit, as to their inability to dispose of the existing public property in Malaga, it being ab- solutely applied to the payment of the creditors of the State. Sen. Quiroga: The Cortes have already decreed and granted the reward due to the merit of the worthy Pa- triot in question, and have signified what that remune- ration is to be; they therefore cannot now g0 back. The reward now proposed by the Committee is inade- quate to what that Patriot deserves, and to the distin- guished services by him performed. A pecuniary re- muneration and employment under Government is not a fit reward to those who have sacrificed themselves for the country. I am not here advocating my own cause - my object is merely to show that the national Congress a a anaes si cn on nn = “ST te ? Bb; RTE PREY 7 3H cae � Show less
velUl(CSlUC 4 ee re rr 99 this innocent victim, suffering the horrors of the most cruel imprisonment, the dreadful agonies he suffered for three days Show morevelUl(CSlUC 4 ee re rr 99 this innocent victim, suffering the horrors of the most cruel imprisonment, the dreadful agonies he suffered for three days in the Chapel, the inhuman treatment he ex- perienced in the fortress to which he was taken; when I read his declarations, replete with the fortitude and truth which are the signs of innocence; when I see him fly to the service of his country as soon as the liberal army of the Island appeared, and offer himself again without being affrighted at his former dangers, I am ready to accuse the Committee of meanness, and as be- ing, if not unjust, at least ungenerous. The injuries and grievances done to Pablo Lopez, were done to the whole nation, which nation cannot Jook with indifference on those who have made themselves calumniating impeachers, prostituted fiscals, and unjust judges, in order to degrade it, and to immerge it in the evils in which they threw it, leaving no means untried to obtain their end, and travelling over carcasses sacri- ficed to their infamous caprices, and over victims trod upon at their fancy; but, it ought also to bestow some attention on these victims, and reward their sacrifices with justice and generosity, without compelling those who have suffered to persecute the authors of their ca- lamities as in ordinary causes. ‘The proceedings against Pablo Lopez, as others of a similar nature,were against all the nation ; and it cannot for this reason avoid doing justice by rewarding the merit which resulted from those proceedings, without ever forgetting what has been shewn, and that on the part of his malicious opponents nothing was left undone, in order to consummate the sacrifice which would un- doubtedly have taken place, but for some just and feel- ing souls who made known to the King such vile injus- tice ; and he immediately ordered the sentence to be suspended, and gave this proof of the rectitude of his august heart, and of the just intentions which have al- ways animated him, Thanks to the King’s Justice, which has presented us with this discussion, in which the National Congress shows the sentiments which ani- mate all the Deputies, and which, by approving the re- port ofthe Committee, and making the additions it may a � Show less
ialiidieiechdiend.ieeinaeneeennoe re 100 think fit, will prove to the whole world that the country is 20 indulgent mother, who attends to the deserts Show moreialiidieiechdiend.ieeinaeneeennoe re 100 think fit, will prove to the whole world that the country is 20 indulgent mother, who attends to the deserts and _ Sacrifices of her offspring, and rewards them with justice and generosity. Sr. Quintana then said: It was my intention to say something respecting the ridiculous proceedings invent- ed by malignity, in order to ruin the meritorious citizen Pablo Lopez; but Sr. Giraldo having already painted it in its true colours, I shall eonfine myself merely to an expression of my thanks-to the Committee, for the ex- actness and truth with which they have described the memorable, tumult of which they supposed the said Lopez capable; an exactness and truth to which I can bear witness, having had the honour to be one of those who had met together in that famous insurrection. Moreover, I wholly confirm the report of the Committee, which, however, appears to me to have been rather nig- _gardly in the rewards they propose for a citizen, so great a lover of his country; I should, therefore, wish that something more was awarded him, aud that the same or some other Committee would point out a different kind of reward for the fiscal, judges, and all others concerned in sucha notorious procedure, the whole of whom ought, in my opinion, to be raised to the exalted situation to which they are, by their eminent and well known services so entitled. Sen, Cepero then rose and said: I consider this as- sembly to be so unanimously disposed to approve the report of the Committee, that I do not think they need any stimulus for that purpose. [shall not, therefore, dwell upon it, not seeing any necessity for so doing; but only attempt to convince them of some facts, which will justify the opinion which I conceive all the Deputies will give. Ihad the honor to be a member of the Ordi- nary Cortes, and one of those who formed the Com- mittee of its interior Government. On this account I was obliged to make some inquiries respecting the up- roar which several times took place in the Galleries, and these being the real charges against Pablo Lopez, whica gave life and fuel to the proceedings, and led him to the Gallows, in conformity with the sentence pronounced � Show less
101 against him, for having been supposed the cause of those disturbances, I ought to make known whatever I know, -n order to show clearly the false Show more101 against him, for having been supposed the cause of those disturbances, I ought to make known whatever I know, -n order to show clearly the false imputation and iniquity with which he has been persecuted by the enemies of the Constitutional system. Pablo Lopez has not only been a ood Spaniard, but may be called a heroin his rank. I made all the inquiries 1 thought proper, and even ob- served him myself, with a view to inform myself of the truth. ‘The result convinced me that this worthy man, far from being a promoter of tumult, was, on the con- trary, one who endeavoured to establish order by his ad- vice, which he effected several times, so that it may be truly said that the enemies of the Constitution wished to ridicule it, carrying their inhumanity even as far as to offer up as its victim a man who could have no influence in the system, but his adherence to it. Pablo Lopez constantly attended the Galleries, and I was obliged to give orders to the porters to lethim go in with his crutch, which he could not do without on account of his lame- ness, it being forbidden to any one to enter with a stick. Consequently, I feel myself called upon to state, that this unfortunate man did not commit any other crimes than being present at the debates ef the Congress, without having ever given the least occasion for the disorders, which sometimes took place there, should be imputed to him. I, therefore, conclude by supporting the report of the Committee, and by begging the Cortes, that as Lopez was made the object of the shameless conduct of his persecutors, he may also be made that ef the justest reward, for the sufferings he underwent for his love of the Constitution. Sen. Golfin then said—I wished to say a few words as an individual of the Committee, but as no one has yet impugned its report, and as I rather observe that it meets the general approbation ; I shall reserve what I had to advance till it should be opposed, an event which I do not at present anticipate. In the mean time I will add a few words to what Sen. Cepero has advanced respecting the affair of the Galleries. It actually is a charge substantiated in the proceedings against ablo Lopez, but in support of it there is no other proof than ; 3 f i f j racecar crm steht tien tate Y re i Ree sonar � Show less
— - wT OO OOOmSlU Ole ES ee eee eS SS lO Ch lmlmlCC = ee "SR —— 8 ae oe a; 19 These fond demonstrations infuriated to exeess the liberticide Show more— - wT OO OOOmSlU Ole ES ee eee eS SS lO Ch lmlmlCC = ee "SR —— 8 ae oe a; 19 These fond demonstrations infuriated to exeess the liberticide party. The victories obtained over the French, had dispelled their fears of falling again under foreign yoke ; they redoubled their efforts by incendiary and seditious writings, electioneering intrigues, gross and atrocious calnmnies, fabricated prophecies, and apochryphal miracles ; no means were left untried ; and the famous trial of the false Audinot, with which all Europe is acquainted, is sufficient to give a faint idea of the iniquitous means employed by those spurious chil- dren of my country, to delude the people, to smother liberty whilst in its cradle, and to sully the well-earned fame of its most illustrious and resolute defenders. I, who, as well as many others, understoood this cri- minal manceuvre, thought it my duty to defend liberal principles, firmly, yet in a becoming manner ; not by base and infamous. means, although by way of repri- sal, 1 might. have censidered myself justified in making use.even of the latter ; but such.a line of conduct would not only have been contrary to my own feelings, but also unworthy the justice and nobleness of the cause which I espoused. In all the meetings which, I attended, I did not fail to disclose the plots of the Serviles ; to eulogize the constitution ; to declaim against abuses,.and to pon- der on the advantages to be derived from those reforms, for which we had’so long sighed. The vehemence of my speeches, my.tone,.and above.all, that character. of deep-felt conviction, by which I apbeared actuated, and which gave me a kind of natural eloquence, procured me abundance of hearers, and applauses, which I valued, inasmuch. as they contributed. to make. my patriotic opi- nions prevail, not being in the least actuated by any personal interest. | These debates however, procured mean ill-fated ce- lebrity, I saw myself ‘at: once beloved and hated : court= ed and persecuted ; some looked upon me as‘an extra- ordinary man; others: thought me: an abominable. mon- ‘ster ; and the servile party; having-now determined:on my ruin, began to persecute me openly ;. they; endea- voured to prevent my entrance into the gallery of the � Show less