Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-12-20

THE INouIsTTToN IN spATN.

THE INQUISITI0E IN SPAIN
In 1909, Col. Lchmanowsky was attaehed
to that part Of Napoleon's army which was
stationed in Madrid While in this city,
said Col L., l used to speak freely among
the people about the priests and Jesuits
and the Inqaisition.' Ii had been decreei
by the Emperor Napoleon that the InqBisiy
tiOn and tho Monasteries should he sup
pressed bat the decree, like some If the
laws enacted in this country, was not yet
exeeuted
Months had passed away, but the prisons
of the Inquisition were still unopened. ~
5R@bisht, ahoTe 10 OF IL 6Gloelo a., Clssl@.
j.. was walking the streets Of Madrid, two
armed men sprang upon him from an alley,
and made a furious attack. He instantly
drew his sword, and placed himself in po-
sition Of defence, aud while struggling with
them, he saw at a distance the lights of the
patrols, French soldiers, mounted, who
carried lanters, and rode through the streets
Of the city at all hours Of the night, to pre-
serve order He called to them in French,
aud, as they hastened to his assistance, the
assailants took to their heels and escaped,
not, however, before he saw by their dress
that they belonged to the guards Of the In
QUESTION
The Col went Immediately to Marshal
Soult then Governor Of Madrid, told him
what had taken place, and reminded him
Of the decree to suppress this institution.
Marshal Soult replied that he might 90
and destroy it. Col l.. told him that his
regiment (the ninth of the Polish lancers,)
was not sufficient for such service, but if
he would give him an additional regiment,
ll7th, be would undertake the work. The
ll7th regiment was under the control Of
Col. De Lille, who is now, like Col. H.. a
minister Of the Gospel and pastor of an
Evangelical church in Marseilles, France
The troops required were granted, and
proceeded (said Col L.) to the Inquisition
which was situated about FIVE miles from
the city Il was surrounded by a wall of
great strength, and defended by company
of soldiers. When we arrived at the walls,
| addressed one Of the sentinels and sum-
monod the holy fathers to surrender to the
imperial army, and open the gates Of the
Inquistion The sentinel who was stand
ing on the wall, appeared to enter into con-
versation for moment with some one with
in, at the close Of which he presented his
musket, and shot oue Of my men. This
was a signal for attack, and ordered my
troops 70 FIRE upon those whosppearod upon
the walls.
~ sHrwag saen obvious that II was an ,sne-
quail warfare. The walls of the inquisition
were covered with the soldiers of the holy
Office there was also breastwork upon
the WALL behind which they but partially
exposed themselves as they discharged their
muskets. Our troops were in an open
plain, and exposed to destructive fire.
We had no cannon, nor could we scale the
walls, and gates successfully resisted all at
tempts at firing them. l could not retire
and send for a cannon to break through the
walls, without giving them time to lap
train to blow US up. | saw that it wa'
necessary to change the mode of attack
and directed some trees to be cut down ant
trimmed, to be used as battering rams -
Two Of these were taken up by detachment
of men, as numerous as could work to ad
vantage, and brought to bear upon thu
walls with all the power which they coul
exert, while the troops kept up fire t
protect them from the fire poured upo
them from tho walls. Presently the wall
began to tremble, breach was made, an
the imperial troops rushed into the Inquis
ton. Here we met with an incident whic
nothing but Jesuitical effrontery is equa
to. The Inquisitor-general, followed b
the father confessors in their priestly robes
all came out of their rooms, as we were m1
king our way into the interior of the Inqu
sitiou, and with long faces, and their arm
crossed over their breasts their fingers res
ing on their shoulders, as though they ha
been deaf to all the noise of the attack an
defence, and had just learned what was g
ing on, they addressed themselves in Il
language Of rebuke to their own soldier
saying Why do you fight our friends Il
French p
Their intention, no doubt, was to NAL
us think that this defence was wholly una
thorized by them, hoping if they cou
make us believe that they were friendl
they should havc1he better opportunity,
tho confusion uf tho moment, to escape.-
ThOir arti6eo was too shallow, and did n
succeed. caused them to be placed u
der the guards, and all the soldiers of t
Inquisitiou to be secured as prisoners. '
then proceeded to examine all the rooi
of the stately cdi6ce. We passed throu
room after room; found all perfectly in
der, richly furnished, with affairs and cru
fixes, and wax candles in abundance,
could discover no evidence Of iniouity,
ing practised there re-nothing Of those pc,
liar features which we expected to find
an Inquisition. We found splendid pai
ings, and rich aud extensive library
Here was beauty and splendor, and
most perfect order on which my eyes
ever rested. The architecture-the I
portions were perfect. The ceiling
floors of wood were secured aud highly
ished. The marble pavements were
ranged with strict regard to order, 1T
was everything to please and crafty
tivated taste; but where were those ho
instruments Of torture of which we
been told; aud where those dungeons
which human beings we're said to be bu
aliveY We searched in vain The
father assured as that they had been bell
that we had seen all and l was prepi
20 give up the search, convinced that
Inquisition was different from other
which had heard.
But Col. De Lille was not SO read
myself TO rclinquish our investigation