Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1870-01-05
THE STORY OF Don CARLOS.
A Father Signs his SONS Death War


penfOJQ was 6DSdS0u III al examination OF
Spanish state papers for the Master of the
Re lis when he was struck down by fever il
the beginning of the present year at Mad
rid. His very last discovery was detailed
account of the arrest, trial and execution
of Don Carlos, son Of King Philip H.,
pu porting to be written by Fray Juan de
Avila, the Princes confessor, and an eye
witness of the proceedings he describes. A
sum mary of this document is given by Mr.
Cartwright in the Memorial Sketch" of
Bergenroth, which he has Just published, x
and of which we shall have further occasion
to speak. In reproducing the substance OF
this vivid and startling narrative, it is
needful to say that Bergenroth died before
he had fully satisfied himself as to its
genuineness. The story is as follows
Don Carlos was a young prince vely much
inclined TO do what pleased him without
any respect for others. He was, however,
on good terms with his father, King Philip,
until the king married his third wife, Isabel
of France. Isabel was of the same age as
Don Carlos, and uncommonly handsome
Don Carlos fell in love with her, and made
her declaration IN loYnoa, which the queen
was weak enough to answer, begging him
co desist from his suit, because she, bein @
bound By the most sacred ties to his father
could never be his. This letter miscarried
and came, the priest says he does not know
in what way, into the hands OF Philip, who,
finding it by far too warm, strongly repri-
nanded his wife and son and forbade
them, under severe penalties, to see each
other Or to write to one another. Don
Carlos, instead of repenting, con-
ceived q very strong hatred of his
father and relished any misfortune that
might befali him" One result of this was
that he entered into correspondence with
the Prince of Orange aud Counts Egmont
and Horn, promising to join their move
ment, and, if possible, to persuade his faith
er to give him the command of the troops in
the Low Countries, which he could then
transfer, together with himself, to the ranks
of the insurgents Again the Prince was un-
lucky in papers revealing the project, Or, at
least, suggesting a scent of it, falling into
his fathers hands First, the King profess
ed TO believe that it was a case of heresy,
and arresting Don Carlos, referred him
to the Inquisition. They pronounced the
Prince to be good Catholic, and the King
next resolved to proceed against him for
high treason. He himself dictated the ac-
which was signed by three priests
of whom one was the Princes own confes-
sor. and the author Of the memoir. fThe
King told them to keep the proceedings
secret in order not to make public the
conduct of his son, and he add
ed, although he was perfectly justified,
there are people who would think him
hard and sarguinary if they were to know
the TRUTH He intended, therefore, after
wards to have the rumor spread that Don
Carlos had died of Illness, or something
similar"
At first Don Carlos denies categorically,
and in the most determined manner, all
the charges against him. Torture is
but he still persists in his de-
nil. Torture is then actually applied; the
hangman, who, with his assistant, has
been brought blin57fold to the house, fas-
tens the cords to his hands, and he and
his assistant give four turns. The accused
hea7es deep sigh and remains as though
he were dead. They throw water over his
face, and he RECEIVERS. When the execu-
toner prepares himself to continue, the
Prince declares that he will tell the truth.
The same questions are read to him which
he had denied. He confirms al of them.
The court declares the inquisition con-
cluded, and DEGREES that the cause is to be
theard." Then the record proceeds as fol-
lows:
The court assembled. Antonio Perez re-
peated his accusation, and asked that Don
Carlos be beheaded. Escovedo (who is spo-
ken Of throughout as counsel for Don Car
los, but who was really one of the judges
repeats his defence, and asks at all events
q milder punishment. Antonio Perez and
Escovedo take their seats at the table, at the
right and left Of the President They con-
for The President pronounces the sentence
of death and contiScation of all property
against the Prince Don Carlos Cf Austria
(Che sentence dated 21st OF February, is
verbatim inserted.) The sitting concluded
at daybreak The judges and the friars
went, however, to see the King. They
found him saying prayers. Vargas informed
him that the sentence was pronounced
The King read all the proceedings with
great attention, and especially the final
Judgment. He asked, sIs all confOrmed
to law ?" Eyes, sire," answered Vargas
esHave all means of accusation and defence
been exhausted 2" s'Yes, sire" repeated
Vargas; 'swe have conducted the case as
though the Prince we're common subject,
and this is the result" 'T observe here an
omission in the questions" said the King;
':the Prince has not been asked how many
accomplices he has, and who they are. =
Vargas excused himself. The King was
not angry, and said if the prince should
confess he would not sign the sent
ence. We all were astonishad at the
frmness Of mind, (enfereza) of the
King, for, according to our manner of I'M
derstanding Ia ne,tstfo nlod0 de entender),
he should have shown sorrow for the fate
that was prepared for his son. He, with a
serene face, and without betraying the least
sign of grief, serenely and calmly signed
the sentence of his SON." The King re.
tanned the papers, in order to examine them
more at leisure. The judges and witnesses
went to ask the Prince about his accom-
pliees. The Prince said he had none, and
if he had he would not betray them. Vargas
admonished him, but to no purpose. When
they returned to the King and Informed
him of the answer of the Prince, he OBJ
served, "He is very generous, but I wish
he we're less So" The King delivered the
sentence to Vargas.
The next night the judges and witnesses
went to the room of the Prince, whom they
found in bed, and who seemed to be sur
prised. AS there was no clerk, Vargas rea6
TO him the sentence. The Prince was
frightened, and exclaimed, lis there nc
help?' NO." answered Vargas, ''the
King has already signed" The Prince
broke out in lamentations. st is impos
sible !" he exclaimed, 'that my father
pushes things to such extremes. I wan
to see him. Go and ask him to come hf
will perhaps nullify the sentence" Tht
Prince broke out in tears. Those vino
were present were moved. Escovedc
went to inform Philip of the wishes
of his son. Philip answered that hC
would not see him, because he had already
delivered him into the hands of justice, ant
the Judgment was just. Although the sen
terce must be executed, he forgave him
When Escovedo came back with this an
swer the Prince was III despair. Those
who were present comforted him, and the
Prince, being young man of high spirits
became calmer when am [ to be execU.
ted?' he asked. Vargas answered, ''Ir
three days" The Prince begged to be ex
ecuted on the spot, or next day, at latest
As he wis ed to be left alone, all with the
exception of the confessor, went to IN
form the King of his demand. The King
granted it.
The conversations of the confessor witt
Prince are next given, the Prince declaring
his only desire being to do justice to tht
rla oil