Narrative of the persecution and imprisonment in Portugal of William Young, esq., H. P. British service

Contents

Page

Introduction 1

Narrative 11

Chap. I. — Residence at Leiria : State of Society in that City ib

Chap. II. — Influence of the Priests over the Magistrates . . First Constitutional Charter, 1 820' 19

Chap. III. — Don Miguel's Proclamation in 1824. Charge of innocent Individuals with being Freemasons 26

Chap. IV. — Superstition of the lower Classes among the Portuguese . 35

Chap. V. — Arrival of Don Pedro's Constitutional Charter from the Brazils, in 1826. , 41

Chap. VI. — Arrival of Don Miguel in Lisbon, and his Reception by the Clergy and Corporate Chambers throughout the Kingdom 14

Chap. VII. — State Prisoners in Portugal ; Intrigues of the Priests, and Proclamation of Don Miguel I. by the Rabble of Lisbon 49

Chap. VIII. — Journey from Lisbon to Leiria; Arrest and Imprisonment in the Gaol of that City 59

Chap. IX. — Arrival of the Royalist Troops at Leiria ;

Brutal Treatment I received in the Goal of that Town. 70 , Chap. X. — Infamous Conduct of the Portuguese Magistrates, Clergy, and Rabble, under the Sanction of Don Miguel 79

Chap. XI. — Insolence and Hypocrisy of the Priests; Examination before the Provincial Judge 82 vi

Page

Chap. XII. —Preparation for ray removal to Lisbon ; Brutality of the Miguelites 91

Chap. XIII. — Departure for Lisbon under Escort, and Arrival at the Castle of St. George 97

Chap. XIV.— Prison in St. George's Castle, Lisbon ... 103

Chap. XV. — Management and Condition of Prisons in Portugal ; Procession of Corpus Christi, with the Governor St. George 110

Chap. XVI. — Horrors of Portuguese Imprisonment .... 119

Chap. XVII. — Levy of Troops by Don Miguel ; Character of the Royalist Troops 126

Chap. XVIII. — Departure of the English Squadron from the Tagus ; its Effects in Consolidating the Usurpation of Don Miguel 134

Chap. XIX. — Protection of Murderers by the Corruption of Magistrates, and Cruelties practised on innocent Men 141

Chap. XX — Imprisonment producing Madness; Groundless Charges for Imprisonment; Transportation of Prisoners without Trial 154

Chap. XXI. — Base Treachery of Don Miguel to the Garrison of Almeida 166

Chap. XXII. — Ferocity of the Priests and their Tool the old Queen ; and Revengeful Character of Miguel 173

Chap. XXIII. — Festival of St. Peter ; Suspicion of the Miguelite Faction 183

Chap. XXIV. — Convict Physicians; Cruel Treatment of the Insane Prisoners 190

Chap. XXV. — Quintino, an Officer in the Suite of Don Miguel, St. Georges Castle 196

Chap. XXVI. — Murderers taking Sanctuary ; [Atrocious Conduct of the Clergy 210

Chap. XXVII. — Portuguese Law Proceedings, and

Mockery of Justice 218

The Trial 227

Conclusion 332

Protest 336

Appendix , 343

Introduction

As all the injuries and persecution I have sustained in Portugal, have arisen solely on account of my being an English subject, and as such, suspected of being inimical to the detestable mental and political slavery which it is the constant object of the Catholic clergy to perpetuate, it will be proper to give a slight sketch of the despotism which these men exercise over the great mass of the Portuguese people, in order to render my " narrative" somewhat more intelligible to the English reader.

Having resided in Portugal, with little intermission, during the last twenty years ; having

k B married a Portuguese lady, and lived in constant intercourse with persons of every class, both of the clergy and the laity, and being perfectly acquainted with the Portuguese language, I feel myself qualified to form a more accurate estimate of the Portuguese character and habits, and of the overwhelming influence of the clergy, than any native Portuguese, whose religious scruples and observances preclude him altogether from investigating the principles or the conduct of those who are appointed his spiritual directors, and of whose infallibility it is almost sacrilege to entertain the slightest doubt.

So great, so universal, is this debasement of the human mind, under the discipline of the Romish Church in Portugal, that men of the most cultivated minds, in other respects, entertain an absolute dread of any inquiry into the moral character of their clergy. This feeling approaches more nearly to that awe and reverence with which the pious man contemplates the character or attributes of the Deity, than to the disposition with which we discuss a question of merely human interest.

It is difficult to explain this morbid reverence for men whose moral characters are frequently stained with the commission of almost every vice, and the remarkable absence of almost every virtue. I am inclined to ascribe it chiefly to fear : those demons never fail to excommunicate all those who are rash enough to dispute their infallibility. There are of course many exceptions to the rule, and I have had the good fortune to meet with some instances, among my own acquaintance, of men who are distinguished, both for moral integrity, and great intelligence, under the disguise of the cowl and cassock of priestcraft.

But I feel fully assured of being within bounds, when I assert that more than three-fourths of the regular and irregular clergy of Portugal, are

men capable of conniving at, or practising every vice that disgraces human nature.

I shall not take upon me to investigate the influence which these men must exercise over

b 2 the female mind. It would tear asunder the veil which ought always to be preserved over female character, were I to repeat here all that has been related to me during my social intercourse with a very large circle of the more respectable Portuguese.

But I must be permitted to state my perfect conviction, that no guarantee whatever can exist as to female honour or female purity, in a

state of society where, under the mask of religious duties, females of every class are subjected

to the contamination of such men as the great majority of the Portuguese clergy ; to the abominable farce of confession, required by the Catholic dispensation — a confession of offences, to whom? to men who are incomparably more immoral than all the other portions of the community ! — Whether it can be possible that female innocence should remain uncontaminated by such a moral pestilence, I shall leave such of my readers to answer, as may be either parents or guardians of British youth.

These men, who envelope themselves in the exterior garb of sanctity, can scarcely be said to entertain any common feeling or sympathy with the rest of mankind. This, no doubt, is to be ascribed in a great measure to their education, and to the abominable discipline of their church, which forbids contracts in marriage with the opposite sex.

Indeed, I have heard many of the more intelligent and respectable priests often deplore the hardness of their lot, in being excluded from the purest fountains of human bliss — connubial love and parental sympathies. But truth obliges me to repeat, that the vast majority, more especially of the irregular clergy of Portugal, are men unqualified and incapable, from their vicious habits, of appreciating or enjoying the advantages of domestic obligations.

The violation of both religious and moral duties by these men, would often consign them to that tribunal of justice which would serve , as a warning to others among the community, but for the shield which is invariably thrown over their atrocities by their colleagues, with the view of protecting their fraternity from the gaze of the public eye.

I must reserve for a future opportunity, any detail of facts connected with the numerous atrocities committed by these men under the mask of religion, as I intend to send another work to the press, at an early day, descriptive of the manners, habits, &c, of the Portuguese, But in the following pages, I trust I have shewn sufficient to prove, that the duplicity and scandalous intrigues of the clergy have one common object — - that of the aggrandizement of their own order, to the moral and political debasement of every other class of the community.

With this view, they invariably stigmatize with the name of Freemason, every man who

attempts, even in social or familiar conversation, to use any arguments in favour of religious or political freedom. Toleration, whether in matters of faith, or affairs of Government, is a term unknown in their nomenclature. Like their worthy fraternity in Austria, who stigmatize all men, except the most miserable bigots and slaves who bow the knee to priestcraft, with the name of Illuminati, and in the Italian States with the title of Carbonari, these insolent Portuguese friars and jesuits, uniformly apply the epithet Freemason, to every one that doubts their infallibility, although, in three cases out of four, they are entirely ignorant of the nature and object of masonic institutions ! Indeed, the great majority of the ignorant monks and friars of Portugal, consider the English Constitution and Freemasonry as one and the same ; and in the addresses and admonitions delivered to their ignorant flocks, these ministers of religion apply the most opprobrious terms when alluding to any thing connected with England or the cause of freedom.

There is, beyond all doubt, a secret understanding pervading the whole of the Portuguese clergy, that the system of tyranny practised under the authority of the wretch Miguel, is indispensable for the preservation of their own body. That if once the Constitution of Don Pedro were allowed to take root in Portugal, there would be, at least, a check to the growth of that upas tree, which has poisoned society to its core, and which spreads its noxious branches over the fairest portions of Europe.

The priests cannot claim, as in some other nations, even the merit of personal attachment to their monarch ; and I may be permitted to declare my thorough conviction, that a regard for the interests of religion, divested of sensual enjoyment and political influence, is scarcely to be found throughout the entire body of the Portuguese clergy. They wish to perpetuate absolute tyranny in the government, in order to prolong their own tyranny and rapacity in their respective districts. Unless a desperate effort be made to rescue Portugal from the fangs of the second Nero, Don Miguel, we may expect, ere many months elapse, to hear of the streets of Lisbon being deluged with blood.

I feel myself, therefore, fully warranted in concluding, that the depravity, the intrigues, and the treachery of the Portuguese clergy, have been the immediate sources of the late disgraceful subversion of the Constitution, and of the elevation of Don Miguel to the seat of royalty :— this will, I hope, be fully established by the following " Narrative."

NARRATIVE

Chapter I. Residence At Leiria : State Of Society In That City

Previous to the narrative of facts connected with my trial for state offences in Portugal, it will be necessary to give a short detail of circumstances leading to the period when I was arrested ; by which means the reader will be enabled to judge of the merits of my case, and without which, the very few persons in England who understand the Portuguese language thoroughly, would be able to arrive at just conclusions on the subject.

A mere translation of my trial, without the introductory matter I am about to give, would be of little interest to the public, and would only serve to confuse their ideas as to the actual state of Portugal, and the treatment I have received.

I shall execute my task in the briefest and most impartial manner, chiefly confining myself to facts which have occurred under my own eye, during my residence in Portugal.

I have resided at Leiria since the peace of 1814, and during that period have lived in constant friendship with the natives in general. I knew the Portuguese language well, before that time ; and I married a Portuguese lady in the beginning of the year 1811. With my connections, and the opportunities 1 have had of studying the manners, customs, and character of the natives (which I never lost any opportunity of doing), I feel myself competent to give such a statement of facts, as will shew the world how difficult, or rather impossible, it is for a liberal government to exist in a country where Popery, in its most degraded form, is the established religion. It is far from my intention to arraign, in the following pages, the principles of genuine religion, either under the form of the Protestant, or the Catholic persuasion: I war not against religion, but against the mask or semblance of religion, to cover moral turpitude, and enslave mankind.

Yet I have no wish to evince the vindictive feelings towards my numerous friends among the inhabitants of Leiria, who are members of the Catholic faith, which the pastors and preceptors of that religion evinced toward me, previous to and during my trial for offences against the state.

Many of the clergy of Leiria and its vicinity are much indebted to me, and I flatter myself that I may term some of them my friends ; yet one only of them made any attempt to save me from persecution, which circumstance I shall hereafter particularize.

I do not recollect, in a single instance, having quarrelled with any person during my long abode at Leiria, and I feel fully assured that I possess many friends in that city.

The city of Leiria contains a population of about three thousand inhabitants. There is a cathedral, with a resident bishop, twelve canons, and other dignitaries of the church ; together with three convents of friars, and one of nuns.

Leiria was totally destroyed by fire in the beginning of 1811, by the French, when they retreated from the lines ; it was began to be rebuilt in 1813, by the Portuguese Government, but no improvements were made. The order was, to replace every thing as it was before ; but with respect to dwelling-houses, it is necessarily much better than when I first knew it in 1809.

When I arrived at Leiria in 1814, the 22d regiment of infantry entered about the same time, and from that period they have been called the Regiment of Leiria. It was natural I should, as a military man, become acquainted with them ; the officers by constantly associating with me, and the men by their working for me.

The Portuguese soldiers, different from most other troops, are allowed to work where they please : even if they are ordered for guard, they may pay for the performance of their duty ; I have often paid one to mount guard for another, whom I wanted to work for me on my lands : and by these means I of course became acquainted with a considerable number of them.

When I first arrived at Leiria, the place was rather dull; I always endeavoured to promote any kind of amusement ; and being rather of a lively disposition, I was generally applied to, and mostly at the head of every thing of the kind. It may appear superfluous to mention these frivolous matters, but it is necessary, as part of my political crime was that of building a theatre !

In the beginning of the year 1817, I proposed a subscription for building the said theatre, in which amateurs only were to perform. This proposal was generally agreed to, and the theatre built accordingly, upon my plan, and under my sole direction.

We performed from time to time, and this amusement made the hours pass very agreeably. We usually took a fortnight to rehearse a play, and to talk about it, and as much longer to discuss the merits of it afterwards.

Some of the clergy, from a feeling of envy, did not approve of this, and took advantage, in the confession box, to intreat the people would not attend the theatre. Some complaints were made to the bishop, at least I have reason to suspect so ; for one day when I was in conversation with him, he asked me, how my theatre went on? and said, " it was necessary to be very cautious in the choice of plays and farces, for that many were unfit to be performed in Leiria ; but that, generally speaking, he thought the drama instructive, and hoped I would continue my representations."

I must say, the time passed pleasantly enough, and the people were, generally speaking, friendly to each other ; the only discussions among them being occasioned by that pest of society — legal litigation.

I have known a law-suit, for the value of rather better than a pound sterling, last for three years ! Still the inhabitants were comparatively happy ; the government had no opposition from them, and had little care to controul a people naturally subordinate to its dictates ; they had no means indeed of becoming more enlightened.

The Lisbon Gazette, the only newspaper in the country, was then printed on half-a- sheet of whitebrown paper, and I believe not more than three of them came at that time to Leiria. For my own part, I seldom looked at it, it contained little else than a few advertisements. I once, indeed, read an account of some strawberries, that had been seen, in the month of May, in a Mr. Vanstrofman's garden, at Copenhagen, which occupied at least one half of the paper.

Such was the enslaved state of the press, that there were no means of laying open to the public eye, either the dark deeds of the corrupt magistrates, or the peccadillos of the holy fathers of the church; they were only known in the little circle where they happened, and the familiars of the Inquisition kept the people in perfect subjection.

Quiet and peaceable I have no doubt they would have remained many years longer, had not a British subject interfered, in a most unwarrantable degree, in the internal affairs of Portugal. It was the general topic of conversation and universally believed in Lisbon, that Madame L****, the wife of a Portuguese Count, had at her disposal certain places and preferments, which were within the reach of purchasers in all ranks of society, from a lamp-lighter in Patio de Saldanha, to a colonel in the army. It is impossible to know the parties who derived pecuniary advantage from the sale of these various offices, but it is well known that the count's wife and her gallant were busily employed in their dispensation. The clergy also had met with some insults from the countess's favourite, though they winked at it for reasons which will appear subsequently.

There was also another, and a very strong class, the fidalgos or nobility, who thought themselves treated very unceremoniously by these intriguers.

A fidalgo of Leiria told me himself he had been grossly insulted by hum Inglez mal criado, an Englishman badly educated ; he said, he had

c prepared his house for his reception at some trouble and expense. I inquired in what manner he had considered himself insulted ? He replied^ " the Senhor Inglez had thrown himself at length upon the sofa, and did not rise from that position when his sister spoke to him, but gave his answers to her as he lay in that very unbecoming situation and posture : however," he added, " it cannot last long ; you know what is going on as well as I do,"

Chapter II

INFLUENCE OF THE PRIESTS OVER THE MAGISTRATES Z FIRST CONSTITUTIONAL CHARTER, 18"20.

About this time an officer was dismissed the service for the whimsical offence of being too fat ; nothing more was alleged against him in the order of the day ; whether this order emanated from the lady-commander, or her gallant knight, was never exactly ascertained. The poor fellow rs, however, now, as thin as a skeleton.

This "and similar transactions, which I could enumerate, had a great effect on all the intelligent Portuguese ; they knew the tyranny of their own countrymen, but dreaded that of a stranger. These matters will shew the origin of the revolution at Oporto, in August, 1820; and I will proceed to explain how the clergy acted, according to circumstances.

Any constitution would be supported by them € 2 if they gained the least advantage by it. Many of them, at first, supposed they should, as it was rumoured they were to have better pay.

The Constitutionalists spread it about that the curates, of the poorest class, were to have 400,000 reis, about £90. sterling, annually ; this made most of them, for the moment, Constitutionalists ; and there can be no doubt, had that been done, it would have been more difficult to upset the Constitution. But, contrary to their interests, they neglected to pay the curates, and gave them a deal of trouble which they had not before.

They were compelled to read to their parishioners, every Sunday and saint's-day, such new laws as had been made, and required to explain the same to those who could not read, which unfortunately included the greatest portion of their parishioners.

I was present at many of the readings in different parishes, and in different provinces, and was fully convinced, by the manner in w T hich they were explained, that the Constitution could not exist long, and signified the same to many of my friends, who will recollect my words when they read this.

I will endeavour to give, as correctly as I can, a translation of the words used in the explanation, which were similar, with very few exceptions, in all the provinces.

After the curate had read the law, in so low a tone that few could hear it, he began to explain thus, shrugging his shoulders : —

" You have heard rne read this paper. I am obliged to read it ; and you all know the necessity of obeying your superiors. Whatever is God's will, must be done. Patience ! ( shrugging again, and a pause ) — we should always believe, whatever punishment we receive, it is because we deserve it ; let it be for our sins and the love of God ; we are not to judge for ourselves. The king, who is empowered from heaven to rule over us on earth, is the only one we have to look to here ; the altar and the throne we have a right to defend ; have patience, and all will be remedied. Our Saviour was persecuted by the Jews ; they made laws to destroy him, and they have suffered for it ; the devil offered him the whole world, from the top of a mountain, and he refused it * so should you refuse that which you do not understand, for the devil appears in many shapes to deceive the innocent. Let it be for the love of God. Such a day is fast day,'' &c. &c. &c.

The friars met with insults from the Constitutionalists, and their future prospects appeared gloomy, for they soon found they had nothing to expect from a liberal government, which had given them a deal of trouble, and no advantages. Here was the great error (which may now be remedied, and I have no doubt will be, should liberty once more take Lusitania by the hand)— it was then the opinion of many persons, that more decisive measures should have been taken y as to the friars and the inferior clergy. Numerous spies crept into those secret meetings, and others entered them, thinking to make their fortunes.

The holy fathers preached publicly, from the pulpit, against the^ constitution, and the confession-boxes did more mischief than an army of occupation could have done in favour of it. Many will say, and I know do say, that the Portguese are not fit to receive a constitution: the same may be said of a boy who is going to school — he is not fit to receive the education intended for him, although it is necessary.

I certainly believe, had they never had a consiitution, they would have been a happy people, which now they never can be, except under a liberal government. It will be said that I speak partially, from a wish to return to Portugal, I must confess that I like the country, and highly respect many worthy people who belong to it ; but I speak the truth when I say, were Don Miguel to offer me the liberty of returning to it, with the greatest advantages, I would not accept that offer, to forego the exposition of its priestcraft.

I think it my sacred duty to expose the proceedings of men who are combined, not only in Portugal, but all over the world, against the rest of mankind. Their charity is bounded solely by their own welfare, or the aggrandizement of their own fraternity.

I will allow, that among the Catholics there are some most amiable, worthy men, but the priest does not, or must not, shew the least liberality. If any of the well-disposed priests shew the slightest inclination to favour a heretic, he is always reprimanded, and runs no small risk of the heavy displeasure of his superiors.

I could prove what I have here said, by innumerable facts, bat shall not trouble the reader with more than is necessary to shew what they would do, if they had the power, against rational freedom, and what they actually do to propagate ignorance and slavery,

I shall say but little with respect to the first constitution in Portugal. The conduct of many of those entrusted with the government, would ill bear investigation ; and the only one who saved the country at that time, from the same scenes of distress it now suffers, was Don John the Sixth. Had his Majesty only consented to the terms the holy fathers wished, it might have all been well ; but he stood out against them, and his firmness on this point, it has been said, cost him his life.— How true that may be, I cannot say ; but I believe if they did not absolutely kill him, they frightened him to death.

It is the general opinion among the Portuguese, that O Senhor Inglez mal criado, already alluded to, has constantly carried on and still carries on, a correspondence with the old Queen Donna Carlotta, and that other Englishmen receive the correspondence by the packets, and forward them to their destination. I can, however, scarcely believe, that men with British blood in their veins would condescend to such baseness as to become the hirelings of such a nest of bloodhounds as the Apostolical Junta, now wielding the political power of Portugal.

Chapter III

DON MIGUEL'S PROCLAMATION IN 1824. CHARGE OF INNO- CENT INDIVIDUALS WITH BEING FREEMASONS.

When Don Miguel's proclamation arrived at Leiria (I think on a Sunday in the beginning of May 1824), it was read at the head of the 22d regiment, and caused a dreadful sensation : all Leiria trembled at it. It went to say, that the king had been surrounded by a faction which had been discovered ; that they were all Freemasons, and w^ould have murdered his royal father. He called upon the soldiers, and the people in general, to assist him in defending his father, the altar and the throne, and finished with threatening death to all Freemasons.

This was read just before the regiment went to mass, and at the church door. I was present with many of the inhabitants— not a word was exchanged ; all was silent : and few words, I

2?

believe, were spoken during the whole of that day in Leiria.

The thing, however, was prematurely got up : no plan had been concerted by the friends of Don Miguel ; they were not fully prepared : though that very evening a proscriptive list was begun by some of the most active of them, and the next day there were sixty persons on that list, all accused of being Freemasons.

Every one of these prisoners was to have been taken to Peniche, where hundreds were already incarcerated, and it was the intention of the party to destroy them all. Many offered themselves at that time for hangmen : some of these I shall hereafter name.

A deputation, consisting of a surgeon, an apothecary, and a lawyer, waited on the Bishop of Leiria, to congratulate him on the safe delivery of his Majesty from the hands of the Freemasons, and to assure him that this dangerous body would be totally annihilated by the angel Don Miguel ; also hoping his excellency would assist in their destruction, for that Portugal might once more be happy ; they were, they said, determined to lose the last drop of their blood, in defence of the altar and the throne.

The bishop's answer was brief, and will exhibit him as a man of ability, and one who foresaw what would happen. His reply was as follows : — ■ " I do not accept your congratulations ; let me persuade you to go home; remember in this world there are many ups and downs ; to-day we see one thing, to-morrow another ; be quiet, let us go with the time. Do not let me hear any more of this." — This was literally the bishop's reply.

This pleased the Constitutionalists of Leiria, and they naturally inclined to think the bishop was their friend ; but I told them my opinion was otherwise, and his after conduct has unfortunately proved to the citizens of Leiria it was too correct.

A few days afterwards the news reached us that the king was on board the Windsor Castle, and that Don Miguel had sailed to Brest.

I am accused, on my trial, by one of the witnesses, of having been the first person in Leiria to circulate the intelligence of Don Miguel's departure. An order was soon after issued to close all investigations against the Constitutionalists, and very few suffered any thing considerable by that revolution.