Born in 1834 into a family of cloth manufacturers, Crespí was known for his early commitment to clandestine republicanism. Alongside his friend Josep Roca Armengol, he mediated between workers and industrialists, playing a key role in resolving labor conflicts such as the 1855 spinners' strike.
Following the Glorious Revolution of 1868, his political influence grew. As commander of the Volunteers of the Republic, he faced the Carlist threat. This led the city council to take extreme measures to fund its defense, including purchasing 1,000 Remington rifles from London.
“"Devout people were horrified by that profanation, and rumors spread that the monstrance and the church treasure would suffer the same fate."
To pay for the weaponry, Crespí auctioned religious icons and sold church bells from Sant Fèlix. These radical actions allowed the Republican Guard to be armed during a critical period for the federal government.
