Northern star, and Warren and Bristol gazette. [volume] (Warren [R.I.]) 1826-1830, 1826-05-06
OLIVER GROIN WELL.

!. There is a circumstance related of
Cromwell, which in the refinement of
'nol;cy as well as in malevo'ence, is
scarcely perhaps to be Paralleled in
history. When Cardehas was ambassa-
dour in England from the court Of
Spain, though he was treated with eve
nv mark Of uncommon attention by the
Protector, he could never be prevailed
upon,to betray any state secrets, or to
enter into any measures whatever in fa-
vour Of the protectors views, yet still
the latter was. too cunning for him, for
while he was making great naval pre-
parations for war against Spain, he
had the address to make its minister
believe that the fleet was destined for
another purpose, and in this manner he
amused him, TIL the burning of the
:ralleons by Blake, opened his eyes
Cardenas resented this so much that
when he was recalled, lie traversed
every PROPOSE Of Cromwell's at the
court. Of fMadrid, so that while he re-
ma;ned there in office, the Protector
found he was not likely to carry any
noint. He therefore determined on the
destruction of this minister though it
was no easy matter to effect this, as his
credit was great not only with the king
his master bat with the whole Spanish
court. Cromwell, however contrived
= way which he thought would effectu
ally accomplish his ruin and to put it.
in execution he sent for the keeper Of
Newgate and asked him many questions
.sconcerning the qualifications of his d.f-
ferent prisoners, and among the rest.
wished to kuow whether he had in Gus
todv any remarkable for housebreaking.
{. The yaoler told him there was fellow
Unaer sentence of death, that he beiiev.
ed could get in or out of any house in
The world if his hands we're at liberty.
Tna Protector ordered tai, man 70 be
hr;huh, privately to him, bu; the fellow
w,. such a miserable wo-begone wretch
h,t Cromwell stood astonished at the
s;pht of him, and more so at the speci-
,nens Of his art which he practised at
the instance Of his keeper, on locks of
The most curious contrivance these,
thouen of different forms, he readily
soened and said there was never a lock
made that he would not un.ertake TO
omen in the same ninner. Inc keep.
or yyas then ordered to withdraw, and
ihe Protector, after some private dis
course with the thief, reminded him to
Newgate under the same guard that
broneht him. But at the dead Of night
he sent a trusty persou to Newgate,
With warrant to the keeper for the
rr;m;naps release and orders to bring
him again into. his presence to receive
some instructions. When the fellow
c.me the second time, the Protector
showed him the plan ola garden and pa
i y;I;on into which he was to make his
way by opening a certain number OF
locks. each Of which had three keys,and
,beo asked him if he thought he could
effect it, promising him not only a Tree
nardon but considerable reward Tor
a b;s mains. The man said he would. -
4 The Protector told him he should be
h conducted to the place where the SER
\ vice was to be performed and then he
/ wouTd have a letter given him, which
h. was to drop under table that he
would find in the middle ofthe pavilion
1. as there represented in the plan: This
H was all the fellow was entrusted with,
y and care was taken to provide him with
Y .m;,,hle apparel, and every thing nec-
n essary for his journey, and the service
"A he was about to perform /; so that he
" had no sooner received bis instructions,
v tban he was hurried of Immediately,
and nut on board the vessel that was to
carry him 10 Spain. The person to
whose care he was entrusted, had his
instructions likewise but as the other
\ did no. know where he was to be car,
ried, so the other was not acquainted
With the business OF his companion
when he hal brought him to the aP-