The New Hampshire Gazette

An Account (lately published) of the providential Deliverance of the Protestants in Ireland, from the Marian Persecution, which is attested in the Memorials of Richard Earl of Cork, by the Lord Primate Usher; and in Sir James Ware's MSS.

QUEEN Mary having dealt severely with the Protestants in England, signed a Commission, about the latter End of her Reign, for taking the same course with them in Ireland; and, to execute the same with greater Force, she nominated Dr. Cole, who had recommended himself by wholesome Severities in England, to be one of the Commissioners, ending the Commission by the Dr. himself. In the way, Dr. Cole lodged one Night at Chester, where, being visited, as the Queen's Messenger, and a Person of Distinction, by the Mayor of that City, he informed his Magistrate of the Contents of his Message, and taking a Leather Box out of his Cloak bag, said, Here is a Commission that shall lash the Hereticks (meaning the Protestants) of Ireland. The good Woman of the House being well affected to the Protestant Religion, and having also a Brother named John Edmunds, then a Citizen in Dublin, and a Protestant, was greatly disturbed at the Doctor's Words; but waiting a convenient Time whilst the Mayor took his Leave, and the Doctor complimented him down Stairs, She ventured to open the Box; and taking the Commission out, he in its Place, put a Sheet of Paper with a Pack of Cards, with the Knave of Clubs faced uppermost wrapped up.

The Doctor, at his return to his Chamber, suspecting nothing of what had been done, put up the Box again into his Cloak-bag, and next Day the Wind setting fair, he sailed for Ireland, and landed at Dublin the 7th of October, 1558. The Doctor having Notified his Arrival at the Castle, the Lord Deputy Fitz Walters sent for him to come before his Excellency and the Privy Council; to whom the Doctor made a long Speech relating to the Subject of his Commission, and then presented the Leather Box with its Contents to the Lord Deputy. But when the Deputy opened it for the Secretary to read the Commission, lo! to the great Surprize of all present, and the Doctor's Confusion, there was found in the Box nothing but a Pack of Cards with the Knave of Clubs faced uppermost. The Doctor assured the Deputy and Council that he had a Commission, but knew not how it was gone. Then said the Lord Deputy, 'Let us have another Commission and we will shuffle the Cards in the mean while.'

The Doctor withdrew in great Trouble of Mind, and hasting back to England, obtained a Fresh Commission; But being detained some Time at the Water Side for a fair Wind, he was prevented from putting it into Execution by the News of the Queen's Death.

Queen Elizabeth being informed of the Truth of this Story, by the Lord Deputy Fitz Walters, her Majesty was so delighted, that She sent for the good Woman, named Elizabeth Edmunds, but by her Husband named Masterbad, and gave a Pension of 40l. during Life, for having saved her Protestant Subjects of Ireland. -- We may venture to say, this is the first Good a Pack of Cards ever did.