Elizabeth I: volume 212, January 1603

Elizabeth I: volume 212, January 1603

1603. State of the Army in Ireland on 1 Jan., 1603. [1 Jan.]

In Munster.

Horse:—The Lord President, the Earl of Thomond, Sir Anthony Cooke and Captain William Taaffe, each 50l 200l.

Foot:—The Lord President 200, the Earl of Thomond 200, the Earl of Desmond 100, Lord Audelaie 150, Sir George Cary 100, Sir Charles Willmott 150, Sir Richard Percy 150, Sir Francis Barkeley 150, Sir Jerrard Harvey 150, Sir George Thornton 100, Sir Edward Wingfield 200, Captain William Stafford 100, Captain Ralph Sidley 100, Captain Francis Kingsmill 150, and Captains George Kingsmill, George Flower, John Bostock, Henry Skipwith, Charles Coote, Gavin Harvey, Dorrington and Thomas Boyce, each 100.

Similar lists follow shewing the horse and foot in Connaught, at Loughfoyle, at Carrickfergus, Mountjoy and Dungannon, at Ballyshannon, the other garrisons in Ulster, and in Leinster, or with the Lord Deputy or at the borders of the Pale.

The total is 1,000 horse and 12,370 foot.

Pp. 7¼. Endd. Ibid, 110.

The Mayor and Sheriffs of Dublin to Secretary Cecil. [7 Jan.] Dublin.

All victuals, and especially grain, are extremely scarce here; so much so that we have petitioned the Lord Deputy and Council to recommend to you and the Privy Council our petition asking for a licence [to us] to provide some grain there, and for the Queen's order that it be paid for [out of the Exchequer] in silver coin of England, we paying Sir George Cary a similar amount [in face value] of the new Irish coin together with 20l. per cent. of the same. Without this we cannot live, for foreign trade is stopped and no commodities can be had in this kingdom but at 50 per cent. increase of price; so that all trade is quite gone and we thereby grow to poverty. In this difficulty we miss greatly "your honoured father, our good lord and best favourer," and yet are pleased to be able to look to you and cleave to you "as to our anker." Pray favour "this poor incorporation."

P. ²/3. Signed by John Tirrell, Mayor, and by H. Stephens and Pe. Dermonde, Sheriffs. Add. Endd. S.P. Ireland 212, 111.

The Lord Deputy to Same. [8 Jan.] Athlone.

The Council's letters of 27 Nov. make me hasten back to Dublin sooner than I had intended to attended the arrival of the Commissioners and consult with the Council on many matters on which their lordships [the Privy Council] desire information. On all these matters I have tried to do something. I have meantime, as the Queen desired, diminished the list and will try to reduce the charge as much as I can consistently with the success of this great work. It would be a great pity not to push for a sound conclusion now that we are so near it. I think that, with these numbers, we may "go on to the perfect establishment of this kingdom; and, I hope, ere it be long with a less proportion if we be no more troubled with foreign forces"; but the reduction of our forces may cause a revival of eruptions which, if once thoroughly suppressed, would hardly have revived. O'Rourke, for instance, has for a long time been anxious to become a subject. He had made preparations to build a fair castle in a place where it could not have been kept save by a good subject; but on hearing of this cast, which I began from near myself, he suddenly fell from his resolution and has now "betaken himself to an obstinate defence." There are many who will use every occasion to stir up this people to continue the war, "which for fear of a severe reformation in religion I am most assured is by the tories and most of the nobility desired to be continued, and as I have some light, which I will further search into." O'Rourke's change was due to some information which he received from Dublin.

I have sent you (fn. 1) a letter recently sent me by Tyrone. The messenger who brought it—one Bartholomew Owen—fell sick by the way and I have not spoken with him, but he sent me word that he had much to deliver to me by word of mouth. I tell everyone that the Queen is resolved never to pardon him. I proceed with all things that can be done for his prosecution, and though I tell him that I will be a humble suitor for him to the Queen I tell him too that "I will cut his throat in the meantime if I can. What were fittest to do with him I am loath to advise. I presume I could make him set his hand to any submission that should be sent him. He hath a shrewd head if he kept it, and except it be by good fortune I think it will be hard to come by it. I do hear he is exceedingly distressed and pent up in a corner of Cancumkyne, which is out of his own country," so that O'Rurke is now the only lord who is in rebellion and lives in his own country. Sir Oliver Lambert has taken great pains to reduce this province; and industry is very precious in Ireland, where I find that all men weary of their extreme labours. If the Queen establishes him here I believe he will push on the war as well as anybody, but if he miscarries he may afterwards be removed.

As to Ulster, if the Queen suppresses Tyrone I think it imperative that it should be made a province, and be placed under the government of a competent governor. I have licensed the bearer [to go to England] for a short time for his private affairs. I think he is as well able to serve the Queen as anyone of his profession. He is a man of few words, but I think will give a good account of anything you require of him. I told him to give you my opinion of Neale Garve and Rory O'Donell.

Pp. 3. Endd. S.P. Ireland 212, 112. Enclosing:—

A. The Earl of Tyrone to the Lord Deputy.

I understand you have rejected my last letter of submission because it contained conditions. It proceeded from a penitent heart and a true desire to have mercy; and, knowing her Majesty's merciful heart, "without standing upon any terms or conditions I do hereby both simply and absolutely submit myself to her Majesty's mercy," and will be ready to perform the conditions offered me by the Earl of Ormond or any others which her Majesty shall think fit, so as I may obtain the favour for which I beg you to be a means for me that I be not "driven into utter despair and forced either to fly or to seek to any other Prince."

P. ½. Signed, Hugh Tirone. Add. Endd. Ibid, 112A.

Sir Henry Wallop to Secretary Cecil. [8 Jan.]

I hear that some of "my back friends in Ireland" are seeking to obtain the withdrawal of the ward which I have for my castle of Enniscorthy in the co. Wexford, which would injure me and the common good of the county. I hope this ward may not be discharged until I have had an opportunity of justifying its being kept there, and the work of fortification there. I crave "protection under the shadow of your wings."

P.S.—Though the reports from Ireland speak of general tranquillity yet "that base compagnion Donnell Spanneaugh, bearing out himself upon some conveniency or other politic toleration, suffereth us to enjoy nothing in the parts to him adjoining." He takes our cattle, mows our meadows, spoils our houses, kills our people, and in all ways much disquiets the poor county of Wexford.

P. 1, the postscript holograph. Add. Endd. S.P. Ireland 212, 113.

The Lord Deputy and Councillors at Athlone to the English Privy Council. [9 Jan.] Athlone.

After taking steps to quiet the other three provinces of this kingdom I thought it very requisite to repair into Connaught, both to take an order with the rebels in action, who before had sent to me in Dublin their willingness to conform themselves to their duty, and also to view the town of Galway and see how it might be defended in case of a foreign descent. I brought with me the Bishop of Meath and the Marshal. Before this Sir Oliver Lambert, making a painful journey with the forces allotted to him, had quite banished out of Mayo the pretended MacWilliam, and had prepared O'Connor Sligo and Rory, brother of the traitor O'Donnell who died in Spain, to come to us at Athlone. These are two of the most powerful rebels in the province. The first made excuses about being taken and imprisoned by O'Donnell and submitted himself to the Queen's mercy. The other, though he has all his brother's forces, followers and creaghts at his command, submitted without any conditions, offered to give pledges, to evacuate all such castles (as Ballymote) as are in his possession in the co. Sligo. He said that his father and grandfather had been true servitors, that himself, with the privity of Sir Coniers Clifford, had made a resolution to serve against his brother, but that, his purpose having been discovered, he was kept in irons. This we know to be true. He offered his service, if he might be received, either here or beyond the seas wherever the Queen should please to employ him. This "manner of carriage proceeding from a man of good spirit, active and wise," induced me, the Deputy, to receive him. We rather pitied his case in that he had not submitted (fn. 2) before, and because we foresee how notable an instrument he may be made to bridle Sir Neal Garvagh, whose insolence has grown intolerable, of whom we think he will be the best curb that can be devised. We have therefore resolved when we come to Dublin to send for Sir Neale and this competitor, and consider seriously how to provide for and dispose of them both. We intend, whilst giving effect to her Majesty's promise to Sir Neale, to settle this gentleman in a considerable part of Tyrconnell; and ask that we may have a warrant from the Queen authorising such an arrangement as the full Council, after due consideration, may think proper.

Proceeding in our journey to Galway we received there the submission of the Flaherties, the MacDermotts of the Curlews, Connor Roe and divers others: and so for the present this province is brought to quietness. "Only the proud, insolent, and faithless rebel, Bryan O'Rourke, notwithstanding his former humble messages sent to me, the Deputy, of his desire to be received to mercy, absents himself, and, having drawn unto himself Tyrone's Maguire (whom for his deceitful and treacherous dealing we have banished out of Fermanagh and exposed to prosecution), and the traitor Tyrrell out of Munster, trusting to the fastness of his country, he [sic] persists in his rebellion." So, though we see the many difficulties which will be involved in his prosecution, we think it right to take steps to scourge him several ways before the spring and before his foreign hopes give him any further encouragement, having for that end appointed a proportion of victuals and other necessaries to be presently brought from Limerick to Athlone to furnish Sir Oliver Lambert with an army to surprise his house of Leetrim and take it. Sir Henry Folliott, supported by Rory O'Donnell, who has already done service against O'Rourke, will enter from Sligo and those parts into his country, and we intend presently to raise a third army to invade him through the co. Longford to annoy him. In this way we are sure he will not long subsist in his pride and contempt.

The town of Galway is very important, and we have decided to order the completion of the fort there to defend it in case of invasion. It has been well devised and commands the haven.

In this journey I, the Deputy,—. Proceeds as in Fynes Moryson's Itinerary (ed. 1907, Vol. III, p. 258 sq.).

In all pp. 4¾; the part calendared pp. 2¾. Signed by the Lord Deputy, the Bishop of Meath and the Marshal [Wingfield]. Add. Endd. S.P. Ireland 212, 114.

The Lord Deputy to Secretary Cecil. [10 Jan.] Athlone.

Sir Christopher St. Lawrence is anxious to serve in some other country, to which I think he would carry many of the Irish swordmen. I am willing to recommend him for this purpose "because I know how much it would avail (fn. 3) the establishment of peace here to rid away some good number of these idle men." If we could but get rid of 2,000 Irish we should save the Queen 100,000l.

P. ²/3. (Hol.) Add. Endd. Ibid, 115.

Sir Oliver Lambert to [Same.] Same.

The Lord Deputy, who is leaving the province, commands me to prosecute O'Rorke to his utter ruin. He sought my favour, but refused to submit when it came to the point. With the force left me by the Lord Deputy I hope either to turn him out of that fast country or utterly to confound both him and all those head traitors that are fled from other places "and are now destined, I hope, to end their fortunes with him, and this tedious war with themselves."

Tyrone is so straightened that he can neither stand to these parts nor they to him, nor [is] either able to stand. As the Lord Deputy has largely advertised you of the state of this province I ask your pardon for saying nothing more about it; and I hope the Queen will think me worthy to rest in this government after 25 years service perpetually in her wars, "the loss of much blood and half my limbs decayed." Assurances of loyal service. I am loyal, though I may be backbitten; but exitus acta probat.

P. 1. Signed. S.P. Ireland 212, 116.

State of the Queen's forces at Loughfoyle according to a Muster taken on 14 January, 1602. [14 Jan.] Loughfoyle.

It is noted that 84 Irish are comprehended in the titles of able men.

P. ½. Examined by Anthony Reynolds. Endd. Ibid, 117.

The Lord Deputy to Secretary Cecil. [20 Jan.] Trim.

Though I shall be soon at Dublin, where, after consulting with my fellows, I may write more fully of the state of all things, I must now write on some things that require more speedy resolution. I have ever told the ministers of the victuals to inform you of the state thereof and of our wants. I hope they have done so, and will only say myself in general that no garrisons in this country can subsist unless victuals be sent them from England. If they are not sent all our work will be undone and I expect we shall all starve, for the country is reduced to great scarcity and there may be a famine. Of this we will all taste, but none more than the rebels and those who have been rebels. In future, perhaps, arrangements may be made for supplying the army in Ireland and the charge be reduced, but this cannot be done at present; for everybody is very poor and let no man persuade you to the contrary.

We have reduced the list to 12,000 foot and 1,000 horse. Pray move her Majesty that we be not so strictly tied to an establishment thereof that the Treasurer may not have warrant to exceed it for a small matter; for, to great purposes, we may see reason to continue two or three more companies for a time, and especially of the Irish, which, I pray Sir, believe me, must not be discharged on a sudden, and of whom we may, in their kind, make as great use as of any. I lately, in my great cast, selected two companies [for casting] which Sir Arthur Chichester had just put into a garrison and provisioned them for ten weeks, from whence without an army, we cannot yet remove them. Another reason for my desiring to have a certain latitude in the matter of the establishment is that when many of the horse are paid but 12d. a day they cannot live on this either in service or in garrison. We might as well cast them all as allow them only this sum. We must do that which is necessary for the service and no more, for that is what is best for the service. I think it very inconvenient for the state here to be too precisely restrained, and it never was so before the Earl of Essex's time. He had need of more than ever any had "and, in effect, had less than the meanest justices that ever governed here." These things, "believe me, Sir, by the Eternal God," I do not write for any private ends of my own; but certain restraint in so uncertain a business must be wrong.

One thing more must be considered. I hear that in my absence the Lord Chancellor and Council [in Dublin] have imprisoned divers for religion, and amongst them six or seven Aldermen of Dublin. "I am loth to contradict any of their proceedings in matters of religion, for fear I may be esteemed backward in a reformation, but I am persuaded that a violent course therein will do little good to win men's consciences; but, howsoever, it is too soon to begin it; and it is most sure that it will breed a new war and, as I believe, make all the towns and nobility solicit Spanish aids. The bringing in of the Inquisition did lose the King the Low Countries, and when the Estates (fn. 4) were almost possessed of all the provinces they had almost lost all with their too much violence in prosecuting the contrary religion. I am of opinion that all religions do grow under persecution. It is truly good doctrine and example that must prevail. (fn. 5) But whatsoever shall be thought best it is fit for me to let you know that if this matter be not discreetly handled you must look for a new war, the which I am afraid too many would be glad of, but I beseech God deliver us from it.

"Yours, Sir, most assured to do you service, Mountjoy."

Pp. 3. (Hol.) Add. S.P. Ireland 212, 118.

Anthony Reynolds to Secretary Cecil. [20 Jan.] Loughfoyle.

The list of this army is now reduced to 1,500, the present state whereof (having been lately supplied with the cassed companies). I send a state of it. I lately sent you a brief of my last year's labours, and hope they were pleasing to you. I cannot now send you the same checks as I did formerly, but all that industry can do will be done. My father has died since I have been here, and "a little poor living fallen unto me"; I therefore ask for a pass for two or three months that I may go to England and settle the same.

P. ½. Signed. Add. Endd., the seal shewing a running fox surrounded with the motto: Arte et marte. Ibid, 119. Enclosing:—

A. State of the force at Loughfoyle as mustered on 14 January, 160²/3.

This has been given above, p. 555.

P. ¾. Endd. Ibid, 119A.

Sir George Carew to the Privy Council. [22 Jan.] Cork.

For this see Calendar of S.P. Carew, 1601–3, p. 403, where a copy of the original has been calendared. A postscript here adds:—I send an inventory of the arms and apparel sent over by Sir George Thornton on his bringing over the late supplies and delivered by him to the several inquisitors thereof. I send it that the proportions there contained may be charged as appertaineth.

Pp. 5½. Signed. Add. Endd. with Carew's seal, bearing shield and crest as before. Ibid, 120.

Same to Secretary Cecil. Same.

After I had delivered my packet to Captain Taaffe some few papers of Owen McEgan's, the Pope's Nuntio, were brought to me, but none that appertained to matters of state but the enclosed copies. These I thought meet to send to your honour, whereby you may perceive what a number of rebels joined in a letter to the King of Spain, whose names I will endeavour to know, and also that you may see how evil Florence McCartie was to the Crown of England when he, with the rest, subscribed a letter to the Pope. By Captain Taaffe's man I had information as to where Owen McEgan's books [were], and [they] were locked in a chest, trunk and portmanteau. The chest and trunk were broken open before the sub-sheriff (whom I employed in the business) came unto them. All the writings and the letters and portmanteau were taken away. The books are brought to me, but not yet in my possession. I am, however, sure to have them to-morrow. I hope to apprehend the party that has these papers and letters. If I can discover them many foul treasons will appear.

P. ²/3. (Hol.) Add. Endd. S.P. Ireland 212, 121. Enclosing:—

A. Notes entitled: "The Spanish letter" and "The Latin letter."

1. The Latin letter.

They tell the Pope of their success in freeing themselves from the English yoke, which has so long oppressed their land and religion, and that they were induced to fight "because otherwise their estates would have been worse than the Christians under the Turks."

They address themselves to the Pope for his assistance, that their kingdom should fall no more into the hands of the English, but be reduced by his means to the faith of St. Patrick.

They desire to that purpose that some bishops might be sent there, and that those priests might be confirmed which the Bishops of Cork and Cluan [Cloyne] have instituted, and that the Pope will renew the Bull of Excommunication against the Queen as Pius V and Gregory XIII did.

They commend themselves and their country to his protection, on whom, next to God, they depend.

The particulars of their successes in the war they refer to their messengers to be verbally related.

2. The Spanish letter.

Dermod O'Driscoll presents this letter to the King of Spain for himself and for the sixteen gentlemen of Munster that subscribed to a letter to his Majesty and who yielded "themself" to his General Sebure [çubiaur] and the Veedor Lopez, with all their ports and castles to the King's disposition, desiring him to command his captains to maintain and keep them. They do not yield themselves to the accord which Don Juan del Aquila hath made with the Queen of England, but may defend them, as hitherto, against the Queen's forces and according as his captains have sworn unto them in his Majesty's behalf.

And though matters cannot be so quickly reduced as they would wish, yet they are confident that his Majesty will not forsake them in their great necessity, but will hold his word unto them; and the rather because by upholding them he shall deliver the Queen's forces from being wholly employed against himself.

That it will be requisite for the King to write favourable letters to the Catholic gentlemen to animate them in the service of God and his Majesty: for that otherwise the Queen will endeavour to gain and divert them to herself.

That, in addition to those letters, the King must supply them with arms and ammunition and send them some proportion of money to entertain 4,000 men, with which they will be able to defend themselves against the Queen till the King's forces and fleet arrive. The King should also send forthwith a sufficient Veedor to distribute that money and to maintain them in his obedience.

They desire that this may be done with all expedition.

They recommend the services of Sebure [çubiaur] and his company.

In all p. 1½. Endd: "Contents of the rebels' letters to the Pope and King of Spain after Don Juan's departure." S.P. Ireland 212, 121A.

The Lord Deputy and Privy Councillors in Dublin to the English Privy Council. [26 Jan.] Dublin.

The Queen's last letter, with the new proclamation for matters of the Exchange, arrived here no sooner than the 14th of this month. We, of the Council here, sent it on to the Lord Deputy, who was at Arbraccan [Ardbraccan], near the border of the Brenny. On the 19th I, the Treasurer, who brought him these despatches, returned with them. We have since taken time to consider this subject, which is of great importance. The Lord Deputy and Council from Trim sent us their advice touching some points, and we ourselves likewise conferred thoroughly thereupon; and as we all realise that her Majesty wishes to have such a settled order in the course of the Exchange "as her Highness' royal purpose might at full appear to her people to be to give them all due satisfaction in the proceedings or at least not to leave them any just cause of mormure [murmur] or discontentment." We, who, as her Majesty's ministers here, think that we should take such steps as are necessary to prevent the inconveniences which may arise from the execution of this proclamation, "through their natural aptness to take advantages to misinterpret her Majesty's princely meaning, wherein we have been bold (to hold a due and sincere correspondence with the intention of this proclamation) in some few points to draw the sense thereof to answer this purpose, not to alter or insinuate anything to the increase of her Majesty's charges, but to carry an indifferency and certainty to the contentment of all parties as near as we could" and to try to stop inconveniences, or at least diminish them so far as we could.

"Out of these considerations we have ventured to stray somewhat from the letter of the proclamation, yet with such caution" that the army and others who might, form "hard conceipts and grudge[s]" of our action, will not do so; for these grudges and complaints might have grown to "a greater moment in the State" than we should wish. The Queen's proclamation prescribes a particular manner of exchange to such as serve her Majesty in the wars and to all officers of government, of justice, and her Highness' revenues, and to other persons who are in the establishment—i.e. that he may exchange all his salary into English sterling, paying only 12d. in the 1l. This may seem to be a gracious provision made for the Army and the civil servants, in that it gives them an advantage not allowed to the merchants; "yet out of our experience and observation we saw. reason to be fearful that without some qualification this course would have been found to be of very hard disgestion both to the officers of the army and other servitors comprehended within the establishment. For as we assure ourselves that neither the one nor the other of these can save anything or very little of their yearly wages and pay allowed by her Majesty, but are driven still to send into England for provisions of all natures, both for housekeeping and otherwise, such is the exceeding and extreme dearth and scarcity of all things in this country, far beyond the example of all former times, so we foresaw that if they were not in some measure relieved touching the strictness of that clause it might have grown to a greater mormure and discontentment, specially in the army and other servitors, than were requisite in this bad estate of time; and so consequently there might have ensued some distemperatures in the government of far greater moment to her Majesty than any charge which we see doth grow to her Majesty thereby. And therefore we were bold, by way of addition, to temper that clause in the proclamation in this manner, vizt.": that all military and civil officers who come to have their money exchanged into England shall bring to the Master of the Exchange a warrant from the Lord Deputy and Council setting forth the sums for which such officer is to be allowed his exchange in England, with a provision that the sums so to be exchanged shall not exceed their yearly pay from the Queen, and that no officer bring other men's moneys to the Exchange as his own, and that all officers give their corporal oath to obey this restriction in order that the banks may not be overburdened. Without this help neither the military nor the civil officers can support themselves, prices having risen to thrice the height at which they have stood at any time in the memory of the Queen's oldest servants here. We have put these qualifications into the proclamation in order to satisfy these officers and yet prevent the banks from being overburdened by multiplicity or abuse of bills, and submit them for your consideration.

We must again remind you of the lamentable state and general poverty of this country, both in the Irish parts and in the Pale, the towns and Dublin. Corn, victuals, cloth and iron have become so dear that the people cannot buy them, nor the better sort of the servitors without the help of their own means beside the entertainment which they receive of the Queen, which may lead to a famine and its attendant evils. The chief cause is the backwardness of merchants, who will not, as things stand, import goods from abroad, alleging "their slack payment of their bills of exchange whereby they are not able to hold traffic" with England or foreign countries. I, the Treasurer, have communed with some of the best of them and find that they are ready to raise up their trade again if they may be assured that their bills will be paid at the rate and limitations specified in the proclamation, "wherein (if it . . . please your lordships to allow of that course) I, the Exchange Master, will foresee that by the payment of their bills in this manner from henceforth the Bank shall not be charged by a third part with so much as it was."

We add this, that, since the traders of Chester-water, Wales and Lancashire are driven by the tenor of this proclamation to seek payment of their bills of exchange in London and will rather give over their Irish trade than go so far for exchange, your lordships, on behalf of us who look to these merchants for the necessaries of life, will take some order for the getting them a means of exchange nearer home—i.e. at Chester. The sums which they will exchange will not be great, and without this, we shall be greatly prejudiced here.

Pp. 4¼. Signed by the Lord Deputy, the Lord Chancellor, the Bishop of Meath, and Cary, Walsh, Pelham, St. Leger and Fenton. Add. Endd. S.P. Ireland 212, 122.

The Lord Deputy to Secretary Cecil. [28 Jan.] Trim.

I recommend William Fitzharris. Sent by you with letters, he has continually followed the service here, but there has been no opportunity to favour him as you desired. He was dangerously wounded at Kinsale.

P. ¼. Signed. Add. Endd. Ibid, 123.

Sir George Cary to Same. [28 Jan.] Dublin.

I have attended the Lord Deputy and have received his orders to put up munitions, money and victuals at convenient places. His lordship has also sent for 1,000 men and victuals to be sent from Munster to Limerick and Ballyshannon. The enclosed packet from his lordship will inform you as to the state of the country and rebels, and of his lordship's intentions. Three ships with victuals have lately arrived, and very opportunely, on this coast, one at Dublin, one at Carlingford and the third at Carrickfergus. I hear a fourth has gone to Galway. Thomas Watson has told me how much I owe you, for which may God reward you; and I am deeply grateful for the Queen's favour; otherwise I should hold it most unfortunate to be unpopular on account of the matter of the Exchange. Some of the Commissaries give out that I have deceived the Queen, which severely touches my credit. I have now sent over all my accounts, both of the war and the Exchange. A perusal of these will shew whether the Queen is a gainer or a loser. Now I have settled the new moneys and broken the ice I should deem it a favour if I was relieved of this office, and Sir Robert Gardener appointed. He understands the business and has leisure.

I lately sent 10,000l. to Munster, so that province is provided till after Easter. So is Loughfoyle, but we have none at all here, and can hardly borrow more than when sterling was in circulation here. All the moneys that have been brought into the Exchange have been re-uttered in the service, and her Majesty has re-uttered these new moneys twice and paid but once.

I pray for you, and wish the clog and burden of accounting was off my shoulders, and that I could serve the Queen in England in the meanest service.

Pp. 2½. (Hol.) Add. Endd. S.P. Ireland 212, 124. Enclosing:—

The Lord Deputy to Sir George Cary.

To-day the Marshal and Sir William Godolphin are going towards the Cavan with a great proportion of victuals, as much as they can get garrons to bear. I have, with much difficulty, got the country to furnish a supply of victuals for the Annaly for three weeks if this extreme weather do not let it. By this time Sir Oliver Lambert is a-foot and the forces of Sligo. "I hear that Captain Winsor, with O'Connor Roe Maguire is now come into McGawran's country, which is the next part of O'Rourke to the Brenny, so that I hope in God ere it be long we shall go near to bring O'Rourke on his knees." If that were done and our victuals in our garrisons I have a plot to draw the most part of our forces upon Tyrone, "and never to leave hunting him till I have driven him into the sea." I think to keep about the borders till I have set all things a-work and till the Commissioners do come; with them, when I have despatched, I hope to draw to the North, "though I live myself upon biscuit and kill all my horses.

"I perceive you at Dublin do not mean that we shall want work; for if this restraint of the Exchange and this violent proceeding in matters of religion do not set all Ireland out again I will believe that nothing will do it. I am as desirous to have religion reformed as any, but I think this course that is taken and at this time is the next way to make us unable to do it, and a ready course to put the Queen to the expense of a million of treasure."

I hope you are all as anxious to have the war over as I am, and therefore I have at your earnest desire signed a warrant for Sir Geoffrey Fenton for 100l. [for payment of spies], although as you remember he had a concordatum for 100l. from us very lately for such occasions. "I pray God his intelligence be worth it, for by God I would not give three farthings for any I received by his means since I came into Ireland. You at Dublin are so idle that I think you have stirred in this matter so hotly because you would have somewhat to do. If you did but walk up and down in the cold with us you would not be so warm in your religion.

"Well, my man here tells me that all things grow so unreasonable dear that he sees no possibility for me to hold out any longer and bringeth me such accounts of my charge as I am more afraid to look on them than on the rebels. I have no way to help myself but by the Exchange to make my provisions in England, and yet I am afraid that will not serve neither. I pray take order that I may have a bill of 500l. exchanged over, and that I may have it speedily paid, or else I must live this Lent upon poor John. I will write to my Lord Treasurer to help me in the exchange of most part of my entertainment, or else I am undone.

"Farewell, noble Mr. Treasurer, and God send you happily to Cockington and me to Beerferris, (fn. 6) and much good may the shortness of this country do our successors."

Pp. 2. (Hol.) Dated, Trim, 25 Jan. Add. Endd. S.P. Ireland 212, 124A.

David [Barry, Viscount] Buttevant to Secretary Cecil. [30 Jan.] Barry Court.

In the late rebellion my country was burnt and spoiled by the traitor, and now the soldiers daily take from my poor people what was left them and cess on my poor tenants, so that some are driven to escape to other parts of the country or to France or other places abroad. My land is wasted, and I can scarce live, yet "to avoid the gross and ill-bringing-up of this country" I have sent my second son thither to be educated with my elder son. These are my only sons. For their maintenance I have delivered money to the paymaster of this province, who has remitted it to the Treasurer in Dublin. Pray further the payment of it [by exchange to England]. Details. As this part of this province is now quiet pray give me leave to come over.

P.S.—My foot company was cast last year by the Lord Deputy. P. ½. Signed. Add. Endd. Ibid, 125.

Estimate of the receipts, issues, and remains of the Victuals, sent into Munster by Captain John Wood. [31 Jan.]

Contains details as to the amount on the one hand of Wood's contract, value of [victuals] received from other victuallers before his time [and credited to him ?], and, on the other, of the value of the victuals which he has sent over (some of which have been lost by sea or decay). The items of the first account come to 72,925l. 17s. 8d., and the second to 71,717l. 0s. 0d. The accountant says that the victuals sent or to be sent by Mr. Wood since the last of September must balance this account.

P. 1. Endd. as in title. Ibid, 126.

Relation how far [I,] the Treasurer, have varied from the first Proclamation for new Moneys. [About Jan.]

The first proclamation of the new moneys was published on 10 June, 1601. This gave liberty to all persons to exchange. Afterwards, when I saw that the merchants and others sought only to take the benefit of the exchange and not to bring in any sterling money, I refused then to take in any money into the Exchange unless they in the like case [?] brought in some sterling money, allowing them 2s. in the 1l. for the Exchange according to the proclamation. Thereafter, to give a stop and bridle to the Exchange, that the same should not be too much oppressed, and that her Majesty's benefit might be the more advanced, I refused to exchange any money with the merchant except he brought in some quantity of sterling money with his new moneys without any such allowance of 2s. in the 1l. as was formerly made. The proportion of sterling to new money varied according as I was able to persuade the merchants to bring in more or less. In their bills of exchange I did not expressly state that so much of the money which they had paid in was paid in in sterling, as the proclamation did not warrant me to do so; but I have duly sent into England all the sterling which I have so received to support the banks there, and my books will prove in detail what I have received from any person. (fn. 7)

To advance the Queen's profit I further refused to accept into the Exchange copper pence and halfpence; and the better to ease her Majesty in payment I first gave bills due in seven days, but afterwards made them payable only in two, three or four months after the date at which they were drawn.

For her Majesty's profit I have varied thus far from her proclamation without her warrant.

The second proclamation was issued on——. (fn. 8) This provided that the merchants and others (servitors excepted) should bring in a fifth part of sterling with their new moneys and receive 2s. profit for every 1l. of sterling and without any abatement in England for the same. Finding this to be too burdensome to her Majesty I refused to hold that course any longer, but caused them to pass the fifth part in sterling with their new moneys without any allowance, and so saved her Majesty 2s. in every 1l. of sterling so exchanged and gained her Highness 12d. in the payment of every 1l. of sterling in England.

Since Michaelmas last very few merchants have had any bills of exchange; for now the protectees being come in who have received caution from the Lord Deputy to receive her Majesty's new coin, I have advised the merchants to traffic with them and buy their commodities; and so to disburse the money into many men's hands; so as now it grows somewhat scarce. Pray send us some more. I dare presume to your lordships that her Majesty in the Exchange [has profited] a full third part or more.

Pp. 2½. Endd. as in title. S.P. Ireland 212, 127.

Memorandum on the State of the Exchange in Ireland, with the differences of the Proclamations. [About Jan.]

States the grounds for the setting up of a debased standard in Ireland as stated in previous documents. Proceeds:—The first proclamation rendered it punishable by imprisonment and fine to take the sterling coin in payment and authorised magistrates to seize any sterling moneys offered in payment to the Queen's use, giving half the sum to the informer.

In the first and second proclamations the places appointed to have Exchanges were Bristol, Chester, London, Dublin, Cork, Galway and Carrickfergus. Owing to certain abuses all the general Exchanges were suppressed by the third proclamation except those of London and Dublin, but a bank was also established at Cork payable at London; and for the use of passengers and soldiers that come over from Ireland into England there is an Exchange allowed at Bristol and Chester, so as no soldier's or passenger's bill do amount to above 4l. The Exchange was thrown open to all persons, subjects of the Queen or those in amity with her, though not to everyone upon the same conditions.

States in detail the effect of the first and second proclamations, as set out above, and of the third proclamation. [For the last of these see below at 11 Feb.]

Two copies. Pp. 2²/3 and pp. 3. Both endd. S.P. Ireland 212, 128, 129.