Elizabeth I: volume 212, February 1603

Elizabeth I: volume 212, February 1603

Sir George Carew to Secretary Cecil. [6 Feb.] Cork.

Recommends Captain George Kingsmill. He was wounded at Dunboy and wants leave to go to England to be cured if possible.

P. ¼. Signed. Add. Endd. Ibid, 130.

Same to Same. [9 Feb.] Youghal.

Recommends Lieutenant William Geffrey, lieutenant to the foot company under Captain Stafford. He was shot through the body at Glencarruff [Glengarriff] and received other wounds in service in Munster. Prays that his suit may be favoured so as to save him long attendance at Court.

P. ²/3. Signed. Add. Endd. Ibid, 131.

Sir Geoffrey Fenton to Same. [11 Feb.] Dublin.

I have suddenly fallen ill of the "disease of this country, which for three or four days hath followed me in an extraordinary manner." I am not able to write, but send you some of the proclamations touching matters of the Exchange "which the State here have now disgested and are to be published the next market day in this city."

P. ¼. Signed. Add. Endd. Ibid, 132. Enclosing:—

A. Copy of the proclamation touching the Exchange, of 24 January, 160²/3.

For this see Calendar of S.P. Carew, 1601–3, pp. 409–414, and Fynes Moryson's Itinerary (1907), Vol. III, p. 260 sq. (fn. 1) ]

Printed. One long sheet torn in two. Underwritten, as the copy in the Carew Calendar. Endd. in hand of a contemporary clerk. Ibid, 132A.

The Lord Deputy to Same. [22 Feb.] Dublin.

The supplies sent over under the bearer, Captain Richard Adderton, arrived in better sort than any which have hitherto been employed. I should have been glad to give him some further employment, but my orders to reduce the forces prevent me from doing so. I recommend him strongly now that he is going back.

P. ½. Signed. Add. Endd. S.P. Ireland 212, 133.

Sir Henry Docwra to the Privy Council of England. [23 Feb.] Derry.

I send this by a private ship hired to go to Chester. Since Captain Brookes went over there has been no change here except that the rebellious people of Sleught Arte by a journey which I made into their country have been fully pacified and appeased. They have delivered in their best people as pledges and the rest have taken the most solemn oaths to remain in obedience. As Cormack McBaron was so nearly allied to the arch-traitor I urged him to give a like increase of pledges, and he gave them. Besides this there were also some forty kerne that had betaken themselves to a castle of Henry Ovington's standing in Iland McHugh. The chief commander was an old fugitive from me, and an offender so notorious that he could not hope for pardon; and his situation enabled him to do much harm to people that carelessly travelled between the Newtown and Omey, without keeping together in company. I attacked it by making a fort beside it which blocked it up, and the garrison surrendered, handing over their arms and munition, and keeping their lives and goods. There were 20 small barrels of powder and much match in the castle; the match excellent and much needed. The result is that except for Tyrone himself and those who adhere to him in the Glynns and a party of fifty or sixty kerne who live in woods and subsist only by preying on subject and rebel, there is no one in open action in the whole area of my charge. Our garrisons at Dungevin and Urckloes have made several raids upon Tyrone, and have carried off corn (which he had piled up in different corners of the wood) and castle. He is now removed towards the bottom of the Glynne about Toome and has nothing to live on but "the creaghts which he hath about him and underhand relief of the country, which by no means he can be prevented of; yet shifting his own lodging both day and night that no man knows in certainty at any time where to find him; so as to do further service upon him (except he break of himself as there is some likelihood he should do ere long) before the time of year be somewhat advanced and sufficient numbers of men drawn together to prosecute him at least three or four ways together at once it is utterly impossible."

The miseries of this place increase daily. I and others suffer greatly from want. This place does not afford any of the necessities of life, being different from other places in that respect. Everything has to be brought from England and, except provision for the private soldiers, we have had nothing imported from England for six months.

P. 1¾. Signed, with seal. Add. Endd. Ibid, 134.

The Lord Deputy and Council to the Privy Council of England. [24 Feb.] Dublin.

On receiving (on the 18th) yours of the 13th containing directions about the new coin we held a Council. The question is one of great importance, and we considered it with the utmost care.

The state of this country is still "unstaid and wavering," and we think the first thing to attain is the preventing of new "alterations," to which the people are naturally inclined. Those who have borne the sufferings and loss involved by the war have done so in the belief that, after it was over, their condition would be improved. If therefore any new proposition is put forward which seems to them likely to interfere with the expected improvement "it will be an occasion to them to nourish other impressions and happily run into some courses that may endanger the whole estate." From our long experience we are convinced that this is no mere conjecture but a certainty. We have therefore done our utmost to keep these people firm and upright and give them no cause for discontent. We have also done our utmost to diminish and restrain expenditure here and, as we say, to keep the people contented. If this last direction for the coin is made known to them we see reason to fear that it would cause them to be utterly discontented, for the reasons which we have set down by way of apostyles to the particular articles of the project. (fn. 2) We have asked the President of Munster, who thoroughly understands how the people may be discontented by this new order, and who has been present at our consultation, to give you further explanations, particularly with regard to the soldiers. Their condition was poor and miserable before, and will be much worse [under the proposed scheme], and they will be unable to provide themselves with necessities. The greatest and best part of them have to supplement the apparel and food which are sent over to them, "and . . . many parts of this kingdom are so obstinate to receive this coin and even the better parts that are best furnished of beeves, corn and other victuals will hold from the soldier all their commodities; besides that, in the Pale itself, all things are grown to such an extremity of dearth and want as nothing is to be had for this money, specially when they see no provision is made to relieve them by this project by way of exchange." It is fearful to think that soldiers who have borne the toil and danger of the war may, by this alteration, be tempted to mutiny or to leave the service altogether, and their officers, gentlemen of worth, to quit their places. You may easily see how such a result will hazard the ruin of the army.

All other servitors and ministers about the State are in the same position—unable to buy anything with the coin in which they are paid. The people do not hesitate to say that, after so many directions and orders published by command from England, they thought that some course would at length be taken to ease and favour them, and some settled plan touching the coin would be concluded; and they will be gravely discontented if nothing is done for them. We could say much more on these dangers, but we think it better to consider how they may be met and to leave the means thereof to your wisdom. In the meantime we have published the last proclamation, which was ready to be printed on the day when your last despatch arrived, some copies of it having been sent before into some parts of Ireland. We think that by that proclamation "the inconveniences and dangers that may grow to the Government by the use of the other will be greatly broken and the evil consequences that may ensue thereof not a little staid." But all our efforts and all your skill will be useless unless it may please her Majesty to give order that the exchange may be more really borne up and speedier payment made of the bills that are to pass from hence to the bank there, for until that or some other course to be sought out whereby some ease may be given to her Majesty's excessive charges for a time, it will be but to keep open the sore still and increase the ill accidents that from time to time will break out thereof.

Sir George Carew is here, having been drawn hither by us with a meaning to send him over to inform you on the state of Munster and on the general insecurity of all Ireland. He is also charged by us to speak plainly on the question of the coinage "and humbly to advise with your lordships how this still raging canker of rebellion may be thoroughly cured or at least stayed from farther festering till it may please God to give a fit time to cut it off altogether." Sir George will have suggestions to offer on these matters, and he has had long experience in Ireland at large and in Munster, and we are glad that we have so efficient an instrument to send you, and hope to have prompt directions from you as to what to do. We have also instructed him to consult with you as to some means by which a traffic of corn may be established for the relief of the officials and the corporate towns here, and to that end some favourable regard to be had in the exchange of such as shall be thought meet to be licensed to that trade; for we are bold to assure your lordships that without such help the public officers will be actually distressed throught want of grain. We have often told you of the evils which would ensue "from the multitude of idle swordmen if they should be suffered still to continue here and not converted to foreign employment," and we have required Sir George to reopen the matter. The number of those "unprofitable kerne" increases daily owing to the coming in of the Irish who were in rebellion, and we are sure that many of them would be willing to serve abroad, especially if they were placed under some well-chosen commander such as they do affect. This would rid the country of many hands which if there should be occasion will readily turn to rebellion. The people in this country of all sorts still expect that the Spaniards will invade again, and we are therefore asking Sir George to obtain authority for me, the Deputy, to raise companies when necessary and for me, the Treasurer, to pay them.

"In the last part of your lordships' last letter, speaking to us of the Council touching the Ecclesiastical Commission and our proceedings with some few aldermen of the city of Dublin, it pleased your lordships to put us in mind of a mild course to be held with them by way of connivancy until it might please God to give a more commodious time for the countenancing of the commission. It is true that we moved the Lord Deputy to revive that Commission, after so long time of discontinuance, not thereby to strive with her Majesty's subjects in matters of their conscience, but to see what we could do in the re-edifying and reformation of their own churches and to win them to their outward obedience to come to the church as all good subjects ought to do by the laws; and to that end, considering that to deal first with some of the heads and leading men of this city would be a mean to draw on the multitude, we convented at several times some five or six aldermen to whom we proponed only the matter of coming to church on the Sabbath day to hear the sermons and to have conference, without touching any question of their conscience, which was the mildest course we could hold with them; but they insisting stiffly upon their wonted obstinacy and making shews that they would rather suffer any extremities than come to the church or to admit conference, we committed them to an easy imprisonment, hoping that by time they would become more conformable in the point of their outward obedience that way; and yet upon suit made for them we consented to a course to set them at liberty upon bonds two or three days before the coming of your lordships' last letter, wherein some of them have yielded and the rest stand wilful and obstinate. And, touching the example which your lordships wish were used by some of the chief bishops in God's church, to seek to win the people rather by the preaching and teaching of good doctrine than by other courses, we do humbly assure your lordships that in this city of Dublin there is as great plenty of preaching the word in the several parishes of the city on the Sabbath days (besides a public lecture once every week in each of the two cathedral churches) as in any city of England of like quality." There is no want of that holy exercise here, and we hope the ministry will not be in any default. In the meantime we shall observe the directions which your lordships have prescribed for this Commission, and shall do so rather as a grace from ourselves than by your order, so that they may not "take occasion to insult the more."

We are exceedingly pressed by several servitors and officers to pass them bills of exchange to have their money at the bank at London, "whose demands we cannot deny to be just and their necessities as great; and yet to avoid the overburdening of the bank we have taken a course to moderate their payments as much as we could for easing the bank; and likewise we have foreseen as much as we can to avoid all frauds in the exchange and that they shall not colour other men's moneys." The multiplicity of bills which may grow hereafter are, to a great extent, due either to captains, officers and servitors that are discharged, or to noblemen and gentlemen of Ireland "to answer the exhibition (fn. 3) of their children and kinsfolks remaining in England at study, and other services."

Pp. 6. Signed by the Lord Deputy, the Archbishop of Dublin (and Lord Chancellor), and by Wingfield, Harington, St. Leger, Stafford, Cary, Pelham and Fenton. Add. Endd. S.P. Ireland 212, 135. Enclosing:—

An answer to the particular articles of their lordships' project touching the new coin.

The alteration of the standard of moneys from sterling to the present mixed moneys hath from the beginning been very grievous and distasteful to the subjects of this kingdom. Their only contentment was that they hoped and expected an exchange, and that the same should be duly answered according to the several proclamations. If any project is devised the effect of which would be to take away the hope of such exchange, this money continuing, we cannot but think that it will cause grave discontent.

Proceeds to give details of the project out of England. These are already calendared in Calendar of S.P. Carew, 1601–3, at pp. 418–419. Gives also the Lord Deputy and Council's comments on these proposals, which are already calendared Ibid, pp. 426–427.

Pp. 1½. Dated 24 Feb., 1602[–3]. Signed by the Lord Deputy, the Archbishop of Dublin (and Lord Chancellor) and by Cary, Pelham, Wingfield, Fenton, Harington, Stafford and St. Leger. Endd. Ibid, 135A.

The Lord Deputy to Secretary Cecil. [28 Feb.] Dublin.

Prices have risen so here that four times the entertainment which the Queen allows me will not suffice to answer my expenses unless your lordships please to allow me exchange for a great part of my entertainment, so that I may buy in England some of the things I want, and thus ease myself of this unbearable charge. I have long forborne to trouble you, hoping that others would bear their losses when they saw me endure the greatest loss of all; "and besides my most earnest desire to advance the public hath made me forget, or at least neglect, my private so long as I confess I am fallen behindhand 4,000l. or 5,000l." The entertainment allowed me by the Queen would be sufficient if things were here now as they were in former times; but I live here in extreme dearth, keep the field more than any of my predecessors, and have no more entertainment when I am abroad than when I am at home, as many Deputies have usually had, though my charge is much increased above theirs. I now beg you to afford me exchange for the most part of my entertainment. If I have not English money I shall not be able to keep house without running more and more into debt, to the ruin of my estate, "which I know her Majesty would be displeased at." I lose much on what I buy here (and I cannot get everything from England), and beg for this favour on that account also; and further because I am soon to go northward, where I must trust altogether to provisions out of England, and shall not otherwise be able to continue long in the field.

P. 1½. Signed. Add. Endd. S.P. Ireland 212, 136.

The Lord Deputy to Secretary Cecil. [28 Feb.] Dublin.

Recommends his kinsman Sir Francis Barkley, who is going to England with the President of Munster. He has served long and well in Ireland and in the war in Munster. His only suit is regarding a ward in Limerick, which will certainly appear reasonable.

P. ½. (Hol.) Add. Endd. Ibid, 137.

Sir George Carew to Same. [Feb.] Cork.

Recommends Captain William Saxey, who (the lot falling, for one, on him) was discharged by the Lord Deputy when the list in Munster was reduced. He has served the Queen long "in a very respective and serviceable manner."

P. ½. Signed. Add. Endd. Ibid, 138.

Report on the state of the Victuals at Loughfoyle. [Feb.] [Loughfoyle.]

A certificate from the Commissary of the Victuals at Loughfoyle shews that, when he took over that office from Skinner on 10 November last, there were victuals to serve 1,500 men till the middle of March.

If the men are reduced (as is supposed) these will last longer.

A late contract, dated 24 January last, provides for a proportion of victuals to be sent thither to feed 1,000 men for three months.

The Victuallers have had news from Weymouth of two ships laden with victuals which were met near Loughfoyle about three weeks since. These shiploads will supply the garrison until the other proportion contracted for arrives there.

This rapid issuing of victuals is due to the facts that the men have full allowance, that the captains take full victuals for themselves and their train of horse and foot, and that the country supplies very little except that in the summer some beeves are obtained from O'Dogherty. Moreover, when Sir Henry Docwra employs Irish in pay there he has, owing to the bareness of the country, to supply them with victuals out of the store.

P. ½. Endd. Ibid, 139.