James I: March 1605

James I: March 1605

441. Lords of the Council to the Lord Deputy and rest of the Council. [March 2.] Philad. P., vol. 3, p. 27.

Apprising them that they have contracted with Robert Newcomen, Esq., to supply 1,500 men for three months, to be sent to those places in the northern parts of Ireland, according to a particular enclosed. He is also appointed the sole provider and issuer henceforth of victuals for the soldiers in Ireland. The Lord Deputy and Council are to take order that the storehouses do not decay, the building and repairing whereof was a great charge to the late Queen.— Whitehall, 2 March 1604.

Signed: T. Dorset, Nottingham, Suffolke, Devonshyre, H. Northampton, Cranbourne, W. Knollys, Geo. Berwick, J. Herbert.

P. 1. Orig. Add. Endd.

442. The Earl of Tyrone to Viscount Cranbourne. [March 3.] S.P., Ireland, vol. 217, 14.

His Lordship's great courtesies shown unto him remain fresh in his remembrance; and the only cause of his omission of writing has been that he is still hoping to come into England; and if he could have furnished himself with money, he would have been there before this time, to acquaint His Majesty with many wrongs done to him, for which he can get no redress here. There is such encroaching upon him in divers ways, in what he has by His Highness's gift, and by the soldiers, that he is indeed made a very poor man. For these wrongs he must needs come to complain to the Lord Lieutenant, not doubting he will do him right, as he has ever found him his honourable Lord, and therefore he has written to him at large concerning these things. Prays Cranbourne's favour in furthering his causes.—Dublin, 3 March 1604.

P. 1. Signed. Add. Endd.: "Tirone to V. Cranborne."

443. Earl of Devonshire to Sir Thomas Lake, Knight. [March 6.] Add. Papers, Ireland.

The Deputy and Council of Ireland have, by several despatches, been directed to advise of all things fit to be considered for the reformation and government of that country, for the increase of the King's revenue, and for the diminishing of his charge, and to send thither two persons, able of themselves, and better enabled by them, to make a perfect relation thereof; and in the matter of the Greames and of the out-islands of Scotland he (Devonshire) has been specially directed to signify to the Deputy His Majesty's pleasure. All the letters written to this effect were arrested at the sea-side by contrariety of wind for almost the space of four months; yet he hears now from the Deputy that they are presently coming over as when sent for, and so instructed as they were directed. Has received letters on general subjects, and also touching the Greames and out-islands, all which he sends. In them is returned an answer concerning two matters of importance regarding which he had written, and also advertisement of two things of some consequence, which are the likelihood of the death of the Chancellor of Ireland and of that of Orurke [O'Ruark], whose country, if he die, will be wholly at the King's disposition; for it was to him and his heirs male, and heirs he hath none. The election of a new Chancellor concerns very intimately the well-being of that country, and there are many things as fit to be considered in the disposing of Orurke's land. Desires that his master should reap the fruit, without the trouble, of any of his endeavours. But because the intelligence between the Deputy and him is the foundation of a great work which they intend for his honour and profit, desires that, if he (Lake) should find the King barred from his recreation by evil weather or otherwise free from matters of more importance, he should induce His Majesty to read the Deputy's letters and the minute of his (Devonshire's) that was the ground thereof; for the master's eye doth both feed and direct. Cautions him, however, not to show it, except he find His Majesty perfectly at leisure. It shall be enough for him (Devonshire) that God doth know that he will ever serve his master faithfully, and that he prays for him daily.—Whitehall, 6 March.

P. 1. Sealed. Add.: "To my very loving friend, Sir Thomas Lake, Knight."

Endd.: "1604, 6 March.

The E. of Devonshire to acquaint His Majesty with the letters out of Ireland.

The Graymes.

The Out Islands.

The Chancellor's death.

Orurke's land."

444. The Lord Deputy and Council to the Earl of Dorset. [March 8.] Lansdowne MSS., 159, 271. B. M.

Report the prayer of Sir Henry Brouncker's agent's petition, regarding the proposed remission of duty on Scotch merchant ships, which they forward for consideration. Recommend it as reasonable, and urge that it may be acceded to; or, in case it shall be decided that the Scotch bottoms are not to pay duty as foreign bottoms, recommend that a corresponding reduction may be made to Sir Henry Brouncker in the amount of the rent of the farm stipulated in his lease of the contract.

Signed: Arthur Chichester, James Ley, Ant. Sentleger, Ol. Lambert, Geff. Fenton.

P. 1. Add.: "To the Right Hon. our verie good L. the Earle of Dorsett, Lo. High Thr̃er of England."

445. The King to the Lord Deputy. [March 10.] Philad. P., vol. 1, p. 91.

For a grant to be made by letters patent to Captain George Blundel, in consideration of his good service in the wars in the time of the late Queen, of the custody of the Castle of Limerick, in reversion after the decease of Sir Francis Barckley, Knight, who then held the same, to hold from the time of the death, surrender, or forfeiture of the said Sir Francis Barckley for the natural life of the said George Blundel, with the same fees and allowances as the said Sir Francis Barckley held the same.—Greenwich, 10 March 1604.

P. 1. Orig. Add. Endd. Enrol.

[Recorded by Erck, Calendar, p. 241.]

446. Sir Richard Cooke to Lord Cranbourne. [March 10.] S P., Ireland, vol. 217, 15.

Chiefly complimentary. Desires pardon for apparent neglect, which was occasioned by great sickness.

P. 1. Hol. Add. Endd.: "Dublin, March 10th, 1604."

447. Lords of the Council to Sir Arthur Chichester, Lord Deputy. [March 10.] Philad. P., vol. 3, p. 31.

In answer to his letter of 22nd of February last, apprising them of his having by necessity taken up 1,700l., which he desired to be repaid in England with all speed in regard of his credit. And though the taking up of money there in such manner be inconvenient (especially because it hindereth the good course and use of commutation betwixt both realms), yet they have taken care that payment shall be made with such speed as he promised.—Court at Whitehall, 10 March 1604.

Signed: T. Ellesmere, Canc., T. Dorset, Suffolke, Northumberland, Devonshyre, H. Northampton, Cranbourne, W. Knollys, E. Wotton, Fortescue, J. Herbert.

P. 1. Orig. Add. Endd.

448. Proclamation of Amnesty. [March 11.] S.P., Ireland, vol. 217, 16.

Proclamation by the Lord Deputy and Council, for the general tranquillity of Ireland, against reviving questions and challenges for offences committed during the late rebellion, and against the continuance of oppressions and unlawful exactions usurped by the chief Lords of the country.

Signed: Adam Dublin, C., Thomas Ormond and Oss., D. Thomond, V. Clanrickard, Thomas Medensis, Richard Wingfield, Henry Bronckar, James Ley, Nicholas Walsh, Edmund Pelham, Anthony Sentleger, George Bourchier, Henry Docwra, Frances Stafford, Oliver Lambert, Garret Moore, Geff. Fenton, Richard Cooke.—Dublin, 11 March 1604.

P. 1. "Proclamation," &c.

449. [Duplicate of No. 448.] [S.P., Ireland, vol. 217, 17.]

450. Sir Arthur Chichester to Viscount Cranbourne. [March 12.] S.P., Ireland, vol. 217, 18.

Would have dispatched Sir Richard Cooke and Sir John Davys with the papers the Council had prepared, but awaits the return of the judges from their circuits for the better framing them into order. Suggests a proclamation from the King for banishing or cutting off of martial law, of seminaries, Jesuits, and such hedge priests as have neither goods nor living, and do daily flock hither. In his opinion, the sooner it were published the better it would be put in execution, every man's eye being daily cast upon the abatement of the forces.

The allowances that must be made by concordatums, as for transportation and carriage of victuals, munition, apparel, treasure, to judges in their circuits, employment for all men in commission for any the King's service, rewards and such like, although he gives not a groat more than is set down to be granted, will in the year grow to great sums. But whatsoever is so given is in paper, for there is not one penny to make them payment, for which great exclamation is daily made unto him (Chichester). The King's revenue is left very small, and that so stated that nothing but the bare rent is to be expected. Never a manor, castle, house, or fort, but is dismembered, and the lands rather given away, or passed for many years, even to the very ditch of the castle, house, or fort, and the ditch itself, from most of them. His Majesty's great profits must arise by the composition, which is altogether lost by the soldiers living upon the country for want of provisions to keep them in garrison. By this means the King is defrauded of his revenues, and the country pays for what the soldier takes, according to his weekly allowance.

Suggests that in the King's letters, granting lands, the letters may not come with these words (to have it at the best survey), by which some hath been passed for far less rent than His Majesty received the year preceding. Here the officers will plead ignorance of the worth thereof, though well known, if it be to pleasure the party; and these abuses have been so long connived at that it is hard to amend or prevent them, most men applying their employments here to enable themselves, after a few years spent in that service (as they unjustly term it) to live better elsewhere. Thanks God there is some amendment by the choice of good men sent lately hither, and hopes that in his wisdom he will increase that number as places fall vacant. It being reported that those two kingdoms are united by the name of Great Britain, if he (Cranbourne) desires to have it published here, he requests that some of the proclamations be sent over.

Testifies the work and honesty of the bearer, Sir Ralph Sidley, who, going over for his own business, desires that his services in this kingdom may be recommended to Lord Cranbourne's favour.

To prove that he has good grounds to inveigh against these priests, and not of any humour of his own, he sends the enclosed, which he received from the Bishop of Cork; to whom and all the rest in the kingdom he has written for a true reformation of all their bishopricks, that it may be in readiness to be presented with the rest of the business. He is putting this last proclamation into Latin and Irish, in order that it may be generally understood.—Castle at Dublin, 12 March 1604.

Pp. 2. Hol. Sealed. Add. Endd.: "Chichester to V. Cranborn."

451. The King to the Lord Deputy of Ireland. [March 20.] Add. Papers, Ireland.

Has received petitions of Sir Randell M'Donell, Knight, for a new grant of his lands upon surrender of former letters patent, praying allowance for anything yielded in the abatement and remitting of his rent, in respect of the poorness and dispeopling of his country; the remitting of his rent, by the advice of our Lieutenant, is allowed and continued at his discretion; the surrender of letters and abatement of rent for things yielded is deferred for inquiries; the uttermost benefit and favour consistent with justice being conferred upon the petitioner against all persons inclined to do him wrong.

P. 1. Copy. Endd.

[Vouched as a true copy by Sir Tho. Lake.]

452. The King to the Lord Deputy of Ireland. [Add. Papers, Ireland.]

Original of No. 451, with memoranda addressed to Sir Thomas Lake for His Majesty's approval. Signed: Devonshire.

P. 1. Undated, with a rider.

453. Lords of the Council to the Lord Deputy (Sir Arthur Chichester). [March 21.] Philad. P., vol. 3, p. 29.

To give license to the Earl of Clanricard to come to England when he thinketh good, and at his best opportunity; taking care that in his absence the place of government, which he holdeth, be well supplied.— Court at Greenwich, 21 March 1604.

P. 1. Original. Add. Endd.

454. Lords of the Council to the Lord Deputy of Ireland and the rest of the Council. [March 28.] Philad. P., vol. 3, p. 33.

The King is pleased to bestow on the Earl of Tirconnell the place and title of honour which he now hath. Also that he shall have the government in the county of Donegal, called the country of Tirconnell, in the quality of His Majesty's lieutenant there. A commission to issue under the great seal, that the Earl be a justice of peace, and of the quorum, and lieutenant of the county of Donegal, during His Highness's pleasure, but with caution not to execute martial law, except in time of war, and that the same extend not to any of His Majesty's officers or soldiers serving in Tirconnell.—Court at Greenwich, 28 March 1605.

Signed: T. Ellesmere, Canc., T. Dorset, Lenox, Suffolke, Northumberland, E. Worcester, Devonshyre, H. Northampton, Cranbourne, W. Knollys, E. Wotton, J. Herbert.

P. 1. Add. Endd.

455. The King to Lord Deputy. [Mar. 29.] Carte Papers, vol. 30, p. 35.

The castle, town, and lands of Grananonagh in the county of Tipperary, leased to one Ulick Bourke, and to them from whom he claims, by Thomas late Earl of Ormond, were conveyed by the latter to the Earl and Countess of Desmond. The lease being expired, the Earl and Countess have obtained an order in Chancery for possession; but the same is forcibly resisted by said Ulick Bourke and other his servants with muskets and other warlike weapons. Lord Deputy to see that the order be put in execution, and claimant's servants placed in quiet possession. Claimants to suffer no disadvantage through absence, being here by royal command.

P. 1. Endd.

456. The King to the Lord Lieutenant and Deputy. [March 30.] Docquet Book, March 30.

Letter to the Lord Lieutenant and Deputy, to take a surrender of John Seggerson, of the towns and lands of Ballehowskert, Balleenshragh, Clanmore in Itty, and Bal lenehay, the appurtenances in Wexford, and to re-grant the same to him and his heirs for ever.

457. The King to Sir George Carey. [March 30.] Philad. P., vol. 1, p. 93.

Letter to Sir George Carey, Treasurer at War, to bring over his ledger book of accounts for the wars, ending 30th September 1604; also for him to grant warrants for stay of Charles Huet in England, and for taking up shipping for their journey.—Greenwich, 30 March 1605.

P. 1. Orig. Add. Endd.

458. Lords of the Council to Sir Arthur Chichester, Lord Deputy of Ireland, and the rest of the Council there. [March 31.] Philad. P., vol. 3, p. 35.

John FitzNicholas complains that Patrick Crosbie hath threatened to expel him from the possession of the town of Tirbroine, in the county of Kerry, which adjoins said Crosbie's lands. The Council are to hear his complaint and do him right.—The Court at Greenwich, last day of March 1605.

Signed: Suffolke, T. Ellesmere, Canc., J. T. Dorset, Lenox, Northumberland, J. F. Worcester, Devonshyre, H. Northampton, Cranbourne, W. Knollys, E. Wotton, Fortescue.

P. 1. Orig. Add. Endd.