Elizabeth I: volume 208 part 1, February 1601

February 1601

Feb. 2. Mallow.

29. Sir George Carew to the Lord Deputy Mountjoy. "I am so infinitely distracted between the earnest desires I have to satisfy your Lordship's commandments, and the present dangers which I see hang over this province if I should observe them, as that I stand amazed what counsel to take, being in myself wholly addicted to obedience, and by necessity (in a manner) enforced to pause upon the same, until I may receive your Lordship's answer to these, and then (without further protraction) I will be ready accordingly to observe your Lordship's commandments ; wherein I humbly pray you deliberately to advise, being, as I take it, especially material for the furtherance of Her Majesty's service.

" The next day after I received your Lordship's letter of the 27th of January, being the 30th of the same, for the better expediting of your directions, I addressed several warrants unto the Captains residing near unto me, commanding every of them to meet at the towns of Clonmell and Fethard by the sixth of this month, there to receive such further directions as the Lord Audley (whom I appointed to command them) should direct. The list consists of 1,050 foot and Sir Richard Greame's horse. Sir Garrett Harvey's lieth so far remote in Kerry, as I could not in a short time draw them to the rest. Wherefore, for that particular, I humbly pray to be excused. And for Sir John Barkeley's company (who are part of the list above said), I had directed them by warrant, according your Lordship's former pleasure signified unto me (before the receipt of your last letters), to repair into Connaught, but have now countermanded them, and do hope they are not yet passed. Thus your Lordship may see my willingness to obey your directions, which I did as gladly and affectionately consent unto, as you can desire. But since having this day received these enclosed letters from the Earl of Thomond and Mr. Comerford, I do make humbly bold to present the consideration of them to your Lordship's wisdom, before I do thoroughly accomplish your commandments. Wherein my hope is that your Lordship will both give me thanks, and hold me excused, because the public service doth hold me unto it. In my judgment, I am persuaded that this intelligence is true, drawn thereunto by many and sundry the like advertisements from all parts and persons lately reconciled. Whereof I could send your Lordship bundles of papers of divers men's relations, and now confirmed in the same by these enclosed, which (as your Lordship sees) threaten the present disturbance of this province not yet well settled. Yet nevertheless that it may appear unto your Lordship, that I am not backward to perform anything which your Lordship shall require, I do yet continue (though not without some hazard to this province, if these northern forces should presently invade us) to send the said companies to the rendezvous aforesaid, with direction to them there to remain, until your Lordship shall return me your pleasure in answer of these, and then what you shall prescribe unto me, I will dutifully and carefully effect, assuring myself that your Lordship will have such a special regard to the state of this province, as that you will not withdraw them, but upon certain knowledge of the untruth of this intelligence. But (as a Councillor) to speak my opinion, if your Lordship can otherwise follow the prosecution in Leinster without calling forces from hence for a time, it were very expedient to forbear the same, until this cloud be overpast, which cannot long hang in suspense, for that all the danger is between this and the end of the next month, after which time, until the cattle be strong and give milk there is little doubt."—Mallow, 1600, February 2.

[Postscript.] " From whom the Earl of Thomond had this last intelligence I know not, but, to confirm the same to be true, I have a letter sent unto his Lordship from Tibbott Ne Longe, dated the 21 of January, that did then report their assembly to invade Thomond and Munster. I doubt not but your Lordship knoweth the truth of this intelligence better than we here, unto which I do humbly submit my opinion; but if oaths and protestations of them that have been their familiars, and very lately in their company, may be believed, the forces threatened will assuredly come into Munster." Copy. pp. 2.

Encloses:—

29. i. [Donogh O'Brien], Earl of Thomond, to Sir George Carew. "Being employed here for holding sessions at Ennis now, I have received advertisement that Redmond Burke, Redmond Ne Scoupe's sons, and Hugh Mostin, with 2,000 men, are appointed to come from the north for Clanrickarde and Thomond, and that Con O'Neill, base son to Tyrone, John FitzThomas, McDonogh, Piers Lacy, and divers others, are coming with 2,000 and five hundred bonnaughts for Minister; which I thought good to signify unto your Lordship, and if your good leisure would permit your coming to Limerick, it would not, as I take it, grow to any prejudice for taking such further assurance of proceedings with the country, as then shall seem good to your Lordship ; wherein all my best assistance to effect your Lordship's good desire shall not want. And I hope by your Lordship's coming to receive full advertisement of all occurrents from Ballyshannon, Sligo, and that parts (sic), for I have employed espials of purpose thither. According your Lordship's direction, I have sent order for the speedy sending away of Sir John Barkeley's company." Sends letter received from Tibbott Ne Longe.—Ennis, 1600[-1], January 31. Copy. p. 1.

Feb. 2.

30. Indenture for the coining of Irish moneys, made between the Queen and Sir Richard Martin, of London, and Richard Martin, his son, citizen and goldsmith of London. A note at the head runs, "The base Irish indenture, 2 Febr. An°. Reg. Eliz. 43°." Copy. pp. 25.

Feb. 3. Culchel.

31. F[lorence Fitzpatrick, Baron of] Upper Ossory, to Sir Robert Cecil. Thinks good to advertise him of a piece of service he has lately done. "I have killed and hanged, the last of January past, the number of 200 soldiers of the traitors at one instant, besides their Captains and other their leaders, which names I have sent in a note to Mr. Crosby. I know Mr. Crosby will impart [to] your Honour the state of my country, and how I hazard myself and my sons daily, with such small forces as we have, in Her Majesty's service, without any kind of maintenance. Therefore I hope your Honour will hold a good course both for my credit and assistance."—Culchel, 1600 [-1], February 3. Signed. p. ½.

Feb. 4.

32. The Lord Deputy Mountjoy to Sir Robert Cecil. "If, after so long detaining Sir Oliver St. John here, I return him with a despatch in many things imperfect, I beseech you to impute it to this, that it hath been still interrupted with my continual meditation of the present service, and my desire to give Her Majesty thanks with my works rather than with my words; which God knoweth how faithfully I do intend, and how many sleeps I break to perform; as also with the multitude of the businesses of this kingdom, and extreme importunity of the solicitors thereof, unto the which all that live with me can be sufficient witnesses. I have had long conference with this bearer, and delivered him some memorials, to satisfy Her Majesty, my Lords, and yourself in divers things, which by speech were delivered from you, as likewise some propositions to be delivered from me. Next to my desire to kiss Her Majesty's fair hand, I desired my coming over, for nothing more than to have conference with you in many things, which I presume might have much advanced her service, and find I cannot otherwise so well perform as by my presence. I do think it necessary that all Governors employed here should sometimes give unto Her Majesty a personal account of their proceedings, before they do absolutely give over their work; and I doubt not but thereby Her Majesty should find herself much better served. If I might have leave to come over somewhat before or after St. George's feast, it is likely to be the best time for me to be spared, the which if I might obtain, I desire it should be kept as a secret, both here and in England, until the instant of my departure ; and, if it so please Her Majesty, I will come as single as a post; and, if she will have it so, lie in the porch of her doors, and not see my wife till my return to her army, as Uriah did. Sir, I will as little trouble you with my own private as I may, and forget it in all things till my return, except in such as I do imagine doth concur to enable me to do Her Majesty service here. But, as I have already given you thanks for the favour intended towards me touching the Stannary, the which I understand by Mr. Michael Stanhope, so I must continue the like, yet press you no farther to proceed therein, than out of your own judgment or affection you shall think fit. Though I acknowledge unto you that, if God ever enable me to live in any sort answerable to my calling in the place which I have chosen to make my chief country seat, that there could few things come unto me more acceptable than this office. But believe me, Sir, upon the faith of a Christian, that I am, for anything I know, two hundred pounds a year worse than I was when I first began to prepare for this journey; and for anything I can see am likely to return a mere beggar, except Her Majesty do graciously relieve me. Yet if Her Majesty shall not think me worthy of any relief, nor fit to do her any further service when I return, I will only, as boldly as a subject may presume to do with a Prince, challenge this favour, to shut myself up within the walls I have made at Wanstead, and by her grace to be protected in a quiet life though poor, which I mean to spend in earnest prayers for her. And this I desire, for this I know I shall not enjoy without her favour after this unfortunate government. And for yourself, believe me, Sir, that even at this time I am persuaded that you are a worthy and faithful servant to the Queen, and an honourable friend unto me, and do much disdain that humour in any subject, if there be any such, that will think me tied by any respect from having my affection free, being built upon so just foundations." Apologises for troubling Sir Robert with his private affairs. Highly recommends Sir Oliver Lambert's services, and begs that he may be admitted to the Council of Ireland.—1600[-1], February 4. Holograph. pp. 2.

Feb. 4.

33. The Lord Deputy Mountjoy to Sir Robert Cecil. "Touching the matter of musters, wherein I find Her Majesty so much and so justly offended, and myself so greatly grieved that I can give her therein no better satisfaction, I desire you to impart unto her what I have thought fittest to let Her Majesty know by you; which although it may be full of error, yet I protest it doth proceed from the sincerity of my affection to do her service, and merely unmingled with any private respect. The frame of that business hath been none of mine. The uttermost that I could do was to give the ministers of those affairs all the assistance they could require, and to endeavour by general oversight, which could not be so effectual as it should be, to cause Her Majesty to be the better served. The frame that now is I am sure is naught. That which I propound, I am confident may be better, but it cannot be worse. The Mustermaster of this kingdom is one whom, out of my particular affection and charity, I cannot but commend to Her Majesty's favour ; but not for this place, in the which he is only a bare cipher, and whose extreme weakness doth multiply the corruption of all the ministers of that office. The Controller, upon my knowledge, how sufficient soever he be, is corrupt, and a traitor to the Queen's profit. The twenty Commissaries were (such as they were chosen) a course that the captains could not have desired better to colour their deceit. The last course that you took to make the next adjoining gentlemen of this country a kind of mustermasters was worst of all. For first, of all people in the world they are generally most corrupt, and there is none, that dwell near a garrison, that dare offend it, or, at the least, that shall not receive much commodity to please it. So that the good that was apparent to be reaped thereby, was that from them we should be sure to receive false certificates of the strength of every garrison, and the rebels a true [one] of their weakness. For all the borderers have intercourse, and most of them fast affection with the rebels. I think the best course that can be taken is, presently to establish a Mustermaster-General, of as good sufficiency and reputation as you can find any willing to undertake that place ; and that if you think any of the profession honest enough, that he be a man of war, and, if it shall please Her Majesty, graced so far as to be one of her Council here. What instructions he shall have, I leave it unto you, [and] what conditions unto him whom you shall choose, to propound them for himself. If I may farther presume to name whom I think meetest for the place, I protest before God that, for many respects, I think Her Majesty cannot choose any, by whom she may be better served for his sufficiency and sincerity, than this gentleman, Sir Oliver St. John. Farther, Sir, I dare undertake upon my life that by your experience hereafter you shall find it true, that what course or care soever can be invented by you profoundly there, or diligently executed here, the army will never be kept strong, until it shall please Her Majesty to pay them well, and all with money and victuals, and not apparel. For I protest, before the majesty of God, that I do believe that it is the chief cause of the weakness of the army, and that by the incommodities that do arise thereby, the Queen hath lost far more men's lives than by the sword. The which I do so strongly apprehend, that I will rather undertake to make the war with twelve thousand men in list well paid, and with money, than with sixteen thousand in list paid as now they are. Many of the reasons that induce me thereunto I have imparted to be delivered unto you by this bearer, as too long to be written, but believe it, Sir, that the abuse and confusion of this matter of apparel is intolerable to Her Majesty and her poor soldiers, and of all others least hurtful to the commodity of the Captain, who, except it be out of the desire to have a fair company, hath, as I conceive it, no extraordinary cause to desire this change."—1600[-1], February 4. Holograph. pp. 2.

Feb. 4. Dublin.

34. Sir Geffrey Fenton to Sir Robert Cecil. Since his last, there is nothing, either civil or martial, worthy of advertisement; only understands that the Lord Deputy is despatching Sir Oliver St. John from Trim to England. This letter is to acquaint the Lord [High] Treasurer and Sir Robert with the victualling causes, and specially with the state of the magazine at Dublin, which is the nursery to feed all the companies for Leinster, and some garrisons in Ulster. Prays that the undertakers may haste away a further supply.—Dublin, 1600[-1], February 4. Signed. p. ½.

Feb. 4. Dublin.

35. Sir Ralph Lane to Sir Robert Cecil. "After view and consideration of manifold abuses and disorders committed here in mustering Her Majesty's forces, as well by the Commissaries of the Musters and others that have received benefit thereby, to the hindrance of Her Majesty's service and profit, both in regard of the insufficiency of the Commissaries and their negligence to serve Her Majesty as they ought, having many times detained their books long after taking of the musters, and when they were taken and come to me, I have found them so strange and confused, as we had much to do in drawing them to any good course, and (sic) therefore (Right Honourable) I have concluded with Mr. Birkinshawe that he shall present unto your Honour such particular points as concern Her Majesty's service, both in that and all other causes touching mine office, with humble request to have a reformation accordingly, and in such sort as your Honour's grave wisdom shall seem expedient. To which purpose I have sent over my deputy, the bearer hereof, in company with Mr. Birkinshawe, to attend your Honour for the satisfaction of any questions that may grow concerning the musters, whose return I shall expect very shortly, with answer in this business, which I beseech your Honour to further."—Dublin, 1600[-1], February 4. Signed. Seal. p. 1.

Feb. 6.

36. The Lord Deputy Mountjoy to the Privy Council. "I have thus long detained Sir Oliver St. John (though to the incommodity of his private affairs) to be an eye-witness and a faithful relator unto your Lordships of some such my endeavours, and the effect thereof, whereby I desired rather to shew my thankfulness unto Her Majesty and you, than only by naked protestations, which unto persons of great power and authority are common to be made, as well by the best as worst deservers, and have been and am unwilling to cumber your grave consultations, or to mingle the business of this important war with my private griefs or petitions; and therefore will repose my confidence and comfort in the justice of your Lordships' judgments, and the sincerity of my own conscience, and the consideration of my poor estate unto Her Majesty's best pleasure, unto whom I do owe myself and it; with this humble desire unto your Lordships, to consider that the more I do launch the impostumes of the subject or rebel in this generally infected state, the more likely are your Lordships to be troubled with the clamours of such as feel the present smart, or love their own disease; though I (as I look for health or help to my soul) do only faithfully intend their cure, and proceed in it sincerely with the best of my discretion and uttermost of my labours, wherein I am so far from not acknowledging what sound assistance I may receive from your reverent directions, and what good fruit I may reap by your favourable admonitions, that I desire continually to read them, and will respect them above any human precepts; but do only with all humbleness desire your Lordships, that you will not be too easily induced to ground either upon the relation or complaints you shall receive from hence, before the project be thoroughly considered, or my own cause by myself answered. For I must needs say that the statesmen of this country, as they that have once learned an evil accent of a language, will be more hardly induced to pronounce it well, than they which are new to begin to learn it, so that they for the most part love rather to maintain their errors than to amend them, and out of that love have gotten a habit to judge amiss. Neither dare I at any time to make unto your Lordships any certain project to be accordingly executed, which by the experience I have already found so many accidents may give just reason to alter, but must desire from your Lordships to enable me with the matter for so great a war, unto the which the judgments of your ministers here and the present occasion must give such a form, as may best effect that nothing be ministered by Her Majesty, or expended by us, in vain. To the which end if God concur with His unsearchable working, all my meditations and labours shall be to find out and practise the best ordinary means in this work to accomplish Her Majesty's and your Lordships' chief purpose. I have presumed to confer with Sir Oliver St. John of many things more apt and able, as I conceive it, to be by him remembered and delivered to your Lordships than by writing, whom I can do no greater favour and justice than to recommend him to your Lordships, with my humble desire that you will do the like to Her Majesty, for a gentleman of extraordinary worthiness in himself, but especially for his zeal to Her Majesty's service, and to whom by his desert to me I am bound, and ever will give the best satisfaction in my power, both here and always."—1600[-1], February 6. Signed. pp. 2.

Feb. 6. Culchel.

37. F[lorence Fitzpatrick, Baron of] Upper Ossory, to Patrick Crosby. Sends some particulars of his defeat of the rebels on January 31 last, with names of divers killed. Encloses letter to Sir Robert Cecil [see No. 31], " to be perused, before the ensealing or delivery thereof."—Culchel, 1600[-1], February 6. Signed. p. 1.

Feb. 7. Trim.

38. The Lord Deputy Mountjoy and Council to the Privy Council. "I, the Deputy, have begun a prosecution of Phelim McFeagh and the rest of the mountain rebels his adherents, and, entering suddenly upon them, have spoiled and ransacked the countries of Ranelagh and Cosshay, swept away the most part of their cattle and goods, burnt all their corn and almost all their houses, leaving them little or nothing that might relieve them. And to finish that work by me begun, I have planted two strong garrisons upon them, the one at Wicklow upon the east side, and the other upon the west at Tullagh ; by which they are so hedged in, as I hope that work will not be long, before those rebels be starved, or driven out of their country. Upon the east side, I would gladly have planted nearer them, but that our ship, laden with our tools and other necessary instruments, was beaten back, even at her entrance into the harbour at Wicklow, and to this day could never more be heard of. This done, I drew down to Monasterevan with the rest of the forces, of purpose to undertake the Moores and Connors of Leix and Offally. But after I had stayed there a small time, and had settled a correspondency for proceeding in that service, between our forces in those parts, and some suspected subjects dwelling near, of whom till then I could not be so assured, that they would sincerely yield us their best furtherance, I discovered the Moores to be so weak in Leix, by reason their chieftain, Onie McRory, was killed, their country spoiled, and their corn and houses burned the last summer when I was there, which disabled them now to keep their bonnaughts to defend them, and that the Connors were fled from that part of Offally next us; as it appeared a harder matter with a great force to find any that would make resistance, than with a smaller to undertake that service ; wherefore, leaving there some few companies that might join and answer one another, so assisted as I noted, I removed hither, where, we all are of opinion, is the fittest place for service, as things stand at this present. For if Tyrrell, who in Offally is now the chiefest rebel, do assemble his forces in any part of that country lying south from us, we can from this place soon fall back upon him, when our spial can assure us where he is. If, on the west side those northern rebels, who are desirous to go into Munster, should offer to pass the river of the Enny, as we hear they mean very speedily to do, and for certain have no other way, we have laid our companies so as they shall hardly escape us without fighting, and that with as good advantage to our party as we can in reason desire. If neither of these two fall out, we intend to be doing in the Brenny which lieth but a little to the north of us; and, seeing it hath pleased Her Majesty to give us warrant to pass the country of Fermanagh to Maguire, we have thought it a very fit time to carry him with us to the Cavan, and to plant him there or thereabout; which if we shall be able to perform, will undoubtedly be a service of very great consequence. For we find that his son Tirlogh, who is there amongst them already, with two or three hundred only of his own followers, doth with that small number give them very great annoyance, and, being strengthened with a garrison at the Cavan, would both free the Pale from all those incursions, which out of the north are always made that way, and in short time, by stirring, open a passage to the garrisons of Lough Foyle, who will not be then so far asunder, but that they may hear from one another, and haply meet upon occasion. The hope of this and other great services from Maguire and his son hath moved us to give him the best contentment we could, by granting him his country according to Her Majesty's pleasure signified. And because we find Her Highness likewise pleased that Neale Garve, now here, should be returned well contented to his country, who in our conceivings is like to prove a very rare instrument to do her service, we have promised him the country of Tyrconnell to him and to his heirs males, in such sort and at such rent as his grandfather, Callogh O'Donnell, had the same; reserving only Ballyshannon with some 800 acres of land about it, and the fishing of the Erne, to Her Majesty, either for a garrison or such other uses as it may please Her Highness to put it to. With this we could very hardly cause him to be satisfied, so highly doth he prize his own deservings and the loss he pretendeth to have had in coming in, which he rateth at above ten thousand pounds. And therefore we most humbly desire your Lordships to procure us warrant from Her Majesty in this sort to pass his country to him, seeing we could not by any means draw him to be contented with less, and were loath to return him discontented. He is likewise to have 300 foot and 100 horse in Her Majesty's entertainment at half-pay, and pardon for himself and all his followers ; which though it be a great matter in show, yet seeing he is to bring in the men serviceable and to pass the muster, and so to maintain them in the service without further charges to Her Majesty, we think Her Highness shall be greatly eased in her charge thereby, so long as she hath occasion to use them ; and when there is no further use of their service, they are to be discharged at her pleasure, and so much we have made known unto him.

"Where it pleaseth your Lordships to propound the sparing of fifty horse from some of these garrisons to Lough Foyle, to be supplied again from some other place, where there is less use of horse, we humbly answer that we do not know how it can be done with any conveniency. For, seeing of all the horse here in Leinster there are but two troops only that are English, which are mine, the Deputy's, and the troop of Sir Henry Davers, the rest, all or the most part, being Irish, who will hardly be drawn to lie in garrison, or to watch and do duties in a camp, much less to go into that remote part of the north, but will rather leave all and quit the service, we hope your Lordships will consider how unfit it were to leave any of these, when we shall have occasion to keep the field, they being the chief strength, and the rest but the countenance of our army, our experience having taught us to esteem them so. It is true there are 100 horse at Knockfergus, which were sometime the Earl of Southampton's, and do now go under the name of Captain Jep [h] son; but indeed thirty of them belong to Rory Oge McQuillin, and twenty more to two other Irishmen, whom it was thought good policy to keep contented so ; and how hardly any of them may be spared thence, we leave also to your grave consideration.

" Before the receipt of your Lordships' letters, I, the Deputy, had a purpose to digest those numbers at Lough Foyle into bands of 150, knowing well that a company of 100 is both in that place and elsewhere (as the world goes now) over little for a man to live on honestly; and therefore as I could, by death or otherwise, alter any, I increased divers bands to that number, which I am glad to find approved and confirmed by this direction of your Lordships. And as for the victuals brought from Lough Foyle, and sold at Dublin, as is informed, we have given order to have that matter duly examined, and will cause severe punishment to be inflicted, if the parties can be found that have offended.

" Having thus briefly delivered unto your Lordships both what we have done, and what (God pleased) is intended, we are humbly to entreat your Lordships to remember us with money, victuals, munition, and working tools, all which we shall presently have great use or need of; and the service here will receive no small hindrance, if all or any of these be wanting ; for we mean (God willing) to lose no opportunity, if we may be furnished and provided for. A minister of the ordnance shall forthwith attend your Lordships for such supply of munition and other necessaries, as we think needful to be added to the old remain here. Of victuals great store must needs be sent, for till Midsummer this country affords but little ; and without money your Lordships know soldiers are out of heart, and so will ever be, which, for the service sake, we beseech your Lordships [to] think upon."—Trim, 1600[-1], February 7. Signed. Seal. pp. 5.

Feb. 7. Trim.

39. Sir Oliver Lambert to Sir Robert Cecil. "Your letter (sent me by my father) gave life to my soul, that long groaned under the burden of disgrace, and the assurance of your honourable favour encourageth me to tell you frankly, I am able in my profession to do you service. In my affection, I will be ever true and faithful, and am none of those heretics your Honour speaks of; for," if my friend (your honest follower) had delivered a letter which I sent in due time, open for him to peruse, your Honour had understood me better long since; but it sorted not with his humour, and so [he] concealed it.

"For that my Lord of Essex left me Marshal provisionally, I am loath to dispute. Sure I am I have the seal for it, with all authorities, as ample as ever any. For my Lord Deputy, I excuse him for giving way to his friend. He dealt honourably and plainly with me, and made me know how and by whom he was wrought against me. For the Marshal's place I am not now otherwise ambitious of it than shall stand with your best liking, though I bear the brunt of the business; but most humbly desire your Honour to be a mean to Her Majesty to think me worthy the government of Connaught, as a recompense for twenty-two years' service, a place to rest my decayed limbs, when these wars shall be well qualified, and grow towards an end. My Lord Deputy giveth me leave to write thus much to your Honour, on condition never to leave him whilst he keepeth the field, nor seek to dwell in the province till the war be made there, whither it must run in the end. My Lord Deputy, I presume, thinketh me worthy a good turn, and I hope keeps not my careful endeavours to finish this war from your knowledge. Out of my small experience, I dare engage my growing credit with your Honour, that safely, on my word, you may freely tell Her Majesty that this war hath no long life, if my Lord Deputy go forward as he intendeth, and you second him as he expecteth.

"To conclude, if it shall please your Honour so much to bind me to you as to make me Governor of Connaught, which I doubt not but I shall sufficiently discharge, I will ever acknowledge so honourable a favour, and endeavour by all duty to make myself deserving it, and humbly desire your Honour to accept 500l., to be disposed of at your pleasure."—Trim, February 7. Endorsed:—1600 [-1]. Holograph. pp. 2.

Feb. 7. Trim.

40. The Lord Deputy Mountjoy to Sir George Carew. "Since you are so confident that the intelligence my Lord of Thomond sendeth you is true, I will not so much weaken you, nor burthen myself with the success, as to call any of your companies from you, but leave them to your own disposition, as you shall think fittest, although I should have had great use of them in making the war in Leinster. But where you are advertised, by the letters of my Lord of Thomond, that in two several parties there are 4,500 coming out of the north, you may judge how unlikely that is, when, after the fight of the Moyerie, Tyrone was never able in his own country to draw 1,200 men together to affront me. And out of my experience I dare affirm thus much, that when you shall ever hereafter find 4,000 fighting men of rebels together, I will be content to yield myself their prisoner, and, when you know that above 500 men be sent out of the north into Munster, to acknowledge myself in a great error.

"The poor rogues Redmond Burke and some of the Connors are run into the north to seek aid for themselves and Tyrrell; and I do think that, if Tyrone were able, he would send the uttermost he could spare, to assist the rebels of these parts, and to trouble Munster. But if he send with them any, I am confident they will be very few, and they shall hardly find passage out of the north this way. I do think that the drawing of your companies so far as you have already done, can be no way prejudicial to the service, yet I hold it good, if you take the danger to be so great from Connaught, to make head at Limerick. When the storm is overpast, it may be I shall be as glad to receive them that way towards Athlone as anywhere else. For Sir Gerrard Harvey's company, I must continue to desire your Lordship to send hither with the first you send, and, if you can spare none, that you will send that company to some near place, that I may send you another in exchange of it."—Trim, 1600 [-1], February 7. Copy. p. 1.

Feb. 9. Dublin

41. The Lord Chancellor Loftus to Sir Robert Cecil. "The passage being ready, I received even now this enclosed paper from a merchant that lately came out of Spain, which, for that it is the first of that sort that to my knowledge is come into this kingdom, I thought convenient to send you; whereby you may perceive what great hurt the suffering of Jesuits, friars, and seminary priests to remain in the Pale (who, I doubt not, are well stored of this stuff) will do. Here they swarm, and some of them, namely the friar Nangle (who stands indicted of treason, and hath been above a year with the traitor Tyrone) protected. This I cannot possibly remedy; and it grieveth my soul to see how they have prevailed with this people, that, except Fitzsimmons, whom by a strange means I myself caused to be apprehended, we cannot catch one of them. I wish, to prevent further mischief in time, that some direction were sent to the Lord Deputy to use all means to expel these firebrands out of the Pale, and force them to live with the rebels, where they may do least harm. The merchant that gave me this paper, told me that there is a preparation of eight or ten thousand men at Lisbon, which is given out to be for Flanders, and is the rather to be suspected. He saith, likewise, that the shipping of all nations are stayed, and that the ship which brought him stole away."—Dublin, 1600 [-1], February 9. Endorsed:—"With a Bull of the Pope's." Signed. Seal. p. 1.

Feb. 9. Dublin.

42. Captain N[icholas] Dawtrey to Sir Robert Cecil. His pay far less than that received by any Captain of horse in Ireland, by reason of their extraordinaries. The "suppling up" of his band with seasoned soldiers has been very chargeable. As for the serving men that came over with him upon the horses that their several masters sent, the " horses were exceeding good, and the men tall men for action, but the worst keepers of horses and the worst riders that ever were found out. For they not only killed their horses, but themselves, with sloth, for they had not endured one month of ill weather; but they gave over either to stir to get horsemeat or shelter for horses or themselves; whereby many of them died with agues and fluxes, and some ran away for fear they should not have leave to pass into England ; others that lay sick, hurt, and impotent, I gave passport unto, because they were good for nothing but to hang upon their master's beef-pot and his buttery. Insomuch as they have killed more than the one half of the geldings they brought over, and the rest are not like to recover, although that they have cost me a great deal of money, the physicking of them. To help this mischief forward, it was my Lord of Howth's and Sir Patrick Barnewell's provision for feeding of horses, as I have written unto your Honour in my other letters, that it will make an end of the rest, and not of them only, but of as many strong horses as shall come into the army.

"All things here are at an excessive price, insupportable for many to endure. For oats, they are at 20s. a quarter, and yet not good; beer, 2d. a wine quart; ale, 3d. a quart; wheat at 50s. a quarter. Beef and mutton is now lean, and will not be meatable before June. My Lord Treasurer hath made a restraint of corn and victual to be brought into Ireland, which makes the dearth the greater here.

"It was informed me that it was Her Majesty's pleasure I should have here, besides my horseband, 200 footmen, and that I should command the garrison at Armagh, and be a Councillor of the war here. But I see that my letters here doth not bear that fully that was written in my behalf, and yet they have a shadow of such a thing, as that I should lie at Armagh, and give counsel unto the war, and especially that of Ulster. Which, and it please your Honour, my Lord Deputy understandeth, according unto the letter, that I should lie at Armagh with my band, and give counsel unto the Colonel that should lie there to govern the place. And yet his Lordship is my very good Lord. For my part, I desire neither of these places of command or authority, for it is easier to obey than command; which estate I desire to live in, and will discharge my duty therein, as far forth as any man that serveth in the army."

Begs that out of the supplies now to be sent over he may have a band of 200 men, well-armed, in addition to his horseband. It is "a common fault here that no pikemen weareth curates and morions." If he has this footband he will make them wear their armour, every man of them, and the shot to wear their morions, which is not usual here, being a thing that my Lord Deputy would willingly have amended in the army, which will best be by example. There is a fault in the furnishing of footmen out of England, which is, that in every hundred there wont to be forty pikes, which is too many by 25. If your Honours cause, in every hundred of men, fifteen pikes and fifteen targeteers well-armed, and the rest to be shot, whereof twenty musketeers, this is the fittest arming of men for this service; for in the plains they will not deal with us, but only in woods and rough grounds, where horsemen can do them no harm, for they fear our horse very much.

Prays Sir Robert to move the Queen, " that she would be pleased to change my name in my pension out of the Exchequer in England into another man's name, so will it yield me some money towards the payment of my debts there, which would quiet my conscience very much, and both myself and creditors shall be bound to pray for your Honour. For unless I sell it outright I shall lose it, for I see not any possibility to redeem it from the mortgage of two hundred pounds I borrowed upon it."—Dublin, 1600[-1], February 9. Signed. pp. 2.

Feb. 9. Dublin.

43. John King to Sir George Carey. "Her Majesty must either return back Sir Robert Napper to look to her revenues, or take some other course in them; else these two Barons will in short time make the very growing rents within the county of Dublin desperate. I assure your worship I am of opinion that Her Majesty might get more rents, if there were no Exchequer at all, as it is now used, than is paid by their courses now; for the very seizures which the Sheriffs do return are put back with chamber orders, and not paid into the Receipt; and such as make contempt, and are sent for by warrant by the Serjeant-at-arms, are let pass with some recognizance taken at home, that no order is observed, or the Court held in any reverence or estimation. I dare be bold to say that these Barons never, since I had aught to do in the Exchequer under your worship, committed any person, either for contempt, or until he had paid his debt, if it were for the Queen's cause, such is their natural regards to their kinsmen and friends, and so small care to do Her Majesty service, which feeth them. There is no doubt but good officers might recover 1,000l a year now of that which is made desperate; and besides, these judges are so simple, as the lawyers of the Pale, Burnell and the rest, do stoff abroad how they use them in the Court, where they never give judgment judicial of anything, but refer all until the afternoon, when they are in these chambers. It doth so grieve me to see things carried from Her Majesty in this unconscionable sort, as I am bold to write it to your worship, and do almost daily say as much to the Barons themselves, but to no purpose, as it falleth out. Her Majesty may have above 2,000l. by way of fine to pass new estates of these farms, which are forfeited for non-payment of rent, and have good security besides for payment of the said rents hereafter; so as there is no such cause why Her Highness ['s] rents should be so ill paid as they are, if these which be farmers were dealt withal; as in good equity they should be. For through the whole Pale almost, the farmers have so good pennyworths, as if their lands yield but the sixth part of that in former times it did, they may pay their rents with the profits thereof. If Mr. Chief Baron come not over in time, it would not be amiss that Sir Robert Gardener had some superintendence in the Exchequer for the time, or some other person of like condition, if there were any here. And yet I believe Sir Robert will be in England shortly, for I know he maketh account so, being exceeding discontented with the order against him for the port-corn. If Mr. Pyne be in England, I beseech your worship call him to account for the rents which he received in Munster, and cause him to make payment thereof, for the tenants will look to be discharged of so much as he received of them upon your worship's warrant; and the same is yet unanswered, the paymaster in Munster alleging that there is no such remain of entertainment due unto him, as may countervail the same. There is no speech now of Dougan to be called to any account, and therefore, if your worship return hither, it were meet yourself were in commission, to join with the rest for taking of his account, for his receipts in six or seven years cannot be less than 1,500l., and he will wade through it well enough where corruption will take place, such is the misery of this climate especially in anything which may conserve Her Majesty.

"Since I wrote last, here hath not any great alteration fallen out of anything, the Lord Deputy remaining still about Trim, and now drawn to a head in some strength to prosecute the service either in Offally or the Brenny. We had some late expectation of Captain Tyrrell's coming in, for Mr. Draper was with him three days together in Kinnaltie in parley, as it is termed here; but for all that nothing is done hitherunto, only he and the O'Connors have so dispersed their goods, as there is not twenty cows to be found in one place within all that country, and the force left with Tyrrell not passing 200 men in all, as I find by a letter received from Sir Tibbott Dillon lately. Tyrone came up lately to the borders of Monaghan, to stay some of the McMahons, which were about to come in, but, having taken some pledges, he is returned home into Tyrone, having little else now to brag upon, saving his expected aid from Spain, and some little coin [he] hath received by the last two Spanish ships, which he hath proclaimed shall be current through all his country; and so it may, I believe, for the quantity thereof. Leix is for the present so well quieted, as a couple of horsemen may ride safely to Maryborough the fort, that country being become almost desolate. This winter service will quite harry all Leinster, I hope, especially if my Lord Deputy proceed as hitherunto he hath done; only I doubt, if his Lordship grant many pardons and protections, he shall find a new work the next summer. There is some hope that, the beginning of the spring, our forces will be able to pierce into Ulster two ways, the one by the Blackwater, and the other through Connaught at Ballyshannon, which if I might live to see, I would not doubt, now that Her Majesty hath an army at Lough Foyle, but in a few months Tyrone would be either beaten out of Ulster, or so pulled down as never able to raise head again. Neale Garve maketh no great matter of it to overthrow O'Donnell, and O'Donnell, by his confederates of Connaught, is not much inferior to O'Neill, being in villainy otherwise more dangerous of the two."—Dublin, 1600 [-1], February 9. Endorsed:—"The copy of part of a letter sent to Mr. Treasurer of Ireland by John King, his deputy-receiver of the revenues." Copy. pp. 2.

Feb. 10.

44. P[atrick Plunket, Baron] Dunsany, to Sir Robert Cecil. "Though it be very needful for me to make my own griefs known unto you, as from whom I may only expect remedy, yet, because the end of my coming hither was not to please nor profit myself, so much as (in Her Majesty's service) to do the duty of an honest man, which (God he knoweth) few of us do perform, I will leave my private, until I may have leave to go thither, or until I do send purposely about my own wrongs. In the mean I thought it my duty to signify this much unto you, that in the service of cutting off a bad graft, which when I took my leave of you I promised to set a work, I have essayed many ways. But, what for the difficulty and danger of the attempt, and for the distrust of requital in any proportion of a service of that consequence, I found mine endeavour still frustrate, until now, to my greater comfort and hope, I procured (with all circumstance of secrecy and oaths) the matter to be broken to one of greatest nobility, spirit, and valour, amongst them, promising unto him the place and honour for his reward. Whose ambition took the sooner and faster hold thereof, because his birth doth in a sort warrant him to proceed, as being lineally descended from the chief house. And forasmuch as, if the matter take wished effect, some others might labour for the honour of the project, it may please you to understand that Henry Oge McHenry McShane is the man, being lineally descended from Con O'Neill. This my proceeding I have imparted to my Lord Deputy, which I hope in God will take effect.

"If I should write unto your Honour how weak our companies be, and how our Captains, for their greater profit, will have them none other; how at Lough Foyle there were not (before the last supplies) so many scores as Her Majesty paid hundreds; how the Newry is in the same plight; I should show my folly therein, yet I cannot but utter this much of my grief, to see Her Majesty thereby so much abused, and the service only thereby slackened. The last habilments which Tyrone received from the Spaniard do improude him much, and do confirm his colleagues, who before in every place were ready to fall from him. The Spanish bishop promised to return with men, and with the news of an honourable match for his son in Spain. O'Donnell sent unto me a great deal of breath savouring of a rebutting disposition, which I imparted to my Lord Deputy, who thereupon I think will sound him. But, forasmuch as he talked of a liberty of religion, whereof in his country they were never barred, his Lordship did distaste the matter more. Howbeit in my conscience, O'Donnell's meaning is to make his submission appear to be upon the more honourable ground, and not for any zeal or great care he hath of that business; who, if he were once Her Majesty's, would break the neck of all Tyrone's designs abroad and at home. For which respect only, and for the good ensuing thereof, I would not think it amiss whosoever were sent to treat with him would (to bring him over) go beyond his commission a little in that point, and so willingly expose himself to blame and punishment thereby to give life to this languishing state, and stay to this infinite waste of Her Majesty's treasure.

"Tyrone labours all he can to set fire again in Munster, to keep men occupied afar off and the better to retain those he hath; and, to entertain others, he hath proclaimed to give soldiers double the wages he gave hitherto, which was but a mark a quarter of a year to a soldier, beside his bonnaught; which money and meat the inhabitants of those parts hitherto did pay, but now they are lightened of the paymant of the money, being made four nobles to each soldier a quarter, which he taketh upon himself henceforward to discharge. My Lord Deputy's keeping the field, as he hath done these six weeks continually, doth much dismay the rebels, in which course it were good he should be well heartened, for continuance whereof from time to time there is no greater want than of carriages, which, would to God, were supplied from thence, though my Lord Deputy hath bought some hundreds of carriage horses, which they call garrans, to be found by the country, but that will not [be] had."—1600[-1], February 10. Holograph. pp. 2.

Feb. 11. Mallow.

45. Sir George Carew to Sir Robert Cecil. "Ere this time I doubt not but you have received three packets from me, the eldest (sic) of them bearing date the 22 of December, of all which as yet I have received no answer. My Lord Deputy hath often earnestly entreated me to meet him upon the borders of the province, whose commandments I was willing to obey, but what reasons to defer it, I know not. The motions were his own for matters of great importance (as he wrote), as well touching the public affairs as other particulars. What his Lordship's meaning is in either, I know not. The last letter which I received from him was dated the 27 of January, which came to my hands the last of the same, in the which he did pray me to send him an aid of 1,000 foot and 50 horse. The day following, I sent forth my warrants unto divers Captains, commanding them to be at Clonmell by the 6 of this month, and to obey such directions as my Lord Audley should prescribe unto them ; who hath the commanding of them, being in list 1,050 foot and 50 horse. In the meantime I received a letter from my Lord of Thomond, the copy whereof I do send your Honour hereinclosed, and the like from Mr. Justice Comerford (wanting). [In the margin:—"The originals from the Earl of (Thomond) and Mr. Comerford I did send to my Lord Deputy."] Whereupon I dispatched my messenger presently to the Lord Deputy, the copy whereof you shall likewise receive, by the which it may appear unto your Honour how ready I was to obey his first request, and that, notwithstanding the troubles threatened, I did command the companies aforesaid to march to the rendezvous appointed, from thence to be disposed of as his Lordship should direct. But hitherto I have received no answer from him, whereat I do greatly marvel, and which will turn me to some hindrance, if they should any long time remain there; for in that town the Queen hath no staple of victuals, and the soldiers live upon their lendings, which in the treasure of Munster will quickly make a great hole. When I wrote unto my Lord Deputy the letter aforesaid, I did send the copy of the same to Sir Geffrey Fenton, to send it unto your Honour for my apology, if the same were ill taken; but, for the more assurance, I thought good to send you the like from myself, humbly beseeching your Honour to defend me, if it be said that the staying of the troops at Clonmell, until his Lordship's pleasure be farther signified unto me, be any hindrance to Her Majesty's service. Since my Lord of Thomond's letter, I have received another from him, the copy whereof, and also one from a gentleman of the county of Tipperary, called Thomas Cantwell, [? I send unto you (wanting)] all of them agreeing in substance with the first, which is, that forces are coming out of Ulster, but differ in particulars. The like advertisements I daily receive from the gentlemen of Munster, and therefore am of opinion that Tyrone's purpose is to disturb the province in some sort or other. Whether my Lord Deputy will command the forces aforesaid from me, I am yet doubtful, but, if he do, I hope in equity I am excused, if any evil do succeed, being my duty to obey his directions, and the rather because I have forewarned him of the troubles threatened and likely to ensue.

" Sir, to seek to be excused before an accusation be informed, is commonly the quality of an offender, and therefore I am unwilling to draw any such suspicion upon myself, by sending my apology before I am accused. But the motives of the same are certain observations which I note in my Lord Deputy's coldness unto me of late, writing unto me but seldom, and more formally than accustomed, and partly by report of those which come from him, that the proceedings of Munster are envied by them at Dublin ; all which, added together, moves me to be jealous, and careful to prepare my defence.

"This province is throughout reduced to external obedience, and I have no fear so to hold it, in despite of all the aids that Tyrone can give them, if my forces be not withdrawn. But if they shall fall into the province when I am weak, I do fear the task which will follow will be hard to overcome. To lose the advantage which I now have in Munster were great pity, and I see no great necessity which my Lord Deputy hath to call them away, having his army 14,000 in list. If Tyrone send no vaster men hither, I would as readily send the troops above-mentioned as his Lordship is willing to command them ; but otherwise (knowing that the hearts of these provincials are no less traitorous than at the first), it would be grievous unto me to see my works, so lately raised to good conformity, to be instantly ruined, and no better I have reason to expect."—Mallow, 1600 [-1], February 11.

[Postscript.] " My Lord of Upper Ossory of late hath done good service, having slain of the rebels dead upon the place, 157, and among them Coppinger, Sir Walter Ralegh's man, that saved John FitzThomas from killing this last summer by Nugent, as your Honour hath been formerly informed." Holograph. Seal. pp. 2.

Encloses:—

45. i. D[onogh O'Brien], Earl of Thomond, to Sir George Carew. [See above, No. 29. i.]—Ennis, 1600 [-1], January 31. Copy certified by Sir George Carew. p. 1.

45. ii. Extract of letter from the White Knight to Sir George Carew. "9 February, 1600 [-1]. By a letter I received from my son-in-law, William O'Mulrian, of the 7th of this present, I understand that Hugh Mostin, with 1,500 men, has come to O'Kelly's country, and O'Donnell to come after with other forces, all bound for the borders of Limerick ; and likewise that the gentlemen of Munster cometh to these parts with as many as they can get." Carew writes underneath:—"As I was sealing up of this letter to your Honour, the White Knight did write unto me, and, among other business, did send this intelligence unto me, agreeing with the former." Endorsed by Carew:—"A branch of the White Knight's letter, received the 10 of February, 1600" [-1.] p. ½.

Feb. 12. Mallow.

46. Sir George Carew to Sir Robert Cecil. In favour of Captain Henry Sheffield, who has due to him in Sir Henry Wallop's time 100l. and odd, as Serjeant Major-General, and almost the like sum for his foot company. Recommends Sheffield's services.—Mallow, 1600[-1], February 12. Signed. Seal. p. 1.

Feb. 12. Derry.

47. Sir Henry Dockwra to Sir Robert Cecil. "Within two days after Mr. Baxter's departure (by whom I wrote my last letters), I had notice of Sir John O'Dogherty's death, and withal of the faction that immediately grew between Phelim Oge, his brother, and Cahir, his son, that both stood to be chosen Lords of the country. Cahir was foster-child to Hugh Boy (he that had practised with Captain Alford for delivering Culmore), and therefore supported by him and all that sept, and had in his own hands his father's goods, the castle of Bert (which stands upon the passage into the country), and a reasonable strong party of friends. Phelim was in possession of the creaghts, had a good party of followers, and kept himself within the straits and strength of the country. Cahir presently made way to me, by the means of Hugh Boy, that wrote an humble and submissive letter, that in case I would procure this young man the living from Her Majesty, in the same sort his father had it, whether he were chosen by O'Donnell or no to the title, he would hold for the Queen; yet always with this proviso, our supplies being landed, by whose means I might be able to defend him. This offer I was contented to entertain a speech of, and yet (because I had found Hugh Boy so false before) immediately dispatched away a messenger to Phelim, to let him know that I inclined to favour his cause, in case I might find him well affected to depend upon Her Majesty's favour, and to hold the country to her use; and, receiving no present answer, sent another with like message, and after him again divers others, and yet, in fourteen days together, could hear nothing from him. This meanwhile doth Cahir solicit me here, and daily advertiseth me of O'Donnell's preparation to come down with forces to proclaim a Lord, and withal to drive away the prey of the country. Wherefore, though before I had no intent of favouring his side, both in respect of the former practices wrought by Hugh Boy, as also for that I judged the other's service (being in possession of the strength and straits of the country) to be of better importance to the Queen, yet, seeing the other defer his answer so long, and to so many messengers as I had sent, and hearing withal that he was the man whom Tyrone and O'Donnell intended to make Lord, I thought good to serve my turn upon the other, by promising forgetfulness of all wrongs formerly past, and leaving him now in hope of favour, only to the end I might maintain the faction on foot, which otherwise I was in doubt might be reconciled, to the prejudice and hindrance of Her Majesty's service ; and therefore first gave him a truce, that his people might inhabit, plough, and sow the ground, and withal undertook that, according to the testimony of his affection and the merits of his service, I would deal effectually (as much as in me lay) to procure him the land by Her Majesty's gift, to him and his heirs, as his father had it. This was no sooner concluded between him and me, but one of my messengers returned from Phelim, who now (at the last) desireth the same which the other did, and proffereth, in case he may obtain his demands, he will work with the country that they shall stay at home, rebuild their houses (which we have burnt), stock their land with cattle, and plough and sow it with corn. And at this very instant withal have I certain knowledge of O'Donnell's being come down on this side the Liffer, with 1,000 foot and 100 horse, gathered of his own and Tyrone's men, all that ever they could make between them. Against this force, I considered (without the entire help of the country themselves) I was not able to prevent the driving of the prey, and therefore thought best to leave both these factions in hope of obtaining their desires by my means, so that I gave also unto Phelim the like truce for his people, to inhabit and plough as the other had, and they have both promised, which of them soever shall be appointed Lord by O'Donnell, to keep the country, and declare themselves, whensoever the supplies shall come; but to have joined either of them wholly to my side presently, I neither could, nor indeed hold it greatly material; but they have both also promised that, though O'Donnell should by force compel them to carry out their cattle at this time, they would return with them again within one month after, do what he can.

"I am not ignorant but they seek to serve their own turn, hoping (as they constantly give it out) for the Spaniards' aid, but howsoever, seeing it is out of my power to prevent either their going or staying, I thought better to procure the country to be inhabited and manured, whereby our forces (when they come) shall be sure of relief, and especially of garrans for carriage, when we shall make a journey into the land, than to suffer it by waste, to our own hurt as much as theirs. Of all this proceeding, I have by this bark (which is bound for Dublin) advertised my Lord Deputy, and because the winds may prove unfit to go thither, and yet good for England, I have willed the master to put ashore at either, where he best may, and immediately to send away my letters, to the end they may declare how opportunely the supplies should now arrive, and most humbly and earnestly to desire their hastening away.

"O'Cahan hath made sundry motions for his coming in, but I reject him, for that I expect no good from the man; but when he shall be compelled to it by force, the McSwynes, Fanat and [Ne] Doe (he that was in possession of the country till McSwyne the traitor escaped from us, and spared half with him) do likewise make their way, and (I think) unfeignedly. Many of the country, beside, we can hardly keep out, for do what we can in the day, they steal in by night to the Irish quarter at Liffer, and being once in, cast themselves to our mercy, affirming they are pursued to be hanged by O'Donnell, because their Lords and chief friends are with us, and whither else should they go, or what should they do? And indeed it is most true (to our knowledge) that O'Donnell hath of late hanged many of good account, and daily doth, wheresoever he conceives the least cause of suspicion; and, amongst others, he dashed out the brains of Neale Garve's child (of four years old) against a post, being in the mother's custody, his own natural sister, whereby as he is grown terrible, so is he no less odious to the whole people. So that I am assured (by all probability), were our forces such as we could draw forth any competent number, to make a journey up into the land, the whole country would immediately fall to our side, having Neale Garve and Cormack McO'Neill to come in unto.

"Since the writing of my last letters by Mr. Baxter, we have had two services done by the garrison of Liffer; one, by a draught of a brother of Neale Garve's, who gave upon O'Donnell's camp in the night (himself being gone forth that day before, and leaving 100 men to guard it), being in a wood, plashed, and very strongly fortified for any sudden assault, chased the men out of it, possessed it, burnt near 200 houses that were in it, and all their corn, which was much, for they had gathered it from all parts of the country, as to a sure fort, and for their provision all the winter; the other, by a draught of one of the Irish Captains also, with Tyrone, where they got 300 cows, slew above forty men in fight, took above three-score new Spanish muskets and culivers, and four prisoners, whereof one (Tirlogh McQuin) a man of special note and account.

"I would have sent your Honour the Commissaries' certificates of the musters last taken, but that, some of them being yet above at the Liffer, I was not able for the present to make it perfect; but this is the sum, I am sure ; present men 1,083 foot, sick 473, and 64 horse, in all the garrison together, beside the Irish. Of these, I assure your Honour, we are not able to draw forth, leaving our forts anything sufficiently manned, above 200, and though we could much supply their weakness by the Irish, yet to trust ourselves with so small a number to their courtesy, being stronger of themselves than we, and having an enemy beside in front of us, we neither hold for policy, nor should undoubtedly do good, if we did; and therefore again I beseech your Honour the supplies may be hastened away with all possible speed, and that as well some horse may be sent as foot, for that those we have are weak. Our use will be great of them, and the country (our forces being once strong) able to go far up, affording them plenty enough of forage, having at first some convenient quantity of oats from England to feed them, till we go abroad; and surely I am of opinion that forty will very well suffice till the summer service, by which time I hope to see a strange alteration.

"It comes to my mind that your Honour may think it strange, that, after so many abuses offered by Hugh Boy, and written of by myself, I should now deal in his favour, and seek to procure that country to be given to the Irish (so ill deserving it), rather than to advise it should be disposed to Her Majesty's own natural subjects, that I know might live well upon it, and be a people of whose fidelity the Queen may be far better assured, than ever she can of these. If the time did serve, and that Her Majesty were minded to make a perfect invasion, and gain by piece-meal, and keep sure that she had once gained, I should be soon most constant in that opinion; but, seeing it will require long time to draw over and settle a colony, and beside much disanimate the natural people of the country from ever yielding themselves upon any commodities, when they shall see their livings given away before their faces, I cannot but think it shall most further Her Majesty's service, that they be referred thereunto, who have means of themselves immediately to manure it, and may with as little danger as if they were mere English, be kept in subjection, the garrison at Colmackatrene being once settled. Yet, if I fail in my judgment, I refer myself to a better, and humbly desire to know (as I have writ for the like to my Lord Deputy) to which side, or to what conditions, I should most incline."—Derry, 1600[-1], February 12. Endorsed:—Received 8 March at Whitehall. Holograph. pp. 6.

Feb. 14.

48. "Articles of agreement between Sir Henry Dockwra, knight, Governor of Her Majesty's forces residing at Lough Foyle, on the one part, and Hugh Boy McDavid, of the sept of the Clan Davids in the country of Ennishowen in Ireland, on the other part, concluded and signed the fourteenth of February, 1600" [-1].

"First, Hugh Boy doth on his side, as well for Cahir O'Dogherty, son of the late Sir John O'Dogherty, knight, and his followers, as also for himself, his two brothers, Edmund Grome and Phelim Reogh, and their and either of their followers, fully and absolutely submit themselves to the obedience and subjection of Her Majesty the Queen of England, whom they do all acknowledge as their true, right, and lawful sovereign, renouncing all former leagues and combinations, either with Tyrone, O'Donnell, or any their adherents or rebellious confederates, against Her Majesty, and do in all humility desire Her Majesty's most royal, gracious, and merciful pardon for all former offences committed by them or any of them to the very day of the date hereof. In regard whereof, they do vow and protest perpetual loyalty and subjection, and with their whole power and best endeavour to further and advance Her Majesty's service, to discover anything they know hurtful or beneficial to the same, and to employ all the means that they or either of them are able to make for the speedy suppressing and extinguishing of all rebellion and rebellious persons that do or shall wilfully hold out against her sacred and regal authority; and, for the better testimony and assurance of their fidelities, will presently deliver in such pledges of his or their sept or nation as the Governor shall require.

"In consideration whereof, the said Sir Henry Dockwra doth, by virtue of his commission under the Great Seal of Her Majesty's kingdom of Ireland, assure him of the same pardon with free and perpetual forgiveness and forgetfulness of all former offences whatsoever, both for their goods and persons, as also for the goods and persons of their and either of their own peculiar followers, in as ample and large manner as himself desireth it.

"He doth further promise and assure him and them that he will presently set up and proclaim the said Cahir O'Dogherty as Lord of the country of Enishowen under the Queen, and give a free and continual peace to him and as many of the country as will follow him, and live henceforth under obedience, like good and true subjects to Her Majesty, and that he will join with them in suit that Her Majesty may be pleased to bestow on the foresaid Cahir, to him and his heirs for ever, the title of O'Dogherty, with all such lands and living [s] as lately belonged to Sir John O'Dogherty, his father, with all privileges and rites to the same, in as ample and large manner as the said Sir John had it heretofore, by virtue of Her Majesty's gift under Her Highness ['s] letters patent, paying all such rites, rents, and customs as have been usual, or were reserved to be paid by that former gift and patent of Her Majesty's.

"He doth also assure both Hugh Boy and his brothers that he will use the like endeavour to procure them all their lands and livings, which they or either of them now hold, either of their own by inheritance, or custom, or by the gift of the late O'Dogherty, as also such lands as he now holdeth from and under O'Donnell, to them and their heirs for ever, in like manner and upon like conditions. And until such time as Her Majesty's express pleasure may be herein known, and those things procured and confirmed, he doth for his own part faithfully promise and bind himself to keep and perform whatsoever is contained in any of these articles, lying in his hands to keep and perform, to the uttermost of his power, and without any manner fraud, circumvention, or guile.

"He doth promise to aid, protect, and assist with the Queen's forces, at all times when it may be done with convenience, the said Cahir, Hugh Boy, and his brothers, and all their country and followers, being true and obedient subjects, against Tyrone, O'Donnell, or any other enemy whosoever, that shall either seek to oppress, rob, or spoil them, or any of them, or that shall stand out in actual rebellion against Her Majesty or the Government by Her Highness ['s] authority established; and that at all times when the Governor shall have occasion and think good to employ the said Cahir, Hugh Boy, or any of their people upon present service for Her Majesty, he will store them with sufficient powder, match, and lead, for maintaining a skirmish and fight as occasion shall be given, as also to assist them in like manner with powder and munition at any time for defence of any fort or castle held for the Queen and to her use with the Governor's consent, against any enemy. And because the said Cahir is at this present in hand with O'Donnell, and uncertain whether he shall escape or no, and come himself in person to possess this grace and high favour of Her Majesty, and to yield his reciprocal subjection and service, the Governor doth promise that in case he come not in convenient time, that then he will proclaim and set up some one of the next of his kin, that shall hold and keep the title and lands to his use, if at any time hereafter he get loose, within [here space left blank] years' space, within which time if he come not, he whom the Governor shall so establish shall hold it for himself in the same manner the other should have done.

"And whereas the said Cahir, Hugh Boy, and his brothers have most humbly entreated Her Majesty's gracious favour and dispensation for liberty of conscience, the Governor doth promise him that for his part, till Her Majesty's direct pleasure may be known, he will not trouble or molest any of them for the same, so long as they behave themselves withal like good and faithful subjects, and he doth assure them that as Her Majesty hath hitherto governed this kingdom with mildness and mercy, not calling any man in question for his religion, so he knoweth nothing to the contrary, but Her Highness is still resolved to continue the same course.

"He doth further promise that upon any service done, either by Cahir, Hugh Boy, his brothers, or either of them, but especially for Hugh Boy, he will become an humble suitor that Her Majesty will be pleased to bestow a pension or living in recompense of the same upon them or either of them, as the quality and nature of his or their service shall deserve, and that for his own part in the mean time he will deal liberally with him out of his own purse.

"And he doth further promise to use the said Cahir, Hugh Boy, and his brothers, with all fit and due respect, as forgiving and forgetting all former quarrels and offences, and that none of Her Majesty's subjects under his command shall offer him or them any manner indignity or wrong whatsoever, but according to the quality of his offence the Governor shall see him punished.

"He doth also promise that whatsoever prisoners shall happen hereafter to be taken by Cahir, Hugh Boy, or any of his brothers, or by any of their people, if they take them with their own force, without aid of English, they shall have liberty to detain or release them for their best advantage, making the Governor acquainted with the conditions they are released upon, and the time of their enlargement, and yielding him the fourth part of their ransom. And if they take them with help of the Queen's force, they shall have their shares in him or them proportionably to the number of men that were at his taking, except it be some special man of note, whose enlargement might much prejudice Her Majesty's service. But if it fortune that Cahir O'Dogherty cannot escape out of O'Donnell's hands, then the Governor shall permit the exchange of any such prisoner for the said Cahir, yea and give any that shall be taken by the English for like purpose, if it do not manifestly appear to Her Majesty's detriment as aforesaid. And for any prey or booty of any goods or cattle, they shall enjoy themselves, paying a fourth part to the Governor, if they take it with their own forces, and their proportionable shares, if they use our help.

"He doth further promise that he will be an humble suitor to Her Majesty that whensoever the said Cahir and Hugh Boy, or either of them, shall give sufficient and evident assurance of their loyal and true dispositions to persevere in their obedience, by the nature and quality of the service they or either of them shall do, that then Her Majesty may be pleased to restore all such pledges as are delivered in for him or them, or either of them, that shall so give good and sufficient testimony of his or their fidelity." Copy. pp. 5½.

Feb. 14.

49. —— to Sir Robert Cecil. Sends the names of the two men whom Captain [Thomas] Lee usually employed as messengers to the rebels. They are, Darie O'Dempsey, of Recardeston, and James McGnode, of Castle Rebane. Darie and a priest of "the mere Irishry" were sent by Lee to the traitor Tyrone "about September last was twelvemonth." Knows not by what authority. It was before the Earl of Essex came out of Ireland. "It were good to write to the Lord Chancellor of Ireland and to the Earl of Ormonde, to learn of these men as much of Lee his proceedings with the traitors; and, if they need a protection, that they may be protected for a time, till the uttermost of Lee his practices may be known of them." Gnode may be found in Castle Rebane, if search be made privily for him, but O'Dempsey can hardly be found without a protection. When Sir Robert can speak with the writer, he will let him understand the best means for securing O'Dempsey.—"From my lodging," 1600[-1], February 14. [The writer has not put his name to the letter.] p. 1.

Feb. 18. Holyrood House.

50. [Ludovic Stuart, Duke of] Lennox, to Sir James McSorley of the Route. "This gentleman, called Thomas Douglas, brother to my Lord of Whittingham, one of His Majesty's Council here, having travelled these six or seven years by past in France, Italy, Spain, and Germany, is now desirous to see Ireland also. In consideration whereof, and that his brother is our friend, our duty moves us to recommend him in such sort to you, as he may enjoy your favour so long as he remains with you ; and that thereafter it may please you to cause convoy him surely to the Earl of Tyrone, with your own letter of recommendation, bearing that he may have the like favour of his Lordship, so long as he remains in his company, and in the end have his Lordship's passport and letter of recommendation to some other nobleman in that country. And in thus doing you shall have us aye the more ready to pleasure you, occasion serving. So we end for the present with very hearty salutation. From Holyrood House, the 18 day of February, 1601 " [Scottish style; 1600-1, English style]. Signed. p. 1.

Feb. 20. Dublin.

51. Sir Geffrey Fenton to Sir Robert Cecil. Received but this morning Sir Robert's letter of January 13. The 100l. he asked for when last at Court were not for the charges of his journey, but arrears due to him in 1592, when, by express commandment of Her Majesty and the Council, he attended at Court for three years touching the cause of Sir John Perrott and other weighty affairs of Ireland. Was promised satisfaction before he was returned to his charge, but received none, other than the Lord Treasurer's word that he would take order to have the money sent after Sir Geffrey. Commanded by the Queen to haste away to Ireland without staying for any cause whatsoever. " And had it not been that your Honour told me what scarcity of money there was then in the Receipt, I would have put up my petition to Her Majesty for that arrear of my allowance in '92, which I doubt not but Her Majesty would have given order to see answered unto me, for that there is neither honour nor equity, that I should be commanded to attend at Court three years together upon mine own purse, wherein I cannot but hope that in some better time I shall be better measured for that allowance; neither hath that right been denied to any servitor, since I served in this land." Hopes Sir Robert and the Council will have consideration of him. Since the dispatch of Sir Oliver St. John, nothing has happened worthy of advertisement.—Dublin, 1600[-1], February 20. Signed. pp. 1½.

Feb. 21.

52. "The names of such men as were slain and hurt at Tyrrell's Island, the 21 of February, 1600 "[-1]. Hurt, 45, whereof English, 12; slain, 16, whereof English, 6. Unsigned. pp. 2.

Feb. 22. Lough Sewdy.

53. Sir Francis Shane to Sir Robert Cecil. "As I writ unto your Honour of the declining estate of this kingdom, so now, God beginning most mercifully to bless Her Majesty in regaining thereof by her Deputy, by his great care and toil, I think it my duty to impart the present estate thereof as near as I can, and withal my simple opinion how to proceed in suppressing these rebels.

"First, it hath pleased the Almighty so to bless the endeavours of that noble gentleman, Sir George Carew, Lord President of Munster, as he hath quitted Munster of almost (sic) her rebels, the supposed Desmond excepted, who is no man knoweth where, his brother Shane, the Baron of Lixnaw, and Piers Lacy banished with twelve men to Tyrone. The Lord Deputy, God be praised, this winter hath so plied Leinster, as he hath very well cleared the Glyns, Kavanaghs, Byrnes, Tooles, and Moores of Leix. Now resteth Offally, Fercall, and borders of Westmeath, where Captain Tyrrell hath set up his rest, and by plain tyranny oppresseth as well those of his own faction, who are weary of his yoke, as also the subjects next adjoining. From him also, not only his old followers, but also the bordering rebels, do fall in heaps, so that now his strength exceedeth not at the most 200, whose weakness being well known to Tyrone, he endeavoured to supply, and also, thinking to kindle a new fire in Munster, came in person as far as O'Reilly's country, as well to send the said Tyrrell some forces, as also to send the brother of [the] supposed Desmond, Lixnaw called McMorris, and Lacy into Munster, these last with 2,000 men, and Tyrrell with 1,000, as the enemy giveth out, but in truth both the supplies could not exceed 1,500. But the Lord Deputy, then in Leinster, understanding of their coming, came with part of his forces to Trim, to stop these devils, and the supplies that came to Lough Foyle drew Tyrone back; so that these his great plots vanished, by which Munster is delivered of a second war, and Leinster were won, if the State will ply it for a short time, and so much the sooner, that it is disappointed of her northern succours. The substance of the Irish war in Leinster dependeth now upon Tyrrell, who, being prosecuted, cannot but fly into Ulster. His friends about him now, pinched with famine, beginneth to feed on horse flesh already, and his prosecution will not continue so long (opportunity observed), as it should give any impediment to the intended course for Ulster, which in my conceit is to be attended more these three months, March, April, and May, than the rest of the year (except what the garrisons shall perform in winter). It is to be held in memory that the sinews of every war consisteth chiefly in men, meat, money, and munition, whereof Tyrone can command but one, and those naked beggars. For meat, his country affordeth small store, having no other tillage but what he reapeth sowed these three months, and by cows he hath, which will be so weak that, during these three months, they are not able to drive three miles a day. So that, if Her Majesty will advance the war in the north these three months, the reasons aforesaid do conclude that Tyrone, barred of his tillage, and stripped of his cows, must faint. For money and munition, wherewith they are furnished from Spain, might have been letted, if Ballyshannon had been garrisoned, as was this last year intended. And except Her Majesty will thoroughly plant a garrison in Ballyshannon, and support Lough Foyle in such sort as they both may annoy the enemy, as well in winter as summer, and withal allow a couple of pinnaces ['pynnesses'], that shall cut them as well from their Spanish as Scottish munition, this war in time will soak the wealth of England in great measure. Your Honour must conceive that as long as the Irish shall be suffered never so little tillage with their cows, they will never quail, every bush in summer and the green grass affording them means good enough for such brute beasts to feed upon; but winter yieldeth nothing but snow, ice, and rain, which the Irish can no way abide, to which extremity the garrisons this half year may drive them unto. The State here had a notable ring in Tyrone his nostrils, but did not hold it, which gave a wonderful liberty from north to south, which had it been maintained, doubtless Tyrone had never gone that wanton and vain-glorious progress into Munster, much less have returned without a blow, I mean the Cavan, which once was well planted, and then curbed the north in such sort that no enemy offered to come southward, but dissolved, took heart, and so ascended into Leinster and Munster, and well near became mistress of the whole kingdom; therefore this Cavan is to be re-planted with a very good garrison.

"It behoveth that I acquaint your Honour with the state of Connaught. O'Rourke and O'Connor Sligo are malcontent with the division of such Spanish alms as was sent, whereof they had no share. O'Donnell hath planted the county of Sligo with his people, as driven thither by the garrison of Lough Foyle. What extremity then will Ballyshannon bring upon him ? even fling him headlong out of his country. But to return to Connaught, which hath wanted government these two years almost, which Her Majesty of necessity must re-establish, and in my simple judgment she cannot make choice of a fitter man for that government than Sir Arthur Savage, an old soldier, and well experienced in Ireland, one well acquainted with the situation of every part, and disposition of the people. This my opinion I have heretofore yielded unto your Honour, and if I were to deliver it twenty times, I would continue the same, not for any private respect (I protest), albeit much beholden to the gentleman, but as seeing none fitter to manage that government, if you will have that province reduced to the ancient obedience of the Crown, which by an absolute government must be effected, but then Her Majesty must afford the Governor means immediately from thence, as to Munster and Lough Foyle, and not by a secondary means, which is the breakneck of all governments. Let men, meat, money, and munition, be proportioned from thence for that government, and if in a short time it be not reclaimed, let me lose my credit with your Honour, and my life also; which performed, if it be thought fit, the Governor may reside at Sligo, and then Her Majesty may ease herself of the charge of Ballyshannon, and lay it upon the Governor of Connaught, being the very confines of his government.

"It resteth that I omit not Westmeath, the inhabitants whereof have played a part in these wars, many of them having, some their kinsmen, some their allies, some their foster-brethren, some their followers, as rebels, of purpose to scourge such as they hated, to save themselves, but chiefly such as depended upon the States, as Sir John Tyrrell and Iriel O'Farrell, and such like. But the chiefest organ, alienating the subjects' hearts from Her Majesty, are the friars of Multifarnham, and wandering priests, wherewith the country swarmeth. Another mishief is, that the law is buried in oblivion, insomuch as no sessions hath been held here these three years, but only one, and that procured of purpose by my Lord of Delvin (wherein he was himself chief), to compass to himself most of the counties of Longford and Cavan, under colour of a grant from Her Majesty, which is but a new introduction to a new war, if the world were quiet. Those two mischiefs may easily be remedied, the first by razing to the ground that abbey, the den of scorpions, and by a provost and martial law to punish these massing priests; the second, by reviving again the law, by keeping sessions every half year by English judges only, all such of that bench as would support men in villainy to be removed. I am loath to make known unto your Honour that near eighty were quit by proclamation, and none executed this last sessions, whereas, if men were strictly dealt withal, few in the country but may be touched, yea men of good calling with heinous matters, if the time served." Asks pardon for having been prolix.—Lough Sewdy, 1600 [-1], February 22. Holograph. pp. 3.

Feb. 24. Camp at Dunore.

54. The Lord Deputy Mountjoy to Sir Robert Cecil. "I am, and ever shall be, glad that any man's life, though it were mine own, may give any safety to the estate of my dear Sovereign, unto whom, above all private affections, I do owe a love and duty. And although my long and inward familiarity with the principal actors of this miserable tragedy may give just reason to a provident Estate to look upon me in this matter with some jealousy, yet I am confident in mine own conscience and in my Prince's favour and justice, and doubt not but my proceedings, hitherto and hereafter, shall shew themselves to be fruits that proceed from a root without all corruption. And for the present I dare assure you the army is free from the infection of this conspiracy, and doubt not but to contain it firm and obedient to resist or suppress anything that shall grow in this kingdom, if therein there hath been any seeds of this sedition sowed. For myself, I beseech you, Sir, make this my humble petition known unto Her Majesty, that it will please her to believe that nothing on earth, neither an angel from heaven, shall make me deceive the trust she hath reposed in me, and when she doth think otherwise, it shall be no punishment, but a benefit, for me to die. There is nothing but the extremity of the weather that doth keep the service I have in hand from some such issue as I had determined to acquaint you withal; but since it may be deferred longer than I looked for, I think it fit to write thus much to you, whom, above my own particular obligation, I must still love more, the more you prove yourself so watchful and worthy a servant to our royal mistress, whom God preserve most happy for ever."—From the camp at Dunore in Macgeoghan's country, this 24 February, 1600[-1]. [Postscript.] "I received your letters in this place the 22nd of this present." Endorsed:—Received 8 March at Whitehall. Holograph. Seal. p. 1.

Feb. 26.

55. Sir Robert Cecil to the Lord Deputy Mountjoy. "My very good Lord, I hope it shall not seem to your Lordship any neglect that you have heard no more from me these twenty days, considering how great and important causes have held, not only Her Majesty, but all her Council and public ministers from all other business of any other place, but here at home; where no small blow was like to be given at the Court, if God had not, by His providence, hindered their designs. For, my good Lord, know this now from me, that although at the arraignment the late Earl of Essex did, with many vows and protestations, seek to extenuate his fault, by denying that ever he meant any harm to Her Majesty's person, and that he did take arms principally to save himself from my Lord Cobham and Sir Walter Ralegh, that should have murdered him in his house on Saturday night, with such inventions, and with an intention to have removed me with some others from the Queen, as one who he did think desirous to sell the kingdom of England to the Infante of Spain, with such other hyperbolical inventions ; yet before he went out of the hall, when he saw himself condemned, and found that Sir John Davis, Sir Ferdinando Gorge [s], and Sir Charles Davers, had confessed all the conferences that were held at Drury House, by his directions, for the surprising of the Queen and the Tower, both in a day, which argued a premeditate treason, which he did labour to have been only proved a sudden putting himself into strength, and flying into the City, for fear of being committed overnight, when the Lords sent for him : which upon my faith to you (to whom I will not lie) was only to have reproved him for his unlawful assemblies, and to have wished him to leave the town, and retire into the country, he then brake out to divers gentlemen that his confederates that now had accused him had been principal inciters of him, and not he of them, even ever since August last, to work his access to the Queen with force. Whereupon, when he had been in the Tower one night, he sent to the Lord Thomas Howard, being Constable of the Tower, by Mr. Warburton, to entreat him to move Her Majesty to send unto him the Lord Keeper, Lord Treasurer, Lord Admiral, and me, the Secretary, by name, that he might now discharge his conscience, and confess his great obstinacy, in denying those things at his arraignment, wherewith he had been charged, as also to reconcile himself to his enemies, and especially to me, whom he desired to forgive him for wronging him [sic; me] at the bar, where he had pretended that the cause of his taking arms was the rather to save the kingdom of England from the Spaniard, to whom it was bought and sold, particularly urging it upon me, that had been a dealer in the peace, adding also that he had heard that I had delivered to a Councillor, that the Infante had the best title. To the which when I replied, and pressed that the party that told it him might be brought forth, Mr. Comptroller was named by the poor Earl of Southampton, who, being sent for into the seat of judgment, very like a gentleman and a Christian, cleared me, that I did never speak of that in other sort, than as reporting what a strange book was come forth of one Doleman, dedicated to the Earl of Essex, which did maintain that title to be the best. Thus do you see, Sir, who I think would easily free me from such a barbarous imputation, how great an injury he did me, for which God forgive him. But now, Sir, to resort to the place I left. When it pleased Her Majesty to send us four unto him upon the Saturday, he did, with very great penitency as ever I saw, confess how sorry he was that he had made so obstinate denials at the bar, desiring that he might have liberty to set down in writing his whole project of coming to the Court in that sort. Which he hath done, and even indeed, concurring with Sir Charles Davers, Sir John Davis, Sir Ferdinando Gorges, and Mr. Littleton's confessions, declared that he sent divers articles to be considered of for that matter; as namely, whether it were not good, at the same time of coming to Court, to possess the Tower, to give reputation to the action, if the City should mislike it. Next, that Sir Christopher Blunt should take the Court Gate, Sir John Davis should leave some company in the Hall, and go up into the Guards' Chamber, where there should be some persons, who by two or three unsuspected one after another should aforehand be gotten into the room; and therein observe this one special direction, which was given, that they should have seized upon the halberds of the Guard (which commonly, your Lordship, stand piled up against the wall); and Sir Charles Davers should likewise have been in the presence, where some other gentlemen should likewise have made good that place ; whereby my Lord of Essex, with the Earl of Southampton, the Earl of Rutland, and some other noblemen, should have gone in to the Queen, and then, having her in their possessions, to have used the shadow of her authority for removing of all they misliked, and for change of the Government; and so to have called a Parliament, and have condemned all those that should have been scandalized to have misgoverned the State.

"This is the substance of his confession, which he first delivered verbally unto us; then he used these speeches, asking particularly forgiveness of the Lord Keeper, and desired him to report it to the rest, whom he caused to be imprisoned in his house, sorrowing in his heart that they had been by this occasion put in any fear of their lives by his followers. Then he did most passionately desire in Christian charity forgiveness at the hands of those persons whom he had particularly called his enemies, protesting that when he had resolved of this rebellious act to come to the Court with force, he saw not what better pretext he could have than a particular quarrel, and to none so fit to pretend quarrel, as to those whom he had, at the bar, named his greatest adversaries. Whereupon, being earnestly invited still, even on the pain of his soul's health, to say what he knew or could reveal, especially of that injurious imputation to me (whom as a Councillor he had so wronged), he vowed and protested that in his own conscience he did freely acquit me from any such matter, and was ashamed to have spoken it, having no better ground, and professed to bear no malice to those others, the Lord Cobham and Ralegh, whom he had named his enemies, and by whom (but as they had been ill willers to him) he knew no other, than that they were true servants to the Queen and the State."—Endorsed:—26 February, 1600[-1]. Draft minute with corrections in Sir Robert Cecil's hand: these are put in italics. pp. 4½.

[Feb. 26.]

56. [Sir Robert Cecil to the Lord Deputy Mountjoy.] "After that, he made an humble suit to the Queen, that he might have the favour to die privately in the Tower, which Her Majesty granted, and for which he gave most humble thanks, as appeareth by this note enclosed (wanting), which is the copy of that which was subscribed by the hands of those three Divines that were with him. He suffered yesterday in the Tower with very great patience and humility, only notwithstanding his resolution that he must die, the conflict betwixt the flesh and the soul did appear only thus far, that in his prayers, both of Our Father and the Creed, he was fain to be helped, which he desired not to be mistaken, it proceeding only out of the present weakness of the flesh at the instant; for, otherwise, no man living could pray more Christianly than he did in his invocations to God, derived even then from his present conscience and meditation. This death of his was the more hastened by that bloody practice of ' Thom' Lee, who, not four days after his apprehension, conspired with Sir Henry Nevill, son-in-law to the Lord Treasurer, and with Sir Robert Crosse, assuring them that he would deal with some other gentleman of resolution to the number of four, who should at supper time, the Queen sitting in her Privy Chamber, have taken her, locked her doors, and, as he sillily pretended, only have pinned her up, till he had forced her to sign a warrant for the Earl's delivery. Which vile purpose being discovered by those two gentlemen, and avowed to his face, he being that very night watching at the Privy Chamber door, to discover how he might the next day have had access, he was seized on, and being examined, confessed thus much, only vowing that he would not have hurt her person, whom God bless, except others would have forced in upon her, to hinder that course which he pretended of their delivery.

" It now remaineth, my Lord, that I let you know that the rest, that are like to die, are these, Blunt, Merrick, Davis, Davers, Littleton, and Cuffe. Of the noblemen, which are in the Tower, as namely, Rutland, Sandys, and Cromwell, excepting Sandys, I presume the other two shall have mercy. Only I protest, the man that grieveth me to think what may become of him, is the poor young Earl of Southampton, whom (sic), merely for love of the Earl, hath been drawn in to this action. But in respect that most of the conspiracies were at Drury House, where he was always chief, and where Sir Charles Davers lay, those that would deal for him, of which number I protest to God I am one, as far as I dare, are much disadvantaged of arguments to save him. And yet, when I consider how penitent he is, and how merciful the Queen is, and that never in thought or deed, but in this conspiracy, he offended, I cannot write in despair, as I dare not flatter myself with hope for Sir Charles Davers. Nothing hath more alienated the hearts of men to deal for him than this, that, above all others, till he saw all their own hands, he was most obstinate in impudent denial; for whom, I presume, your Lordship thinketh I am not a little grieved. Your Lordship shall also understand that Sir Henry Nevill is likewise in displeasure for having been acquainted with this matter by Cuffe, and not [having] revealed it, which in a gentleman of his wisdom hath been no small crime, nor to me no small grief, [he] having married my own cousin german." This seems to be but the closing part of the letter in No. 55. [1600-1, February 26.] Draft. pp. 2½.

Feb. 26.

57. Duplicate of No. 55, in the handwriting of Levinus Muncke. [It is curious that Sir Joseph Williamson has written at the beginning of this document, "Sir Rob. Cecyll's hand," and has endorsed it with the words, "Sir Th. Wilson, Secr. to Sir Rob. Cecyll."] Endorsed:—1600[-1], February 26. pp. 3.

[Feb. 26.]

58. Duplicate of No. 56, in the handwriting of Levinus Muncke.—[1600-1, February 26.] pp. 2.

Feb. 26. Dublin.

59. Sir Geffrey Fenton to Sir Robert Cecil. "This day, by a bark of Liverpool, I have received out of Cheshire and Wales a thorough confirmation of the attempts of the late traitorous Earls and their accomplices, which before I had but by report, and that without any certain ground, the author obscuring his name, and would not be known. By this passage also it is certified that Captain Lee, pretending a monstrous treason upon Her Majesty's person, was executed for the same. In both which God hath used to Her Majesty's safety, as well His preventing mercy in the Earl's attempts, as His preserving mercy in the conspiracy of Lee; and hath left to herself, being His magistrate, to chastise the rest, not by a favourable justice, but by a resolute course to cut them off, whose main drift was to cut off her. And to your Honour I say, whose life no doubt was laid for in the plot of these treasons, you are to remember that, in practices of treason against the person of the Prince, it cannot be safe to stand long upon ordinary formalities of justice, but to provide that the punishment of the parties do precede their judgment. For, in such a peril as this, that embraceth the whole kingdom, if you begin by execution of the traitors, it is a safe course; for that, when you have prevented the danger of the State, by the death of some of the chief offenders, you may have time enough afterwards to use the wonted ceremonies of proceeding by course of law. Where the treason is evident in a mighty traitor, it is a dangerous counsel to delay execution, even as to construe things doubtful in the better part is a principle not safe to be followed in matters concerning the safety of the Prince. The Lord Deputy hath this day sent hither some of the proclamations, which some of this Council thought not meet to be published. But I am not of that mind, deriving my reason from this, that inasmuch as those traitors are proclaimed in England, we ought not to be fearful to proclaim them here. And I have now written to his Lordship lying in camp, to divulge the matter through all the provinces of the realm, that the Irish rebels might take notice how graciously God hath put into Her Majesty's hands those English traitors, and that without moving any stir in any part of the realm. Only one of the proclamations is delivered to the Mayor of Dublin, and another I have caused to be affixed upon the Tolseale (fn. 1) door, for all men to read.

"I humbly beseech you to give me some comfort to make a step over thither for a time, not for other cause than to be at hand with your Honour, to show the love I bear you in this time of trial.

For, I speak before God, I am not carried with any other motion, neither will I be troublesome to Her Majesty, or you, with any suit. Your Honour may remember the cautions I gave you at my being there touching Captain Lee, namely, that he had a murdering heart and a murdering hand. You have reason to doubt that the garden is not thoroughly weeded, by cutting off of Lee, for that, from the place where he was infected, others may be corrupted. For you may in reason think that the stroke of such an enterprise was not reposed upon one man's hand alone. The Lord of heaven and earth bless and preserve her Majesty against the evils of these dangerous times."—Dublin, 1600 [-1], February 26. Endorsed:—Received 8 March at Whitehall. Signed. pp. 1½

February.

60. "An account of 9,000l. sent into Ireland for the payment of Her Majesty's army there."—1600[-1], February. Unsigned. p. 1.