Elizabeth I: volume 208 part 3, June 1601

June 1601

VOL. CCVIII, PART 3—1601, JUNE—JULY.

June 1. The Gatehouse.

1. William Udall to Sir Robert Cecil and Sir John Stanhope. "If now, Right Honourable and Honourable, I do not discharge myself from all objections made against me, or if now I do not prove that those services which I have offered you in Ireland have been crossed by traitors and traitors' practices, or if now without dalliances or delays, myself remaining in prison, I do not effect the plot upon Tyrone, and other services that I have offered, and more than I have offered, or show such courses for the same as may satisfy your Honours of my assured desires, then do I disclaim all favour, and seek nothing but perpetual imprisonment whilst I live. For any information which I have here, or shall hereafter deliver to your Honours, I do engage both life and liberty upon the proof, either by witnesses, by letters, or by such circumstances as shall yield ample assurance of all that I shall discover. To satisfy your Honours in all circumstances, or to deliver in writing all that I have observed and noted, is more than a week's continual labour. If in anything that I have written or shall write, your Honours take exceptions either upon brevity or obscurity, I am ever ready to satisfy you further, as your Honours shall direct me.

"How strange soever your Honours may think of my informations in general, either of the practices and discourses against Her Majesty and your Honours, or of the rebels coming in by consent of Tyrone and the priests of the Spanish faction, or that the courses held in Ireland are more for the rebels' advantage than Her Majesty's, or that this coming in of the rebels is much more dangerous than their being in wars, with other informations of the like quality, yet your Honours shall find that nothing can cross my proof and satisfaction in all, if I may have trial, if the greatness of such as hate me do not prescribe against me, [and] if this consideration be interposed, that for this year past I never used man for Her Majesty's services, or ever conversed with any that was known to repair unto me, but he hath been murdered, imprisoned, disgraced publicly, threatened, assaulted, endangered, or suborned to accuse me ; of all which I am able to give several example [s], and as ample proofs as can be required. I do not speak how I may tremble and fear in any further proceeding in discoveries to do Her Majesty or your Honours service. Comfort or encouragement I have none ; for this year never [was] man put to the like distresses and disgraces. No service would be accepted that I could offer, no remedy of any injustice could I procure by any complaint whatsover. Five months no man ever saw me abroad, till I was sent for to go to prison, being threatened by my Lord Deputy's servants and followers. It is infinite to tell the extremities which I have endured, and which all Dublin can witness. Of all occasions that have bred my confusion, no one hath been greater than my Lord Deputy's reports so publicly and so generally, that of all men your Honours both hated me, and held me an arrant knave. Who durst trust me ? who durst come at me ? who durst venture any service, when so great a magistrate gave out so publicly so grievous speeches ? Notwithstanding all these difficulties, if your Honours please to vouchsafe me trial, and that to your Honours I may be bold to deliver plainly and resolutely what I know and what I have observed, there you shall find not promises but performances in all my offers."—"From the Gate House, this Whitsun Monday, 1601." Holograph. p. 1.

June 1.

2. "A list of the army, as it is divided, the first of June, 1601"; giving certain garrisons and numbers of horse and foot. Total: horse, 1,130; foot, 13,250. Endorsed by Sir Robert Cecil—"A list for Ireland." Unsigned. p. 1.

June 1.

3. Duplicate of the preceding.—1601, June 1. Unsigned. p. 1.

June 2. Cork.

4. David, Viscount Buttevant, Lord Barry, to Sir Robert Cecil. "I have lately written to your Honour in my son's behalf, to receive some exhibition out of my entertainment for my foot company ; but the said letters have been crossed for want of passage, so that yet they are not gone, and other means I have made none for furnishing my said son as yet, but to leave him to your Honour's care. I am now to signify to your Honour that, by means of the pursuit I made after the archtraitor James Fitz Thomas in the White Knight's country, the same hath been the cause of his apprehension, as my Lord President knoweth, wherein I refer myself to his Honour's report. I am likewise further to make known to your Honour (for that I have resolved, though to your Honour's trouble, to lean to your advice and direction) that some motions are made touching a marriage betwixt my Lord of Ormonde and my daughter. Whether that shall grow to any effect, I cannot tell, but I thought good to acquaint your Honour therewith, that if it happen so to fall out, your Honour may, as occasion shall require, grace my daughter with your honourable favour, or in the meantime, if there shall be stay thereof, that your honourable means may speed the same."—Cork, 1601, June 2.

[Postscript.] "I have appointed my man, who is there with my son, to follow my causes at Court, and do humbly pray that I may have that favour (by your honourable means) as others, who deserved less than myself, they being at less charges and pains than I have been, in reducing this province to the state wherein now it is. I pray your Honour to write me an answer of this motion concerning the Earl of Ormonde." Signed. Seal. p. 1.

June 2. Derry.

5. Captain John Vaughan to Sir Robert Cecil. The day before his arrival at Derry with the supplies, the garrisons had good success against both Tyrone and O'Donnell. Would have written particularly thereof, but that the bearer, Captain Hart, can relate it better, for he was present. All things go very prosperously. Brought the supplies as strong as he received them at Chester. Prays Sir Robert to accept his service.—Derry, 1601, June 2. Signed. Seal. p. 1.

June 3. Cork.

6. Sir George Carew to Queen Elizabeth. His joy at receiving her letter. His exile in Ireland, deprived of the sight of her "divine person." Prays to be recalled. Her Majesty's undaunted behaviour at the time of the Earl of Essex's rebellion. The Earl "had made himself a sinner against all possibility of pardon, either by the rule of justice, regal dignity, or humane policy, the lives of his Sovereign and his own being incompatible. Moreover his life was the fuel of the war in Ireland, and the rebels do now commonly report that in him their greatest hope consisted, and by him they daily expected to be employed."

Has, by means of the White Knight, got into his hands the body of that archtraitor, James Fitz Thomas. Will send him by some trusty gentleman unto Her Majesty. Hopes that Munster is thereby made sure from any present defection. "And now that my task is ended, I do in all humility beseech that (in your princely commiseration) my exile may end, protesting the same to be a greater affliction to me than I can endure." Is not an importunate craver, and uses no other arguments than this, Assai dimanda qui ben serve e tace. These lines are unworthy of her "divine eyes," and he " kisses the shadows of her royal feet."—Cork, 1601, June 3. Endorsed by Sir Robert Cecil.—"S^r G. Caro." Signed. Seal. pp. 2½.

June 3. Cork.

7. Sir George Carew to the Privy Council. "The 29th of May, being the next day after the date of my last to your Lordships herewith, the White Knight, by me employed and earnestly spurred on to repair his former errors, did his best endeavours, which, I thank God, had the successes desired. For the day aforesaid, having notice by his espials where James Fitz Thomas (the usurping Earl of Desmond) lay hidden within his country, in the mountain of Slewgrott, in an obscure cave, many fathoms under the ground, upon [this] intelligence, with such company as then were in his house with him, not being of weaponed men above eight in number, repaired to the place discovered, and there took him, and one horseman more who attended him, and brought them to one of his own castles, from whence Sir George Thornton with a good guard conveyed them safe to my house, where in irons he remaineth, out of the which I dare not else trust him to be kept, being (as he is) a man the most generally beloved by all sorts (as well in this town as in the country) that in my life I have known.

" I cannot sufficiently commend unto your Lordships this dutiful act of the White Knight's, who performed the same more in respect of his duty to Her Majesty than for the benefit of the 400l. head-money proclaimed, and presently to be paid. For the doing whereof he was not ignorant to purchase to himself the general malice of the province, whereby his desert is made the greater; and (but by himself) I protest unto your Lordships I do not know any man in Munster, by whom I might have gotten him. Neither may I have unrecommended unto your Lordships the diligent and painful endeavours of Sir George Thornton, who, next unto the Knight himself hath best deserved, being the chiefest and most effectual instrument by me employed herein; and therefore (as well for their encouragements to persevere in doing Her Majesty service, as to move others to forward the same), I most humbly beseech your Lordships that in Her Majesty's name you would take particular notice of it, and by your letters to give them the thanks they deserve. For this traitor's hope (notwithstanding all the miseries which in this time of his distress he hath sustained) was nothing abated, every day expecting, either by Irish or Spanish aid (which aid from Spain, as he tells me, he was confident to receive before harvest), to be no less able to maintain the wars than in former times, assuring your Lordships that he was the most potent Geraldine that ever was of any the Earls of Desmond his ancestors, as may well appear by the numbers of provincials pardoned and cut short since my coming hither, as also by the numbers of the bonnaughts by me from hence banished. The manner of his apprehension (for your Lordships' more particular satisfaction) is expressed in a letter of the White Knight's unto me, which herewith I send your Lordships. [Wanting, but see No. 99 of Vol. CCVIII. part 2.]

"I once purposed to have sent the archtraitor by this passage into England, but, upon better consideration (whereof I hope your Lordships will give good allowance), I do stay him for a time, and by the same do hope to avoid all inconveniences that may happen. For, if he should die before he came to his trial (as the Judges here inform me) the Queen (but by Act of Parliament) cannot be interested in his lands, and also his brother John (by the same reason) is not by the law debarred from the title, which this pretender holds to be good, to the Earldom of Desmond. For these reasons (by their opinions), I have resolved to have him arraigned and adjudged here, and then do think it meet he be sent into England, and left as your Lordships shall please to dispose of him. And, because it is likewise by the lawyers told me that a man condemned in this realm cannot by the ordinary course of law upon the same indictment be executed in England, I purpose to send with him two or three indictments, ready drawn with sufficient matter, by the which he may be there at all times arraigned. The reasons that induceth me to send him living into England are grounded upon an apparent doubt conceived, that, as soon as this archtraitor shall be executed, his brother John will immediately assume the title he did, and perchance thereby prove no less powerful than this traitor hath been; whereas, whilst he lives, he cannot make any pretence to move the natural followers and dependents of the house of Desmond to assist him. Likewise, I hold it (under reformation of your grave judgments) to be very dangerous to continue him any long time prisoner in Ireland, being (as aforesaid) so exceedingly beloved as he is, not daring to commit him into any hands out of mine own.

"If this my proceeding and the reasons here alleged may have allowance in your Lordships' wisdoms, I shall be glad thereof; if otherwise, I humbly pray to be excused, since my errors shall appear rather to proceed of ignorance, than of want of desire to please you.

"The greatest defect that now remains toward the well settling of this province, is the want of a general pardon, which in all my letters of late I have solicited to your Lordships, and therefore need not to trouble you with the reasons thereof, my desire stretching no further than to the poor people with their wives and children, who never bare arms; the want whereof is no small impediment to the ending of this work, which it hath pleased God, in His goodness, so to bless."—Cork, 1601, June 3. Endorsed:—Received the 7th at Greenwich ; and by Sir Robert Cecil, "S^r. G. Caro." Signed. Seal. pp. 2½.

Encloses:—

7. i. "The relation of me, James of Desmond, to the Right Honourable Sir George Carew, Lord President of Munster, most humbly beseeching your Honour to certify Her Majesty and the Lords of her most honourable Council of the same, hoping in the Almighty that Her Highness of her accustomed clemency and mercy, by your intercession, will take most gracious and merciful consideration thereof, to the end that Her Majesty's realm of Ireland shall be the better planted and maintained in good government by his release." [Sir George Carew has written in the margin:—"2 of June, 1601."]

" First, it may please your Honour to consider that this action at the beginning was never pretended, intended, nor drawn by me, nor by my consent, but by my brother John and Piers Lacy, having the oaths and promises of dicers noblemen and gentlemen of this province to maintain the same; and not ever consented unto by me, until Sir Thomas Norreys left Kilmalloek, and the Irish forces camped at Rekelie in Connello, where they stay[ed] five or six days, the most part of the country combining and adjoining to them, and undertook to hold with my brother John, if I had not come to them. The next Sessions (before these proceedings) at Cork, Sir Thomas Norreys arrested me in person there for my brother (he being then suspected by him), and intended to keep me in perpetual prison for him, until I made my escape. By this the intent of Sir Thomas Norreys being known, the fear and terrification thereof drew me unto this action; and had I been assured of my liberty, and not clapt up in prison for my brother's offences, I had never entered into this action.

"Farther, I was bordered with most English neighbours of the gentlemen of this province. I defy any English that can charge me with hindering of them, either in body or goods, but, as many as ever came in my presence, I conveyed them away from time to time.

"Also, it is to be expected that the Spanish forces are to come into Ireland this summer, and O'Neill will send up the strongest army of northern men into Munster with my brother John, the Lord of Lixnaw, and Piers Lacy. And when they are footed in Munster, the most part of the country will adjoin unto them. Preventing this and many other circumstances of service, the saving of my life is more beneficial for Her Majesty than my death. For if it may please Her Majesty to be gracious unto me, I will reclaim my brother, the Lord of Lixnaw, and Piers Lacy, if it please Her Majesty to be gracious unto them; or else so diligently work against them with Her Majesty's forces and your directions, that they shall not be able to make head, or stir at all, in Munster. For by the saving of my life Her Highness will win the hearts in general of all her subjects and people in Ireland, my own service, and continuance of my alliance in dutiful sort all the days of their lives.

"Farther, I most humbly beseech your Honour to foresee that there are three others of my sept and race alive: the one is in England, my uncle Garrett's son, James, set at liberty by Her Majesty, and in hope to extend Her Majesty's favour; my brother in Ulster; and my cousin, Maurice FitzJohn, in Spain ; wherewith it may be respected that either of these, if I were gone, by Her Majesty's favour might be brought in credit and restored to the house. It may therefore please Her Majesty to be gracious unto me, assuring to God and the world that I will be true and faithful to Her Majesty during life; by which means Her Majesty's government may be the better settled [and] myself and all other my alliance for ever bound to pray for Her Majesty's life long to continue."

The first signature has been blotted out, and another one, "James Gyerallde," put instead. Sir George Carew adds the following note:—

"He first signed his name, James Desmond, which I sent back unto him, and then he blotted it out, and hath written his name in a hand not accustomed, nor yet with the orthography which, before he assumed the name of Earl, he wrote, which was 'Fitsgeralld'; whereby it appears how loath he is to leave the name of Desmond."

Endorsed by Sir George Carew:—James McThomas. pp. 2.

June 4. Cork.

8. Sir George Carew to Sir Robert Cecil. "Yesterday, being the 3 of June, Patrick Crosby departed hence, with four packets from me directed unto you, and now this day, having received a letter from the Mayor of Youghal, I thought it requisite to send the copy of the same unto you with the best expedition I might, that you may not be ignorant of such intelligence as comes hither. What judgment to make of it I know not, but refer it to your wisdom, that can better judge of the truth than myself. The titulary (sic) Earl, my prisoner, is very confident of their coming, which made him to lead the miserable poor life he did, in hope to be of greater ability to continue the war than at the first. Yet he is much reserved in his speech, and will hardly discover any thing that may advance Her Majesty's service, but after a few days I doubt not but to make him speak more freely. Sir, when I behold and look back into times past, and compare the strength which he was in, being able, as himself confesses, of the provincials and buonies to command 20,000 men, for so many he says he had at his pleasure, I do condemn my own indiscretion, to undertake so hard a task with the small forces I had, and therefore do wholly attribute my good successes to God's providence, and the least part to myself. For it is beyond reason that in so small a time the province should be reduced as it is. While I am well, I could be contented to leave off, and do still remain as in former letters a suitor for my return into England, from whence, while you and I live together, I do in my heart resolve never to be removed."—Cork, 1601, June 4. [Postscript.] States that he has written to Sir Robert on behalf of a certain Captain (name omitted). Endorsed by Sir Robert Cecil:—"S^r G. Caro." Holograph. Seal. p. 1.

Encloses:—

8. i. Melsher Coller, Mayor of Youghal, to Sir George Carew. " Here arrived this present day, about ten of the clock, one David Harris, of Dundee in Scotland, merchant, with a ship of salt laden by him at Cadiz; who, being examined by me touching the state of that country, have (sic) made it known that one Shiriago, a Governor or a principal man there, had a charge bestowed upon him by the King of eleven ships, royally appointed, in each of them 1,000 corslets, 1,000 muskets, and 1,000 pikes; some of them doth carry thirty pieces of brass, some more, some less; all made ready at Cadiz, and bound towards Lisbon, or thereabouts, to take more men, and from thence bound for this country, as the report was amongst them. Which shipping came to sea at once with this merchant out of Cadiz, the 16th day of May last [in margin, "stilo novo"], and, according to my bounden duty, I thought meet to signify the same unto your Honour."—Youghal, 1601, June 4. Copy attested by Sir George Carew. p. 1.

June 5. Cork.

9. Sir George Carew to Sir Robert Cecil. Captain Flower, in the time of the Earl of Essex's government, obtained from him a custodiam of the lands of James Fitz Thomas, the archtraitor of this province, but is now crossed in the benefit thereof by John Fitz Edmonds, who has lately procured from Dublin a custodiam of the same under the seal of the Exchequer. Commends highly the services of Captain Flower, and prays Sir Robert to favour his suit for the lands.— Cork, 1601, June 5. Signed. Sir George Carew adds in his own hand a warm recommendation of Captain Flower. p.l.

June 6-16. Tournay.

10. Diploma by Michael Desne, Bishop of Tournay, stating that he has promoted Robert Nugent, sub-deacon of the seminary of Douai, to deacon's orders.—Tournay, 1601, June 6/16 Seal. Latin. Parchment.

June 10. Dublin.

11. Sir Geffrey Fenton to Sir Robert Cecil. "The Spanish preparations intended against this realm are of late put on foot again, by a report of a merchant of this city arriving in the harbour yesterday. He saith at his departure from Cales [Cadiz], about ten days past, certain Spanish ships, to a number of eleven or twelve, after they had taken in there great quantities of arms and munitions, did put for Lisbon, to receive 4,000 soldiers in that place, and so to make for Ireland out of hand. This is the report of the merchant, maintained also by a Scottishman, master of the same bark, who addeth further, that a select company of ships of this realm, with choice mariners and pilots, are stayed in Spain, to attend this fleet, which in a sort giveth some credit to the report. I have this morning written to the Lord Deputy of this, being now at Dundalk, and have advised his Lordship to be careful of the safety of Galway, for that the Spaniards will sooner strike at that town than at any port-town in Ireland, both for the seat of the place, lying open upon Spain, and for other commodities and hopes in some of the inhabitants, of whom many have Spanish hearts. And, therefore, I wished his Lordship to strengthen that garrison with two or three companies more, and to send a man of countenance to command there, till it be seen what will become of these Spanish preparations.

" It were not amiss that some forces were put in readiness in the maritime parts of Wales and the west country, to be thrust suddenly over into Ireland, for defence of the port-towns, if these foreign forces should come on, of which I make bold to put your Honour in mind, humbly leaving the matter to your further consideration, not having leisure to write more at length at this present."—Dublin, 1601, June 10. [Postscript.] " There are other ships of this country ready to return from Spain to Waterford, at whose arriving I shall be able to advertise your Honour further how this report is seconded. The ships are looked for by the next wind. [Sir Geffrey Fenton adds in his own hand.] "I hope this great flourish of Spanish preparations will turn to a ship or two of advice, to be sent to Tyrone with some small bit of money and munitions, as at other times they have used. For I cannot gather how Spain can spare a force of men to invade Ireland at this time." Signed. Seal. p. 1.

June 10. Derry.

12. Sir Henry Dockwra to the Privy Council. "With what numbers of men Tyrone and O'Donnell were lately joined together, Sir John Bolles could inform your Lordships, for they were gathered before his departure. To resist them in open field, our force was not then sufficient, and to have attempted any other matter abroad, while such an army was on foot, and so near us, we were much less able. The only thing we had, therefore, to consider of was how to defend those parts of the country, which had already submitted themselves to the Queen, and especially Ennisowen, because it was of most importance, and the chief mark the rebels aimed at. To do this, were two ways only to be thought on, either to encamp upon the passages amongst our forts, and so withstand their first entrance, or else to retire the cattle to places of strength, whereby their coming in should nothing advantage them. Of these two, the first had without controversy been the better, had the place for encamping yielded matter convenient to lodge our soldiers, and those numbers of men we had been compounded of such as we might boldly have trusted unto, or at least had no cause of distrust against. But the terms of discontentment that Neale Garve stood in, together with his fashion of carriage at that time (for he had many secret messengers to and fro with O'Donnell, which he never acquainted me with, and received without my knowledge divers suspicious and dangerous persons into the Lifford, and conveyed them out again) gave me, in my opinion, no small nor unjust cause of jealousy against him. Against Cormack O'Neill I had some advertisements also, that might have bred jealousy, though in my conscience (as matters fall out since) I think the man is honest. But considering the inconstancy of these peoples' natures (even though their Lords and Masters were honestly affected), and weighing withal the opportunity they had of working any treachery by getting us once weak in the field, a strong enemy ahead [of] us, a dangerous and suspicious friend amongst us, and but a newly subdued people at our backs, I thought it in no measure answerable to reason or policy in that manner to adventure both ourselves and the whole state of the action, which in that case had apparently lain open to the hazard and fortune of one day. And therefore [I] resolved rather on the second, using what policy I could to secure myself on all hands from the Irish, of whom there was not any one I reposed trust in, though there appeared outwardly less causes of jealousy against some than others. First, therefore, I began with the country itself, from whom I took double pledges out of every sept, over that I had before, when Sir John Bolles went away. From Hugh Boy I took one of his brothers and the castle of Birt (which I kept wholly in mine own possession three weeks together). From Cormack O'Neill I took four pledges such as he had, and 1,000 cows, which his followers had brought in and kept at Strabane, which I drove into Ennisowen. From Neale Garve, also, I took three pledges (but merely by force and against his will, for he took it as the greatest injury of all other that ever I did him), and caused himself to come down and lie with me at the Derry, to the end he should have the less opportunity of practising with O'Donnell, his people being in one place, and himself in another. And thus being secured from secret conspiracies amongst ourselves, I sent down 200 English (under the leading of certain Lieutenants) to the bottom of the country, to intermingle with the inhabitants for guarding their cows; and so left the passages open, save only the forts, which I knew were not sufficient to withstand so great an army coming, provided of necessaries to make their way over the bog, as I knew they would. And thus all things being in readiness, O'Donnell came down, passed our forts without resistance (for he made his way with hurdles where they could not annoy him), and so presently made down to the bottom of the country, sent his messengers to sundry particular men, received answers nothing to his liking, and in a desperate case gave on upon one of the forts to which the cows were retired, entered within it with 100 men, and were all put back again, with the loss of five leaders, sixteen soldiers found dead within the fort, some twenty slain without, and by their confessions, as I have learned since, about forty more hurt, and scarcely carried away alive out of the country. In this fort was one of Hugh Boy's brothers, that was the first man that charged after they were entered, killed one of their leaders, received a wound in his hand with a sword, and by all men's confession was a principal instrument of driving them out, though the two Lieutenants, Captain Digges's and Captain Willis's, did also their parts exceedingly well. Upon this repulse he began presently to think of his going back; for, finding no meat in the country for his people to feed on (for all was driven away save what was left straying by chance), nor the disposition of the country answerable to his expectation, and hearing beside that I was gathering together (as in deed I was) all the forces I could possibly make, to impeach his return, he thought the time of his stay but too long ; and, therefore, with a swifter course than he came in, got out again, having lost near 100 of his men, what slain, what wounded, and got nothing in the country but strayed cows and garrans, which only fed his men those two nights he was in, it being not above 100 at the most.

" In this time, O'Donnell being thus entered and engaged in the country, I dealt with Neale Garve to draw forth his people from Lifford, and make a wasting journey even to Donegal. Which I did in two respects ; one, for the service I saw might be done ; the other, to be rid both of himself and his people out of our forts, for that divers of his men were now already gone away and joined to O'Donnell, himself in a discontented passion (for that, as he said, I trusted him not), his disposition of nature apparently prone to evil, and the advertisements I had of his secret and underhand dealing being so frequent and from such several parts. But to give him his right, he accepted willingly of the charge I imposed upon him, and being come up, and putting his men in arms to have gone abroad according to my directions, he got intelligence that Tyrone (who had all this while lain in those parts to keep in that garrison, and to secure O'Donnell's retreat by meeting him, if need be) was that day to join with O'Cahan, but that first he was gone with his own men alone, being but 400, to fetch away a few cows that were feeding about Dunalong. Wherefore, having his men in a readiness, and taking with him Captain Winsor and near 100 English, which were all that were left at that time in the town, he made after, overtook him, charged them on the sudden, expecting nothing less, killed 100 in the place, took above 100 of their arms, 25 horses of service, and followed them six miles in chase, so near that oftentimes Tyrone himself was within a stave's length of being killed. And this was the whole issue of that great preparation which had been making for two months' space, and gathered together only upon hope and assurance that O'Donnell gave them of taking from us whatsoever we had gained ; the like army whereof (this being thus disappointed) it is a general opinion they will be never able to assemble again.

"At O'Donnell's going back, which was over the strand by Colmackatreyne, I made after to impeach him with those men I had in Derry and the forts, which were not above 300 foot and 40 horse. We came to have a little skirmish, but so as he shewed himself willing to be gone, notwithstanding our few numbers, and we not of power to follow him beyond the very passage. And even as we parted, I had news of our supplies' arrival, whereupon I presently sent Captain Digges with 100 men to Ramollan, and the next day after 200 more, thinking (as in deed it proved) that O'Donnell, seeing himself thus disappointed in his main enterprise, would go into Fanat, and there spoil, or take what he could. For, as his men were upon their way going for that purpose, they heard of forces I had sent over to Ramollan, and, thinking them greater than indeed they were, they returned, and his whole camp dissolved, every man to his home, to defend and make good his own ; and by this means left us all Fanat in better terms than ever it was before. For where I had yet but old McSwyne himself and one of his pledges only (for the Marshal had by mere negligence lost the rest), and his son Donnell Gorme, that drew a great part of the country, never yet come in, seeing himself preyed (for Captain Digges had by this time taken 200 of his cows, and 3[00] or 400 sheep), he presently came and submitted himself, upon condition he might have his prey restored, and that I would labour in his behalf that Her Majesty might be pleased to continue the Lordship of the country to his father first, and afterwards to himself and his heirs. And so hath he given in pledges for himself, restored his father's, which were escaped, and now fully settled the state of that country, one only sept (of no great force nor credit) being gone with O'Donnell. McSwyne Ne Doe also (though his pledges escaped me) hath promised to send them back again, and, in this time of O'Donnell's being busied here, hath taken from him a prey of near 1,000 cows; and in anything I send unto him for, hath shewed himself willing to obey me; so as I hold that country also sufficiently secured to Her Majesty. What service I take now next in hand, I know your Lordships will be desirous to understand, seeing our supplies are landed (all saving 150, which should come from Barnstaple), by whose help I ever held myself, and so do, able to march into any part of the country. The occasions that present themselves are divers; for Ballyshannon I hold myself sufficiently provided, if my Lord Deputy were on foot, the ordnance and other necessaries ready shipped, and my directions come for undertaking the journey, without which (being a matter of that consequence, so long premeditated both by your Lordships and the state of this kingdom, and a thing utterly out of the bounds of my commission) I see not, with any excuse of my duty, how I should undertake it on mine own head. For O'Cahan, he is far retired from me, so that the fetching of his prey will require a long time, and good provisions to abide forth, whereof I stand not in want. But whether I should attempt his prey first, or the taking in of those castles I wrote unto your Lordships of before in my last letters, I stand somewhat doubtful. But all that controversy were taken away, if our shovels and spades were come, for I would leave them both, and go settle a garrison at the Bann, which without them is impossible to be done. In Tyrone I have a party that offer themselves to come to me, to bring me sixty foot and twelve horse, to meet me with a prey, and to put in good security for their loyalties. Beside all this, I have a singular desire to be doing with Tyrone himself and his brother Cormack, who I hear have gathered head and mean to stand me; for upon the beating of them depends the end of the whole war, so that whether of these I shall attempt first, I am not able in certainty to advertise your Lordships, but one or other of them (as I see best occasion) I will, God willing, assuredly undertake, having for that purpose my carriages and all other things in a readiness.

"But I may not leave your Lordships unadvertised of the general discontentment, and in truth the hard estate, of the army; which for these five months' space (as I think your Lordships are not ignorant) have been unpaid of any manner money. The want was long patiently endured, and no man I heard, either officer or soldier, that made complaint, till now that the paymasters, being lately arrived from Dublin, brought a proportion of the new coin, with an inhibition both of issuing it till the proclamation come, and an intimation of cutting of whatsoever should be found due upon account till that day. Your Lordships may be pleased to remember, I did humbly move you by Captain Vaughan that in respect the country was brought into reasonable estate for yielding us fresh meat enough for money, that you would be pleased to abate the provisions in victual (which I knew was a burthen and continual trouble to your Lordships to care for), and that only bread, and some other small quantity of meat, to make up half victual, and half money, might be sent, which it seemeth (by the provisions come) your Lordships were honourably disposed to grant, and provided accordingly from the first of May. By this means the money not coming, your Lordships may easily see into what estate we are fallen, that in victual have no other provision but bread, and to relieve ourselves by that the country affordeth are utterly destitute of means. The best course I could find to remedy it was to take up beeves upon the country, which will in some sort satisfy the poor soldier for the present; but for the Captains and officers whose estates I hold to be exceeding poor, there is no help but from your Lordships, who knowing their case I nothing doubt but will honourably provide for their satisfaction, and I humbly beseech your Lordships it may be done with some speed, lest the army grow into a dangerous state, which I protest in truth is mightily to be feared."—Derry, 1601, June 10. Endorsed:—Received the 22nd by Captain Hart. Signed. Seal. pp. 6.

June 10. Derry.

13. Sir Henry Dockwra to Sir Robert Cecil. "Your Honour shall understand the state of this place, and what hath been done since Sir John Bolles' departure, as also what is next intended to be taken in hand, by my general letter to the Lords, wherein if I have failed of setting down any thing so perfectly and exactly as might be expected, I must excuse myself either by weakness of memory or want of leisure (for the time hath been exceeding troublesome), and refer your Honour for better satisfaction in many particulars to the bearer's report, who, partly by his own knowledge, and partly by my instructions, I hope will be able to answer either difficulty or question that shall arise in the business. There remaineth, therefore, none other argument to write on, but that of private duty, which I have usually taken heretofore, but not upon so good occasion as your honourable letter (testifying the acceptance of my service) doth minister at this present; which degree of happiness (I will not conceal) I have long laboured in my desires to attain unto, both with the zeal and duty of an honest man, as God "(that knoweth the secret of my heart) doth bear me witness. If upon this first conceived ground of your good opinion, your Honour may be pleased to build a hope of my better deserts to come, and but favourably construe in my proceedings whatsoever may seem at first sight doubtful of a good interpretation, or be sinisterly reported, till my answer may be heard and my reasons considered of, it shall be the first and principal suit I will make unto your Honour, and the firmest bond of my service, which I do faithfully and sincerely dedicate unto you before any man living."—Derry, 1601, June 10. Endorsed:—Received the 22nd. Holograph. p. 1.

June 10. Derry.

14. Captain Humphrey Willis to [Sir Robert Cecil]. Acknowledges the receipt of Sir Robert's letter by Mr. Field. "This I am to advertise unto your Honour that, notwithstanding our forts made on the passages entering O'Dogherty's country, O'Donnell, Cormack [Mc] Baron, O'Rourke, O'Connor Sligo, McWilliam, with all their forces, entered into the country over a bog, making a way to pass their horse, ' with 100.20 hurdles,' which they brought with them ready made. After they had passed, our few men that lay in the next fort took up the hurdles, and burnt them at the place. The enemy entered down twenty miles in the country (where I was sent seven days before) with 200 foot to fortify and make strong some fit places to hold the cows of the country, which I did for containing of 12,000 cows. Some other places were made sure in the country by themselves for holding the rest of their cows. After he had made these places so sure, the Governor sent for me in haste, to draw away with my company, for that he had received intelligence from the Captains of the Lifford that O'Donnell was withdrawn, and had dispersed his forces. The same day I received my direction, I came with my company to the Derry, but then the former news of O'Donnell's intent for entering the country held current, so as there were 140 foot sent back to the fort I made presently, under the conduct of my Lieutenant and two other Lieutenants, with command to assist the country in driving all their cows into the forts. Our men marched from the Derry after the drums beat to the watch, and were at the places fortified by 8 in the morning, and put all the cows in. The same day [in the] afternoon, O'Donnell with his forces came there, and put to the fort, dividing his men by Hugh Mostyn's directions to enter four ways. This Mostyn did undertake with all the Connaught men to enter the gate, where he came with three colours displayed, but he was so well beaten with shot and stones as he was forced to run back speedily, with a couple of bullets in him. Captain Connor, who was Lieutenant to the late Lord Bourke, and ran to the enemy with his Lordship's colours, drum, and company, was slain at the gate, but carried off by his men, and buried by their camp. In the mean, one Captain Connell, having charge likewise under O'Donnell, did enter under a rock at low water, with 300 foot and some of O'Donnell's chief gentlemen, and as our men were defending Mostyn from the gate and the rest, these men came on their backs. Our men turned suddenly (being high time) and fell on them, put them to run out over the rocks, some the way they entered, other some the sea, with the loss of most of their arms. Captain Connell with twenty of O'Donnell's best men were slain in the place, and many others drowned. We left four English and six Irish. O'Donnell seeing this to prosper so evil with him, at the earnest request of O'Rourke and O'Connor Sligo, retired presently out of the country, and passing between Birt and Colmackatreyne on the strand at a low water, we had some light skirmish with him, but to no purpose. His force was 200 horse at least, and the name of 2,000 foot.

" The same day he was in O'Dogherty's country, Tyrone, with sixty horse and 400 foot came down near Strabane, with intent to second O'Donnell the next day. Neal Garve and Cormack O'Neill, being at the Lifford and having some spial on him, drew out their companies from thence, and some of the garrison for their second. They with thirty horse went before to discover and take the view of Tyrone's forces, where they found his horse all at pasture without any scout. They presently set on them, and killed thirty of his men there, and took twenty of their horses. Then their foot came and did skirmish, where Tyrone lost 100 of his men with their arms, [and] ran away himself most shamefully with nine horse to the top of a hill, where he did see the killing and running away of his men the space of six miles. Now all these forces of Connaught and Tyrone are gone from O'Donnell, and will hardly ever be able to join with him again (without the Spaniards do come), which they yet daily expect. My spial that was with him all this time doth assure me that O'Rourke nor O'Connor Sligo will come to him again with any forces, but make their own ways to the State the best they may. O'Rourke hath taken now a great prey from Conconaght Maguire, so as they are at a controversy, and so are divers others of the Irish of Ulster and Connaught. I hope we shall shortly decide the matter between them."—Derry, 1601, June 10. Signed. pp. 2.

June 11. Derry.

15. Jonathan Field to Sir Robert Cecil. Has, in accordance with his letter from Chester of May 25, made certificates of the state of the companies of horse and foot, and delivered the same to Sir Henry Dockwra for enclosure in his packet. Hopes the certificates will give satisfaction. Never did any supplies come in fuller number and better plight to this army. Desires Sir Robert to consider his poverty and the misery of the place, and to allot him some better means of living; or, if some other is to be employed upon Captain Covert's discharge, that he may have leave to attend Sir Robert, and may obtain some other employment. Has endured much misery by sickness heretofore, and since his last coming has hardly overcome a new fit of the ague, to which he finds his body very subject. Expresses his devotion to Sir Robert.—Derry, 1601, June 11. Signed. p. 1.

June 12. Derry.

16. Captain Humphry Covert to Sir Robert Cecil. "Knowing that Captain Hart, who is employed to your Honour, is well informed by the Governor of all the proceedings at Lough Foyle, and there having no accident of worth presented itself since my last letter to your Honour of the third of June, I have according to my duty only enclosed herewith a brief collection of the musters, taken the 8th of this present, the Commissaries' certificates more at large being likewise sent (wanting).

" The soldiers that were shipped at Barnstaple are not yet come to Lough Foyle, which, together with the want of spades, pickaxes, and shovels, adding (with favour thereunto) the discontentment of the Captains and soldiers for want of money, renders no small impediments to the furtherance of the service."—"Derry, on the river of Lough Foyle," 1601, June 12. Endorsed:—"Received by Captain Hart the 22nd." Signed. Seal. p. ½.

Encloses:—

16. I. "The state of Her Majesty's jorces at Lough Foyle in Ireland, as they appeared at the general muster, taken the 8 of June, 1601. "Total; foot, 3,000 in list, 2,135 effective; horse, 100. Signed by Captain Humphrey Covert. p. 1.

June 14. Camp at the Moyerie.

17. The Lord Deputy Mountjoy and Council to the Privy Council. " Perceiving by your Lordships' letters of the 18th of May that the victuals we expected to answer our purpose of planting Ballyshannon by Connaught could not arrive in such quantity nor time as might enable us to proceed in that journey, and receiving some arguments of your Lordships' inclination to Sir Henry Dockwra's offer to plant that garrison from Lough Foyle, we grew into a new consultation, in what sort to make the war this summer. And first it was propounded with the army to march by Lecale and those parts into Coleraine, the end whereof should have been to have brought in subjection all the woodmen, and utterly taken from Tyrone all that part of Ulster between Coleraine and Lough Sidney to the Blackwater, and from whence heretofore the Traitor hath gathered his greatest strength. The passages being not very dangerous, and the commodity of the sea to supply us, we should have made the war that way to great purpose and with good conveniency, and perchance might have fallen over the Bann into Tyrone, all other ways being of extreme danger to enter into that country, except that and by Lough Foyle. The chief difficulty that did arise against this project was the danger wherein we should leave all things behind us, if the Spaniard should arrive in the country, we carrying the chief force of the kingdom into the uttermost corner thereof, neither being able to leave any great guard for the Pale, we should have left it naked to any attempt of Tyrone, and the new reclaimed rebels to the courtesy of him, or the Pale to the courtesy of them both. But in the end we grew to this resolution, in the interim between this and the appointment of the general hosting, by the which we should be supplied with carriages, and about which time we expect victuals and munition out of England; of the first whereof we are more sparingly provided than to engage ourselves into any great matter ; of the second so utterly unfurnished, that we have scant powder to maintain one good day's fight, nor tools or other provisions to fortify, which must be our chief work, as we carry the rebels before us, to dwell by them. We determine (to assure the passage of the Moyerie) to plant a garrison at Lecale, and to convey some more men to Sir Arthur Chichester, who with that garrison and those supplies, helped with the advantage that our stirring in all other parts will give him, will go near to work little less effects than we with the whole army should have done.

"When our victuals and munition shall be arrived, which we hope will be much about the time we have appointed the general hosting, being the first of the next month, we do purpose (God willing), as near as we can, to employ Her Majesty's forces in this manner. First, to draw out of Minister into Connaught 1,000 foot and 50 horse, in which province of Connaught there are already in list 1,150 foot and 74 horse, beside Tibbott Ne Longe, the whole entertainment of whose company hath been long stayed from him, and yet we think it very convenient to hold him at this time in as good terms as we may, and resolve to threaten O'Connor Sligo, who hath oft shewed himself desirous to submit himself upon any appearance of his defence, that if he do not presently declare himself against O'Donnell, before the plantation of Ballyshannon, he shall despair for ever to be received to mercy, and the better to assure him or infest him, and to keep O'Rourke from joining with O'Donnell, we will lay about 1,000 foot and the greatest part of the horse of Connaught about the Abbey of Boyle, or where they may most divert the rebels of those parts ; and the rest of the forces of that province, besides some to guard Galway and Athlone, in some convenient place of the Annaly, where they shall not only lie upon O'Rourke, but between any forces that may come out of the north into Leinster, and follow them, if they should chance to escape by them ; yet being likely that, about harvest time or before, to divert us, if Tyrrell and the Connors can by any means gather any strength, they will return again out of the north, to gather the corn which they sowed this last year. Somewhat lower in Westmeath, we leave two companies more of the list of Leinster, because that way there are some places, by the which some troops may steal out of the north into Offally. At Kells, we leave one company of foot and fifty horse ; at the new fort in the Brenny, 500 foot and 50 horse; from which place up to the Boyle in Connaught, we give direction to all the forces to correspond together, and the forces in the Annaly to correspond with Offally and Leix; and all do not only lie to divert some forces of the rebel, but as a pale to keep them out of Leinster. On the other side of Leinster, the Earl of Ormonde's own company of 150 foot and 50 horse, and Sir Henry Power with 400 foot and 32 horse, shall be directed for Leix; the Earl of Kildare, with 500 foot in list (although many of them be in wards) and 37 horse, to lie in Offally; and those forces of Leix and Offally to correspond together, and with them the subjects of the Irishry, as my Lord of Upper Ossory, Hugh Boy, Sir Terence O'Dempsey, O'Dun, O'Molloy, O'Carroll, and Sir John McCoghlan. In Ulster, leaving Dundalk, the Roche, and a fort we build in the Moyerie guarded, we intend to plant a garrison in Lecale of 500 foot and 50 horse, and to send 200 more to Sir Arthur Chichester, who, in respect of the use he may have at all times of the forces in Lecale, will be as much strengthened by them, or rather more, than if we had sent them all to Knockfergus. With the army (which will consist of about 2,800 foot and 300 horse in list, besides some 300 foot and 50 horse, which are to be left at the Newry and Mountnorris to guard those places) we purpose to draw to Armagh, to fortify there, and it may be at Blackwater, where, if we lie upon him most part of this summer, we shall not only give Sir Henry Dockwra good facility to plant Ballyshannon, but, it may be, fall ourselves into Tyrone. But howsoever, with making him keep his forces together all this summer, and leaving these garrisons well provided, for horse to live there in the winter, we shall, without all likelihood to the contrary, before the next year utterly ruin the Traitor, and clear and assure all the parts from Tyrone to the Pale.

"With the particularities of Sir Henry Dockwra's project by Captain Vaughan to your Lordships we are not acquainted, only told of such a proposition in general by Mr. Treasurer, but we doubt not but withal he hath propounded to your Lordships for such means to accomplish his work as must be supplied from thence. For from us he can receive little other assistance than this fashion of employing the whole forces, which in every part is done as much for his advantage as may be. Neither (which is worst) can we easily have any intelligence with him, or often hear from one another. But if we perceive that he find any impossibility at this time to plant Ballyshannon, we do yet think of nothing better to advise him than with the whole gross of his strength to fall into Tyrone, about such time as we shall be at Blackwater; whereby it may fall out that we may with the help of God meet at Dungannon, and utterly waste all the country of Tyrone. Unto the which course if we be driven, we must then resolve to make the war this winter (leaving the northern border in good strength) in Connaught, which we hope will reduce that country and ruin O'Donnell; which must be the effect of that garrison, for, if we keep him out of Connaught, he cannot long subsist; and then, for the continual assurance of that country, plant with facility the next year at Ballyshannon. But if the planting of so many garrisons do threaten by the continuance of great numbers to draw on too long Her Majesty's charge, we do first think that to recover this kingdom, and to preserve it from being hereafter so chargeable, it will be necessary that in the north, Ballyshannon, Lough Foyle, some garrison on the Bann, Lecale, Mountnorris, Armagh, Blackwater, and some other places be continually kept. All which places may be ever victualled by sea, or, being near together without any dangerous passage between them, by land from the sea, without any farther force than their own. And if there be in every fort but some little keep built of stone, as the wars shall decrease, or occasion shall serve, the places may be guarded with very few, and so continue bridles in the mean time, and convenient places to put in men to great purpose, where the rebellion shall again break out. Neither need these little castles be works of any great charge, for they may be easily made such as this people will hardly force them. To proceed in this project, it must please God that the victuals already contracted for must arrive in due time, and it must please your Lordships to supply us with good quantity hereafter, for our only way to ruin the rebels must be as much as may be to waste all the means for life, which if we do, and be not supplied out of England, we shall as well starve ourselves as them, but especially where we must make the war, which is far from the relief of any friend, and nothing to be gotten from the enemy but by chance. For what is in their countries lightly they will either hide, or spoil, or convey to inaccessible fastnesses. And, because the greatest service here is to be done by long and sudden journeys, which cannot be done without victual, and no victual well carried by the soldier without carriages but cheese, we most humbly desire your Lordships to send us some great quantity thereof, in the provision whereof whatsoever inconveniences your Lordships shall find, we dare assure you will be ten times countervailed in the service. Lastly, because the army is already weak of English, and this journey, without the extraordinary favour of God, must needs diminish it much, both by the sword and sickness, we must most humbly and earnestly desire your Lordships to send as soon as may be conveniently, but, if it be possible, before the end of August, a thousand shot, which we desire should be bastard muskets, and culivers for supplies, not in companies, but only to reinforce the old English companies unto Carlingford, that at our return we may both strengthen such English companies as we mean to leave behind us, and the rest we carry with us. The time will be exceeding fit for their arrival; for, besides the succour we may receive from them, if we grow very weak at our return, they will come over well clothed against the winter, and may have time to rest and to be seasoned till Christmas, till when in these wars it is the most inactive part of the year, and be employed from Christmas till the end of May, which is the only time to plague these country rebels. And when this summer is past, wherein these rogues revive and live like flies, our garrisons well planted, and the army strengthened with English, we may then begin to cast the Irish companies, and out of our companies, since they must continue good subjects, or starve if they go out, and yet have the sword hang over them wheresoever they go. In the meantime we think them necessarily entertained, for we take so many men from the rebels, and give unto ourselves by them facility to plant the foundation of their own ruin, and both with us and against us waste them by themselves. For if we should not entertain them they would lie upon some country of the subject, which, without the defence of as many as themselves, they would waste, and live upon it, so that in effect the very numbers entertained would grow all to one reckoning. And for a more particular instance of the benefit that ensueth by entertaining these Irish, we think we can give your Lordships an account of above 500 that have this year been killed, and most with the bullet[s] of our side, of such as were rebels sometimes, and questionless would have been so again, when they had been put out of entertainment, if they had lived. And thus having, upon the consideration of all things here as now they stand, concluded unto ourselves the best course that could appear unto our judgments, and resolving to execute it with all endeavour and sincerity, we humbly desire your Lordships to make a favourable construction both of the Council and success; since those grounds, whereupon we do now so justly build our resolutions, may by their alteration give us as just cause to alter our course, and the want of such means, either in matter or time, as we expect, utterly hinder it. But especially, if any foreign succours do arrive, the whole frame of this our project is broken ; and out of England we must be presently relieved, or we with this kingdom suffer much hazard. And, because your Lordships in your last letters gave us some light that it might be, and leave to inform you what likelihood we should here receive that it would be, we have first these intelligences which we send your Lordships, with many other reports from divers places, and next a constant and of late an extraordinary conceived confidence thereof in these people ; and lastly, to judge what a wise and powerful enemy will do by that which is best and easy for him to do, we have many reasons to think that Spain will send this year, and few to think otherwise, but that he hath so oft deceived that expectation. For if the malice of Spain continue to England, they have an easy and dangerous step thereto by Ireland; and if they do not embrace the occasion of this year, there is no doubt but the next will for ever lose it unto them. And because it must please your Lordships to proportion our succours to the force we are likely to be offended with, and that from us you will expect our own estates, it may please your Lordships to consider that the power of this kingdom consisteth of Her Majesty's English army, of such Irish as are therein in companies by themselves, or in English companies do serve as mercenaries; the nobility, towns, and inbred people of this nation which live as subjects; and lastly, of such mere Irish Lords and their people as were lately reclaimed, or such as still remain in rebellion. The mere English are few and far dispersed; the Irish that serve with us exceeding mercenary, and therefore like to follow the hopes of Spain ; the nobility, towns, and people of so obstinate a contrariety in religion, that without question they are grown malicious to the government, and affect, under the protection of the power of Spain, to declare themselves. The Irish Lords with us have the same motives; and they against us, their last necessity to join with Spain; and all these, especially the towns stirred on by this new coin, which, though if (sic) the aid of Spain do not arrive, may securely be established, yet, if they do, it will breed many dangerous inconveniences. If, therefore, it may please Her Majesty to have in a readiness six thousand of the trained bands of such countries serving best for transporting into Ireland, to be sent over into Munster upon the first notice of any foreign power to be arrived there; and some part of her navy to be in a readiness with a greater part of munition and artillery for us than otherwise this war would require, we do hope to give Her Majesty a very good account of her kingdom and of ourselves, until we shall have cause to sue for relief, or return her the fruits of that. And if it must needs fall out that Spain will have war with England, we shall be glad that the war of England may be made in Ireland, and that we, her poor servants, shall have the happiness to strike the first blows for both her royal kingdoms, the which the eternal God preserve long unto her, and her unto them and us."—The camp at the Moyerie, 1601, June 14. [Postscript.] "Even now we hear from Dublin, that there is arrived there, three last and a half of powder, with match and lead accordingly." Endorsed:—Received the 22 June. Signed. pp. 7.

Encloses:—

17. i. "The examination of Thomas Allen, of Dublin, merchant, taken the 10th of June, 1601.

"Left the Bay of Cales [Cadiz] the 8th of Map last. About the 12th of April, during his abode there, there was a great tumult regarding the coming of an English and Flemish fleet, and great musters were made. The King of Spain commanded that every man's plate, jewels, and chains, as well gold as silver, should be registered. Since the first of January last, there has been an embargo in Spain of all Flemish ships under the government of the States, Frenchmen, Scotsmen, and Irishmen, and divers of them cruelly racked [as to] whether they had any goods belonging to Englishmen. At his being in Cadiz, the 8th of May, there were embarked '27 sails of ships,' and, as he after understood by the report of one David Harris, a Scotsman, of the same 27 sails there came to the seas 12 sails about the 17th of May, and they had in than 6,000 pikes, 3,000 muskets, and some quantity of corslets. The said Scotsman came in their company, and was bound for Yonghal; he reported to this examinate that these twelve ships were bound for Lisbon, there to take in soldiers and more munition, and so to go for Ireland. One Walter Lei[gh], an Irishman, who is a pensioner to the King of Spain, and very private and inward with the Adelantado, constantly affirmed that this fleet with as many more were bound for Ireland, and that before Midsummer day he would see Dublin. By reason of contrary winds, this examinate fell into the company of the aforesaid David Harris, who parted from the said twelve sails by extremity of weather. Thinks that this shipping from Spain (if any come) cannot be on this coast this three weeks. Raising by the King of Spain of the custom on wines and oils upon every stranger that shall go to Spain, ' which breedeth a great discontentment even among his own subjects'." Copy. p. 1.

June 14. Camp in the Moyerie.

18. The Lord Deputy Mountjoy to Sir Robert Cecil. "We have written to you as much as we could conceive concerned us at this present, and even now the camp is rising to pass this night beyond the Moyerie, so that I do not think fit to trouble you with much more ; neither can I well do it at this present, for our removes be busy days with us, and I have been this morning from four of the clock making despatches to several places of this kingdom. Therefore, although I have much whereof I would fain write unto you, yet for this time I do only recommend my service unto you."—The camp in the Moyerie, 14 June. Endorsed:—1601; and, Received 22 June. Holograph. p. ½.

June 14. Dublin Castle.

19. The Lord Deputy Mountjoy to Sir Robert Cecil. If Her Majesty be pleased to send an increase of force, for which they have formerly been suitors, recommends Sir Joceline Percy, "who as he liveth here at his own charge a voluntary, and therefore ought the rather to be respected, so is he very valiant, and of an excellent spirit fit for employment. He hath sent over his Lieutenant, one Roe, the bearer hereof, to whom I beseech you there may be order given to bring over a company of 150."—Dublin Castle, 1601, June 14. [The scribe has erroneously put the year "1600."] Signed. p.½.

June 14. Dublin.

20. Sir Geffrey Fenton to Sir Robert Cecil. " Since my last of the 10th of this month, a merchant of Tredagh, coming lately from Cadiz in Spain, touched in this harbour yesterday, and coming to me to make his report touching Spanish occurrents, he set down with his own hand this declaration enclosed, which I thought not amiss to send to your Honour, for that it confirmeth the former advertisements, which I sent about four days past, with some addition more than in the former. Besides, it is later than the first in time, by eight or ten days. And yet I hope all these Spanish formalities, touching sending of forces into Ireland, will turn to a mountain of smoke. At the most, it is like they will not exceed a ship or two, to bring the rebels fresh hopes, and some small comfort of money and munitions. Nevertheless, in the meanwhile, these bruits do put our traitors into great pride, and makes them think that now is the time that the Spaniards will not fail them. I have this morning sent a copy of this declaration to the Lord Deputy, who I think will this day pass to the Newry, and there consider how he may carry some part of the army to Lecale, or other parts of the north, to entangle Tyrone, whilst the time of the general hosting do come on ; of whose proceedings his Lordship may advertise more confidently and speedily than any other in these parts. Yet your Honour shall have from me such as I can gather from time to time."—Dublin, 1601, June 14. Signed. Seal. p. 1.

Encloses:—

20. i. "Examination of one John Field, come out of Spain.

"I departed the bay of Cadiz in Spain the 16th day of June, 1601, and there came the very same day fifteen ships of Spaniards to sea, being bound to Lisbon, to accompany other ships in that port, and there to take in the number of ten thousand soldiers, and, as the chiefest of them do say, their meaning is to go for Ireland, naming Dublin or Waterford; and by reason of foul weather we departed from their sight, and, as far as I could see, they went into the bay back again by means of the tempest. Likewise, I heard the day before I came to sea, which was the 15th of June, that the Cardinal was slain in Flanders by some of the Flemings, whereupon there was great lamentation made. Also, there was a proclamation made in the King of Spain's name in St. Mary's Port, that whatsoever man would take upon him to serve him as a soldier, that they should have free liberty of any fact that ever they committed (treason excepted), and that no manner of person should molest nor trouble any soldier so entering into the King's pay for any debt or any other challenge during the space of ten years, and that every common soldier should have twelve pence sterling a day."—Dated by Sir Geffrey Fenton:—"At Dublin, 14 Junii, 1601." Copy. p. 1.

June 17. [London.]

21. Sir John Dowdall to Sir Robert Cecil. "Whereas I was a humble suitor unto Her Majesty three years past, I came then unto your Honours with letters of report and commendations from the Deputy and Council for the time for my services and disbursements, which I delivered unto your Honours. And upon the revolt of Munster, I was commanded for Duncannon, and there again was at a new charge, as I have made known. Upon my departure, your Honour and the rest of the Lords willed me to leave an agent to receive the remain due unto me, which I did to my great charges, the remain due being one thousand five hundred and fifty pounds, besides one hundred and fifty pound[s] due to be paid by Sir George Carey, as may appear by warrants and concordatums with reckonings, [and] one full year's pay in Sir William Russell's time and odd months for 150 men. If I had not used my credit and mine own ability in supporting the companies committed to my charge with victuals and money, they must have been forced to disband, and acquit the places I had in charge, which were Duncannon and Enniskillen.

"Tendering more Her Majesty's service in all my lifetime than I did my own private wealth, [I] do hope, by your honourable means, there will a Christian consideration be had of me, whereby I may receive my due from Her Highness. Had not my losses been more than this my due, I should not have been constrained to be so earnest as now I am.

"If Her Majesty will be better pleased to give me a fee-farm, of five and forty pounds by the year in reversion, in Ireland (the rent reserved unto Her Highness), I will take it in recompense fully of this sum and forty years' service, which I never received reward for, but my pay."

May do Her Majesty better service in Ireland than " here."—[London], 1601, June 17. Signed. p. 1.

June 18. Dublin.

22. Sir George Carey to Sir Robert Cecil. "Sithence my Lord Deputy's departure, there hath not fallen out any great occurrents. His Lordship, for the better freeing of that passage, hath built a fort at the Moyerie, and is now gone into Lecale to plant a garrison there, and purposeth to leave Sir Richard Morrison to command the same; and intendeth there to meet with Sir Arthur Chichester, and to enable him with more forces, as also to confer with him how he shall manage the wars, and answer his Lordship when he begins his journey. By direction from my Lord Deputy, I have sent boards and other materials, with all things necessary, to Sir Arthur Chichester, to make two or three boats. The Lord Deputy hath given the fifty horse, which were Captain Dawtrey's, to Sir Francis Stafford, and he hath also bestowed on him the government of the Newry; and this I know he hath done in respect of your Honour. I humbly beseech your Honour to take notice hereof, and in your next give his Lordship thanks.

"The 13th of this present, Her Majesty's proclamation touching this new coin was published, and in the utterance of the money I find no stop as yet. I utter it but sparely, only for growing charges to the army, until I hear that the exchanges in England be settled according to the agreement; and then, by God's power, it will work a good service to Her Majesty.

"There was some good service done of late by our new O'Donnell and the garrison of Lough Foyle, whereof I think your Honour is advertised, and, now that their supplies are come all safe unto them, I hope they will apply the soldiers to do good service.

"The Traitor, as I hear, makes all the provision that he can, and builds and fortifies exceedingly beyond the Blackwater; yet would he, as I learn, be glad to accept of any conditions; but I am persuaded my Lord Deputy will not listen to any. His Lordship hath sent unto me to cause a great boat to be made of musket proof, and to be sent unto him in pieces ; which shall be done. A small quantity of munition arrived here eight days past, which I sent presently to Carlingford to my Lord, because he was in great want. And in the store here there is not one barrel, which to my seeming is a very strange matter. The rest of the munition, being, as they say, forty-four cartloads, is at Chester. I would the conductor had sent some of it beforehand, for all the garrisons here complain of want.

"We have had much ado about a cause of the old Countess of Kildare. The Earl of Kildare broke open certain doors of her house at Maynooth, and took from thence all the evidences in the closet. The evidences were brought to this town, and conveyed from place to place very slyly ; but the evidences are gotten again and sequestered, remaining in the Council's Chamber, until the matter be further heard."—Dublin, 1601, June 18. Holograph. Seal. pp. 2½.

June 18. Dublin.

23. Sir Geffrey Fenton to Sir Robert Cecil. "This bearer, Mr. Traves, after a hard employment in Ulster, and specially at Lough Foyle, in the victualling affairs, is now repaired thither, to go through with his accounts, wherein, though he hath suffered here many perplexities by the death of his ministers, whom he was driven to use in chief trust of his charge, yet I hope he will prove himself, in the course of his accounts, a true officer to Her Majesty, notwithstanding sundry prejudices that have grown to him, and frauds used to Her Majesty, by some bad persons, upon the occasion of his men's death at Lough Foyle, he being at that time absent from thence to attend his charge in other places. The places where he served were more full of difficulties and dangers than any other part of the realm, for that he was driven oftentimes to pass to and fro between Lough Foyle, Knockfergus and Carlingford, to the hazarding of his life, both by sea and land ; and yet he hath at no time failed to answer his charge, according the trust reposed in him, which I make bold to testify of him upon mine own knowledge."—Dublin, 1601, June 18. Signed. Seal. p. 1.

June 18. Cork.

24. Sir George Carew to Sir Robert Cecil. "Your Honour by Patrick Crosby was fully advertised of all the affairs of this province, until the date of the letters he carried, since which time, more than the restraining of Florence McCarthy, who is now Her Majesty's prisoner, nothing hath happened. The treasons which in his breast he hath of long time carried against Her Majesty and the State, was sufficiently discovered by his entering into action of rebellion, having lately before received extraordinary favours at his last being in England; and the continuance of his treasons doth evidently appear by his practising with Tyrone and Minister men, when he was upon protection; in all which time he never left soliciting, as well to bring northern aids to raise new tumults, as to stir and provoke the provincials to relapse, which may appear manifestly to be true by the copies of sundry letters and examinations, which I have sent unto you, and more fully by further proof, which I am able to produce against him. The reasons which persuaded me all this long time to smother his faults, was because he was upon protection, and yet still would have let them run on, if necessity had not urged me to lay hold of him. To win time upon me, he pretended to go into England, and to that end I did procure him large benevolences both in Carberry and Desmond, but I perceived no such intention in him. Also, whereas his pardon hath been under the Seal ever since the 7 of April last, by the which he was enjoined by a time prefixed to put in assurance for his future loyalty, at the time that I committed him there was but fourteen days to come unexpired, and that very day of his commitment he was taking his journey into Desmond, so as almost there was no possibility for him to return to put in his sureties by the limitation of the proviso in his pardon; which time being elapsed, then he must be newly protected, and so live unsecured. Upon this quarrel of not putting in of sureties according to the proviso, and proving unto him that the time must of necessity elapse, and making known unto him that he hath dealt falsely and traitorously since, and in the time of his protections, I did commit him; at the justness whereof himself hath nothing to reply, and all men are sufficiently satisfied with his restraint, having caused the generality of his treasons with Spain, Tyrone, and at home, to be divulged. The next day after his restraint, he was a petitioner unto me that he might have the benefit of Her Majesty's pardon ; unto the which, because the time in the proviso was not fully expired, I did condescend, being in justice not to be denied unto him. His fault he acknowledges in not putting in sureties with more celerity, and patiently endures his restraint, because he finds his guiltiness of his offences to lie open unto me, and yet is not debarred from the safety of his life. With James McThomas I do purpose to send him into England, and then have I sent you two Earls of their own making, and the most powerful rebels that ever lived in Munster. By the taking of them I do think that Munster with a reasonable garrison will be assured from revolt within itself, and also freed from Ulster bonnaughts to molest it; and am also of opinion that when it shall be bruited in Spain that these grandees are Her Majesty's prisoners, that it will divert their purposes, if they had any, to invade Munster, for upon them two, and in especial upon Florence, the Spaniards did ground their hopes in the west of Ireland. Lest it may be thought that I did neglect part of my duty in not sooner apprehending Florence, having intelligence of his practices in the times of his protections, I beseech your Honour to call to mind that in my former letters I have acquainted you that his fashion was evermore, before he would come unto me, to send for a new protection, without any proviso inserted in it to be answerable for any breach of his former protection; so as every protection was a sufficient safeguard to free him from any offence of an older date. For except unto him only, I never renewed any man's protection since my coming into Munster, but that the party stood always answerable for all offences committed from the date of his first protection; a course never held in Ireland but by myself, and by that course I am sure one hundred rebels have been hanged within this six months, by taking the advantage of the breach of their protections. Unto some others it will be thought I have dealt too soon with him, because, until he hath pleaded his pardon, he is not subject to restraint, not having broken his last protection. I could have been content to have forborne him a little longer, but I was sure if he had gone out of the town, and the days of his putting in of sureties [had] expired, that he would by new protections trifle out the time until the coming of Spaniards; and if they came not, that then himself would go into Spain; so as I was enforced either to lose him, or else to take the advantage of the quarrel I did, which I am sure neither discontents nor dislikes any man here, the world being fully possessed that his traitorly practices in the time of his protections doth merit no favour, and therefore they hold my proceedings with him to be very just and favourable beyond his merit, in giving him the benefit of Her Majesty's pardon, whereby his life is secured. James McThomas is arraigned and adjudged. I would have sent him and Florence this passage, but I hope every day to hear out of England to know Her Majesty's pleasure; but if the wind do settle in the west, I will send them presently unto Her Majesty, being the best presents that Munster affords. James McThomas, to redeem his own life, promises by his brother John and Piers Lacy to get me Tyrone alive or dead. I have put him in confident hope that upon that service done, that the Queen will be gracious unto him; and that I may have the better ground to move them to perform the same, I do beseech you that I may have a letter from Her Majesty unto me, to assure them that upon accomplishing the service upon Tyrone, that James McThomas shall be sure to live, and be set at liberty, and that his brother John and Piers Lacy shall be likewise pardoned. I am promised for 100l. to get Bishop Cragh, and for the like sum the Knight of the Valley, ere it be long. I hope to send you the one or both. Likewise, I am proffered for money to have McWilliam's head in Connaught, but being out of my government, I know not how to deal in it.

"Here is no money. I beseech your Honour to mediate for it."—Cork, 1601, June 18. [Postscript.] "Now will be a good time for Nicholas Browne to come into Desmond, and he will be a good stay in that wild country, whether he have a charge or no, for those parts are very quiet. I have paid the White Knight 400l., which upon my credit I procured." Holograph. pp. 4.

Enclose:—

24. i. The Spanish Archbishop of Dublin to Florence McCarthy. God is his witness how, after he arrived in Ireland, and took note of the person, valour, and endowments of his Lordship, he desired extremely to see him, and to confer with one of such rank and importance. Was prevented by the danger of the way, and is leaving for Spain with much regret at not having seen those parts. Hopes very shortly to return to that kingdom, in such a way as to content his Lordship, and assures him that he will act for him with the King as if he had sent his own brother into Spain. Cannot write more; will leave the rest till he sees him.—Donegal, 1601, January 6/16. Sir George Carew attests the above with the note, "The name of the Archbishop of Dublin is so ill written, as I could, not read it; the rest is a true copy." He endorses the paper, "From the Spanish Archbishop of Dublin to Florence McCarthy." Spanish, p. 1.

24. ii. Thomas Shelton to Florence McCarthy. "By direction of the Archbishop of Dublin, and at [the] request of McDonogh, your agent here, I did write a letter addressed to the King of Spain, subscribed by him, in which he did signify how by your direction he made proffer of your service to His Majesty, the copy of which letter goeth here inclosed (wanting). What the news and hopes of Spain are, the bearer will fully inform you. This only rests, that as I have ever desired to serve your, Lordship, so now, finding the opportunity of this bearer," he would not omit so fit an occasion to show his respect. "God preserve and assist you in all your designs, that we may live to see accomplished by you them (sic) things [of] which your noble beginnings give assured hope."— Donegal, 1601, Tuesday, January 6/16. Copy attested by Sir George Carew. p. 1.

24. iii. Hugh, Earl of Tyrone, to Florence McCarthy. "Our commendations unto you, McCarthy More. I send unto you according our trust of you, that you will do a stout and hopeful thing against the Pagan beast. And thereupon our army is to go into Munster, and, with the will of God, we consent unto you not to believe any word from us for ever, before we write again unto you, that you shall see trouble enough upon Englishmen in England itself, so as there shall be easiness of suffering their wars at May next, in respect of that it is now. And since this course of Munster, under God, was left to yourself, let no weakness or imbecility be left in you, and the time of help is near you and all the rest."— Dungannon, 1601, January 27/February 5. Signed, "O'Neill Copy attested by Sir George Carew. p. 1.

June 18. Louth.

25. Sir John Bolles to Sir Robert Cecil. "Though many private respects do justly draw me to desire to leave the longer following of the Irish wars, yet nothing urgeth me more to shun, by all the means I may, any employment which should carry the least show of being derogatory to Sir Henry Dockwra, than the fear I have of the scandalising my poor credit, as though, under colour of negotiating for him, I had indeed supplanted him; which how apt his friends are to conceive and report will be very apparent if your Honour may please to peruse a letter which Mr. Lenton, your servant, hath to show, that was written to me by his agent here after my departure from your Honour. Wherefore I humbly and unfeignedly beseech your Honour (to whom my service at home and abroad is dedicated), that you would vouchsafe to be a means for my stay in England, and the bestowing of my company of foot upon Mr. Farmer, my Lieutenant, according to your honourable purpose the last year. He is a young gentleman of good sufficiency, and in that he is my brother-in-law, and hath served long, I must see that he want not; which maketh me become so bold a suitor in his behalf, and I do it the rather also because I might not seem to have left the wars in disgrace.

"Your Honour, I trust, will pardon me for presuming thus far, and either condescend to my humble request herein, or otherwise defend my reputation from such unjust taxing, and give me some small time of respite here, after the signification of your Honour's purpose to continue my employment."— Louth, 1601, June 18. Holograph. p. 1.

June 18. Camp at Dunboy.

26. Sir Samuel Bagenall to Sir George Carey. "I have used all my diligence to come hither, and Sunday, being the 13 of June, I arrived at the Camp before Dunboy, where I found the Lord President making his approaches towards that castle, and one piece of battery mounted, by which means his Lordship was so far engaged, that, till the ending of that work, in reason he could depart with none of that army. But on the Thursday after, all fit things being done, the battery began about three of the clock in the morning, which continued till about that time in the afternoon. Then the assault was given, and very desperately maintained some two hours by that enemy; but then despair and want of knowledge to defend what they had first undertaken, bred such confusion, that they of the weakest resolution hopelessly leapt into the sea, where boats attended such expected accident, and there cut them in pieces. The nobler part of them, with a firm constancy, died in defending of that breach with pikes and swords. The wisest and best knowing men retired themselves into an inner seler, where from thence (sic) they hoped to make composition for life, which they that night demanded, but was refused by the President, unless they would yield to mercy, which they obstinately refused, making many vows there to burn themselves and ruin that remnant of castle with the exchange of our English blood, that then were masters of their best works. That night they so continued, but in the morning, being better advised, they simply submitted to that mercy, which before was required, and the Lord President that day caused sixty of them to be hanged. Some fifty were killed on the breach and in the sea, so that none of that ward are left to maintain one another. Before that time the Lord President had sent boats to the island of Dursesis, where they were fortifying for their retreat, if need should require them to it; but that place was taken, some killed, and twenty-nine men brought hither, which yesterday were hanged. They had their three pieces of ordnance, iron bullets, match, lead, and powder seven or eight barrels. This castle had ten pieces of ordnance, five brass and five iron ; nine of them are shipped; the tenth was broken by our cannon. Here was ten or twelve barrels of powder. These spoils and ruins, in my opinion, hath directly near broken these present wars in Munster, which is a good introduction to our declining climate. The Lord President desires my dispatch with all conveniency, which when I get, I will lose no day till I come to the Naas, which beforehand you shall have warning of, that I may obey your directions there according my instructions. If it please you, you may impart this to the rest of the Council, to whom I would have writ, but the speedy and sudden dispatch of this bearer would not give me time, to whom I desire to be excused."— Camp at Dunboy, 1601, June 20. [Postscript.] "The Lord President desired me to write his excuse for not writing now, because his Lordship was busily employed in the shipping of all those things that must be shipped before his rising." Holograph. pp. 2.

June 20.

27. "The Preface to the repertory and debt-book for Her Majesty's debts in Ireland, brought over into England, xx^mo Junii, 1601, Anno xliij^tio." Unsigned. pp. 67.

June 21. Castle Lyons.

28. David Barry, Viscount Buttevant, Lord Barry, to Sir Robert Cecil. In favour of the bearer, Thomas Power, brother to Lord Power. His steadfast and loyal service. The divers maims and hurts received by him have lessened his ability to maintain himself, and he is greatly decayed. Commends him to Sir Robert's good consideration.—Castle Lyons, 1601, June 21. Signed. Seal. p. 1.

June 22. Camp by Carrickbane.

29. The Lord Deputy Mountjoy to Sir George Carew. "Because your Lordship should the better understand our purposes here, I have sent you the copy of a letter which we did write lately from these parts to my Lords in England, the which I desire you to reserve unto yourself, because there be some points therein unfit to be known to these country people. If the force of Spain do not aid them, I doubt not but God hath determined to overthrow this rebellion. If Spain do, I hope here in Ireland to make an end of the war of England both with Spain and Ireland. Whether they come or not, the chief things that, as I think, imports you is, to assure Cork and Limerick, till more force can come unto you; that you may do with the force we leave you, and more you cannot with all the rest of your list. Somewhat that may appear inconvenient we must hazard ; or else, only with the expectation of the Spaniards, lose the Queen another year. For I persuade myself, if this project go forward, to end the war in effect before the next summer. If it do not, it may well cost us another year ; and our companies are so weak, and other business in these parts so great that, without the assistance of some of your force, we cannot go through with our work. This morning with but a pretty army I am rising, with the help of God, to Armagh, to leave some men there, or to preserve the grass about it; for in those parts I intend to spend most of this summer. Therefore, my Lord, I pray pardon me, if I write not so largely of all things as willingly 1 would, but I hope very shortly at my return to have some more leisure, when you shall hear from me again."—The camp by Carrickbane, 1601, June 22. Endorsed:—"The copy of the Lord Deputy's letter for 1,000 men for Connaught. Received 29 July, 1601." Copy. p. 1.

June 22. Camp by Carrickbane.

30. The Lord Deputy Mountjoy and Council to Sir George Carew. "Having entered into a very serious consideration how we might fitliest make the war this summer, to the greatest annoyance of the northern rebels, and in the end agreeing upon a project, which we have resolved speedily to put in execution, we have thought fit to acquaint your Lordship therewithal by this enclosed (wanting), which we send you, that you may be no stranger to our purposes, but give us that assistance that we know you will for the furtherance of so important a service. The 1,000 foot and the fifty horse, which we are to draw from you out of Munster, we make account you may very well spare, as things stand now in that province, and yet that the numbers there remaining, being 1,600 foot in list and 200 horse, will be very sufficient to serve your turn for all occasions that may happen, especially seeing we have so well provided to stop the Ulstermen from passing either through Leinster or Connaught towards you, as we are very well confident you cannot be disquieted that way, but may rather be able with some more of yours to assist the Earl of Ormonde's horse and foot lying next you on the borders of Kilkenny, if they should stand in need of any help from you, as his Lordship is directed both with them and the forces commanded by Sir Henry Power to give your Lordship all good furtherance, if the Mores should step into your government, when they shall be so chased and pursued, as they cannot longer continue in Leix and thereabout, as we hope in short time they will be. Wherefore we do very earnestly pray and require your Lordship that you will not fail to send away the 1,000 foot and the 50 horse so soon after the receipt of these our letters, that the foot may be at the town of Galway by the seventh of the next month at the furthest, where we have given commission to the Earl of Clanrickarde, if he be able, to take the charge of them, and to march to the Abbey of Boyle, there to lie in garrison according to our project, until we see cause otherwise to direct them. The horse (which we earnestly pray may be Sir Richard Greames his troop), to come hither speedily to the camp, for that we have very great need of good horse, our[s] being much worn out with the winter service, and we hear that troop is fair and good, and fittest for our present purpose; in whose stead we will send fifty others into Connaught for them; which we can do conveniently out of Leinster, and accordingly have given direction in confidence that your Lordship, by sending us those of his, will see our turn served as we expect, and the service no way disappointed. And where your Lordship happily might make some scruple to send those horse and foot out of that province of Munster, as doubting the arrival of some Spanish force, for that haply there are advertisements to that purpose, you may see by our last dispatch into England, the copy whereof we send you herewithal, that in that point we have not been unmindful to provide for you the best we may by desiring to have you supplied speedily from thence, if any such thing should happen, as it is like enough there will not. But howsoever we do not think it fit to lose the year in expectation of their coming, as we must by not using our forces this summer; and use them we cannot to any purpose, without we have these horse and foot from you, which indeed hath moved us to resolve upon the project which you see, hoping by stirring to do great good upon the rebels, as we find for the small time we have been abroad we have done; for we have already made a fort guardable at the Moyerie, to assure the passage in that place, where Tyrone the last year stopped us so long. We have been in Lecale, and planted a garrison, taken in all their castles, and all the inhabitants have submitted themselves. We have put more companies by land to Sir Arthur Chichester to Carrickfergus, and enabled him on that side to annoy them, inasmuch as Magennis, for all his nearness to Tyrone, hath made every great means likewise to be accepted to mercy, and this day we are ready to march toward Armagh, where we mean (God please) to encamp this night, and doubt not but before our return to leave that place also fortified very fitly. And if Sir Henry Dockwra be able to plant at Ballyshannon, as he giveth great hope he will, so as we can keep Tyrone busied on this side, and the garrison at the Boyle do their part, we shall soon pen the rebels up so straight, as the Spaniards' coming (unless speedily) will not help them. And yet, if their coming should be so speedy, your companies being no further off than Galway, they lie as well as you can wish to fall back to any place where you would have them ; though we are of opinion, if that should happen, you can with the whole number do no more than keep Limerick and Cork till greater forces come to you out of England, and that you may do without these 1,000 foot and 50 horse; and therefore we rest assured that you will send them away as we desire, and as you see we have written to the Lords of the Council [what] we think fittest."—The camp at Carrickbane, 1601, June 22. Endorsed:—"The copy of my Lord Deputy's and Council's letter for sending forth of Munster 1,000 foot into Connaught"; also "Received 29 Junii, 1601." Copy. pp. 2.

June 22. Cork.

31. Ha[rold] Kynnesman to Sir Robert Cecil. In accordance with Sir Robert's instruction of the 6th of June, has sent to Thomas Watson, Sir George Carey's agent, a true reckoning of the money he has imprested to the Earl of Desmond since his Lordship's coming to Ireland ; also, a copy of the Lord President's warrant as to the lending of 100 men (without officers) for the Earl. Will make no further payments to his Lordship, without further order from Sir Robert or notice from Watson.—Cork, 1601, June 22. Signed. Seal. p. 1.

June 23. Dublin.

32. Sir John Brokett to Sir Robert Cecil. After extreme labour he has got the command of Duncannon fort in Wexford. Has diligently enquired into the news of Spain and other countries, and searched the ebtate of all occurrents in the harbour, and has certified the Lord Deputy thereof. Is now in Dublin, whence he intends presently to depart to his charge. Finds the new money is current there, and that order is taken to draw the silver out of Ireland into England. Imagines that Sir Robert will not think it fit that it should go into any other King's country. "In this twelve or thirteen weeks (for so long I have had the charge of the place), there hath passed out of the harbour of Waterford five thousand pounds in silver, the which hath been paid to Frenchmen for corn, and though I have let that pass, and many other things, for the which I do hope I have good warrant, yet, when the Estate doth think it fit, I will be ready with my best endeavours to perform your pleasures." His devotion to Sir Robert.—Dublin, 1601, June 23. Holograph. p. 1.

June 22.

33. Henry Dillon to Sir Robert Cecil. Has received from sundry captains and other servitors their warrants of full pay, to the amount of 5,000l., in payment of moneys lent to them by him out of his purse; also, some of those warrants, together with tickets defalked out of their entertainments, for victuals delivered to their companies. Has ever forborne to solicit the Privy Council for payment of the warrants. Has thought of a mean whereby he may be so satisfied without a penny cost to the Queen or any of her subjects. Three ounces of silver bullion is allowed for every 62s. of this base coin. Will deliver 1,250 pounds in bullion to the Warden of the Mint, and accept so much of the base coin as his debt amounts to, promising not to exchange the same in Ireland according to the new exchange set up there. Will find sufficient sureties to utter the said base money in Ireland among the common people, who are not like to bring it in to be exchanged. Craves Sir Robert's furtherance of his offer. "Besides, if this plot shall be liked, I dare presume I could satisfy if I were employed in it, yea of that your Honour and the Lords are most importuned for, 20,000l. of Her Majesty's debt in Ireland so, still delivering the bullion aforehand, and after uttering the base coin in Ireland among the commons."—1601, June 23. Holograph. p. 1.

June 24. Dublin.

34. Sir George Carey to Sir Robert Cecil. "I perceive that my Lord Deputy having planted a garrison in Lecale, and spoken with Sir Arthur Chichester, his Lordship is returned, and is gone to Armagh, and there purposeth to plant his garrison, and from thence to the Blackwater. He hath written to my Lord President to spare 1,000 foot and 50 horse to come out of Munster and lie in Connaught; and how his Lordship disposeth of the forces to make this summer['s] wars, your Honour may perceive by the enclosed. I am greatly perplexed in my mind, because I have received no letters out of Munster of the arrival of the treasure there. It is said of a certainty that my Lord of Ormonde is married to my Lord Barry's daughter. This makes me not to despair to see him so venturous a knight, that is almost blind. God be his comfort, for I hope within these few days I shall hear news that Her Majesty shall save three pounds a day. I hear that my Lord Deputy hath of late given Tirlogh McHenry 150 foot and 50 horse at half pay. I send your Honour his Lordship's letter, because the messenger is hasty, and I can write no more."—Dublin, 1601, June 24. [Postscript.] "Magennis makes great means to come in, but my Lord will not receive him." Holograph. p. 1.

Encloses:—

34. i. The Lord Deputy Mountjoy to Sir George Carey. "If I had reaped no other benefit of my journey into Lecale, but the speaking with Sir Arthur Chichester, I should not have repented neither the time nor the labour; for we do now perfectly understand one another, and I have taken a course to do the like with Sir Henry Dockwra by him, without the which we might have much erred in all our several ways. But I can assure you the taking in of all the castles in Lecale and the garrison there is of no small importance, and that garrison I have appointed to join with Sir Arthur Chichester in all his business, and, if we hare need of it, to use it in the One Mile, so that it lieth to good purpose in many respects. I would not hare written to you at this time, being so full of business, and rising this morning towards Armagh, but that two especial things require haste to be performed. The first is for the way by the which we shall do service this winter, and unburthen the Pale. You must take better order for the safe preserving of it this year than there was the last. The second is to dispatch unto my Lord President, for from him we must expect such force as we write for to be ready in Connaught about the plantation of Ballyshannon, which I presume will be much about the tenth of the next month. I send you a copy of our last letters from these parts into England, because you should more thoroughly understand our purposes. There be some points in it that makes me desire you to use it somewhat reservedly, for the Irish would be out upon me, if they knew it. I pray take especial order that my letters be safely delivered to the Lord President, and God send us meat, and then I fear nothing. I pray God your money go as current with you as it doth with us, for we 'make no bones ' of it. You must be somewhat liberal thereof to the captains, for they must provide themselves of many things against our long journey, and we must make amends for the quality with the quantity. Farewell, good Mr. Treasurer, and God send us a happy meeting."—The camp by Carrickbane, June 22. Endorsed:—1601. Holograph. p. 1.

June 24. Dublin.

35. Ga[rrett], Earl of Kildare, to Sir Robert Cecil. "Where, upon complaint exhibited against me to the Council here by the elder Countess Dowager of Kildare, for removing out of the house of Maynooth certain evidences belonging to the Earl of Kildare, there kept to mine use, as they had been from time to time for my predecessors, it seemeth unto me that they have used a severity more than ordinarily hath been accustomed in such cases, as may appear by the circumstances of their proceedings, which also I have sent by the bearer, not in way of complaint, but to the end that you and my good Lords there may thereby see how great the disadvantage is of him that hath to contend with a gracious adversary such as that good lady is, who, I must confess, for her years and calling deserveth all honourable regard. I am humbly to beseech their Lordships, forasmuch as my birth and education hath been in England, and that I have, ever since I was able to bear arms, served Her Majesty both there about her person, and here as it pleased her Governors in this realm to employ me, that my honourable good Lords will make me thus far forth worthy their favour, as to write unto the Lord Deputy and Council here, to afford me justice in that measure and degree that their Lordships think meet to he extended towards one of my sort and desert; which request I hope your Honour will not hold unworthy your own particular furtherance, as I shall always be gladly employed by you and for you, in all that I may serve or be good for."—Dublin, 1601, June 24. Signed. p. 1.

June 25. Galway.

36. Captain Henry Clare to the Privy Council. "Whereas your Lordships have been misinformed of me by a scandalous letter of Francis Martins, Mayor of Galway, and thereby my credit and desert in question and suspense before that most honourable table, may it please your Honours to give me leave to lay open before you the cause of his malice, to present you with the copies of two testimonials from this town, the originals remaining with my Lord Deputy, and for the truth and mine innocency with all dutiful respects to refer you to the letters of Her Majesty's Council here, having heard both sides.

"One Rory McTeig O'Flaherty of Iar Connaught, a notable rebel, and the principal man that rescued James Fitz Thomas, the counterfeit Earl of Desmond, when he was first taken for the Queen, was by the intercession of the Mayor (feigning cause for the good of some of the inhabitants) admitted to come into the town upon the 12th of January last, upon condition that he and all his, as well without as within, should be of dutiful behaviour toward Her Majesty and all her subjects during his being here. Which conditions being broken both by himself and his men, I requested he might be here kept until my Lord Deputy's pleasure were known, and alleged for the same my reasons before the Mayor and the Corporation, being assembled for that purpose in their Court House. Which reasons being scanned by the Recorder and all the rest, it was found that the said Rory might be detained without breach of word, and thereupon agreed that he should be kept as before, which the Mayor before the whole assembly did undertake to do. Notwithstanding, the next day the Mayor himself conveyed him away out at a postern, long before the opening of the gates, and without the consent of any of the brethren. Hereupon I, advising with the Recorder and some of the best Aldermen of the town, purposed to have entreated the Corporation to take some order for the more safe keeping of the keys, because that the rebels of Iar Connaught (whom I found the Mayor to favour) were able to bring five hundred men within three hours to any gate of the town, and that myself had but mine own company only to keep the same ; standing also in doubt of the inhabitants, being in a manner all obstinate recusants, holding a dangerous position (as I was informed) that those were damned that died in the Queen her service, and all saved serving against her. But this my purpose the Mayor did frustrate, refusing to call an assembly, though in Her Majesty's name required by me, and also importuned by the Recorder. Then with the consent of some of the Aldermen and the Constable that was that night to lock the gates (to avoid the present danger) I did deliver the keys of the town before good witness (after the gates were locked by the officer) unto one Mr. Marcus Lynch, an Alderman, a Protestant, and one specially liked of by the State here, to be kept by him, for the behoof of Her Majesty, the safety of the town, and the use of the Corporation, until my Lord Deputy's pleasure were known; with whom they were only to remain in the night, and in the day to be used by the ordinary officers as before.

"This done, I forthwith advertised my Lord Deputy, and he imparted it to the Council. All this in effect is proved by deposition before Her Majesty's Council here; for which cause the Mayor, mortally hating me (joining with the recusants, his wife being chief of them, though he himself a Protestant in show), hath sought, both here and in England, by malicious and untrue objections to remove me, and discredit me, and followeth therein the direction of such known recusants as will not swear to the supremacy, who cannot endure the strict course I hold for the safe keeping of the town, and barring the rebels from having relief from hence, which hath been heretofore the increase and continuance of rebellion in these parts, and will be still (under correction be it spoken), if not prevented.

"Thus have I, upon my allegiance, delivered the truth of all, and was, when these things fell out, a mere stranger in the town, having been here but fourteen days before, and never any unkindness between the Mayor and me, but for my bounden duty and service done to my most dear and dread Sovereign, whose sworn servant I have been above fifteen years, and never served any other in my life, neither have I been a dependant upon such as heretofore swayed the wars, as doth appear by my rising in them, who am no way advanced or graced in command or otherwise, since my Lord Burgh died Deputy, having served in a manner here ever since, yet of the same rank at home and abroad as others that are now thrust before me. Wherefore I most humbly beseech your Lordships that I may not undeservedly lose your honourable opinions, nor have that poor reputation stained which I brought with me, by any that hate me for doing my duty to Her Majesty."—Galway, 1601, June 25. Signed. pp. 2.

Enclose:—

36. i. The true copy of a certificate from Aldermen and inhabitants of the town of Galway in favour of Captain Henry Clare.

Testifying that with his company only he has banished the rebels of Iar Connaught from those parts, and taken from them a strong castle called Muckullen. Before his coming, those rebels were wont daily to spoil them at their very gates, to stay their fuel, and to take their lives, goods and prey at pleasure. Although there had been a garrison of five hundred men in the town for months together, there had never been such relief since the beginning of the war. The well and civil governing of his soldiers by Captain Clare.—Galway, 1600 [-1], February 13.

Signed by the Bishop of Kilmacduagh, William Danyell, preacher, five Aldermen of Galway, and eight other inhabitants. p. 1. [See pp. 207-8.]

36. ii. The true copy of a certificate from the town of Galway in favour of Captain Henry Clare. To the same effect as the foregoing.—Galway, 1601, June 3.

Signed by Nehemiah, Archbishop of Tuam, Rowland, Bishop of Kilmacduagh, two Aldermen of Galway, and twenty other inhabitants. p. 1.

June 26. Camp at Donanuray.

37. The Lord Deputy Mountjoy to Sir Robert Cecil. "Since our last letters from the Moyerie, I have finished a fort there, been in Lecale, taken in all the castles held there by Magennis, delivered some more men to Sir Arthur Chichester, left a garrison in Lecale, planted another at Armagh, and do now encamp myself between Mountnorris and the Newry, attending the men, provisions, and carriages of the general hosting, to expedite the which the Marshal is gone to Dublin. When I was in Lecale I had full conference with Sir Arthur Chichester, and took the best course I might that Sir Henry Dockwra, Sir Arthur Chichester, and myself might understand each other. The garrison I left in Lecale doth not only banish Magennis, strengthen Sir Arthur Chichester, whensoever he shall have occasion to use it, as much as if it were part of his own, but lieth so as we may make use of it, if we grow weak, or the enemy strong. I did venture the sooner to Armagh, to preserve the grass, the loss whereof was the chief cause we did not plant it the last year. When I was there I went beyond all the pastures between that and Blackwater, whereon I hope we shall find no great opposition; for, although the Marshal was there overthrown, yet I never fought on so good ground, since I came into Ireland. If the Spaniard will let us alone, I hope in God we shall give you a good account of this year's work. You must conceive, Sir, that since my coming from Dublin, and long before, I found no other occasion to stay me to make the war near, if not in, Tyrone itself, but want of victuals, munition, and other means. For six weeks since, it had been easy to have done anything against him, even in his own country. Now he is somewhat stronger, and all this summer his strength will increase, except we diminish it with blows. If such as I have left in the Pale do their duties, there cannot one rebel stir; but if they do, it is no great matter, for they shall fall with these, and there be none out but such as we will not take in. And if you had not been so sensible of the clamours from hence of taking some few cows, or burning some worthless houses, I could to as great purpose have made the war with fewer men ; neither can all this army keep the rebel from stealing, and the subject from some loss, if it were only employed to that purpose. And yet I think that scant in any time of peace the subject ever received so little harm as of late; and this I do the rather write because it may be, while I am bending my endeavours toward the main of the rebellion, some petty spoils elsewhere may be made, the report whereof I know will come very loud into England. But if you will have patience to expect the issue of all things, according to the difficulty of such a war, I am confident you shall find little omitted and less time lost, that could by any ways be done or employed by us for the good of the service. Thus, Sir, desiring God to send us fair wind for our victuals, because I hope, if we be provided of such means, to make a happy return to Her Majesty of her charge, I wish you all happiness."—The Camp at Donanuray, 1601, June 26. Endorsed:—Received 4 July, 1601. Holograph. Seal. pp. 1½.

June 26. Dublin.

38. Sir George Carey to Sir Robert Cecil. "This day, being the 26 of this present, by letters from my Lord President I am advertised that the treasure is landed in Munster, and I am exceeding glad thereof. God bless us, for I am in some good hope we shall do well in this action, so as at the first in any case we answer the exchange in some reasonable sort, according to the contract.

"It is very true my Lord of Ormonde is married, according as I have written.

"I humbly beseech your Honour, let the exchange be settled, that there may be a conceit that all things are plainly meant, of the which there is great doubt."

Sends a copy of an examination received from the Mayor of Waterford.—Dublin, 1601, June 26. Endorsed:—Received at London the first of July. Holograph. p. 1.

Encloses:—

38. i. "The examination of the undernamed persons, taken by me, Edward Gough, Mayor of Waterford, the 23 of June, 1601.

"Nicholas Meighan, of Waterford, sailor, being duly examined and sworn upon the holy evangelists, deposeth and saith that, being at the Groyne above a month past, he was pressed to serve the King in a fly-boat of 200 tons, laden with bread to go to Lisbon, where there was an army of 3,000 men, to be shipped with victuals and munition to come for Ireland (as he was secretly informed by Patrick Synnott, priest, chaplain to the Conde, Governor of that place, and the common report there confirming the same), who were to be in a readiness and to set sail by the ' fyne' of June, and that Tyrone's agent was at Court, who laboured for aid to be sent unto him, affirming that, without speedy help, he was not able any longer to resist the English forces. He also saith that, being pressed, he was brought before the said Conde, who asked this examinate whether he was a pilot for the west coast of Ireland ; and he answered he was not, and that he knew no part of the coast of Ireland, further than Youghal and Dungarvan ; and thereby understanding for what purpose they would have employed him, he stole and got away with the undernamed deponents in a ship of St. Martens for France, and from thence came to Waterford.

"Peter Rosseter and John Furlong, of Waterford, sailors, severally examined and sworn, do agree in matter and substance. Peter (sic) Gough, Mayor of Waterford." Copy in Sir George Carey's handwriting. p. 1.

June 26. Shandon.

39. Sir George Carew and the Council of Munster to the Privy Council. "This present day we received some advertisements from the Mayor of Waterford, grounded upon the examinations of certain mariners of that city, which lately arrived there out of Spain, the substance whereof the depositions we received under the Mayor's hand (which for your Honours' satisfaction we send you a true copy of) will manifest. And withal we presume to offer to your Lordships' knowledge that James Fitz Thomas hath since his restraint affirmed, and yet continueth that opinion, that some aids of men out of Spain will arrive in these western parts of Ireland, which in discharge of our duties we held very meet with all convenient speed to give your Lordships timely notice of, tendering the same to your most honourable considerations."—Shandon, 1601, June 26. Signed. p. 1.

Encloses:—

39. i. Copy of No. 38. i., dated 13 [-23] June, 1601. p. 1.

June 27. Dublin.

40. The Council of Ireland to the Privy Council. "Yesterday we received advertisement from the Lord President of Munster of the arriving of the new monies in the harbour of Cork, of the which a portion is to be sent to Galway. And albeit we had before given order to the President, both for distribution of those monies, when they should arrive, and publishing the proclamations authorising the same, yet we have now again sent new directions to him therein, and particularly not to defer the time to issue the monies, now that they are come, to the end there may be an universal currency thereof in all parts of the realm, having likewise given him advice for conveying of the proportion allotted for Galway, under the convoy of 1,000 soldiers, appointed by the Lord Deputy to be sent out of Munster to the Abbey of Boyle in Connaught, where it is supposed they may serve to countenance the plantation of Ballyshannon, besides answering of other services in that province.

"This morning also we received from the Mayor of Waterford the examination of two sailors of that city, lately come from Spain, which we thought not amiss to transmit to your Lordships in sort as they were sent to us, forbearing to make any judgment of the truth or falsehood of the declarations, but do leave them to be measured and discerned according your Lordships' grave wisdoms."

The Lord Deputy has, they hear, lately returned near the Newry, from Armagh, where he has begun to plant a garrison.—Dublin, 1601, June 27. Signed. p. 1.

Encloses:—

40. i. "The examinations of the undernamed persons taken by me, Edward Gough, Mayor of Waterford, the 23rd day of June, 1601. "This is the original of Nos. 38. i. and 39. i. Signed. p. 1.

June 30. Camp at Carrickbane.

41. Sir Edward Wingfield to Sir Robert Cecil. Complains of the loss of Sir Robert's favour. Knows no cause thereof. He must have been falsely informed of the writer. Declares his innocency. "I have served her sacred Majesty more than twenty years in her wars, and at home justly and with a loyal heart. I have wasted most part of my estate, lost my limbs, and spilt my blood for her gracious sake in her service. I have never been basely dishonest to any, nor have committed any gross dishonourable faults against any." Begs to be received into Sir Robert's favour again, and that he would be a mean for him to Her Majesty. Also that his slanderers may be brought to justify themselves, "then should your Honour see them blush for shame," and he would be made happy by Sir Robert's favour. Serves now as a private man without any entertainment. Prays Sir Robert to become his honourable protector.—The camp at Carrickbane, June 30. Endorsed:—1601. Holograph. Seals. p. 1.

June 30. Camp at Carrickbane.

42. Sir Edward Wingfield to Sir George Carew. "I did in my last letters make suit unto you to write unto Mr. Secretary in my behalf. I know no cause why I lost his favour. I have made all the means I can to be restored to his good opinion, both by myself and others; but my chiefest hope is in you, whom (sic) I do assure myself will deal so effectually for me, as I do not doubt of the obtaining my suit. Sir John Brokett is now going over, my kind friend, by whom I pray you write. Let me not in my old days follow the wars like a scholar, since none of my rank can teach me my lesson. I have written to my Lord Admiral and Sir John Stanhope ('Stand-upp') to the same purpose, and have sent you my letter unsealed to Mr. Secretary, which I pray you read and seal up, and send with yours by Sir John Brokett. My Lord Deputy doth use me exceeding kindly, but doth nothing for me, I think because I am an ill suitor for myself. If it would please your Lordship in some of your letters to remember me as you think fit, I do believe it would stand me in much stead. I have no time to write at large, and therefore pardon me. My Lord hath been a month in the field, hath placed a garrison at Lecale, and another at Armagh, without ever a blow given ; Sir Richard Morrison, commander [at] Lecale, and Sir Henry Danvers [at] Armagh. We are now preparing for our northern journey. If I do live to return, I will at large advertise you of our proceedings." Prays to be remembered to Lady Carew.—The camp at Carrickbane, June 30. Endorsed:—1601. Holograph. Seals. p. 1.

June 30.

43. "Abstract of the check of the garrisons of Lough Foyle in Ireland, for their summer suits, delivered the 6 of May, and for lendings for the space of 3 months 7 days, beginning the 1 of April and ending the last of June, 1601."pp. 6.

June 30. Dublin.

44. The Council of Ireland to Captain Henry Clare. "Your several letters we have received, and touching those matters between the Mayor and you, we have heard sundry accusations and examinations of your part against him, and of his likewise against you. And for the capital matters, wherewith the Mayor is charged, we have ordered that he shall answer them at the next general Sessions that shall be holden at Galway before the Justices of Assize; and for the matters of misdemeanours, that he shall answer them before this Board. And where you mistrust that your reputation is impaired, and that we conceive hardly of you, we assure you, and so wish you to believe, that your reputation is no way impaired here, and that we hold as firm an opinion of you now as ever we did, howsoever you have conceived the contrary. And as we have now upon the dispatch of the Mayor, after many sharp reprehensions for his former intemperate courses, admonished him henceforth to carry himself in more mild courses, both towards yourself and otherwise, so likewise we wish and pray you that there may be good correspondency between you in all matters tending to the furtherance of Her Majesty's service, and the good and quiet of that town.

"We perceive by one of your letters that you have intercepted some wine and other victuals that was going to the rebels. We like well of your service in that behalf, and do pray you to examine who they were that sent those victuals, and for whom they were sent, and thereof to advertise us, keeping the victuals in the meanwhile very safe, and sending unto us a true inventory of them."—Dublin, 1601, June 30. Certified copy. Seal. p. 1.

[June.]

45. "Sir Henry Dockwra's demands for planting at Ballyshannon, over and above those things that are sent already."

These have in several cases answers attached to them, and include reinforcements of men (soldiers and artisans), payment for churls, spades, houses ready framed, deal, oak, masts, munition, two or three small boats, a ship to attend the coast, a culverin and a demi-cannon, nails, pitch, tar, fishing nets, scales, hinges, locks, sea-coal, and victual ("most in bread, much in meal, cheese, butter, peas, pork or bacon, but in any wise no fish ").

"He desireth that my Lord Deputy may make a journey at the same time to the Blackwater, but until his return not to attempt further than only to make a countenance, thereby to divert the enemy from following, unless great opportunity be offered. Further, he desireth your Lordships to give order to the victuallers to deliver the victuals as they were wont, and not at the Derry only, which is very inconvenient. Also, that some order may be taken for the abuse in the munition, the barrels of powder lacking for the most part 20li. a piece, and some of them 30 or 40." ["Letters are written to the Lord Deputy to examine and reform this abuse."] [1601, June.] Unsigned pp. 1½.

[June.]

46. Sir John Bolles' demands for the journey to Ballyshannon, if he is to be employed thereon.

"First that the county of Sligo may be annexed to that Government, without which it will be hard to live at Ballyshannon, and in this time of the vacancy of the government of Connaught, it may be granted without derogating from any.

"To have 100 horse and 2,000 foot as near as may be full supplied, beside two companies which I moved your Honour might be newly erected of 150 a piece, whereof 200 to be pioneers, 50 watermen, 40 carpenters, and 10 masons. These to have pay as soldiers, and out of the check of them and the pay of those officers which appertain to companies of that strength, the master workmen or overseers, and such other officers as will be necessary, may be paid.

"That those men which are to come from my Lord Deputy may be all English, and both they and all the others to have mantles.

"That it will please your Lordships to write unto Sir Henry Dockwra to go in hand presently with Ballikip, and to spare my troop of horse all he may.

"That I may from time to time send all the unserviceable and extremely weak men away to Galway (if I cannot send them for England), and that some order may be taken for them there, without further charge to the captain than 14 days' means, which he shall give them at their going aboard. Hereby shall your Honours be more certainly informed of the strength of the troops in able men than otherwise you can be ; and, though Her Majesty pay for the time after by concordatum or otherwise, yet is it no increase of her charge, for the Captain is checked for him from that time.

"That forasmuch as in that remote place I can neither by sea nor land send or hear from my Lord Deputy in any short time, and that if companies should stand long void they would break, and the service be prejudiced ; so likewise, if they should fall very weak, the casting of some of them might be beneficial for Her Majesty, I would therefore pray that my Lord Deputy might be moved to give me leave to dispose of the companies with me, as the cause shall require.

"That it will please your Lordships to raise all the companies that are to go in this journey to 200 a piece, allowing ten dead pays in every hundred, as they have in all places but Ireland, or else to give me leave so to moderate the checks that the Captain may have 20s. per diem, and then I dare undertake Her Majesty shall not be deceived of one man more. Of (sic) less means I know they cannot live, and therefore, if neither of these be granted, I cannot but either incur Her Majesty's displeasure for the falsehood in the musters, or make myself so odious to the Captains, that I shall neither take comfort to live among them, nor have hope to do any service by them.

"That there may be a paymaster and factor for exchange always resident there, and we be put to seek no further for our accounts than there, and that such Captains as shall be absent may take up no money at Dublin to be defalked upon their companies, but upon their own entertainment and dead pays only, and this at Mr. Treasurer's peril, for the inconveniences of the contrary hath been too apparent this last year at Lough Foyle.

"That the paymaster may disburse upon my warrant any sums not exceeding the checks of that place, to reward spies or other that shall be employed upon service, or upon any other extraordinary just occasion that 1 shall think fit.

"That the two private pays and the surgeon's pay out of every 100 may be bestowed upon such only as serve there, and therewith a good surgeon and a good preacher provided, whereof we have had want.

"That there may be victual sent before winter for full six months, and six weeks' beer after our arrival, and that the victuallers may not be without scales or weights to deliver victuals by.

"That the victuals appointed for that place may not unload in any place out of that Government.

"That for the first half year, the biscuit bags be not charged upon the Captains, but allowed to the soldier to make straw beds.

"That those Captains and officers, which have built their houses at Lough Foyle, may not be forbidden to take them with them, and that the paymaster may reckon with them till their departure and pay them.

"That your Honours will determine how the clergymen shall be used, what they shall be promised, and how far I shall proceed in seeming to assure them that they shall for ever enjoy freedom in the exercise of their religion, and that this toleration is not only till the country be reduced to obedience, but shall continue so for ever.

"That I may know your Honours' pleasure how such Irish as will be willing to come in shall be received, and whether any of them shall be entertained into pay or no.

"If Neale Garve's discontent be so great as that he desire to come with his Irish to live with me rather than where he is, that your Honours will determine what is to be done, because Mr. Treasurer useth to give precise instructions to the paymasters whom to pay and none other.

"That neither he nor any other Irish may protect or give word to any there, without my consent to every particular.

"That a corporal for the field, an engineer, and a provostmarshal, may be allowed with entertainment as at Lough Foyle.

"That two cannoneers may be presently appointed that they may make demand of all things pertaining to the ordnance, and see them put in readiness.

"That there may be one appointed to take charge of the boats, and that may be presently in pay to oversee the making, furnishing, and conveying of them; also an overseer of the pioneers.

"That likewise an overseer of the artificers may be appointed, and sent presently away to Bristol, to see the building of the houses, stables, and such like.

"Now for myself, if it be your Lordships' pleasure to put me into this new journey to so remote a place, where I cannot live but at a great charge, and whither I cannot go but without a great deal of preparation, I humbly beseech your Honours that I may know of what continuance the place is like to be of unto me, and what entertainment I shall have for it, likewise that your Honour would vouchsafe to be a means unto Her Majesty to forgive me my check in horse and foot for this last six months toward my charges in this preparation.

"Of these demands howsoever it may be your Honours' pleasure to deny part, yet I humbly beseech you to give me leave to refuse all employment, if I be not furnished with means first to perform that which I am to undertake, then to provide that the soldier starve not, next to content the Captains without suffering them to use the fraud they do, and lastly, to live myself as undivorced from my wife, undeprived of my children, from whom (under pardon) I can neither in affection nor in conscience live perpetually severed."— [1601, June.] Endorsed by Sir Robert Cecil, "Ordnance out of Captain Fleming's " [ship]. Holograph. Unsigned. pp. 3.

June.

47. "Utensils and other necessaries provided for Lough Foyle," viz., 1,500 shovels, 500 spades, 1,000 pickaxes, and two salmon nets; with note that provisions had been sent for 1,000 men for Ballyshannon for three months, for 2,000 at Lough Foyle for five months, and for 2,000 men for Galway for three months. Endorsed:—1601, June. Unsigned. p.½.

[June.]

48. "A description of Lough Eaugh or Sydney, pointing out the forts lately erected by Tyrone."—[1601, June.] This plan is of interest, as showing how much the contour of Lough Neagh has changed. The name of the author is not given. One parchment sheet.

[June.]

49. "The disposal of the Queen's forces for the summer service," in Connaught, Ulster and Leinster. "All this being well performed, and the plantation made at Ballyshannon by Sir Henry Dockwra, who hath under his command 3,000 foot and 100 horse of English in list, besides 500 Irish foot and 100 Irish horse with the help of Neale Garve, Cormack O'Neill, and the now O'Dogherty, Tyrone can in likelihood neither be able to break out of his country with any great force, nor long hold up head there."—[1601, June.] Unsigned. pp. 3.

[June.]

50. Duplicate of a portion of the preceding.— [1601, June.] Unsigned. pp. 1½.

[June.]

51. — to Sir Robert Cecil. Desires to set down his opinion as to the course to be held for suppressing the rebellion in Ireland. His long experience of Irish service.

"To pull down the rebellion in Ireland, Her Majesty in my conceit is to begin with Connaught, which having a sufficient force will give a ready entrance to resettle the troubles of that kingdom.

"My reasons are these. First, because Connaught having been heretofore under a civil government, as it did then bridle and restrain the seditious hopes of ill-affected subjects in other provinces, so now, being in a manner left to rebels, it greatly animateth them to continue in action, imagining that Her Majesty is not able to hold it any longer, and that to raise rebellion is the means to shake off the English government.

"Secondly, the situation of Connaught is fitter for service than any other part of that kingdom ; inasmuch as lying in the midst of the rebellious countries, it breaketh them asunder, and, being under an English government, would give safe intercourse of traffic from sea to sea, and cut off practice and intelligence betwixt Munster and Ulster, which at this present cannot be done, the rebels having all the ways and passages in their hands. And with a competent garrison it would give great assistance to depress any rebel lifting up his head in any other part of Ireland, it touching Munster on the south, O'Donnell's and Maguire's countries on the north, and on the East the borders on this side the Shannon. Whereas neither Munster nor Ulster, being the outmost parts of the kingdom, can minister succour to any, but each of them severally to their next neighbours.

"Thirdly, if Connaught run to Irish Government (as it doth now in effect), it is to be feared that O'Donnell in short time will grow as great as Tyrone. For, being of himself not much inferior in territory and number of people, he will be able by his factions in Connaught also to command the counties of Roscommon, Mayo, Leitrim, and Sligo, which counties are as fast and strong for wood and bog as any part of that kingdom, and well replenished with people.

"Fourthly, admit you expel Tyrone and his complices out of Ulster, yet leaving Connaught possessed by traitors, you leave withal to Tyrone a refuge and retreat of no less strength and fastness than Ulster is, besides the hope, in standing out, to recover at the last Ulster itself by the example of Connaught.

"And where some think it sufficient for the bringing in of Connaught and O'Donnell, that a garrison be conveyed to Ballyshannon by sea, if that opinion be followed you will fall into the same inconvenience which now you do at Lough Foyle, viz., still to be victualling and sending supplies, without effecting other service to the purpose. For O'Donnell on the one side, and the inhabitants of Connaught on the other, will so curb in your garrison, that they shall not be able to look out; where, if Connaught be first subdued, and then Ballyshannon taken, you may with assurance proceed against O'Donnell and Maguire, in breaking whom you overthrow the two principal pillars that uphold Tyrone."—[1601, June.] Unsigned. p. 1.