other fitt conditions, if such a course could be found to be secure, vntill it might be confirmed in a more setled time by act of parlement. In my poore opinion, if this parlement be valid, I should conceiue it best to haue it still kept vp by adiornment, only to pass and confirme such bills as should be agreed of in England by their agents and his majestie's ministers imployed thether, soe there be a fitt choice made of those that shall repaire vnto his majestie on both sides.

I shall desire your lordship to be sparing in calling away any of the English forces in this prouince as yet; for though I doe not find but that the cessation is likely to be obayed here, yet there are some turbolent dispositions fitt to be awed, and the best affected will be incouradged therby.

I am informed from Limrick, that the agent from Rome, coming thether with some 20 horse, found the gates shutt against him, with a complement from the magistrates, that they were sory he had vndertaken soe tedious and troublesome a iorny at soe vnceasonable a time, when all the citty was busily imployed in matters of greate consequence, in choosing of magistrates for this next yeare, and the applotting of aboue 8ool. towards the first payment of the 30,000l.; which did soe distract them, that they could not giue him fitt atendance; but offerd to lodge him a mile of the city, and he should know the next day their resolution concerning his admittance. He replyed, that if they were not at leisure to receue him then, he could not atend their leisure the next day, and soe went his wayes; and the powring an excomunication vpon them by their owne cleargie of the towne is the conclusion of this story, deliuered me for a secrett, though I know not how it can proue soe.

It is reported that the counsell, who asume the title of supreame, are gone or going to Limricke; but I beleeue they that haue declined the apostolicall benediction, after such a trespas, will not admitt their temporall power within their walls.

I am informed that my lord of Muskery, sir Luke Dillon, Mr. 178 Pluncket, Pat. Darcye, and Jeffrey Browne, are now absent from that counsell; which makes me very doubtfull, that the remaine of them haue nether the iudgment nor inclination to giue timely satisfaction in that important affaire now in agitation amongst

them.

There is greate want of the comission here for the setling of quarters, wherin I am sure to suffer, and I feare the aplottment

of the first payment, which is to be only catle in this prouince, will hardly come in due time, hauing not bin yet begun. withall, as I am informed. There hath bin no omission to stirre them vpp to take a speedy course therin, if their owne disentions be not an interruption therto.

I humbly desire to know the certainty of your resolutions for England, the time of going, and intentions to stay there, and in absence, to whom to dirrect my dispatches to bee safly conuayed The confidence I haue that this will come safly to you makes me neglect the vse of the other paper, which I will practice against my next dispatch. It is now time to conclude this, with an asurance of my constant being

ouer.

Your lordship's most affectionat faithfull seruant,

CLANRICARDE and ST. ALBANS.

The bearer, lieutenant Daly, is sent to make affidauit of the publishing of the first papers of cessation for this county.

Portumna, the 3rd of

October, 1643.

CLXXV.-Lord Digby to the marquis of Ormond.

MY LORD,

I AM commaunded by his majestie to acquaint your lordshipp, that this bearer, sir Hardes Waller, goes out of England into Ireland with his majestie's leaue and consent; but with this strict commaund, that he should not repaire to Mounster, before he had beene with your lordshipp att Dublin, to giue an accompte of himselfe. He is a person on whome there have beene and are still greate iealousies heere; but nothing having beene produced heere of that weight to be a ground for an accusation against him, or restraint vpon him, his majestie's pleasure is, that by his stay heere, or diversion from Mounster to attend your lordshipp, he should not in any wise suffer losse or preiudice in his charge there, vnlesse more should appeare to your lordshipp against him there, then doth vnto his majestie heere; which having made knowne to your lordshipp, I remaine Your lordshipp's very humble servaunt, GEORGE DIGBYE.

Oxford, October the 4th, 1643.

CLXXVI.-Lord Digby to the marquis of Ormond.

MY LORD,

I AM Confident that your servaunte, and my noble freinde, Mr. Barrey, will have represented mee to your lordshipp, as treuly I am, soe much your servaunte; and sir George Hambleton hath given mee soe contentfull a beleife of your lordshipp's pronesse to owne and favour mee for such, that I was resolved, even without the publique capacitye wherewith the king hath beene pleased to honour mee, to have intruded my selfe into the way of your lordshipp's service. And even being a volunteire in the kinge's businesse, to have sought a parte in that parte of it 179 which principalye concerned your lordshipp, that is, the affaires of Ireland. But now that the place I holde of secretarye of state hath not onlye given mee a title to it, but in some sort removed from mee the despaire of beinge vsefull to your lordshipp, I doe with very much confidence adresse my selfe to your lordshipp, as to a person to whom the tender of my service will not bee vnacceptable; which I doe heere make to your lordshipp with all the faithfullnesse and sinceritye that can bee expected by a man of the greatest vertue and meritt, from another the highhest sensible of both, which are the firme foundations of my beinge,

Oxford, the 5 of
October, 1643.

My lord, your lordshipp's most humble servaunt,

GEORGE DIGBYE.

Could I have beene confident of the conveyaunce, I should have presumed to send your lordshipp a cypher, which I desire you to vouchsafe mee, when you shall send hither any trusty messenger.

CLXXVII.-Mr. secretary Nicholas to the marquis of Ormond.
MY VERY GOOD LORD,

YOUR lordshipp will finde by this dispatch an aunsweare to many things your lordshipp might expect from hence. The comission for continuaunce of the present parliament in Ireland is now sent over, and your lordshipp's prudence in insisting soe much for the contynuaunce thereof, is here very much approoved of. And indeede, I may not forbeare to tell your lordshipp, that yow proceeded in the treaty concerning the cessation with soe

much caution and sincerity, (as appeares by the particular passages of that busines,) as hath plainely shewed yow had therein noe eye but to his majestie's honour and service; which hath acquired your lordshipp much honour and esteeme on this side, amongst all persons of integrity and right affections.

By your lordshipp's of the 19th of Aug. last, I had the honour to receaue a particular assuraunce of your lordshipp's well meaning to me but in these tymes of necessity, I am not soe bould a courtier (thoughe I want not for store of presidents) as to moue the king for any thing for my self; and thoughe for these 2 years (wherein I haue had the honour to be one of his majestie's principall secretaries) I haue had a good share of trouble and paynes, and haue bene plundered by the rebells of aboue the vallue of 2000l. ; yet I haue not had any suite to the king, nor receaved from him to the vallue of 6d. by way of reward, or soe much as my ordinary sallary. I am much bound to your lordshipp for thinking of me, and shall not faile to pay yow the duty of an affectionate servaunt vpon all occasions.

The king is now (thankes be to God) in a very good condition, being able on any good occasion to draw forth from his quarters hereabouts neere 15,000 foote and horse; besides about 4000 which the lord Hopton hath about Bristoll, and besides the forces in the west, in Wales, and in Shropshire. And the marquess of Newcastle hath lately soe settled the affaires in the north, and soe seasonably and fully recreuted his army there, as he desires nothing more then that the Scotts would come to vissitt Newcastle. The king hath put a garrison into Redding, where he hath 4000 foote, which much troubles the rebells att London, who threaten to send forces to beate them thence: but wee doe not much apprehend that rebellious crew since they were beaten lately att Newberry. There are great store of shipps and ordinance att Dartmouth (which was lately rendred to the king) making fitt for sea service.

Wee heare that the rebbells of London are packing their 180 goods away for New England and other forraigne partes; their owne dissensions increasing daily amongst themselves; which God contynue, and send vs a speedy peace. Soe prayeth,

My lord, your lordshipps most humble servaunt,

EDW. NICHOLAS.

Your lordshipp's recomendation of the present lord Moore to

his father's regiment and troope, and to his governement, hath moued his majestie to conferre all those vpon him, as your lordshipp will very shortly heare.

Oxon, 17° Octobris,

1643.

CLXXVIII.-The queen to the marquis of Ormond.

MON COUSIN,

Oxford, ce 18 Octobre.

SIR GEORGE HAMILTON vous assurera plus particulieremant de lestime que jay de vous: neanmoins je lay voulu faire par cette lettre, en vous assurant que je serois bien ayse de auoir des occations par ou vous le faire paroistre; ce que je vous prie de croyre comme une chose tres veritable.

Jay auons prier de vouloir fauoriser milord of Amtrim en tout ce que vous poures, estant vne personne qui soufre pour le seruice du roy, et aussy que jestime: et vous mobligeres extremement, comme aussy de me croyre

Votre bien bonne amie,

HENRIETTE MARIE R.

CLXXIX.-The marquis of Ormond to Orlando Bridgman, esq. SIR,

I RECEAUED your letter of the 3d of this month the 13th, and, a good while since, his majestie's letters concearening you by Mr. Kettleby; but haue long before that desired some ground for an intercourse with yow this way; which now I desire may be frequent in what shall concearne the king's service, or in any thing els, wherein I may be of particuler vse to yow.

In place of that one peece of Mr. Carpenter's which was not mounted, or together with it, I know not whether I haue procured out of his majestie's store here 4 demi-culverin, and two whole culverin, all iron, mounted, with their appurtenances to lade and discharge them, to be sent in captaine Thomas Bartlett's; as alsoe 400 demy-culverin, and 200 culverin shott. Some small quantyty of powder I shall gett, and som match; but those comodyties are exceeding scarse heere, and soe is mony, els it had beene in better proportion.

And now I am to informe yow that, by his majestie's comand,