without the employing of great troops of soldiers against them, or charging the near bordering subjects extraordinarily for they will now with more willingness afford all their helps of provision in the traitors country, shan they have done heretofore, because then they were greatly charged, and no whit defended. But if they might have such a one chosen and appointed for that service as they know would never cease until he had quite destroyed that den of mountain-thieves, the poor subjects would neither spare charge nor trouble to assist him. The means how to reform these disobedient rebels, and to perform this service are these:

First, iet no protection be granted to any, save only to such as shall come in unto him who shall be appointed to follow that service, and offer themselves to do offices against the chief traitors: which when they have performed, and that special good hath succeeded their draught, then let them have pardon for their former faults, and safe protection (without any traitorous practice, which hath too commonly been used towards them) so long as they shall behave themselves as good and loyal subjects, living in duty and obedience unto your highness, your officers and laws.

And if any who be, or shall be, in authority to protect, do send for any offender upon promise that the same shall safely come and go, and then shall (contrary to that promise) take away the life of that offender, be his transgression never so heinous, let that man in authority (be he - never so mighty) lose his credit in that place, and be punished to the uttermost that law will afford, for so dishonoring your majesty, when your highness's word is past: for such usage is the cause why they will not now come to the lord deputy upon protection, and much less will they trust any other, except they have had long experience of his upright and just dealing.

Furthermore, whosoever hath a country or a seignory, which your majesty hath bestowed upon him, let him be bound that all his tenants shall be answerable to your laws, or himself to satisfy all spoils and trespasses which they, or any to whom they give maintenance, shall commit against your majesty's good subjects.

I know there will be great exceptions taken against this; they affirming, that many dwell upon their lands whether they will or not: let this (if it please your highness) be no excuse, for if they know how to receive their rents and customs, let them likewise pay the spoil done to the good subjects, or bring in the offenders to answer to the law; especially if they have the commandment of any of your majesty's soldiers, by whose assistance they may enforce them to obedience.

And whosoever shall be appointed to serve upon the aforesaid traitors Feagh Mc. Hugh and his adherents, shall not need to have more than 100 foot and some 20 or 25 horse, which horsemen it were requisite (for good respects) should be strangers to that border; and with this small number may he do very great service.

But if it be objected, that this proportion of soldiers is too weak to do service against so strong a traitor, if it may please your majesty to give me the leading of these soldiers, and the credit of the service, I will either lose my life, or effect as much as I have here set down. And where I will venture my life to perform such a service as this, I trust your majesty will venture your soldiers, and give me in charge to lie upon those borders, to see your majesty's subjects live in safety, and to give those traitors, and the inhabitants of those parts to understand, that henceforth they are no more to expect protection, but to submit themselves as subjects, and so continue, or else to feel the sharp punishment due to obstinate rebels. And to such as shall submit and do service upon the rest, there is pardon to be granted, and to him who shall do the best service, shall not only be given pardon, but also maintenance for him to live upon, By which means I am assuredly persuaded, I shall find instruments among themselves,

that shall serve effectually to cut off the rest; so shall your highness be honorably served, and those parts of your kingdom, so near the state, be reduced to obedience, for the example of those countries which are more

remote.

If this traitor Feagh Mc. Hugh should be made more strong by his friends, (as I see not how they should) and that further force should be required against him, your majesty's subjects in the English pale would willingly yield to your highness 600 soldiers, horse and foot, at their own charge for six months, aud longer if need required, so as they might see your majesty would once take him in hand; thus much, many of the best of them, willed me to deliver to your highness.

There is no cause, why these expected troubles in the North should hinder the present proceedings against these traitors in the south, who are persuaded they are spared but till such time as your majesty have settled the north, and then they expect to be followed by your highness's forces for their cutting off: all things therefore considered, they should not be forborne till then; for though there be wars in the north, these in the south will offend your majesty's subjects as much as they can, and thereby keep the state more busied and troubled. And if they happen to be over hardly distressed, then will they fly to the north, there to be safe from your majesty's forces; which refuge, if they be once driven unto, it's great odds they shall never come back to annoy the south, which I pray God I may once see, and that some of your majesty's good subjects may dwell where that traitor Feagh Mc. Hugh's forefathers and followers have remained these 100 years, to the great dishonor of the state and hurt of the poor subject.

For the due reformation of all the disorders in that poor realm of Ireland, and the execution of what worthy action soever shall be by your majesty, and your honorable council here determined, and for recovering the honor of that state, which former governors there have lost; your majesty, in my judgment, hath made a most excellent choice of the now lord deputy, a man accomplished with all necessary parts both in body and mind, as I doubt not but his service shall hereafter give good testimony, although he have received the sword in a far more troublesome and dangerous time than any of his late predecessors ever did. For neither the last Desimond's wars, nor those of Connor's and the Moore's, being both put together, are comparable to that which is now expected if it prove wars; which I desire (if it be God's will and your majesty's good pleasure) may be otherwise, not for my private affection for any in the north, but for the public good which I wish to that poor kingdom.

For the benefit whereof, and for the performance of all such honorable services as are now expedient to be done, and all the rest before in this declaration mentioned, it's your majesty, who must not only direct him, but also thoroughly enable his lordship, that he may give better encouragement to your majesty's soldiers to take pains in your highness's service, than they have had, or yet have; because they daily see that he who never served your majesty in those services, shall come to far better preferment in that place, than the best commander or serving servitor there. Besides you cannot get that done, which they do, who painfully, and faithfully serve.

What encouragement then can a man have to offer himself freely in the wars of hat contry, who shall neither get honor, reward nor payment for his labour? I speak by experience of myself, who (upon my credit) have not had ten crowns imprest of my own private pay, those ten years, to fura's me towards your majesty's service, when I was called upon, and yet I have made one at all times.

When such hard measure then is offered unto captains, I humbly refer to your majesty, what encouragement they can have to go to the field, Although without money or any thing else, they will do their best endea

vour, with their substance, and themselves, to do your highness service; because I know (and so do all the rest) that it's not your majesty's pleasure to have them so discouraged, but the fault is in them who have been thither sent as deputies, who have preferred their own gain before your highness's honor and service, or the just rewarding of such as have most truly and painfully served: and for that they would please such cowardly captains, as were their instruments to bring them in cows, to convert into angels, to cram their greedy purses; whom I have a better will particularly to name, than thus generally to write of, if I were persuaded, your highness would thereupon discard them: and I know they would not challenge me, because I do them no wrong.

To encourage therefore your majesty's soldiers, and to furnish the lord deputy against all accidents that may happen, if it may please your majesty, that all the treasure which is sent over into the realm at sundry times, may be entirely sent at one time, with commandment, that your majesty's whole garrison may be fully paid every month, your majesty should be most honorably served, and the soldiers well contented, and the subjects not occasioned to exclaim for want of payment for the soldiers diet, when both captains and soldiers should have in their purses to satisfy that, and to furnish themselves with all other necessaries.

For notwithstanding your highness's garrison hath been so slenderly paid these many years, your majesty hath not saved any thing thereby, but it hath enriched a sort of base clerks, and 'beggarly merchants, who will not now credit a captain for a groat upon his bill; but all the com modity goeth to the lord deputy, the clerks and the merchants, so as the captain, to furnish his company, can get no money unless he will give 400 for 200 or 200 for 100, and after the like rate; and in this prowling manner your soldiers are paid.

Forasmuch as your majesty doth pay all in the end, you may (if it be your highness's pleasure) as well benefit your captains, and soldiers as other men's clerks, by sending an overplus of treasure to the lord deputy, to pay the old debt due only to captains, and soldiers, which few thousands will discharge; except it be one man, unto whom your majesty oweth five or six thousand pounds, which (if it be your highness's pleasure) may with safe conscience be detained in your hands, because he hath so ill deserved, through the dishonoring your majesty in the place wherein he serveth.

And now (most gracious sovereign) for that (as I have heard) it hath been credibly reported to your majesty, that the last Desmond's wars did cost but 40,000 pounds, thereby the rather to induce your highness to make wars upon the north, I have thought it my duty (under your majesty's protection) to set down the truth thereof, whereby it may the more easily be judged what the charge of these expected northern troubles may stand your highness in, by comparing the said Desmond's wars and these together.

The charge of those wars to your majesty was high, notwithstanding the great supplies then had of your subjects, and the great succour and as sistance of sundry castles and good towns, which held firm and faithful to your majesty to receive and aid your soldiers upon all extremes; which towns and castles stood in most commodious places, not only to annoy, but utterly, in a manner, to overthrow the traitor, and all his co-partners. And where it cost your majesty then one pound, it cost your subjects three, during all the time of those wars, which charge of your subjects I can well make out; for the chief lord of one small village, who had but eight pounds yearly rent, for the same village, paid for one year's cess to your highness's Soldiers thirty eight pounds sterling, whereof I was also an eye-witness. These wars I say did stand your majesty in four thousand pounds at the least, for the monthly charge was 70001, besides the victualling by sea. And yet after all this, your majesty afforded pardon to the basest rebel who then took arms against you, who yet liveth in view of your state.

The cause of those Desmond's wars, was even like to this in the northa, through the great mistaking of the Desmond's adversaries; and that it cost your majesty no less than I do here set down, sir Henry Wallop can well testify.

Moreover, there are no helps to be hoped for in the north, either of castles or towns, wherein to garrison, or once lodge your majesty's soldiers, for the following and suppressing of those traitors; for those parts are merely void of such refuge. Again, all the friends to your highness in those countries are but two, O'Hanlon and Maginnes, and they uncertain, as your majesty may thus judge for O'Hanlon is married to the earl of Tyrone's sister, and merely enriched by the earl; Magiones his eldest son is to marry the earl's daughter. And this affinity, in the manner of the Irish, is always to the party they see strongest; and when your majesty (as there is no doubt) shall prevail, they will then seek favour and make offer of much service, but seldom or never perform any; whereof myself have been too often a witness. These things considered, it may please your ma jesty, and honorable council, to be rightly and thoroughly advertised, be fore there be wars made in the north parts, whatsoever by sinister informa tions may be suggested to the contrary.

For it is not the north only your majesty shall now have to deal withal, but your highness's whole province of Conaught shall be in great peril of Losing, except sir Kichard Bingham be more strongly enabled or assisted than he is now, trusting to only one band of 100 foot and 50 horse, wherewith I confess he hath done great service. Knockfergus, and the Clan. hoyes, which are now garrisoned only with 100 foot and 25 horse (who have done your majesty no service by reason of such bad commanders as have been appointed over them) cannot but be lost without a very great garrison, and exceeding great charge; so that your highness's realm of Ireland being now (as it were) divided into four parts, viz. Leinster, Mun ster, Conaught and Ulster, will be in very great danger to be half lost; for Dister, is the earl's already and in Conaught there are divers who have been traitors not long since (and yet scarce good subjects) who watch but such an opportunity. And in Leinster there are many, who now stir not, who will then arise in arms, namely, the Birns, the Tools, the Moors, the Connors, and the Cavanaughs; and many other as false traitors as those, who (if they once perceive troubles to increase in the north) will seek Lo molest and offend the English pale, as they have done in times past.

And one special matter more is to be thought upon, where your majesty, in all the wars of Shane O'Neale, had Tyrconnel faithful and ready to do your highness service, and to assist your soldiers, giving the traitor many overthrows (being then an utter enemy to all the Neals); now it's not so, for O'Donnel is married to the carl of Tyrone's daughter, and is thereby so linked to him, that no place of succour is left to your majesty's forces in all the north; for sir John O'Dogherty (who was well affected to your zmajesty's service) is now in hold under O'Donnel, so as no aid is to be expected from him. This poor gentleman hath been hardly used on both sides; first, by sir William Fitzwilliam, who imprisoned him, in hope to have had of him some spanish gold; and now by O'Donnel, because he shall not in these troubles annoy him.

To write of all other particularities belonging to the north, would be over-tedious. To conclude therefore (with your majesty's pardon) there are but two ways, either to accept of their own offers of submission and contribution, for defraying of the charge, in this discourse especially before mentioned, and so to place your majesty's garrisons in their countries, thereby to hold them in continual obedience to your highness's profit, or else to make royal war upon them, and so utterly to overthrow and root them up, through all the whole north of that kingdom, and plant others in their room or places. I may in no wise omit humbly to acquaint your majesty, what great hindrance unto your present service the stay of sir

Robert Gardiner his coming over is like to be, because that he can best truly report to your highness the state of Ireland, who (as he was specially chosen by your majesty to be a chief instrument for the good of that poor kingdom, where he ever did, and doth minister such upright justice, as is void of bribery, affection, intreaty of friends, or fear of authority to over-rule him, thereby to do any thing unfit for a man of his place) can very hardly be spared from thence; yet, as the necessity of this time importeth, it were (under pardon) most ineet he were sent for with all speed; for that (as he can) so he will, without fear of any, inform your majesty truly how the state of that your kingdom now standeth, and shew good means how to stay this expected present fury, that is like to happen, to the utter ruin and cutting off many of your majesty's subjects, and the exceeding expence of your highness's treasure. There will be (no doubt) many reasons alledged to your majesty to stay him there, but I humbly beseech your highness not to hearken to them, for the authors of these troubles are afraid of his coming hither. But his instant repair over, will more avail him than his stay there, although it's well known he dothi (as far as his authority extendeth) afford the people justice, without begging it or buying it, which hath been too often bought and sold there. And your majesty may at your pleasure return him hither again when he hath done exceeding good service there: although I fear he will be loath fif either his own credit or friends may prevail) to go back thither any more, because he seeth he is not able to do your majesty such good service as he would and might, if he were strongly assisted; moreover good deserts there, procure scarce good opinion, or friends here.

What mean I to say thus inuch, when it is not to be amended? nay, what pity it is that so gracious a prince, as is your majesty, cannot help it! For these many years past your poor subjects have been crying out for justice, and could never get it; besides it's grown to such gain by corruption, that unless your majesty vouchsafe to take it upon yourself, or make special choice of some of your honorable council here to look into it, it will not be holden; for if it be referred (as it hath been) there will be such shuffling, and so much time spent, to save the credit of some one, that thousands of your majesty's good subjects shall perish the white. And the rather, because advice is chiefly required of him, who is causer of all those troubles; and that your majesty may the better judge what good ean follow by his directions, let him set down what service he did you when he had the whole authority in his own hands, whereby your highness may discern the rest. I know (and thereon dare pawn my life) he cannot prove any one honorable or profitable service he did your majesty therein, at the time of his government.

Opinion is likewise required of some other counsellors now here, who can say as little of those northern parts, as he who was never there.

This being most true, let not (I humbly beseech your majesty) your poor realm of Ireland be trusting to the advice of such blind advisers: but Vouchsafe your highness to be advised by those who know your service there, by their own experience, and eye-witness of that whereof they shall yield their opinion; and no one (of a counsellor) can do it better than sir Robert Gardiner, because his circuit is northward, whereby he doth hear the griefs and discontentments of those people.

Moreover I most humbly beseech your majesty to be no longer abused by lip-labour, and paper and ink; which have, these many years, gone for current payment, instead of good service; and in show of discovering great and weighty causes, when in truth, they seldom tend to any such purpose; but seeing your majesty doth pay them so well, it may please you to require better service at their hands, whom your highnes Both there put in trust.