most Noble Assembly that our Predecessours in a very short time planted in euery part of this Kingdome Cities Towns Castles wherof doe remaine yet the Reliques euen in Vlster where Barbarisme most preuailed yeelded vnto England great yearely reuenewes the decayes thereof grew from Gods heauy hand visiting the Enemies of that time first vpon England and consequently vpon Ireland as an appendix by the diuision of Yorke and Lancaster the harmes God bee praised is repaired againe in England by the happy Vnion of those two Houses all being of one Nation but not in Ireland where the Irish preuailed against the English by reason of that diuision vnder the factions raised heere for the maintainance of the same not vnknowne to some of you that haue had the mannaging of these causes of this State Much bloud hath since beene spilt and an infinite treasure consumed to recouer that dammage through a deadly hate conceiued betweene the two Nations and that not without the maintenance of the degenerate English wherof the late Earle of Desmond may bee an example for the rest This dissention hath beene euer since maintained and lately nourished by the needy Scots of the out Iles and lately by the Popes crue vnder Saunders vpon whom Gods curse preuailed against their Chiefetaines blessing Thus you see how this matter hath long hung in question what misery and mischiefe hath ensued thereof and what honour and profit it was and againe would be vnto England if it were redressed It remaineth I shew not onely the good occasions and meanes thereof now offered but also the good thereby to ensue and so to conclude with my humble Petition for your ayde Heretofore the Irish haue beene iealous of the English immagining that not themselues but the recouery of the vsurped Lands haue beene sought and the degenerate English as Desmond and some others haue fallen into the same errors which hath made them to spurn against all Authority and vse the ayde of the Scots almost to their owne extirpation But now her Maiesties mercy and gracious meaning being publiquely denounced vpon the ouerthrow of the Rebels and Forraigne Enemies that her Highnesse equally ballanceth her Subiects according to their due deserts without respect of Nation as hauing interest from GOD in them all alike they see their errour not onely in flying from so gracious a Princes and Soueraigne but also in embracing the needy rauenous Scot that had well-nigh deuoured them all And therefore I am farre from the opinion of those that would haue the Irish extirped sith I see that the occasion of dissention being now taken away they are as I suppose easily made one with vs and so as likely to be continued as any other generation whatsoeuer that in their place should be planted I make this collection by proofe I haue had not onely of their willingnesse to ioyne with mee in the expulsion of the Scots but also to yeeld their Lands simply as many of the best haue done and the rest are ready to doe to be resumed of her Maiestie by Tenures Rents and Seruices both honourable and profitable to her Maiestie seruiceable to the State and commodious to themselues which I haue made particularly knowne to her Maiestie and the Lords of her most Honourable Priuie Counsell Hereunto I haue to adde that they are most willing and ready to leaue olde Irish exactions vpon their Free-Holders and Tenants and to conuert the same to Rents certaine whereof what wealth and quietnesse is like to ensue I will leaue to the report of some of you that know this State for I should trouble you too tediously to discourse it particularly I haue besides so preuailed with them as well by good dealings as by ouer-ruling them with her Maiesties Forces that I haue wonne them to entertaine English Souldiers instead of Scots so as I haue compounded with the Chiefetaines of Vlster for the maintenance of 1000 English Souldiers and doe mean to proceed with the rest with their content anon and to their owne good that I hope to haue a trayned Garrison here in a readinesse of two thousand footemen and foure hundred Horse readie for all euents and those in time to be but a small charge to her Maiestie and that Realme Those occasions may in some mens opinion seeme good but vncertaine and so indeede are as all occasions are if they be not well taken hold of and that in time For the Irish as all mankinde besides yea euen borne in Middlefex as naturally slippery vncertaine and vnruly and therefore the meanes to be vsed to make them stayed certaine and orderly which are partly by Iustice and partly by force Iustice may bee executed with small boast but so cannot force and yet the force I meane is not violable but benefie all to the whole State The Irish Rebell and his Scottish partaker or rather maintainer doe greatly trustin in their aduantage of Wood and Bogg where they runne vp and downe sauagely and in our disaduantage especially in Vlster the Scot arriueth through want of Bridges Townes and Forts as well to pursue them and to keepe Garrison against as also to breede Traffique and good Society betweene the well disposed of both the Nations whereof I of late as others before me haue and doe daily finde the great discommodity I haue therefore determined there chiefely and in some part of the Realme besides to build seauen Townes seauen Castles and seauen Bridges in the places herevnder mentioned which were these viz the Townes Athloan Dingle Colerant Liffre Sligo Newry The Castles the black water to be better fortified Balleshannon Belleck to be new erected The broad water in Mounster Castell Merten vpon the Rout Gallin in the Queenes County Kilcoman in Feagh Mac Hughs Country The Bridges Colerane Lifferâ— Ballishannon Dondalke the Broad water in Mounster the Riuer of Veale vnder Slelogher Kelles in Clana deboy With those new Buildings or rather for the most part reparations of olde ruines and those that be already the Realme will be as it were walled in as vpon view of the Charter will appeare vnto you and by Gods grace I trust not onely thereby mutuall Traffique and amity will growe the waste part of this Land may be planned and peopled with good Subiects those that be dutifull strengthned and countenanced and those repressed that are ill affected but also that the composition already made or here after to be made for the numbers before mentioned may be holden good as also other matters of honour and profit to both the Realmes may be brought to passe But sith this will not be done without some charge albeit the same be not great in respect eyther of the good it will bring or of some other greater charges hereto fore bestowed I humbly pray that I may presume to recommend the same to your most Noble and fauourable considerations which is for the fifty thousand pounds a yeare to be had thence for three yeares together A sum not
that hee had taken strict courses in his gouernment as requiring the Oath of obedience appointing Officers to looke into mens Patents Warrants giuen in the late Parliament to preferre Bills for making the like Lawes as were in England against Recusants Causing a Bill to be preferred in the first Session for the suspension of Poynings Act to the hazard of stirring vp a commotion Vrging that these courses did decline the people from peace to vnquietnesse Such force had slander got by malicious Enuie as to make a Bee a Spider and to worke that honey without of the flowers of his iudgement and sincerity he had painfully gathered to a corrupt poyson as by the wofull effect it in after time too manifestly appeared This information was giuen against him by such as hee had left in trust for State causes in his absence especially by the Chancellor the Archbishop of Dublin a man of great wisedome and experience and such a one as for his parts might well merit the estimation of an extraordinary States-man and Councellor and it was pitty these good things should be the cause of euill effects for betweene him and the Deputy were discontentments grounded vpon directions giuen by the Deputy in The Deputy and Chancellour differ about the erecting of the Vniuersity the last Parliament for conuersion of the liuing of Saint Patricks in Dublin to the maintenance of a Colledge and Vniuersity there to be erected first intended by King Edward the sixt and now at this time giuen in charge to this Deputy by the Queene which hee accordingly purposed to prosecute as a certaine foundation of the reformation of that Kingdome which howsoeuer the Chancellour could not but in his iudgement know and allowe of yet in respect some of his kindred friends and Allies were interrested in these possessions hee gaue great opposition therevnto pretending the cause to be in right of the Church whereof he vndertooke to be the Patron Likewise as it seemed hee tooke to heart the peremptory proceeding of the Deputy as well in other matters of State as in this finding himselfe slighted of that regard some precedent Gouernours had yeelded him for he being a Prelate great in place and made greater by the Offices hee had lately borne now finding that this mans prosperous beginning caried perchance with a more absolute Authority then others had vsually exercised if it were not crossed would breede a diminution of his power in that State by his wisedome already highly planted preferring his particular too tenderly which to preserue The Chancellour raiseth a faction against the Deputy hee fell into contention with the Deputie and raised a faction against him of some of the Counsaile as Sir Henry Bagnall who had married his sister to his eldest sonne and others so that from hence sprung not onely priuate informations but publique crosings at the Councell Table euen in things which if they had beene peaceably handled might haue much aduanced her Maiesties Seruice and the good of that Kingdome Such is the State of Ambition is it neuer sees any way but by the staires of its owne climing The Deputy makes answere to these obiections against his late Northerne iourney and the other things already mentioned especially for the conuersion of Saint Patrickes Liuing therein indeede lying the most assured roote of reformation Neuerthelesse the Lord Chancellour taking vpon him as is saide to bee the onely Patron of the Church affaires and knowing his power with the Lord Treasurer of England in the ballance of whose wisedome most State causes especially concerning England and Ireland were at that time cast laboureth by all meanes to hinder the Deputies proceeding as well by his Letters which heretofore had beene preualent as by his Agents who watched the best opportunity and tooke the right way of preuailing in Court which the Deputy not suspecting or at least not fearing trusting to the waight of his owne zeale The Chancellor in England preuaileth could not preuent whereby at length the Chancellour so farre preuailed in that one point as Letters were written from the Queen and Councell to make stay of the conuersion of those Liuings withall aduertisement is giuen by the Queene to them both that shee had taken notice of their contentions with admonition to for beare such crossing as must needes giue impediment to the publique seruice The Queene reproueth the Chancellour by her letters And by her owne particular Letter to the Chancellour in expresse manner shee commanded a reformation wherein was to be obsorued how carefull shee was of the common good though the interest of the Chancellours friends in her fauour wrought deepely to the aduancement of his particular But this her gracious admonition was not well followed oney ther side for the Deputy being by nature cholletick and not able to endure the affronts of an Inferiour especially discerning that the Chancellours particular ends had gained respect aboue his publique which to a good Patriots patience was no small mouer could not containe himselfe vpon the prouoking words of his wily Aduersary who omitted no meanes or occasion that might enforce his intemperance and so distemperd hee so The Deputy through choller exceeded himselfe exceeded himselfe as he spared not the greatest by whom he thought himselfe wronged which fault of his is iudiciously obserued by Sir Walter Raleigh to haue beene the greatest cause of his ouerthrowe priuate misrespect oftentimes swaying in a Princes heart more then publique miscarriage So the one not brooking an equall and the other eâ—â—ying a Superiour the bonds of charity patience and policy were by both broken Vpon the Chancellours side the then Secretary a Moath in all the Deputies garments The Secretaries double dealing with the Deputy of his time was factious who vpon the beginning of the Parliament hold in Ireland was imployed into England to negotiate in the affaires thereof which at the first hee seemed well to attend and desirous that the successe of that Parliament might breede the common good but at length either by the euill of me owne disposition or wrought by the Deputies Aduersaries in Court or the Chancellours instigation hee became from a priuate Practizer a publique and professed Aduersary for whereas by his Letter of the â—1 Iuly 〈…〉 signified her Maiesties good allowance of the Deputies seruice in these words That hee had procured generall peace and had gayned the peoples hearts vnto their Prince but on the ninth of September following hee wrote of the alteration of the Queenes good opinion in some of his Seruices which being likewise manifested by some other such his sharpe intelligence and some circumstances especially her Maiesties owne Letters concurring which hee brought ouer the Deputy was confirmed in his opinion of the Secretaries factions and false informing courses against him Vpon receipt of which Letters being partly admonitory and partly reprehensiue although the Queene was pleased to signifie therein that shee was well perswaded of his care and
About this time Commissioners were sent out of England to deuide Desmonds Lands which after an exact suruay made of all the Lands were deuided into Signories and halfe Signories and disposed to diuers personages of good quality of the Kingdome of England but in this the Deputy had no hand which as he had cause he tooke to be a discountenance to his Authority and Place wherein hee felt the Queenes displeasure A Regiment of Irish sent with Sir William Stanley into the Low-Countries Not long before a thousand of the Irish were sent into the Low-Countries vnder the commaund of Sir William Stanley by an especiall direction out of England and at the same time order came to the Deputy for the cashiring Order for the casting of the Forces in Vlster of the Vlster Forces which the Deputy had raised by Composition as is formerly mentioned Two acts as pernicious as that time could afford to the publique Seruice as the sequell made manifest for the first not onely proued the losse of a worthy Gentleman who had valiantly and successiuely serued in that Kingdome Hee meeting in the Low-Countries with sharper conceites then his owne and finding him ignorantly wauering betweene two Religions fastned him to the worse and consequently made him to the State a Traytor against whom he hath since done great mischiefe prouing one of the best Captaines vnder the Spaniards Commaund Besides those Irish that went with him haue beene a Seminary of Traytors to afflict that Kingdome of whom some yet liue to threaten no lesse hereafter And the other those Forces in Vlster so cast was not onely the pulling of the bridle from the heads of those inconstant people which no sooner off but they ranne headlong againe into new practises but likewise proned a trebble charge to her Maiestie in ensuing time as more particularly shall be expressed in the storie following yet the chiefe reason alledged for their disbanding was the ease of the Queenes charge who was enformed that it was a needlesse thing to keepe Garrisons in time of peace and this burthen layd vpon the Country would in time breake the peoples obedience in those parts where they began already to grudge Thus much the Queene signified in a Letter partly written with her owne hand vnto which shee was wrought by such as were aduerse to the Deputy and desirous to weaken his worke in that Kingdome whose enuies were set the more on fire by the wily trickes of Tyrone who tooke this opportunity to lay the foundation of his ensuing rebellion finding their hearts bent to vse all meanes that might extenuate the Deputies merrit and weaken his Gouernement This Letter of the Queenes as it raised wonder in the Deputy knowing it tasted not off her high Iudgement so it gaue griefe to him to see such preposterous Councels take effect against his faithfull endeuours which The Deputies Letters by Sir William Stanly to the Queene and Councell hee tooke occasion to expresse by his Letter vpon the dispatch of Sir William Stanley wherein he signified he had performed her Maiesties pleasure but could not suppresse his griefe nor in duty conceale that which he conceiued would proue perillous to her Seruice and disgracefull to himselfe in that place of Authority he held vnder her Maiestie especially for remouing the Garrison of the North so soone in a State so vnsetled And although the submission of the Chiefes with the generall obedience of the people did seeme to promise nothing but peace yet considering the attempts of her Maiesties forraigne Forces and the ficklenesse of that people newly brought to a shewe of conformity hee could not assure their loyalties much lesse establish such things as he had begun and further intended for the good and aduancement of her Maiesties seruice and that these Souldiers being thus cashiered who were a tye vpon such as had mindes to be troublesome which were 900 her Maiesty being at charge but of little more then 800 pound a yeare the rest being bome by the Country So that now her charge being reduced to the rate it was at his comming to the Gouernement before the raysing of Forces to resist them that did rebell and inuade Vlster he wished that this sauing did not The Deputy writeth to be recalled from the gouernement or admitted to the Queenes presence proue an after spending of greater summes with more perill to Her and her Country He likewise wrote after his plaine and passionate manner to the Queene that her sharpe reprehension and restraint of his gouernment with some taxe layde on his iudgement made him now stand to the world vasit as hee alwayes conceiued of himselfe to mannage the weighty affaires of such a place and therefore he besought her that shee would be pleased to reuoke him thence or at the leaft to lycenoe his accesse vnto her presence as well for answering the calumniations of his Aduersaries as to discouer some things for the furtherance of her seruice in that Kingdome proffering If The Deputies offer to bring ouer the Irish Lords her Maiesty were so pleased to bring with him the Lords and chiefe Irish Commanders of that Country so that she would be pleased to disburse 3000 pound ready for them to receiue at their landing in England to defray their charges they being owners of much Land and Cattell but not of money which should hee repayed at reasonable prices in Beefes for her Maiesties profit in the payment of her Forces there This hee thought would make much for the furtherance of her Maiesties seruice since the chiefe men of that Kingdome comming ouer in that sort should take their Lands by such tenure as her Highnesse should prescribe whereof diuers of them had already made offer vnto him Besides it would be a greater honour vnto her to haue more of the greatest and wildest Chiefetaines of Countries in Ireland to prostrate themselues and their estate at her Maiesties feete and pleasure in England then euer had beene performed to any of her Noble predecessours The Deputies offer silenced But this complaint and offer so made vnto the Queene was silenced and tooke little effect either through the vnderhand-working of the Deputies Aduersaries or else through the presse and multitude of weighty affaires then in hand in England to defend the Netherlands and to preuent Inuasion with other perils threatned to her Maiestie and her Dominions which might perhaps put out of minde or at least set back for the time the consideration of that which at this season did most concerne Ireland Within short time after the Companies of Souldiers were remoued out of Vlster saue such as remained with Tirlogh Leynaugh at his request Some of the Northerne Lords tooke occasion and opportunity hereby to shew their willingnesse to doe euill rather then be idle now they sawe the force was gone which was A stir in the North vpon the casting of the Forces wont to rule their disorders Amongst which dislike and
equall Iustice vnto all which hee knew to be her Maiesties minde And quoth he this sword laying his hand vpon the sword of State shall punish ill doers without partiality and protect the good subiect from violence and iniury but because words and deedes doe now a dayes vse to dwell farre assunder I leaue you that heare me now hereafter to iudge mee and my words by my deedes This short speech being pronounced in such a manner as his naturall Maiestie of personage spirit and countenance did vsually afford receiued no lesse applause from the standers by then it gaue them hope it would proue a debt wherein the payment would iustly follow the promise The ceremony being ended with the accustomed rites thereunto belonging The next day hee communicated in Councell his commission and instructions which for the better satisfaction of such as mistake the graunt of that gouernment both in limit of authority and terme of Residencie I haue thought meete to declare that his Pattent was as all other Deputies not with limitation The amplitude of the Deputies Cōmission of yeares or time of gouernment but during pleasure containing power to make warre and peace To leauy Armes and Forces for that purpose To punish and pardon offenders To conferre all Offices and collate all Spirituall promotions and dignities a fewe of them excepted concluded with the greatest Latitude of authority which can bee giuen a Subiect which is to doe all things in cases of Iustice and gouernment as the Prince might doe being present The reseruation of making Priuie Counsailers great Officers Bishops and such like alwayes giuen heere by the Prince himselfe with diuers other things too long to be here recited In his priuate instructions besides matters of profit as sparing her Maiesties purse and easing her charge setling of differences amongst the subiects and planting indifferencie betweene the superiour and inferiour taking away thereby dependencie The erecting of the Vniuersity in Dublin giuē in charge to the Deputy the bane of that Kingdome There was precisely giuen him in charge the erection of an Vniuersity in Dublin for the aduancement of learning neuer till that time set on foote and that by this Deputies vrging though long time before proiected and in King Edward the sixt time intended So soone as the mists of Ignorance the mother of Popish deuotion was by the shining reformation of Religion dispierced and most especially requisite in that Kingdome as a chiefe spring and fountaine of ciuility His authority thus shewed He fell with them in Councell touching the affaires of that Kingdome both as it was giuen him in charge and as they were presented to the viewe of his owne experient iudgement wherein he spent eighteene dayes after which consultation hee fell to shewe the fruites of Councell in setting downe acts and decrees Amnestia or the act of Obliuion for the good of her Maiesties seruice and Kingdome amongst which was Amnestia or the act of Obliuion according to the institution of the ancient and excellent Law-giuers the Lacedemonians being in the nature of a generall pardon for offences past which was both a mercifull and a politique prouision to keepe Transgressours from despaire the ready mean to enduce them to the encrease of mischiefe but being reduced to obedience by this act of clemencie and so setled in security It was most probable and likely that they who had lately felt the smart of raging and wantfull warre would now kisse peace and embrace it with a firmer constancy At the same time he sent into England the sonne of the late Earle of Desmond being but young and yet held dangerous hee should be bred in that Kingdome where practise might worke his escape and little meanes was to yeeld him a meete breeding with request for his carefull education here that Religion and ciuility might after leade him to the performance of those duties wherein through barbarisme his Predecessours had erred and trangressed Then like a good Gouernour that would abandon ease the mother of errour and corruption The Lord Deputies Progresse into Connaught Mounster he left Dublin the seate of State to settle the remote parts and Prouinces of Mounster and Connaught vnder their Gouernours newly sent ouer General Norrys Lord President of Mounster and Captaine Richard Bingham chiefe Commissioner of Connaught in whose choise this Lord Deputy as I haue heard had a great hand iudging them meete men both for the managing of warre and conseruation of peace So much did their valour iudgement and experience promise for them who had at that time gained the reputation of the two most able Captaines of our Nation wherein his wisedome or fortune did appeare the greater when by such meanes his directions should not onely be skilfully performed but himselfe cased of that care and feare a Chiefe is subiect to when his substitutes be weake especially such principall Gouernours as haue power to answere suddaine occasions vpon their owne discretions but how sufficient so euer they were as his authority was to gouerne them so he thought it his part to guide them by the example of his owne worke purposing in those Prouinces to heare complaints to redresse abuses to decide controuersies and to appease dissentions and quarrels betweene Lords of Countries and men of Ability and speciall quality whose discords and controuersies had vsually drawne them into vnwarrantable actions and many times enforced the Prince both to the hazard and losse of the good Subiects and to the expence of Treasure to bring an Army to appease their quarrels as in the contention betweene Desmond and Ormonde had lately falne out and that which is most dangerous in that Kingdome It hath alwayes beene found that Rebellion hath beene the Successour of priuate quarrels Mischiefe like ambition clyming to the highest places For these ends and purposes the Deputy tooke his iourney from Dublin the thirteenth day of Iuly attended on by diuers persons of account in that State and came to Molingarre the 16. of the same moneth where to preuent discouery of such intelligence as should passe betweene him and the Councell at Dublin by the interception of his or their Letters Hee deuised and sent thence to the Lord Chancellour and Sir Henry Wallop the Treasurer the late Iustices and now by him authorised for the dispatch of the affaires of the State in his absence The Deputies Alphabeticall deuice of secrecie certaine ciphers and figures framed after an Alphabet importing the names of some of the chiefe persons and places in England and Ireland which deuise for secrecie was most necessarie in that Kingdome where the people are very inquisitiue and in the succeeding Warre were apt to giue discouery to the Rebell as well for Religions sake as to gaine fauour vpon his Incursions The want of this course had like to haue opened to the Rebell the last and greatest intention of the Lord Burgh against them by the interception of his last Letter to the
diligence and tooke in good part all his doings as proceeding from a speciall zeale to doe her seruice yet finding or suspecting a taxe withall to bee layde on his iudgement in some matters which did arise as he conceiued from the perswasion of his Euemies his nature would not suffer him to The Deputy writeih to the Queene suppresse or conceale his griefe Hee therefore wrote ouer vnto her as hee had already done vnto the Lords of her Counsaile shewing the good successe of his late Northerne iourney with the necessity thereof and the content of the Councell thereunto and to his proceeding in tendering the Oath of obedience hee pleaded warrant and pollicie of State and to all the other allegations as of Nouelties and supposed inconuemencies hee replyed that they were malicious furmises and without cause of doubt therein as his Aduersary pretended alleadging a dangerous consequence to breede feare doubt and disquietnesse in the Natiues which were but suggestions to hinder such seruices as would easily be performed without perill finding now the pride and power of the euill affected Irish to be altogether abated and the people enclined to yeeld conformity vnto his commandements Therefore it seemed fit to him to take the opportunity which the time offered to worke that which former time could not compasse But finding all this how necessary so euer crossed by them which should rather haue giuen furtherance to it construing his actions astending to innouation likely to stirre dissention and produce danger He confessed that he was much disconraged but yet would pursue his course in the best manner he could being so restrayned For the view of mens Charters wherewith hee was charged hee denied that euer he intended much lesse practised the Accusers malice and slander Hee confessed that hee had vrged some of them to take the Oath of obedience and gaue his reason for it for finding their obstinacie and repugnance to reason in Parliament he held this the best meanes to try their sidelily by concluding with all humility which tasted something neuerthelesse of passion and griefe for it must needes trouble him to see his zealous care to assure all things to the good of his Prince mistaken by the malice of his Aduersaries whose whole ayme being but at their owne particular were not so sensible as they should haue beene how they euerted the publique by pudling the water wherein their fish lay And to strengthen this their information to the end hee might be made the more distastfull to her Maiestie and the Lords of her Counsell Some of the Lords of the English Pale are incited The Lords of the English Pale write against the Deputy to write vnto the Queene 15 Iuly 1585 in complaint against the Deputy that ouer and besides a composition of two thousand pounds yearely reuennew formerly made in lieu of Cess and other charges claimed to belong by Prerogatiue vnto the State from the fiue Counties of the English Pale hee intended to impose a second charge of fifteene hundred pound per Anum sterling so making the yoake of her Gouernment to appeare heauie and insupportable But not long after some of those Lords finding themselues abused as the Vicount Gormanstowne the Lords of Slany The Lords by another Letter recanted their errour Heathe and Trimelstene by another Letter recanted their errour expressing sorrow for mistaking the Deputies meaning acknowledging his fatherly care of them the Country for those were the words of their Letter and that they would not haue written against him neither for the former particular nor for the suspension of Poynings Act if they had discerned or vnderstood what they now found of his disposition to doe them and the Country right This shewes in what a slippery seare they fit that gouerne that Kingdome for Innocencie is not alwayes safe though it be euer best for it cannot bee free from imputation when it is free from corruption the vnder-Instruments of State aduauncing themselues thereby Notwithstanding these complaints crossings and backbitings the Deputy like a carefull Common-wealths man and iust seruant to his Prince professed he would proceede on to the discharge of his duty as long as he held that place esteeming it better to be disgraced for doing well then to be remiss in doing well Therefore care is had to settle a Composition in Cannaught sutable to that in Vlster begun for the encrease of the Crownes reuennew and setling of some certainty in that Prouince betwixt the Lords and their Tenants for the preuention of such mischiefes as had happened formerly there by their disagreement and for the reformation of such enormities as were frequent by the dependencie of the mean person vpon the chiefe Lords To this purpose in the same yeare so soone as the late begun troubles of Vlster were pacified and the other Prouinces of Ireland began to be plyable and conformable to Iustice and Peace A commission is directed to Sir Richard Commission sent into Connaught for making the composition Bingham the Gouernour of Connaught Sir Nicholas White Master of the Rowles Sir Thomas Lestrange Charles Calthorpe the Queenes Attourney Generall Thomas Dillon Chiefe Iustice of Connaught Gerard Comeford Attourney there and Francis Barkeley to enter into a course for procuring a composition with the principall Lords spirituall and temporall The Chiefetaines of Countries Gentlemen and Free-holders of that Prouince of Connaught to passe vnto the Queenes Maiesty her Heires and Successours a graunt of tenne shillings English or a marke Irish vpon euery quarter of land containing 120 Acres manured or to be manured as the phrase went and was significantly set downe that beares either horne or corne that was with tillage or cattell in lieu and consideration to bee discharged from other Cess taxation or tallage excepting the rising out of Horse and Foote for the Seruice of the Prince and State such as should be particularly agreed vpon and some certaine dayes labour for building and fortifaction for the safety of the people and Kingdome According to which Commission and the directions therein contained These Commissioners did trauaile through the seuerall Counties of Connaught first calling and conferring with the Lords Chiefetaines Gentlemen and Free-holders in their seuerall Precincts and Possessions to finde their dispositions how farre they were willing to condiscend and yeeld to such a course for the satisfaction of their Prince and freedome of themselues from further burthens to make their charge certaine and that but small These things well The Commissioners handled the Commission discreetly propounded and discreetly prosecuted most and in a manner all the principall possessours of land in that Prouince as they were generally dealt withall did assent to this contribution for their owne ease as well as for the satisfaction and seruice of the Prince of the first themselues were sensible of the other they had onely aduertisement from the Commissioners being well chosen for that purpose especially Sir Richard Bingham the Gouernour then
continuance and custome which the people had borne so long as they thought it now no burthen knowing no better feeling that least wherwith they had so long bin acquainted But now the Chiefes vnderstanding that they should haue freedom of lands instead lieu of their Chieferies the people by perswasion brought to beleeue and perceiue they should by this meanes liue more free from exaction both yeelded to this composition which to this day doth continue If this Seruice had proceeded as the Deputy intended as well through the whole Prouince as in these parts and so extended to the rest of the Kingdome it had surely introduced peace and wealth amongst the people with obedience and encrease of reuenue to the Prince which at that time might easily haue beene affected but the bloud and fatall mischiefes threatned vnto that vnhappy Kingdome were not to bee preuented by the care and industry of this good Gouernour whose workes though built vpon the strong foundation of zeale knowledge and integrity were shaken by the stormes blowne from the breath of his maligners both here there vsing not the Engine of slander onely but like Magicians stirred vp euery spirit that might moue him to impatience the already mentioned fault of his Nature That begot The second information against the Deputy rash words which no sooner spoken but was enformed with aduantage which tooke away her Maiesties good opinion of his zeale to doe her Seruice so as his faith was interpreted to be vaineglory which being by him vnderstood discouraged his proceeding and finding all his actions if not slighted yet brought within the compasse of suspition a hard reward for so much merit hee was much perplexed But heere his misfortune rested not for now the most perillous practise of his Enemies began to breake forth which fatally in short time proued his ruine Denis Oroughans practise discouered One Dennis Oroughan who had beene a Romish Priest counterfeited certaine Warrants in the name of the Deputy directed to all the Queenes Officers within the Realme of Ireland vnto which Warrants the name of the Deputy was set in the vsuall place of Assignation In them was a generall pardon graunted to the Priest without limitation of time or exception of any offence terming the Realme of Ireland and Councell thereof as if they had beene his and hee King of it and them contrary to all vsuall forme which seemed not to be the Priests owne deuice because the extraordinary forme must needes bring it in question and thereby make it of no auaile to him but the Priest being a fit instrument in respect of his offence and the fitter through an extraordinary villany grafted in him was wrought by others to take vpon him this part to manifest the Deputies ambition and thereby make him odious to the State here which deuillish plot was more timely discouered then the Plotters wished for the Priest being taken with these counterfeited Warrants vpon other suspition and brought before the Archbishop of Cashell who taking paines in the examination of him discouered that these Warrants were written by one Henry Birde Register to the high Commission Aduertisement was giuen hereof to the Deputy a Commission thereupon was directed to the Lord Primate Sir Henry Wallop and Sir Nicholas White to call Birde before them and to make search amongst his papers thereby as by his examination to finde the meaning of these counterfeited papers of warrant At first hee denied the writing of the Warrants but afterwards being tripped in his Answeres hee confessed hee wrote them but stifly for swore the subscription of the Deputies name thereto which as it should seeme was done by the Priest himselfe for hee was the man that after accused Denis Oroughan the false Author of Sir Iohn Perrots accusation in England the Deputy in England vpon which hee was condemned so as either the Deputies owne remisnesse in seuerely punishing this man or his Aduersaries vnderhand protecting him from his deserued punishment gaue scope to his detestable accusation which the villaine Denis Oroughans repentance a little before his death being not many yeares since confessed with a seeming remorse for his so falsly accusing an Innocent by the procuring of others who were neuer knowne in this world to repent their misdeede how they answere in the next is onely knowne to God himselfe but it is a fearefull thing to obserue what power such false persons oftē haue to preuaile against the most innocent euen in the iustest Common-weales which neither the wit of man nor any thing but the miraculous hand of the highest can preuent or discouer Another practise about this time or shortly after succeeded against him which though it were not so dangerous yet it troubled him no The Deputies secrets bewrayed lesse being a meanes to preuent his intended Seruices for his Letters and secrets being bewrayed by as it should seeme Iohn Williams his owne Secretary vnto his Aduersaries and by them communicated vnto others whom they concerned her Maiestie was defrauded of her Seruice and he brought into suspition amongst those where the way of his preuailing lay vpon the first notice thereof he wrote vnto the Lords of the Councell in England who thereupon gaue commaundement vnto the Lord Chancellour and the Bishop of Meath to make the Authors knowne of that discouery shewing the dangerous consequence that followed such practises of publishing secrets which did concerne the State but they for some particular respects as it should seeme disobeyed that commaundement though the Queene her selfe did after expresly require it to be done And withall she wrote vnto the Lord Chancellour charging him to forbeare contestation with the Deputy which could not but hinder his seruice and embolden euill affected persons disposed to resist the power of her Gouernours when they should discerne such contention amongst those that were chiefe in authority Shortly after the Baron of Donganon went into England who hauing beene brought vp with the English shewed alwayes forwardnesse in the Queenes Seruice against Tirlogh Leynaugh and Shane Oneale in times of their disobedience wherein his speciall ayme was onely his owne aduancement into their title and place they once suppressed Comming into England with the faire shew of his former Seruices he professeth future fidelity in himselfe and aduiseth vnder colour of the Countries peace and quiet a suppression of the exorbitant Title and iurisdiction of Oneale which notwithstanding hee afterward assumed and extorted vnto himselfe though a knowne Bastard taking aduantage of the loose hand was held vpon the Irish in Vlster and the corrupt Gouernment at that time in the State as shall in his due time be made manifest with this profession of Seruice and by applying himselfe to the greatest in power and grace at Court he gained the Queenes fauour and The Baron of Donganon created Earle of Tyrone was created Earle of Tyrone but hereat his ambition was not leuelled for the name of an Earle was
promise of from the Queene who sent him word shee would shortly prouide him a Successour In the meane time to preuent farther trouble in Ireland that he might leaue all things in as great security as possibly he could hee as one of his last but not least Seruices sends for all the Lords and Chiefes which might in any The Deputy taketh pledges of all the suspected persons in Ireland part bee suspected to take part with the forraigne Enemie if any attempt should be made in that Kingdome by them as was doubted and of all these demaunded Pledges for their owne faithfulnesse and the quietnesse of their people and for the more easie enclining them to this demaund which seemed at first harsh vnto them he made a solemne speech wherein hee declared that it was done as well for their owne good as for the Kingdomes quiet for hee knew that the Queene would be well pleased with their willingnesse to yeeld testimony of their loyalty vnto her which could not but make them better accepted trusted in the time to come protesting that if the case concerned him as it did them he should chuse rather at this time to be bound then to be left at liberty within the danger of suspition being a deepe corrosiue to euery well meaning man as he assured himselfe they all were howsouer their former slips had made them apt to be doubted aduising them to vse all good meanes for the conseruation of Peace in each of their Dominions whereby their pledges might shortly haue freedome and they themselues gaine a better estimation for euer By this perswassion they did with lesse grudging and contradiction yeeld pledges which were bestowed in the Castle of Dublin so as all the Heads of all the Prouinces in Ireland were tyed by this meanes to quietnesse and subiection which at that time was most necessary because the Deputy by diuers good intelligences out of Spaine whereof hee had giuen speedy and often information into England knew the Spanish preparations were great and whether intended for England or Ireland or for both was not certaine but Ireland threatned by the common bruite This done the Deputy writes againe to the Queene humbly thanking her that at his suit and for the recouery of his health which now began to impaire shee had beene pleased to promise his discharge from that Gouernement and withall besought her speedily to send his Successour vsing the same reasons he had formerly done when it was bruited he should bee remoued before it was intended the loose people being indeede apt out of their euill affection to take aduantage of the time and to attempt that which they durst not doe in a confirmed and well countenanced Gouernement At length when this good Deputy had gouerned foure yeares with much trauaile and good successe notwithstanding the opposition mentioned in this discourse of priuate and particular Aduersaries the enuiers of his felicity hee obtained his discharge And Sir Sir William Fitz-Williams sent into Ireland William Fitz-Williams was sent to succeede him who had formerly gouerned that Kingdome with liking and commendation which though it bred some hope in the people that hee would build well vpon his Predecessours platforme yet it could not keepe the peoples eyes from teares for the losse of Sir Iohn Perrott such impression had his vpright and cleane handed Gouernement vnusuall to that vnhappy Kingdome taken in their hearts as appeared at his departure The Deputy giueth a Cup to the Citie of Dublin Before his deliuery of the Sword he gaue a couered Cup of Siluer guilt to the Maior and Citie of Dublin with these words vppon the top engrauen In Pace relinquo meaning that hee left the Citie and Kingdome in peace At the deliuery of the Sword in Christs-Church hee tolde the new Deputy Sir William Fitz Williams in the publique hearing of many of whom some are yet liuing Now my Lord since that by her Maiesties direction I haue giuen vp the Gouernement of this Kingdome into your hands I must giue your Lordship to vnderstand and I thanke God I may say so that I leaue it in perfect peace and tranquility which I hope your Lordship will certifie vnto her Maiestie and the Lords of her Councell to whom the Deputy made answere that he confessed it to be so and wished he might leaue it no worse Then my Lord replyed Sir Iohn Perrot I must adde thus much That if there bee any man in this Kingdome suspected to be euill minded to the State who is able to drawe but sixe Sword-men after him into the field if he haue not already put in pledges for his fidelity so your Lordship shall thinke it necessary I will vndertake though now but a priuate man to send for him and if hee come not within twentie dayes I will forfait the credit and reputation of my Gouernement whereto the Deputy answered that all was well it needed not The loue of the Irish State vnto Sir Iohn Perrot At Sir Iohn Perrotts departure from Dublin after hee had left the Sword many of the Nobility Gentry and Commons of that Kingdome came thither to see and take their leaue of him so that as hee went from his Lodging to the Key to take Boate. The presse of People comming to salute him some with cries of applause and some with teares bemoaning his departure was so great that he was well-neere two houres before hee could passe the Streete and was enforced twice or thrice to take house for his ease to auoyde the throng amongst whom Tirlogh Leynaugh was one who comming along with him to his Boate and standing at the Key vntill hee sawe his Ship vnder sayle did then weepe and grieuously bewayle his departure Such power hath the opinion of Iustice and sincere gouernement to make euen them that are barbarous to loue the Ministers thereof though themselues know not the things but by the effects At Sir Iohn Perrots going to Sea the Citizens of Dublin in testimony of their loue sent with him some of their young men with Shot to guard him into Pembroke Shire who passed with him to his Castle called Carewe whence hee was not long after called to the Court to be made a Priuie Councellour the step to his fall and ruine Sir Nicholas Whites expression of Sir Iohn Perrots Gouernment Of his Gouernement Sir Nicholas White Master of the Rolles in Ireland and a learned man wrote these fewe words Pacificauit Connaciam Relaxauit Mediam Subiuganit Vltoniam Fregit Lageniaem Ligauit Mononiam Extirpauit Scotos Refrenauit Anglos Et his omnibus per aquè vectigal acquisiuit Reginae Thus Englished He pacified Connaught loosened the bonds of Meathe subdued Vlster brake the bonds of combination in Leynster and bound fast in obedience Mounster Hee extirped the Inuading Scots bridled the bolde Extortions of the English and to all these added much to the Queenes reuenew for besides the compositions in Vlster and Connaught mentioned in this discourse hee drew new encrease and reseruations of Rents Tenures and Seruices from many Lords of Territories and Seruices from many Lords of Territories and sundry other persons in the seuerall Prouinces The particulars are yet extant to be seene though tedious here to be set downe which hee did vpon Surrenders renewing of their Estates which bred a double benefit vnto the Crown the better assurance of their Loyalties and the aduancement of reuenew These Seruices so well begun if they had beene perfected had made that Kingdome more peaceable rich ciuill and subiect to good Gouernement but want of time which makes the best begunne workes to misse the period of their perfection And Enuie which crosseth the best Designes left this mans Gouernement though successefull yet without the full fruite with his longer stay well seconded might haue brought forth But all humane affaires must haue their Periods and the successe of good or euill in them all will bee euer in some sort answerable to the Actors intentions FINIS