Catalogue description NEWS-LETTER.

"News out of England from James Digges":

"1. It is affirmed by Sir Edward Waterhowse, seconded by divers others lately arrived out of Ireland, that there are eighteen or nineteen ships of the discomfitted Spanish Armado cast away upon the coast of Ireland before the [blank] of October, and six or seven more by late letters from the Lord Deputy and others of credit confirmed to be arrived upon the coast thereof, near the bay of Sligo in the utmost north part, where 2000 or 1500 at the least descended, have entrenched themselves, and allured with their treasure a great party of the wild Irish, with whom Oneyle, the Earl of Tyrone, and others of name fronting that place are joined; unto whom the Spaniards have so liberally imparted of their 'ducketts,' chains and jewels, that the horse boys have large shares and ['tis] thought the kern will cut their throats for the rest of the spoil when any English force is sent towards them.

"2. There was late order taken for the sending over of 2000 soldiers to be taken out of Wales, and other parts of the west near the seaside, under the conduct of Sir Thomas Parrot, who should have had the appointing of captains (except very few of account, nominated and imprested at court) : but a later resolution is taken of 1500 to be sent by Mr. Delves and others, to be delivered unto the Lord Deputy, and ordered by his appointment: and this despatch also so slow, as (upon present new advertisement) it is thought they shall be stayed also, upon what cause not yet published, whereof in my next letters, &c. :-

"3. It is further assured that the said Spaniards, upon their landing, ran their ships voluntarily aground, and taking out their treasures, munition, victual, and other necessaries, have broken them in pieces, and have no means to save themselves but by mercy or force with the assistance of the country.

"4. Late different intelligence is also sent out of Portingall, that the Prince of Medena Sidonia is arrived in Spain with 60, 45, or 30 ships at the least, and that the King (refusing to see him) retired himself to his accustomed solitary monastery, and the duke sick, in extreme agony unto his house. And that in the mean time there is continual preparation as well by sea as land of all necessaries for a second supply in revenge, but how true, God knoweth : wished here, rather then feared.

"5. There is nothing more spoken of here than the Portingall voyage, nor never action likelier to take good success. But nothing I fear less meant, whereunto I wish all furtherance and myself your Lordship's follower therein, if imagined courses greatly laboured should take place in those countries as is expected and feared.

"6. Your Lordship's late stratagem at the Sconce is greatly admired, commended and spread through England to your Lordship's honour generally, and continual expectation of some further good success and ripened fruit of your labours in that honourable action.

"7. There is advertisements also given that the King of France hath manifested himself to be of the devilish papistical league (termed holy): and threateneth fire and sword against all contrary actions in France etc.:

"8. There are matters in consultation for alterations in those countries (God send for the best) wherewith your Lordship must needs be acquainted otherwise I would signify what I hear.

"9. The Sheriffs of London are both committed from the Star Chamber to the Fleet, for whipping of the lady Latymer, and like to be deeply fined.

"10. The judges of the common place rose from the bench this day for want of causes and matters to be heard, whereof I was oculatus testis, one of the miracles of this year. God send lawyers generally the like good leisure, and soldiers better employment.

"11. As there is small assurance of any reports, so can I signify no certainty in these accidents, yet such as they are I am bold to commit to your honour's view for novelties, the truth whereof time will manifest, and my next advertisements shall in part declare."