Catalogue description NEWSLETTER from JAMES DIGGES.

--"Such occurrences as have happened since my last advertizements.

"1. About the 27th of October, uncertain reports were spread by some unknown persons coming out of Ireland, that the Spaniards insconced in Terocconell (as in my last remembrances) had offered them selves to mercy, their lives only saved, and that 300 were received, the rest expecting only their pardon from the Deputy, and ready to render themselves, their forts, treasure, munition, &c.:-- upon which rumours some stay hath been made of sending over the determined supplies.

"2. The second of this present a packet was brought from the Lord Deputy unto the Lords declaring that there were in the said sconces near Slygo, 3000, 2500, or 2000 at the least, according to the different certificates of the several espials sent: Spaniards, Italians, Portingalls and French, besides the Irish, not yet many.

"3. The kern have not killed so many of the remnant of the former wrecked Spaniards as was reported, but rather nourished and relieved them secretly, who now all repair unto the said sconces safe conducted by the wild Irish, twenty, thirty, and forty in troops, holding still the Jesuits, Seminaries, Friars and other Priests and Prelates in great reverence and account with them; the which is doubted will breed great troubles in those parts, if there be not a present defeat or acceptance to mercy.

"4. The Irish have not yet shewed themselves openly to take part with them, otherwise than by conveying cows, oatmeal and other necessaries which they want and the country affordeth unto them for their money: whereof Mackswayne [McSwyne Ne Doe] is the chief, who (with divers others sent for by the Lord Deputy) refused to come in unto him, which giveth manifest presumption of their intents.

"5. The Earl of Tyrone hath by a late fact made good proof of his fidelity to her Majesty, before suspected; who, hearing of a kinsman of his own that had repair unto the Spaniards and also sent them victuals, (feigning his good liking of his actions) sent for him, and upon his coming cut off his head &c.

"6. Two hundred of the principallest Spaniards last arrived, repairing and equipping one of their smallest vessells, embarked them selves again for Spayne, promising to send present aid &c., but were by extremity of tempest wrecked again upon that coast within eight or nine leagues of the bay of Slygo, upon the rocks, and were all drowned except five, who swimming to land were taken by Mr. Carlell, and sent unto the Lord Deputy, upon whose examination there is expected some discovery of more domestical treacherous practises yet smoldered &c.

"7. It being also advertized, that there is good hope the said Spaniards will render themselves very shortly, considering the last wreck, and the extremity of this late moist weather, they being intrenched also in wet low grounds, &c.; which is thought will be the stay of sending the supplies in readiness for a further time; the which delays may be dangerous &c.

"8. There is also very late intelligence that the King of Spayne continueth his preparation for a new attempt; it being also reported that he hath vowed he will be revenged if it cost him his crown, the Pope also protesting he will not hold his mitre with this indignity, forgetting our Saviour's lessons of charity.

"9. The Duke of Guise is proclaimed Grand Mestre de France, and such present doubt of their ill neighbourhood, as there is secret warning given unto all the Halls in London to take heed how they traffic with the French, and to provide for the safety of their substance in those parts where the King commandeth.

"10. The Earl of Cumberland hath taken the Hare of Dunkirk, one of their chiefest men of war, about the Ushant to the southward and brought her to the west coast.

"11. There are also five or six small Caravills lately arrived from the Indies at Lisbon, and other south ports of Spayne and Portingall, the which our English ships might have taken if any of them had lain in the Trade* far enough to the southwards.

"12. There is so little account made of the annoyance the Spaniards can do in Ireland, as by all presumptions there will be no further force sent over to defeat them until other news of their further proceedings be advertized &c.

"13. All other matters stand in like terms as at the sending of my last letters, without alteration."

* I.e., track or fair-way of the vessels.