Catalogue description SIR WILLIAM SKEFFINGTON, LORD DEPUTY, to HENRY VIII.

Since my last writing by Thomas Paulet, it has been bruited here that your traitor, Thomas Fitz Gerald, "abiding in the Great O'Brene's country under his succour," and the McWilliams and Kelleis, intend to enter, with all their power, into O'Chonour's country called Ofayleigh, then to join with O'Nell and Manus O'Donell, and invade the English pale, about midsummer next. I trust with your army to give them battle ere they enter the pale. I was ascertained from Limerick, by letters which we have sent to your Chief Secretary, that the said traitor had sent into Spain James Delahide, the parson Walsh, and four more. I have kept O'Donell, "with divers other captains of his," here still with me, to the intent I and the Council might be ascertained from his friends in the Irishry of the purposes of the said traitor and his maintainers, and also to hear his advice what is best to be done for your honour and profit. He acts as a true and loving subject.

On the 13th inst., Neale Connelaugh came to me at the castle of Maynoth, having credible information of the crafty intent of O'Nell and Manus O'Donell. He showed me and the Lord O'Donell how, ever since my arrival in this land, they have endeavoured to draw the Scots of the out isles of Scotland to their country, to fortify Thomas Fitz Gerald, pursuing daily to have a treaty for peace, only to delay the time till their aid come, when the traitor with the said O'Brennes, McWilliams, and Kelleis would join together to invade the pale. The said Neale Connelaugh and McGuire desire to have the advice of me, the Lord O'Donell, and the Council what is best to be done for the destruction of the said O'Nell and Manus O'Donell. If they do not come in and keep the day appointed to parle with me and the Council, Connelaugh and McGuire, with Claneboy, and others of your band of Ulster, will, with the strength of the Lord O'Donell, prevent their malicious purposes. This land is now at your pleasure. You may have not only sufficient revenues to maintain your Deputy, "to be of England born," with a retinue, but also great profits besides. My advice is to send hither, at your next Parliament to be holden here, some of your Council of England, for the good ordering of this country and the revenues.

Manor of Maynoth. 17 June. Signed.

Copy.

State Papers II. 247.

Calendar of the Carew Manuscripts preserved in the Archiepiscopal Library at Lambeth, ed. J. S. Brewer & W. Bullen (6 vols., 1867-73), vol. I, document 53.