Catalogue description THOMAS AGARD to [CROMWELL].

On 19 May, I arrived in Dublin with the King's treasure. At that time the Treasurer, Baron Aylmer, and the Master of the Rolls were riding into Kildare, to keep courts, to survey the lands of the late Earl of Kildare, and to let them to the King's profit; and they are still absent. I trust the borders about Dublin are in good stay, for the Lord Deputy lies at Maynewthe, Sir Rice Mawnxell at Trym, Mr. Salsburye at Dundalke, Mr. Brewerton at the Castle, and Sir John Saynctlow at Conwey; so that the army is well divided to the great safeguard of all these parts. If an army come next spring, all will be soon in order. I think Mr. Pawllett will come with the next wind, and with him Thomas the traitor's wife. "He loves her well (a primâ facie); howbeit I cannot perceive that she favours him so tenderly." This journey is profitable to him, as you shall perceive at my return. He has at least 16 or 20 hobbies, the worst worth five marks, and 3 or 4 "caste" of hawks; "and as for privy stuff, God knows what." He will probably endeavour to come again, "for he makes his reckoning even now, that much of this good expedition in these parts of the King's affairs doth rise of him." Few men desire his return hither again. "He came hither with a small male, but he cometh home with his trussing coffers. I am well assured that he hath get more clear than the Treasurer shall if he were here this seven year, yet shall their services never be like to their master. Here is perfect good and true servants to the King's Grace of Irishmen, even the good Earl of Ossory, Sir James his son, O'Donell, Baron Aylmer, and even there rest; for all others, as well the Chancellor, Justices, and other they may all go in one number." I have delivered to the Lord Deputy the King's and your letters. He mends well. I beseech you to be good to the Prior of Kilmainham. One letter from you would be more comfort to him than 500l. He desires you to take of his gift 20 marks yearly, which he will send by me at my return. Remember the commission for the Treasurer, that no man may meddle with the revenues to the King's loss.--Dublin, 24 May.

P.S. If you examine Serjeant Whitt, you will learn "what the demeanor of the Chancellor was with the Chief Justice at the siege of Dublin. He hath showed me that the Chancellor said these words: 'Serjeant Whitt, if you will, you may save this city, as this, to deliver the King's castle to the Lord Thomas, and you shall have liberty to pass with bag and baggage; and in case you will not, you shall destroy this city, and cast away yourself.' These words are not insedent for a true man. For when the Chancellor sat on judgment of Bathe, with the red head, there could no man find that ever he rode nor went journey with Thomas, but unless that he said to them of Dublin these words, that Thomas the traitor commanded him to say, 'Sirs, if the Englishmen come, you must do your best to resist them, and let us drink all of one cup;' and the Chancellor was with him at that same time, and had with Thomas half an 100 men but to serve the King at Maynewthe, with himself and a lad. Such is his truth with other. As for Talbott, that is in the Fleet, I have, in the absence of Mr. Treasurer, caused an inventory to be taken of all his goods to the King's use, to he have tried himself and put safe keeping over them. I doubt he will be proved neighbourlike." In the next I shall ascertain you of all things here.

Endorsed.

State Papers II. 243.

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 52.