Catalogue description JOHN TRAVERS to MR. FITZWILLIAMS.

We have made the most painful journey I suppose that ye have known this time of the year. We have been in Mounster, as at Clonmell, at Dungarwan, at Youghall, Cork, and Kinsayle, and hath put James FizMorishe, otherwise called with you Lord of Desmond, in possession of as many castles in his country as he thought he was able to keep, and hath also plucked the chief strength that the pretensed Earl of Desmond had, called James FizJohn. These be the names of them that were near unto him: Gerald McShane, the White Knight, the Lord Bare, who came at no Deputy many years, and Makarte Rewghe, the Red Barey, and the young Barey. We have their pledges, their bands, and their oaths also taken." The country needs reformation. My Lord Deputy and my Lord of Ormond "are at this time very great, and so were they not many days here before.

There has been "much juggling and much dissension between the Council, which is now confessed; and in case ye hear who that they be that cometh over, I pray you send me word." Would that my Lord Admiral [William FitzWilliam, Earl of Southampton.] "were content that it should be none other but he." I would go with 2,000 through any country in Ireland. "If there came 6,000 good men, to be divided in three places as I could give instructions, with certain craftsmen to inhabit the places as they win, might do the effect of the same in one summer. Once they never shall be foughten with all, nor no castle shall be kept from them. We were no more than 400 Englishmen with my Lord Deputy, besides my Lord of Ormond's band, which was not in all 400 horsemen, carne and galoglace, yet James FitzJohn and O'Bryen with all those men against us, who are named here before. And as touching any matters of yours, any friend of yours, I had no leisure to do anything in that behalf." I perceive by your last that you have received 80l. of Mr. Wyndonne, and that you have paid my Lord Privy Seal 40l. of the same. I desire you "to do no less with the rest of the same than ye have said ye would do to pay where as ye shall think most meet, according mine instructions, with my fee of the serjeantship, my wages and all other things. I do not think to trouble you much for this year for any money, nor lend none without a bill of my hand otherwise than I have willed you here before.

As for my houses and farm at Ipswiche, I will send you word after Christmas what you shall do therein. As for my house at London, "therein do as ye list, so that Murfeye, my next neighbour, have it not, for that he is a knave." Commendation to my sister your wife, to my brother Fosku and my sister Fosku. I have written to the King, my Lord Privy Seal, and Mr. Broune of affairs here. Pray send me word how they (the letters) are accepted.

Waterford, 20 December.

Addressed: To Master Fiz Wylliams, servant to my Lord Admiral, at London, or elsewhere, give this.

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 137.