Catalogue description Sir WILLIAM BRERETON to CROMWELL.

This country is in very ill case, as the bearers can inform the King. Please to make their excuse for their abode so long from his presence, and to give them his thanks for their service in defending the country from the invasion of O'Conour whilst I was in the north parts to meet O'Neile. Although O'Conour has done great hurt in my absence, yet, if they had not tarried, he and his confederates, the Toles and others, would have made such an invasion as "was not done by no man's remembrance." I went with the Chief Justice to Dundalk on the 14th of May, to parle with O'Neile at the Carrike Bradoghe, but he sent word that he durst not come for fear of being betrayed, "mistrusting to come to any Englishman after the deceit of the Lord Deputy." He desired me and the Chief Justice to come to the narrow water beside McGynnose's castle. We did so, and concluded a peace with him. "He promised to perform all such peace according the effect of the indentures made between Sir William Skeffington and him," and said he would send his servant to the King to desire pardon. He remitted the ordering of all his offences to the King. He also promised to keep peace till his servant's return. Other assurance of him we could not get.

While I was at the said parliament, O'Conour, with a great number of horsemen and galloglas with kerne, did burn in Bremyngham's country. The Lord Chancellor and Master Treasurer were then in Kildare, raising the country to "keep upon" O'Tole, the Cavanoghs, and O'Conour; but seeing Bremyngham's country on fire, they went into O'Conour's country, burned divers towns, and took some cattle. This caused O'Conour to return. I made haste to the borders, and have concluded an hosting to go upon him.

I desire that the bearers may return soon; they could never be worse spared out of this land than now. We have great need of horsemen and necessaries, as bows, arrows, strings, spears, and powder. Sir Thomas Cusake has done diligent service.

Trym, 17 May. Signed.

Addressed: Lord Privy Seal.

State Papers III. 204.

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 146.