Catalogue description The QUEEN to LORD DEPUTY RUSSELL and the COUNCIL.

We command you (without faction or partiality amongst you) to unite yourselves in council, and to provide for the cure of the present diseases. Notwithstanding our infinite charges for the prosecution of those rebels, no sound remedies have followed, but still we see new erections of companies, new devices of charges, loose musters, and slack and cross counsels.

In Ulster we do see, since the journey and discreet dealings of our President of Munster and our Secretary, [Sir John Norris and Geoffrey Fenton.] a general submission of the rebels. Complete that work for our honour, "with such conditions as we may find to be derived only from public respect and not for particular end." Considering the monstrous accusations brought against our ministers that have lived amongst these people, we cannot turn our face from their complaints. We have determined on a course of pacification, and shall hold it a weakness in you (the Deputy) if you require to be daily directed in all particulars, especially as your advices are bare and barren.

To begin with Connaught, it troubles us to find such slackness in the trial of the enormities complained of in Bingham's government, for the people must needs think our heart alienated from doing them justice; and you have not given us thorough information. Select fit commissioners to be sent to Connaught, and let it be known to them that only their fleeing from justice to disorder, and not coming in to make complaint to our ministers, was the cause of this protraction. If Bingham appear guilty, he shall be removed, but we must not condemn a governor unheard and without good proof.

"For the particulars suggested in settling hard rates at the composition, we doubt not but, if it shall well be ordered, the people will continue the composition, for we never heard that they repined thereat, but that besides their rents for the composition they were burdened with cesses both for victuals and soldiers, contrary to the true meaning of the composition."

Though the composition of Connaught has been greater than that of Munster or any other province, yet no direct profit has been given to us, for the governor erected so many bands of horse and foot that the whole revenue of the composition is expanded.

Diminish our intolerable charges by relating some of our forces, especially the newly-erected companies. When Gardner was with us, he had conference with our Council of many things respecting Connaught. Our President of Munster and our Secretary "have gotten by their dealings with Tyrone and O'Donnell further light what would be the state of their demands; so as we will have these two employed as fit instruments in the same."

We have seen shrewd informations, taken before you our Deputy, of underhand plottings by the ministers of Bingham to disturb this intended course. To assure the people that we will do them right, he is to carry at Dublin or remain at Athlone, from whence he may be called to Galleway before such of you as shall be in commission. The commissioners now appointed are to get information of his practices. We hear also that many officers and captains under Bingham do pick quarrels to disturb this beginning. They are not to be left unpunished.

Use with Norris and Fenton the service of Dillon our Chief Justice, of our Justice, in Connaught, and our Attorney, to hear and examine all these things. The Earls of Clanrycard and Thomonde, who have served us faithfully in this broken time, are to be present, not as commissioners, but as witnesses, to the people's comfort that they shall have equal measure in the examination.

Tyrone and O'Donnell, with the rest, may receive their pardon according to that which Norris and Fenton have accorded to them, and are to be enjoined to come in to our State there after their pardon.

"For the coming of the Spaniards we know not what to say, because your bruits are so uncertain; only this, we expect to hear the particularities as well by your own intelligences as from Tyrone and O'Donnell, who dutifully advertised our President of Munster of their arrival, and their refusal to accept them. We do also wish you our Deputy, to whom the message was sent, to confer with Norris and Fenton about the fine offered, wherein we know no cause why, by such an evasion, he should save that ransom, being much too little a redemption for his grievous disloyalties. Others likewise have agreed to yield fines, which we would have you consider how to draw from them towards the expiation of their offences."

As to O'Donnell's request for lessening the composition which his father was rated at, he may be relieved in that rate and the rent reduced. Such matters we leave to your discretions. Seldom or never you direct commissioners, but waste time in sending hither to and fro needlessly.

"And for you our Treasurer, of all other, we see nothing but great sums expended, and no good nor timely certificates how they are issued, but in generalities, with accompts of idle and particular charges, wherein we find large allowances made to yourselves by yourselves in all things. And for the musters (of which let Ralph Lane be sharply warned) either we have none, or such as we assure you it is ridiculous to the world to hear what an army we pay, and yet what an army we have."

Under our signet at our manor of Greenwich, 25 May 1596, 38 Eliz.

Copy.

MS 617, p. 253 Another copy.

Calendar of the Carew Manuscripts preserved in the Archiepiscopal Library at Lambeth, ed. J. S. Brewer & W. Bullen (6 vols., 1867-73), vol. III, document 241.