was fain to send it by Stillingfleet. Mr. Secretary is to write a letter in her Majesty's name to the Bishop of Exeter of her pleasure for this party, as either yourself or Mr. Brereton shall understand, because I think one of you shall write the letter. My Lady Stafford is the suitor for him as being of kin, come of the house of the Nevilles in the north.-Richmond, 23 January, 1599.

Holograph. Seal. p. (178. 110.)

WARDSHIPS.

1599-1600, Jan. 23.-Petition of Alexander Hartley, of the Haigh, Yorks, to Sir R. Cecil, for the wardship of the heirs of John Gibson and John Walker.

Endorsed:-23 Jan., 1599. p. (P. 213.)

CHRISTOPHER DOBSON to [SIR R. CECIL].

1599-1600, Jan. 23.-For the concealed wardship of the son and heir of one Maynprice, Yorks.

Endorsed:-23 Jan., 1599. p. (P. 1444.)

W. GOODYEAR to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1599-1600, Jan. 24.-Was promised the wardship of young Wenman, his daughter's child, but Sir Richard Wenman seeks the wardship, and has taken possession of the house and rents. Prays for Cecil's protection and consideration of the matter. Endorsed: 24 Jan., 1599. 1 p. (549.)

SIR ROBERT CECIL to ALEXANDER BRET.

1599-1600, Jan. 24.-Thanks him for a valuation of the manor of Haselberye, [Dorset,] which enables him to give some satisfaction to his niece, the Countess of Derby.-The Court, 24 Jan., 1599.

p. (P. 2300.)

EDWARD GOLDE to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1599-1600, Jan. 24.-I thank your Honour that it pleased you, on the Lord Burleigh's commendation and Sir Walter Rawleigh's report, and at the request of the Lord Grey, to be a mean to her Majesty for my despatch. I am a poor private man that have ventured my life and issued forth my goods and money in most. necessary service of her Majesty. I am sore indebted here already. My wife and children are in great want by reason both of the alteration in Ireland since my coming over, and also through my long absence of two years here. I beseech that I may receive my due here, and not be driven to further travail.This 24 of January, 1599.

Signed. Seal. p. (67. 115.)

JOHN DANYELL to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1599-1600, Jan. 24.-To deserve your favour I would hazard my life. It were not amiss, as I think, among other policies and plots for the overthrow of that wicked traitor Tyrone, that some sufficient men should be employed to sow sedition betwixt O'Donell, O'Rorke, McGuyr and him. In case her Majesty and your Honour be so pleased, I am content to be employed as one for that purpose, and do hope that you shall find my travail therein not inferior to any that shall be employed for that service.

I understand that divers of the inhabitants of the cities and towns and also of the civil parts of Ireland, are earnest with the Lords Justices, and do mean to be in hand with the Deputy upon his coming thither, for granting pardons unto them. The reason is they have had dealings with the traitor.

Some of my creditors, understanding that you procured me 101., do hunt me from place to place to arrest me that I dare not go abroad. I beseech you procure her Majesty to grant the sum of the petition enclosed whereby I may not be troublesome henceforth for any maintenance. This 24 of January, 1599. Holograph. 1 p. (67. 116.)

SIR EDWARD NORREYS to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1599-1600, Jan. 24.-Please your Honour to grant your allowance of this my suit, which is, that I may replace my father in the office of lieutenancy, at his desire, for his ease and comfort, in consideration of his age and weakness.-Englefield, 24 Jan., 1599.

Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (67. 117.)

RICHARD HITCHENS, Mayor of Plymouth, to the PRIVY COUNCIL.

1599-1600, Jan. 25.-This day there arrived here one of the Dutch ships which went from the Islands to the Indias. The rest of the fleet they expect daily to this place, where they make their rendezvous.

The captain reports that they went, though contrary to their purpose, to St. Thomas, and there landed, taking the town with small difficulty, but they carried away their best wealth into the mountains. They took the Castellan and the Governor, whom they have here in this ship. They offered ransom for the town, but not agreeing thereupon, they came with their negroes and fired it themselves. The general died within two days they landed there, and fell sick at one time 1,500 men, whereof died 1,100, and do die still in the calenture, wherewith they wax frantic, and many perished by running themselves overboard into the sea by the fury of their sickness. They have brought away sugars and their brass ordnance, whereof two pieces do contain in weight each of them 11,000. Further circumstances I leave to the report of the captain, who (as he told me) will write by this packet. Plymouth, the 25th of January, 1599. Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (67. 118.)

PATRICK SINNOTE to the EARL OF TYRONE.

Jan. 25
Feb. 4.

-It was

1599-1600, my lord and master his will that I should certify you of the state of the country, and in what plight they be. It is so that you must build on yourself, and not on any aid of men here hence, for it is so that they have no men to spare here, and scarce men to send into Flanders. But with munition and some treasure they will help you at all times, therefore build on yourself and in what you have, for men you are not like to have any; albeit they do give you fair words that they will give you aid of men, I do hold that they are not able to give it. The Archbishop that came over, he is doing what he may to get men, but it is impossible; therefore, as I say afore, build on yourself and that shall be the surest ground for you. But before it be May you shall have some munition and treasure, therefore despatch the bearer with your letters with as much speed as you may; my lord doth give him upon his coming four hundred ducats, therefore he will make haste to come, and he is, as I think, a sure and trusty messenger.-" At the Grin” [Groyne], 4 February, 1600.

Holograph. 1 p. (76. 38.)

PAUL THOMPSON to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1599-1600, Jan. 26.-Mrs. Vaux, for some good proceedings she hath lately found in the Court of Wards, hath withdrawn her suit against me in the Common Pleas. On Sunday last I was sworn

in Her Majesty's chaplain in ordinary. the Lord Chamberlain therefor.

Holograph. Seal. p. (67. 119.)

I pray you thank

RICHARD HADSOR to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1599-1600, Jan. 26.-In the time of Sir John Perrott's government in Ireland, her Majesty ordered the insertion of a clause into grants by patent of offices durante bene placito and quamdiu bene se gesserit, that the patentees be not removed from their offices but by decree of the Privy Council, on being certified of such patentees' misdemeanour by the State there. The Lord Burgh granted the office of provost-marshal-general, under the great seal of that realm, with the said clause, unto Owen ap Hugh, a gentleman of North Wales, my motherin-law's husband, upon the death of his brother Rhys. He hath served her Majesty since he was able to carry arms. He was maimed in one of his hands in the defence of the town of Knockfergus. He had his corn burned and his goods carried away by the rebels, having not paid me by reason thereof any rent these five years since my father's death for the land which he holdeth of me. Yet doth one George King, a gentleman of that country, who had a company there this last summer, affirm that the Lords do offer to grant the said office to him. I pray you inform yourself of the said Owen's sufficiency and honesty, and let him have the benefit of his patent.-The xxvj of January,

1599.

Holograph. 1 p. (67. 120.)

[WILLIAM COTTON], Bishop of Exeter, to SIR ROBERT CECIL. 1599-1600, Jan. 26.—I have at the last, upon your letters, fully placed Mr. Gill into the parsonage of Brent, worth by the year 300 marks, unto the which I also had a title, but I have bent myself in my poor place fully to satisfy you in that I may. If my Lord Treasurer take offence thereat, I pray you to satisfy him. I was bold to acquaint you with the impudent suit of one Samuel Beck, who brought her Majesty's letters for the chantership and residence. I did truly certify you touching the person of Beck and the filling of the place. I dare assure you he cannot be matched for lewdness in all the western parts; and to satisfy her Majesty more fully, I have sent up unto you the certificate of the Dean and Chapter to testify that long before her commandment the place was full, and that I by virtue of her former grant of commendam was possessed of the same. And were it not that her Majesty hath thus far favoured him, I had deprived him before Easter ab officio, as he hath at Lambeth already been deprived a beneficio.-From Exeter, 26 January, 1599.

Holograph. Seal, broken. 1 p. (178. 111.)

The certificate of the Dean and Chapter referred to in the preceding letter. 1 p. (67. 121.)

NOWELL DOWDALL to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1599-1600, Jan 26.-For the concealed wardship of the heir of George Barton.-Endorsed: 26 Jan., 1599. Note by Cecil thereon. 1 p. (P. 1338.)

SIR GEORGE PECKHAM to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1599-1600, Jan. 26.-His dangerous sickness, which has obliged him to sell his household stuff and apparel. Prays for the grant of that concealed wood in Wales for which he made petition.-London, 26 January, 1599.

Holograph. 1 p. (P. 1977.)

WILLIAM, EARL OF DERBY to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1599-1600, Jan. 28.-Good Uncle: In the absence of me and my officer forth of Lancashire this last term, and upon information given and received by such as have intended the impeachment of my inheritance in my chiefest manor, namely Lathom," an office hath been sitten after the death of a poor freeholder of mine there, Gilbert Beaconsall and his son, whose heir of a few acres of land within that manor is found to hold of her Majesty, which hath fallen out by way of default, by reason none for me was present to deliver evidence. I entreat you that my cause and evidence, which, by sound advice, I conceive to be good, may be heard before a jury, whereunto I will refer myself upon notice thereof from the Escheator and Feodary.-Hackney, this 28th of January, 1599.

Signed. 1 p. (67. 122.)

JA. SCAMLER to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1599-1600, Jan. 28.-For the wardship of one Plater, of Norfolk. Grays Inn Lane, London, 28 Jan., 1599. p. (P. 1914.)

SIR EDWARD FYTTON to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1599-1600, Jan. 29.-Mr. Brereton, lingering and now despairfully sick, has married his son, to defraud the Queen of his wardship and me of your grant; yet am I no less bound to you for your remembrance of me. Good Mr. Secretary, help my daughter to her portion, which has been so long in Sir Henry Wallop's hands. If you would send for Mr. Wallop and ask whether he has not good discharge for the same and such as Mr. Treasurer, his father, himself desired, you would see his evasions; without this my poor daughter will be much hindered; wherefore I commend her cause to your protection.

Next as to my son; if you will have him go into Ireland, let it be with Sir George Carew and in some place of reputation; or entreat good Sir George to restore him his own place, which is unjustly kept from him by men who pretend service, but who really get more by combining with traitors than a good subject can, I mean the Lord "Pore." I long to wait on you for poor Ireland, whose distressed estate is lamentable, and where I have buried my father, mother, three brethren and great part of my fortune. Yet there is a way might recall all with small charge to the Queen. But this must wait, till I can pull on a boot.— "Gauswa" [Gawsworth, Macclesfield], 29 Jan.

Holograph. Endorsed:-"29 Jan., 1599." Seal. 1 p. (68. 1.)

SIR HENRY LEE to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1599-1600, Jan. 29.-Being old, lame, and not able to perform my accustomed service about the Queen, I beseech you to defend me in my aged absence from such greedy procurers as would bury me before my death, especially in the matter of the small offices in my gift as Master of the Armoury. I last appointed to that place a man of yours, and well he doth discharge it, so that I hope if any seek after it, you will let the Queen know to whom it belongs, and how much the matter concerns me, and those who serve me.-29 Jan.

Holograph. Endorsed :-" 29 Jan., 1599." 1 p. (68. 2.)

THOMAS RIDGEWAY to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1599-1600, Jan. 29.-This morning arrived in Dartmouth a small ship from St. Lucas in Spain, of which Francis Jarvis of Exeter is pilot, who went out of Barnstaple with Nicholas Buggins of Totnes about four months ago in a French ship, as appears from his license. He hath written the enclosed letter for you.Torr', Jan. 29, 1599.

Holograph. 1 p. (68. 3.)