The EXAMINATION of ANDREW ROCHE, taken before the LORD 1599, March 30.-The examinate says that about the 14th instant (new style) James Fitz Thomas, the so-called Earl of Desmond, delivered to him two letters written by James Walsh, and signed by the said James Fitz Thomas, directed to the King of Spain, which were written at Dangynychouse in the house of Stephen Rice, and also a letter from Don John de Bessas directed to Don Diego Brochero, general of the King's Royal army in Spain, to be delivered accordingly. These letters were taken from him at sea by William Lincoln, Thomas Collen and other merchants of Waterford, who saw them given to him by the so-called Earl; and for the contents he refers to the letters. Richard Cony, master of the ship, Thomas Oge and Morogh McShihie also saw the letters given to him. At the same time the Earl signed and delivered 4 other letters to one Sir Knogher, a priest, to be conveyed to Spain in the same ship, viz., one in Latin to the King of Spain, one in English to Morish Fitz John, and two others in English to the clergy of Spain. At his apprehension at sea he told the merchants that the priest had these letters. But Lincoll said the priest had thrown them overboard, but that at Waterford Lincoll told him that they were safe. The priest had a boy with him, who came to Waterford. The Earl bade him tell the King of Spain that the Earl of Tyrone takes more upon him than he can perform, and that the Earl of Desmond can do more because he commands the province of Munster, which has towns in it and is very fertile; and which contains gentlemen of worth such as are not in the North, who are at the Earl's command. Moreover the examinate heard Captain Tyrell tell the Earl of Desmond that the King of Scots favoured the Earl of Tyrone, and that supplies of powder came to Tyrone from Denmark and Brunswick through Scotland. Tyrell had seen a letter directed by the King of Scots to "Our loving friend the Baron of Dungannon, Earl Tyrone, Great O'Neal, and Lord General of Ireland for the Catholic Church," and signed, "Your loving friend James Rex." And Tyrone and the King were each pledged to help the other. The Spaniards intend to send a large force to Ireland; and he was ordered to tell the King of Spain that the rebels meant to fortify Haulbowlene and Inspike islands in Cork harbour to receive them there. If the Spanish troops could not come to Ireland this year, he was to bring cannon with him in some Esterling or Scottish ship to the haven of Youghal, to land them at Stroncally, and burn the ship. John Fitz Thomas told his brother the Earl that Captain Morishe, the keeper of Stroncally, would deliver it up at his pleasure. A Walloon named Captain Gymmert is to go presently from Limerick with letters like those given to the examinate. sime enference in a My remetted that they don during the lives of the Queen and the Earl of Ormond, who are not Eke to live long. had entered in if both were President on his retur like though ther and their confederates Yeah. H Montzarrets' advice had tid Love joined Lattle with the Lord Sol. Themis Ormonde, Andre Roche, George Comerford, Robert Rotle, H. Sherwood. 4... 69.35. LR. CHR. PARKINS to SIR ROFERT CECIL. 1599, March 31.-I cannot remember if the Queen ever did more than sign her name below her letters to the Duke of Venice. But the matter has been discussed, and my opinion has always been that some difference should be made, because the Duke was not a prince by birth. I do not think the word fratri or consanquineo should be used, nor should her Majesty use the words bona soror at the end.-31 March. Holograph. Endorsed :- ̈ 31 March. '99." 1 p. (69. 37.) JOHN COLVILLE to LORD DOUGLAS. 1599,-Being desirous to know what your Lordship hears from Scotland, and to impart unto you what has fallen in my way, I have kept this bearer. The Emperor and King of Spain are accorded for twenty years with the Turk, and are leagued with the Princes of Italy against the Protestants. The King of France will shortly be asked to league with them, but he minds to be a father of all his children. Would that all Protestant Kings were so disposed, for then should our grey hairs be buried at home with our fathers. The last articles of the Edict, which are verified, though in some places refused, as in Toulouse and Bordeaux, have exasperated the Catholics. Sed crepat illis medius. And if this Majesty be not murdered, he is more nor bastant for all Romanists. My Lord Bothwell is in great credit; alas! therefore. Not for any harm I wish him, but because he will lose his honour in the company he is in. He has been very ill. He amasses men and promises great matter, but it will end in smoke. And he will soon discredit himself, for it is not shadow that feeds the Spaniard. They have seen his projects in Holland effectless; his other intent was divulged too soon, and if this fail which he now broaches, he will be again put to his A B C. I shall always be ready to save him, albeit he have put out men to assassinate me in my going between Boulogne and Calais. He may kill me but shall not shame me, as I told him in Paris. The young King of Spain will show himself to the world, and they make great preparations at Dunkirk. Sundry light shallops are made to be posts to and from the army, of the which three are now here. I shall be glad to know if there is any progress in a treaty between my stepmother Scotland and Cardinal Andre. Please speak to Mr. Locke about me and if my widow's mite may be accepted. I am in great extremity because I am neither Spanish nor Popish.-Bologne, 10 April, Stylo novo, 1599. We think that Madame de Beaufort is dead. Holograph. Seal. 3 pp. (69. 57.) SIR THOMAS KNOLLYS to the QUEEN. 1598-9, March.-Your Majesty's most gracious letters, with your 2,000 subjects and soldiers, sent hither under my conduct and command, I have delivered into the hands of the States, who, how slightly they have accepted of the one, and injuriously dealt with the other, I refer unto the effects of both, the particulars whereof I have acquainted the Council. Only this in all humility and reverence I say, that the States are not altogether to be condemned for the cross and indirect courses which have been held here. They have only put in execution what by others was plotted and devised, I mean especially Sir Francis Vere, whose authority and maintenance from the States is so great and absolute, being lately appointed by them to be their general of all the English in the field, that he maketh small account of your Majesty's town and government of the Brill, being wholly addicted unto the States and their proceedings. He hath not only crost my welfare in these parts, but also your Majesty's special service into Ireland, the Council's determinations in England, and my Lord of Essex's intended journey. If I should be thought worthy of the command of your Majesty's cautionary town of the Brill, I should think myself fully recompensed for all manner of miseries and misfortunes which by sea and land I have hitherto endured, and I will never cease to pray for your most flourishing estate, and that God might number your most happy hours, joyful days and prosperous years with the stars of heaven, the sands of the shore and the drops of the sea. Holograph. Endorsed :-March, 1598. 1 p. (60. 76.) SIR THOMAS KNOLLYS to SIR ROBERT CECIL. 1598-9, March.-Complaining of Sir Thomas Vere's treatment. of him. "But greatness is for the most part accompanied with jealousy, wherefore, whatsoever is done, I impute it altogether unto his greatness. I think it too much for one man to be Lord General for the States in the field and Lord Governor of the Brill for her Majesty." I am but a simple captain. Holograph. Endorsed:-March, 1598. 1 p. (60. 77.) HUGH BEESTON to SIR ROBERT CECIL. 1598-9, March.-This night the Lord of Derby purposeth to be at the Court. The books will not be ready till Tuesday. You must either resolve to be here on that day, or else by some means keep his Lordship at Court till Tuesday, when Mr. Ireland, Mr. Perceval, and myself would attend you. In my opinion the fittest place to finish such a business will be at your house here. Holograph. Endorsed :-Mar. 1598.p. (61. 73.) THOMAS EDMONDES to SIR ROBERT CECIL. 1599, March. I arrived here with the Audiencier this afternoon, and found this bearer returned that was dispatched with her Majesty's letters. And because he brought a letter to your Honour from the President Richardot, I was bold to open the same for my better direction. You will see that he continues his assurances of a good inclination on their part within the limits of utility. The Audiencier tells me that the point of forbearing to trade with those of Holland and Zealand will be much insisted upon. We shall travel together, but he desires to go before me to the Court, to gain an account of his charges and prepare the Duke for my coming.-Calais, March, 1599. Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (69. 39.) SIR EDWARD STAFFORD to SIR ROBERT CECIL. 1598-9, March.-It pleased your Honour very favourably to pleasure me so much and Mr. Stalinge my surety, who were both with you at your house in the Duchy, as to grant a stay of any process against me and him till you were settled in the office. Yet even now there is sent me a note of an extent against me, and so I am sure it is against Mr. Stalinge, and I would ask that the process be called in again. Holograph. Endorsed :-"March, 1599." 1 p. (69. 41.) The EARL of ESSEX to REGINALD NYCHOLAS. [? c. 1599, March.]-Instructions as to a provision of geldings. for his employment into Ireland for the recovery of that Kingdom. Wishes for geldings of the best sort rather than great horses, believing that they will best agree both with that country and the service there intended.-Court at Whitehall. Undated draft. Endorsed" Copy of letter of the Earl of Essex, 1600." 1 p. (75. 70.) LORD H. HOWARD to the EARL of SOUTHAMPTON. [1599, early in April.]-Though the time be short if we number days since you departed hence, yet hath it seemed over long to those that resolve accidents and observe revolutions. Since these took their leave of their best company, the pleasant moods which appear in sundry persons give me great cause to judge that all men were not created of one mould, but they that build upon a rock are not afraid of foul weather. I take no great delight in hearing strange exceptions cast over against my worthy Lord for moderate journeys, when Wiseman, his servant, was pitied by the same person for riding in post with so great expedition. For strange it is that those burdens should be laid upon such a master which in an ordinary servant deserve compassion. If you, too, have heard the manner of proceeding with my Lord about Sir Christopher Blounte, you will then conceive whether I had reason, as well out of judgment as out of tenderness, to shrink in the behalf of my dearest and most worthy friend at the beginning of this enterprise. For this is only at the first tentare patientiam without any ground, and after, as advantage ariseth upon accident, to prove unconstancy. The body of the Court begins now to grow wholly and entirely into one part and that not the best. I doubt for a while I shall not be able to give you account of "crust rattiones" in this place, suitable to your worthy general's deserts in those, but the greater shall be the shame of peevish prejudice when demonstrations shall deface emulation. Pardon my post haste, worthy Lord, for I have left in the world but one quarter of an hour to despatch my salutations to my dear friends amongst you, and beside, my spirits, which I lost at Stony Stratford, are scant returned to their old seat back again. As matters of importance occur you shall understand, as a person dear to me for your own kind and honourable parts, but most dear of all for being near and dear to him in whom alone, concerning joys and comforts of this world, I protest to God my soul is satisfied. Be ever in this action, and in all others, as happy as I wish, and so shall you not be troubled with wishing to yourself what was |