PETITION of SIR WILLIAM RUSSELL, LORD DEPUTY, to the PRIVY COUNCIL.

"That whereas, from time to time, for the space of a year and more, he hath by his letters made known unto your Lord ships the dangerous state of this distressed kingdom, committed to his charge and government, as well through the great force, strength, and means of the rebels themselves, as through their continual practice to draw in foreign assistance, if the same were not prevented by a timely and round prosecution; and yet, to his great grief and discomfort, could not in his devices be credited, but others suffered and authorized to proceed in a course of pacification which, in the opinion of the said Deputy and the most part of the Council, his assistants, did tend directly to her Majesty's disadvantage, and the gaining of time to the said rebels, the better to bring to pass their purposes. Forasmuch, therefore, as it hath appeared by the report of divers come lately out of Spain, that a fleet of Spanish ships, set out to sea to have come thither, by this time had arrived here if they had not been dispersed and wrecked by tempest about Cape Finister, as also that the remain of the said fleet and army, to the number of 2,000, are said to have direction to come on, and thought now to be at sea again; when the Earl of Tyrone, with all his forces, save such as are left about Armagh to block up the fort there, are drawn up to the borders of the Pale, where he daily preyeth and spoileth, with purpose, as may be thought, to take all advantages by joining with the said Spaniards, or otherwise: it is most humbly desired by the said Deputy, in discharge of his duty, for the good of her Majesty's service and the safety of her realm of Ireland, that your Lordships would be pleased to be a means unto her Majesty to revoke him, and place some other better countenanced and graced in Court, to the end. more credit being given to his advices, he may be better supplied of means than he findeth himself to be to withstand so imminent dangers."

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