The LORD JUSTICE and COUNCIL to the LORDS in ENGLAND.

Sent by Mr. Cotton.

Upon the breaking up of the camp in Munster after the return of the Earl of Ormond from his late journey, most of the captains were licensed to repair hither, as well for money as for the furniture of their bands with necessaries. This small proportion of treasure is far too short to pay them their due at the ordinary rate of Irish wages; "whereunto the old bands do crave their allowance of one penny ster. by the day for their victualling. And the new bands hope upon 8d. ster. by the day, by promise in England, as they report, and by example of the Berwick soldiers claiming the like, shewing a letter from our very good Lord the Lord Governor of Berwick. The horsemen also claim the accustomed rates of oats, or allowance for them from her Majesty, without which in truth they are no way able to live. And because the former orders taken in England appointing the penny by the day only to 1,070, and the allowance of oats from the country, limited for 300 horse, will not stretch to the satisfying of 200, and the composition of those 1,070 allowances are not answered by the English Pale, but a great part turned over to the desperate of the counties of Kilkenny, Tiporarie, Wexford, and the King's and Queen's Counties, we are desirous to know your Lordships' pleasures how we shall satisfy the captains and soldiers of these their reasonable demands." It is to be wished that all were made sterling pays, rather than Irish. We pray that money and victuals may be sent.

Dublin, 28 December 1579.

Signed: William Pelham, Ad. Dublin., He. Wallope, J. Garvy, Ed. Watterhous.

Contemp. copy.