PELHAM to the COUNCIL in ENGLAND.

Answering those brought to the Nurie by Sharpe; and sent by Cotton.

I received your letter concerning the appointment of a surveyor of the victuals. Great losses in the beer and biscuit sent from Bristowe. The beef is too dear. These victuals should not be provided in England, but only wheat, meal, butter, cheese, and fish. Some help of corn, especially of beer malt and oat malt, shall be had out of Westmeath. The victuallers at Waterford and Cork are skilful enough, if their training up in the abuses of that office have not made them too expert in making their own profit. I hope to make such choice as her Majesty shall be served with less loss and discommodity. In the meantime I forbear to press it upon Mr. Waterhowse, because he supplieth the place of Secretary to the State. Instead of sending victuals to Cork and Waterford, I pray you send them to Limerick, for the substance of the war must be upon Kerrie and Coneloughe.

By my letters to her Majesty I have declared my late journey northward. The offence conceived against me is so generally known here as to make me unapt for the place which I hold.

I send you two letters, one from the Lord General (Ormond), the other from the Chief Justice of Munster, Justice Walshe, that was sent to examine the sacking of Youghall.

It is a common speech in the West, especially amongst the followers of the Viscounts Barrie and Roche and Sir Cormocke McTeige, that they dare not use any violence unto the rebels, because they doubt that the Earl of Desmond shall have his pardon and protection, as in his former offences." If these people hear of her Majesty's misliking of the proceedings against him, they will be yet more cold. This may take from the Butlers and their faction, who also subscribed the proclamation, all appetite to serve against him.

Dublin, 28 December 1579. Signed.

Contemp. copy.