The LORD DEPUTY and COUNCIL to the LORD PRESIDENT (SIR JOHN NORRIS).

Your letter of 5 December was received yesterday, with the copy of another from the Earl of Tyrone to yourself. "Where you make mention of another letter received from Rice Ap Hugh, wherein he thinketh that Ardmaghe is lost, and that it is long since that you wrote unto the Marshal (Bagnall) and to us about it, grounding thereupon an opinion, as it seemeth, that if we had written but one good letter to the Earl it would have saved it, we know not what your Lordship may mean by this clause." At no time since the Earl took his pardon we have written to him in any unpleasing manner, but have laboured to hold him in good terms. "But now that he hath given so many apparent proofs of his bad meaning to this State, and namely the public restraint he made of all victuals to be carried to Ardmagh; his quarrelling with the convoy, and cutting some of the soldiers that went with the victuals; his late attempt made to surprise the place, wherein were slain 35 of the garrison, himself countenancing the matter in person; the violent incursions into the Pale lately made by his kinsmen and followers with open force as far as the river of Boyne, and on this side his son-in-law, Henry Oge McShane, being there in person, and commanding the rest in his name; and, lastly, his late treacherous attempt to surprise her Majesty's castle of Carlingford, where, missing of his principal purpose, there was carried away as prisoners, in lamentable manner, two gentlewomen, daughters of Captain Henshaw, the one married and the other a maid, he being, by appointment, to follow with his forces of purpose to surprise the castle;" these were sufficient reasons not to write to him in so mild manner as you advise. Nevertheless, as you are better acquainted with his humours, we leave you to deal with him for the relief of Ardmagh, either by persuasion or by force. You shall not want all the help of horse and foot that is in the kingdom. The place is victualled yet for 30 days.

Dublin, 9 December 1596.

Signed: W. Russell; Ad. Dublin., Canc.; Tho. Midensis; Henry Wallop; Ro. Gardner; Anthony St. Leger; Ro. Dyllon; George Bowrchier; Geoffrey Fenton; Ralph Lane.

Copy.