The LO. DEPUTY to the COUNCIL in ENGLAND touching matters treated of with LORD CAREW.

I have received great satisfaction that it has pleased the King to send my Lo. Carew, to view the state of affairs, how they are, and have been carried on. For sure I am, having been thus long conversant with us in the occurrances of this time, he will be more able and ready to do service to the King and this state.

The principal things which we have treated and debated with him have been concerning the lessening of the King's present charge, the improvement and increase of his revenues and receipts, the summoning of a Parliament in convenient time, the success of the plantation of Ulster, and how far that of Munster hath been performed by the undertakers.

1. For diminution of the King's present charge, the expenses issue forth many ways; as in entertainments to the Deputy and State officers, to the presidents, commanders and officers of the army, to the judges and officers of the courts of justice, and to pensioners. And as for the new increases which have been since made, they were either done by virtue of the King's letters, or else of your Lordship's, signifying the King's pleasure, as will appear by the quotations upon the books of payments out of the treasury and revenues, which my Lord Carew has to present.

As for the entertainments of the horse troops now in the King's pay by the establishment of the 1st of October 1608, amounting yearly to the sum of 8,702l. 4s. 2d., and of the foot companies, amounting unto 32,489l. 11s. 3d., and of the wards, which amount unto 8,511l. 7s. 1d., yearly, I have been persuaded, in consideration of the abatement of charge which I understand to be looked for at my hands, to discharge so many of them as will save the King yearly 13,893l., &c. But as for the other entertainments and pensions granted by letters patent, it is not in my power so to deal with them. Notwithstanding, I must confess that I was far more willing to ease the King that way than to abate the strength of the horse and foot, who were ready at all times to prosecute any service. Those that hold companies and wards by the King's special letters of favour, or by letters patent are, for the most part, the youngest captains.

The pensions now chargeable to the King yearly, amount to the sum of 11,555l. 5d., payable out of the treasure and revenues, and yet there is no profitable use to be had of the pensioners at any sudden need. Many of these pensions may perhaps be abated if the oath of supremacy be once tendered unto the parties, and such as shall refuse discharged as being unworthy of favour.

I intend that this present reducement shall take effect everywhere by the 11th of next month. It cannot conveniently be done sooner, because many of the garrisons and wards are far distant. Besides it is not safe that the natives of Ulster, (who are peremptorily required to depart from their habitations under the British undertakers at Alhallowtide next, and thenceforth settle themselves upon their own portions, "or else upon the Church lands) and the servitors should not by this occasion be animated to contemn what they are so commanded to obey." I hold it not safe to discharge any more of the forces.

I have been given to understand that it was expected I should have advised a reducement of the King's charge of soldiers here before this time. But I consider that the list of the year 1608 was established by the King's hand, which it behoved me not either to diminish or alter without warranty.

The malignity of the idle people of this realm, who are called gentlemen, is so incorrigible and fatal unto the rest, and their habit and manner of living has been so little reformed by observation among the British, or penalties of the laws, that they are apt to return to afflict such of our nation as would dwell among them and expel them by force.

Again, there is so general an offence and despair now taken at the manner and drift of the new plantation intended, as is like to hasten them to a like disturbance thereof, except they be restrained by force.

The King's intention of bringing colonies out of Great Britain does not go so forward as is to be wished. Most of our countrymen come over hither to look upon their portions how they can like them, and so return back again, rather than with an intention to adventure their persons or substance in the plantation; and those that go about to plant themselves here and there, do it with such weakness as if they were for either not able or not willing to go so straight with what they ought and are bound to do.

Now admit that three or four undertakers should be feloniously burned or spoiled by wood kerne in any part of the province, I am persuaded that it would so discourage the rest, who are not come over, that this design would be interrupted for many years.

I considered also that a reducement and civilising of some other wild countries was intended; and that as for the improvement of the King's customs and other revenues a Parliament was shortly to be holden, wherein either some displeasing laws might pass, or not be executed afterwards, that reformation of religion and church government was expected, that the Jesuits, seminary priests, and other seditious ministers, were intended to be banished out of the realm, and therefore observing the diminution of our forces, they would again take new courage and resolution to stay, and so hinder and supplant whatsoever was well begun or intended. I was of opinion also, in consideration of all this, as also that the good speed of the plantation, specially the security of the undertakers with the administration and proceedings of justice, until castles and houses were erected by the British, did rest chiefly in the force and protection of those few horse and foot remaining to this time. Of these it might be justly said that every 10 of them were worth 50 new men, as being extracted out of many thousands who are dead and gone. I was further of opinion that it was an unseasonable time to discharge them, because the nights growing long and dark, the wood kerne and other malefactors who dare not begin at other times, are now aptest to declare their malice. Thus much I hope may excuse me why I have not eased the King of a great part of his expenses, and why I have neither advised nor made any reducement of the last establishment until this time. Whether I have now done it seasonably I leave to further experience.

2ndly. Concerning the increase of the King's revenues, &c., we have established the customs in all the port towns of this realm, except those of Dublin, Waterforde, Gallowaie and Drogheda, which standing upon their privileges and refusing to pay poundage, are now by commission under the Great Seal charged with the imposition of 12d., upon the pound, in lieu of custom, out of all goods to be exported or imported not being custom free. Since then we have found out many small heads, from which further profits may be drawn. All these are contained in a book delivered to my L. Carew.

3rdly. As the King intends to make sale of several of his lands here in fee farm, and to lay a portion of treasure here in deposit, to answer sudden occasions for levying men, &c., I am of opinion that this will be a much better course than to keep it in his hands without any extraodinary profit, or to give it away in fee farm gratis. I, therefore, expect a commission with convenient instructions, that we may make trial of it among people wanting money and having too much land.

4thly. We have not omitted to deliberate concerning the summons of the Parliament, nor to consider how the house is like to be composed of persons of contrary drifts and affections. I have delivered my conceit thereof in writing unto my Lo. Carew. I am of opinion that the next spring or summer will be a fit time.

5thly. Concerning the success of the plantation of the escheated lands of Ulster, though they are sufficiently touched and taxed already, yet the particular and true state thereof is laid down in several books delivered also to Lo. Carew, who, has with great pains travelled about the whole province and made observations, and is able to give the King an account of what he hath seen and heard.

Lastly. The other older plantation of Munster has been also inquired of, and order has been given for extracting brief collections of the defects, which as soon as they are finished shall be sent after my Lo. Carew.

Dublin Castle, 12th Oct. 1611.

Signed: Arthur Chichester.

Addressed and endorsed: Copy of the L. Deputie's letter to the Llds., by my Lo. Carew.

Copy.