SIR OLIVER ST. JOHN to the EARL of SALISBURY.

Pardon me if I do not often make a particular relation of those things which concern the Province of Conaght, where I remain, which I presume the rather to forbear because the the Lo. President of the province is there, who can with best knowledge and judgment report them to you, and at this time my Lo. Carewe returns with particular understanding as well of that province as of the whole kingdom, and is best able to relate fully whatsoever can be written by me. But the matter of the King's revenue having been principally dealt by his Lordship whereof that of Conaght hath given much occasion of debating, I thought it my part to deliver you some account thereof.

"Especially concerning the composition made by the freeholders of that province 26 years since, wherein are some clauses concerning freedoms and wastes which have brought that revenue to a continual uncertainty. The freedoms, some of them, are contained within the body of the indentures, and of these there is ever controversy. Others are crept in upon later grants not long after the composition, either by the Lo. Deputie's and Council's grants or by the Governor's and Council of the province. Others claim freedoms upon pretence of payment of rent in the Exchequer reserved upon fee farms, or leases; and both these require a thorough examination and judgment, else that revenue will ever be subject to question, and unable to be brought to that certainty which is fit for a revenue of that nature. The freedoms claimed by later grants, as they have been grounded upon several pretences and been yielded unto upon respects of state fitting these times, so have they likewise been by acts of Council here revoked, and all these claims confined within the body of the indentures; yet, hitherto, a wary and tender hand hath been carried in the exacting of them, and sometimes they have been heavy and sometimes not, and still remain undecided to the hinderance of his Majesty's revenue above 1,100l. a year. These that claim freedoms by reason of the reservation of rents in the Exchequer have for the same reason remained undecided, which concerns that revenue almost 200l."

Some of the freedoms of later grant are accompanied with valuable reasons, and may be thought fit to continue. Besides these are others, which may with as good reason be called in, for the examination whereof the Deputy hath issued a commission, that upon the reasons and allegations produced allowances or disallowances may finally be determined.

But for those that claim to be freed by reason of rents payable in the Exchequer, this being a mere question of law, must be decided by the judges. The 10s. compounded for upon every quarter of chargeable land in Conaght was yielded in consideration of freeing them from the cesse of horse and foot and other impositions of far greater burthen, whereunto their lands before that time were subject, and therefore ought still, in my opinion, to be paid, notwithstanding any general words of rent, in lieu of all demands. Concerning wastes there are clauses in the indentures that discharge such lands as are waste, that is (to use the phrase of the country), such lands as bear neither horn nor corn, which being full of uncertainty, and subject to the suspicious handling of collectors, hath been an occasion in former times of ill answering of that revenue, but of late years it has been better. Another point which much concerns that revenue is, that at the making of the composition there were many concealed quarters, and it is now a question whether they shall be subject to pay with the rest.

These difficulties when considered of and settled, I hope the King's revenue in that nature will amount to 2,500l. in Conaght, for Thomond is received and answered by itself. Part of the whole charge will be of necessity abated, and that will be a far greater composition revenue than is yielded by any other province of the kingdom. Another consideration that may much concern his Majesty's revenues in that province riseth upon tenures, for whereas the most part of the lands in that province are held of the King in capite, yet hath he seldom had the benefit of wardships, ouster le main, or alienation without license, neither do the most part of the freeholders there know what they mean. I have been, and still will be, an earnest suitor to my L. Deputy, and likewise to your Lordship that because the inhabitants of that country are yet ignorant and not nearly acquainted with forms of the law and the qualities of their tenures, their intrusions may not be granted to particular persons as hitherto hath been, till proof be made by a commission, which the Deputy hath now issued, to draw them that are in danger to a reasonable composition with their goodwill, whereby his Majesty may get a round sum for the present and settle the people in the knowledge of their tenures hereafter.

Another point which may concern his Majesty in that province is, that I make no doubt but there is much land in Conaght held by defective title. Much harm hath come to that province by the over easy passing of them in times past, and some attempts have been made of late to find the like, but I have found the Deputy careful therein, yet those prying wits setting many titles on foot, in hope of the like passage, occasion me to make intimation thereof. Nevertheless, as I am of opinion that it may be handled in such a sort and by such instruments as may give the country good contentment and yield the King a good profit, I would wish the proceedings there to be with caution and moderation, especially for that which shall concern the setting on foot the Earl of March's title, which was the advice of your noble and wise father.

Concerning the office of the ordnance, I have acquainted my L. Carewe with the state thereof, and because I am of opinion that the King's stores are already furnished with a good proportion of powder and weapons, I do not purpose to importune you for any further supply.

Dated Dublin, 6 October 1611.

Signed. Addressed. End.