SIR G. CAREW to the PRIVY COUNCIL.

There is every day less appearance of any disturbance by the provincials, "but nothing more laboured by the fugitive exempted rebels than the drawing in of Ulster and Connaught traitors, whereunto Tyrone and O'Donnell in their councils hold it most expedient to be ready to yield all help; as may well appear by the late attempt made by Teige O'Rourke and Redmond Bourke, who to that end were directed with forces from them; Teige O'Rourke with 800 men, in whose company were John FitzThomas, Donnogh McCormocke alias McDonnagh, Piers Lacy, and others of Munster; and Redmond Bourke with 600, having in his company Hugh Mostian and others. Likewise by sea McMorrys and Teige Keaugh McMahoune were in providing 18 galleys out of Tyrconnell. The O'Malyes and O'Flaharties purposed with 600 men which they had gathered to invade Kerry, and from Thomond side to have transported the forces above said thither.

"As soon as I had perfect intelligence of their intentions, and knowing what small resistance they should receive in Connaught, I despatched Captain Flower, serjeant-major of this province, with 1,000 foot, to the aid of Sir John Barkeley, and to forbid the enemy's passage into Munster, who before his coming unto him was enforced to give way to their greater force; yet by good hap Donnogh McCormocke (who was a principal gentleman of Munster, and prisoner with Tyrone ever since his being here until now, enlarged only to the end to breed new disturbance) in O'Shaughan's country, at a castle of his, was the 27th of March slain.

"The 29th Captain Flower marched forth of Lymericke, and lodged that night at Quyn; the same day the enemy advancing themselves into Thomond to spoil that country, in the which but three days before Teige O'Bryen, son and heir to Sir Tyrlaghe O'Bryen, entered into rebellion, joining with them, and in a skirmish near Quyn received his death's wound, and soon after died; whereby the troubles in Thomond were extinguished. And with him were slain Walter Bourke, son to the Blind Abbot, who was McWilliam, and gent[lemen] more of his name, with many others. The Earl of Thomond's company deserves the best commendation for that day's fight; after which the enemy, finding his purpose frustrated for passing from Thomond into Kerry, by reason of the Munster regiment that did so nearly and unexpected attend them, and also by the prevention which I used in manning over of a tall merchant and other small boats well manned, to give impediment to their transportation, retired themselves to a great fastness in Toughkynalehyn, in the edge of Clanrycard fast upon Thomond, our forces lodging as near them as possibly they might. I then, doubting that they would seek to pass the Shennan above Lymericke, hastened after Captain Flower with the rest of the force of this province (those of Kerry excepted), and was at Lymericke by the 6th of April, formerly taking care, as well as I might, with all the lords and gentlemen on either side the river between Athlone and Lymericke, to guard their fords and to drown or burn their cots and boats, so as they might have no use of them. The enemy (as I suspected) finding their first hope void, having lain in the fastness aforesaid from the 30th of March until the 13th of the last, in all which time expecting aid from O'Donnell, which came not, and understanding that myself with the rest of the forces was advancing towards them to encounter O'Donnell (which sooner I would have done if the care of Thomond and guarding of this side the river had not withheld me, together with the advice of Sir John Barkeley and the Earl of Clanrycard), in the night stole out of their fastness and drew into O'Maddens' country, being all that night skirmished with (as at many times before), wherein many of their men were lost, with purpose, by help of the O'Maddens' boats and cots, to have passed the Shennan. After three days' tarrying in that fast country (where our forces could not annoy them), and being for want of meat almost starved, the 17th in the afternoon in great haste stole away; whom our army pursued so close as they slew many and put them to rout, forcing them over the river of the Sucke, in the which there was drowned about 200, most part of their munition and baggage lost, and their forces so frighted as they are wholly scattered. In this last day's service was slain and hurt of our men 21, and of men of note only Sir Jerrot Harvye's lieutenant. Teige O'Rourke with 300 with John FitzThomas and Piers Lacy are returned to Tyrone in hope to receive new aids. Redmond Bourke with 100 is with O'Donnell soliciting the like. Hugh Mostion with a part of his company of 100 remains in O'Connor Roe's country. The rest of their forces, weary of the enterprise, are retired, dispersed in many parts to their dwellings. After this service was performed the Munster regiment, for want of victuals (saving Sir John Barkelye's company, which, by my Lord Deputy's direction, I left with him), were by Sir John Barkeley returned unto me the 21st of the same; and then, leaving at Lymericke and near unto it for the defence of those borders 1,200 foot and 50 horse, to answer all new occasions, I repaired towards Corke, and came thither the 26th of this last.

"I may not omit to recommend to your Lordships the ready disposition in all external appearance of the gentlemen of the county of Corke to withstand this invasion. For upon very short warning, of the places next adjoining the Lord Barry had under his command by my appointment in camp, first in Aherlough and after in Killequigge, where they were directed to abide, 1,300 foot and 120 horse by poll. The forces of the counties of Limerick and Tipperary were placed along the river-side for defence of the same. My hope is their actions would have been answerable to their countenance, but until a trial be made I dare not be too confident.

"McMorrys and Teige Keaugh O'Mahoune, having had intelligence of the prevention which I used by sending of the shipping aforesaid to impeach their galleys, and likewise having knowledge of their associates' defeat, lost the credit they had either to raise the force or galleys expected, and are now wholly unfurnished to give us the annoyance they intended. So as for a while (until by Tyrone and O'Donnell they can reenforce themselves) I neither doubt their incursion by land or sea; and without their assistance I am confidently persuaded that I shall be able to hold the province in good obedience.

"James FitzThomas, after his old manner lives exceeding obscurely, and (as I am informed) is now in the habit of a priest, not knowing whom to trust; but professes rather to die than to depart the province, retaining still his traitorly hopes to be relieved either out of Ulster or out of Spain; and of the latter the rebels throughout the kingdom are very confident, upon a solemn oath publicly taken by the Spanish bishop (called by them the Archbishop of Dublin) unto Tyrone, O'Donnell, and the rest, that before Lammas next he would work the King his master to send them sufficient aids both of men, money, victual, and munition. Upon which promise James FitzThomas relying himself hazards his abode here, hoping then to be as potent a traitor as heretofore. But my hope is (ere that time) to make a present of him unto your Lordships either living or dead. And let your Lordships be assured, although his estate be now miserable, yet no less beloved than before, and so long as he shall breathe this province will be subject to alteration...

"A general pardon might be granted unto husbandmen and their families, being such as never bare weapon; whose poverty is not able to procure the same by ordinary course... The want which I find of this general pardon doth give great impediment to the settling of the province; for whereas already there is near 10,000 weaponed men of Munster that have sued and are in suing out their pardons, and that by reason the poor people are in law reputed no less culpable of treason than themselves, they do much fear their estates, lest that in after times their lives might be called in question by being conversant with them, which they cannot avoid, for that by their labours they live, .. I think it were meet .. a general pardon were granted unto them.

"The day that I left Lymericke, being the 22nd of April, Mr. Teige O'Bryen, brother to the Earl of Thomond, and then prisoner in that city, by corruption of his keeper (who with others for the same are imprisoned) as is supposed, loosed his bolts and made an escape; since which time he hath written a letter unto me, promising to continue loyal to her Majesty, and to make his present repair and remain with me, without specifying in any letter protection or any other safety. But in another letter unto the clerk of the Council of this province he prays a protection; which, in regard of the Earl's absence, to continue him from doing harm in Thomond during the same, I have granted, and daily expect his coming unto me, not doubting but so to temper him as he shall neither be willing or able to do any great harm if he did endeavour it; and when the Earl returns there can be no fear of him."

James Gallwaye, father to the mayor of Lymerick, is without my knowledge stolen hence into England to be a suitor for the release of the fine imposed by me and the Council here upon the said mayor. "In the behalf of myself and the rest of my associates the Council here, I .. beseech your Lordships that his suitors may receive no favour, not so much in regard of us as in respect of her Majesty's service; for if this fine be not made exemplary to them, the insolencies of the cities will be intolerable; whereas now, ever since the punishing of the mayor, Lymerick, for matter of temporal duty, is as well reformed as may be wished, and the other towns become far in all more obedient than accustomed."

Cork, 2 May 1601.

"Sent by Patrick Crosbye."

Copy.