SIR G. CAREW to the PRIVY COUNCIL.

The 18th inst. I received at Limerick by Patrick Crosbye your Lordships' two letters of the 8th and 13th March. I will accordingly deliver the "remain" of the victuals to the deputy or deputies to be nominated by John Woode; but I take knowledge, by the copy of your instructions dated 17 Dec., sent to me, that Allen Apsley is nominated deputy to John Woode, which office he disclaims, and solicits to commit the victuals to some of John Woode's servants remaining here. "But I, not being so authorized, refused to yield unto his request, commanding him to continue his former care until he shall by order from your Lordships or the chief victualler be discharged from the same; wherein I wish his continuance, for that his care and circumspection deserveth commendation."

If the victuals are to be issued at the magazines, the places should be named. The list to be paid and victualled here in Munster, together with the Earl of Thomond's company, being 2,500 foot and 250 horse, "it shall be most convenient to have four staples of victuals, viz., at Cork for 600 foot and 50 horse, at Youghall [for] 300 foot and 50 horse, at Limerick for 1,200 foot and 100 horse, and at Tralye for 400 foot and 50 horse."

As in my letter of 25 Jan., so again I pray that a due proportion of biscuit, cheese, and butter be sent in each barque; from neglect of which hitherto, there is now in the store at Cork, for 1,000 men, bread for 80 days and other victuals but for 18 days; at Limerick, butter, cheese, &c. for 172 days, and bread but for 90 days; and at Traly 38 days' bread and of other victuals but 22 days.

Charge the provider to send no other victuals but biscuit, cheese, and butter, "which doth best content the soldier, is more profitable for service, and will much ease him in the carriage of pots and pans that the dressing of other victuals will require; and that hereafter we may not be troubled with oatmeal, peas, herrings, pork, poor-john, etc., the most whereof are subject to corruption and very unpleasing to the soldier."

There are sufficient victuals for our present list for three months, if they were equally proportioned; but in no one magazine for half the time without assistance of other places.

In the contract with Mr. Woode there is too great a liberty given to the deputy-commissary in the power to utter and sell to the poor such victuals as are decayable and unfit to be issued, for under colour thereof they may sell the best conditioned as well as the corrupt. Let them "be limited to sell such victuals as upon due examination and survey shall be found defective."

Your commands not to diminish any of the forces into wards, and to bestow the next company that falleth upon Sir George Thornton, shall be observed.

"By the last passage here arrived a supply of treasure." I am ready at any time to assist the Deputy with 1,000 foot, as of late I have done, but I pray that, as you have already granted, they may remain on my list, "which no doubt will continue these provincials in good terms (of whose obedience I have daily appearance of good expectation), and make others more fearful to disturb the same; which is specially endeavoured by Tyrone, who leaves no way either by invasion from other parts, or by persuasion to the better sort inhabitants thereof, to infest it."

I pray you send the proportion of munitions I wrote for on 13th January and 6th March, one moiety to Cork and the other to Limerick, or, if not, rather all to Limerick than to Cork, "as lying most proper to answer the service as well of Connaght as Munster, in which is but little store, and the same had been wholly exhausted if I had not of late carried a supply by land from Cork." Direct the Master of the Ordnance to mount the two demi-cannons now at Limerick.

Cork, 1 May 1601.

"Sent by Patricke Crosbye."

Copy.