No. 56.

Letter from the Lords of the Council to Sir Arthur Chichester, Deputy in Ireland, as to the course to be pursued with the City's Commissioners, appointed to view the Irish Estate. Dated Whitehall, 3 Aug., 1609.

Transcripts, &c., Irish Government (Public Record Office), Vol. I, fo. 500.

After o^r very harty comendacõns to yo^r Lp. we have written unto yo^ur Lp. and the Counsell there a letter wherein we have in generall recommended certaine cittizens appointed by the Citty of London to view the Derrye and Colrane and the cuntrie between them; And in this have thought it expedient to declare o^r minde somewhat more particulerly, because we shoulde be sorry that any endeavo^r or informacõn should be lacking that might either satisfie or encourage them For when we consider how slowly this busines hath yet gon forward since it was first intended, how fit & able the Citty is for a work of y^t importaunce, of what good use their example wilbe to draw on others and lastly what reputacõn it will give both abroad and at home to y^e action y^t is like really to be effected we are moved to recommend them the more earnestly unto yo^r Lp. to take order that all occasions of discouragement may be prevented which som indiscreete persons may unprovidently suggest, if choice be not made of such to conduct and accompany them, who for their experience and understanding shalbe able both by discourse and reason to controule whatsoever any man shall reporte, either out of ignorance or mallice, and to give the undertako^rs satisfaccõn when they shalbe mistaken or not well informed of any particuler. For which purpose the conductors must have care to lead them by the best waies and to lodge them in their travaile, where if it be possible, they may have English entertainement in Englishmens howses. And howsoever we have had the opportunitye heere to lay the first hand upon this offer, and to make the project unto the Cittie thereby to drawe them on to entertaine the same for an entraunce into the business yet that it may be both begun and well followed we send the same here inclosed and must leave it to your lordship to perfect. Wherein we thinck it fit. That those y^t be sent in their company be so well prepared before hand to confirme and strengthen every part thereof by demonstracõn as they may plainely apprehend & conceive the comodities to be of good use and profit; on the other side, that matters of distast as feare of the Irish, of the souldiers, cess and such like be not so much as named, seeing you knowe that discipline and order will easilie secure them. And if there be any thing conteyned in the Project, whether it be the Fishing, the Admiralty or any other particuler w^ch may serve for a motyve to enduce them; Although yo^r lordship or any other have interest therein yet you shall make no doubt but his Ma^ty will have such consideracõn thereof that no man shalbe a looser in y^t w^ch he shall parte w^th for the furtheraunce of this service. And thus not doubting of yo^r L^ps discreete carriadge of this busines y^t cannot besides your generall dutie but be glad in your owne particuler to have so good neighbo^rs to yo^r plantacõn we byd yo^r Lp. very hartely Farewell. From Whitehall the third of August 1609.