*' mountjoy.
" Geoege Oaeew."
CHAPTER XXVI.
The King of Spain's letters intercepted — A letter from the Duke
of Lerma to Don Juan de Aguila — A letter from the Duke of
Lerma to the Archbishop of Dublin — A letter from the Secre-
tary Ybarra to Don Juan de Aguila — A letter from the Secre-
tary Fragursa to Don Juan de Aguila — A letter from the King
of Spain to Don Juan de Aguila.
About the tenth of February Don Juan de Aguila
was residing in Cork, whilst his troops were preparing
to be embarked for Spain. In this interim a Spanish
pinnace landed in the westernmost part of the province,
and in her was a messenger sent from the King to
Don Juan de Aguila with a packet of letters. The
President, having knowledge thereof, told the Lord
Deputy that if he had a desire to know the King of
Spain's intentions, there was a good occasion offered.
The Lord Deputy's heart itching to have the letters
in his hands, he prayed the President to intercept
them if he could handsomely do it. The President
undertook it, and having notice that the next morning
the messenger would come from Kinsale to Cork, and,
knowing that there were but two ways by which he
might pass, called Captain William Nuce to him (who
commanded his foot company) to make choice of such
men as he could trust to lie upon those passages, and
I02 Pacata Hibernia.
when they saw such a Spaniard, whom he had de-
scribed to him, to seize upon him and as thieves to rob
him both of his letters, horses, and money ; ^ not to
hurt his person, but to leave him and his guide bound,
that they might make no swift pursuit after them,
and when they had delivered him the letters to run
away. Captain Nuce so well followed his instructions
that the Spaniard was taken in a little wood and the
letters were brought at dinner-time ; Don Juan, if I
do not mistake, that very day dining with the Presi-
dent, who instantly carried them to the Lord Deputy,
where at good leisure the packets were opened and
read, which done, the President went to his house,
leaving the letters with the Lord Deputy. The same
evening the Spanish messenger, having been unbound
by passengers, came to Don Juan de Aguila relating
his misfortune in being robbed not five miles from the
town. Don Juan de Aguila went immediately to the
Lord Deputy, grievously complaining that the messen-
ger was robbed by soldiers (as he alleged). The Lord
Deputy seemed no less sorry, " but," said he, " it is a
common thing in all armies to have debauched sol-
diers," and he thought it to be rather done by some
of the country thieves ; but if the fact was committed
by soldiers, it was most likely done by some L-ishmen,
who thought it to be a good purchase (as well as the
money) to get the letters, to show them to their friends
in rebellion that they might the better understand
in what estate they were in. Don Juan, not being
satisfied with this answer, desired the Lord Deputy
to inquire of the Lord President (for of his intercepting
of them he had a vehement suspicion) whether he had
* This was a pretty trick for such high officials to play. It will
involve them in more vileness before it ends.
Pacata Hibernia. 103
any knowledge of the matter, and so they departed.
The next morning the Lord Deputy related to the
President the complaint and his answers. Don Juan,
eager in the pursuit of his letters, came to know of
the Lord Deputy what the President answered. The
Lord Deputy answered him upon his faith that he was
sure that the President had them not ; which he
might well do, for they were in his own possession.
In conclusion, a proclamation was made, and a reward
in the same promised for him that could discover the
thieves, and a pardon for their lives granted to those
that committed the deed if they would come in and
confess it ; with this Don Juan rested satisfied. How
much the intercepting of these letters imported Her
Majesty's service (not one Spaniard being then em-
barked, but remaining in a body at Kinsale) may
appear by these ensuing letters (Englished) taken at
that time : —
A Letter from the Duke of Lekma to Don Juan
DE Aguila.
Not many days past I wrote to you, and now I
make answer to those which I received from you the
thirteenth of the last October, assuring you that His
Majesty puts great confidence in your care and valour.
As touching the men and other things which you
demand, there is despatched a good quantity and
more is in preparing, and make you no doubt but
still more shall be in sending, as much as may be ; for
His Majesty hath it before his eyes, and I have taken
in hand the soliciting thereof ; wherefore you may
be assured that you shall not want anything which
104 Pacata Hibernia.
may be sent that is needful. There are noTv in readi-
ness one hundred and fifty lances, which shall be
presently embarked, and more men are in levying with
expedition, with whom money shall be sent. And so,
referring myself, for the rest, to His Majesty's dis-
patch, I will say no more but to assure you that in all
things which may concern you esteem me ever to be
your solicitor. God keep you. Valladolid, the fourth
of December, 1601.
El Duque de Lerma, Maeques de Denia.
To Don Juan de Aguila, Master of the
Camp, General of the men of war in
Ireland.
A Letter feom the Duke of Lerma to the Arch-
bishop OF Dublin.
I have received your Lordship's letters, giving
thanks to God for the success of your journey, for by
it it appears that there is a way and door open for
many good purposes for His service, and His Majesty
hath much care of the confidence and zeal which your
Lordship hath for the progression in the same. Now
we send you a good body of men, with such things as
are necessary, and more shall be prepared, and so
continue sending as much as we may, whereof you
need not doubt; for His Majesty (whom God preserve)
holds it before his eyes. Forasmuch as the most
important thing appertaining to this business is the
joining of the Earls with Don Juan de Aguila, His
Majesty commandeth your Lordship to do in it your
utmost endeavour, according to the confidence he
Pacata Hibernia. 105
hath in your zeal. God preserve your Lordship.
From Valladolid, the fifth of December, 1601.
El Duque de Lerma, Maeqes de Denia.
Let not your Lordship be wearied with your
travails ; I hope in God they will be full of good
successes.
Al Arcobispo de Dublin.
A Letter feom the Secretary Ybarra to Don
Juan de Aguila.
By Captain Albornoz I wrote to your Lordship,
and I wish that this dispatch may overtake him at
the Groyne according to the desire I hold, that it and
that which goes with it were with your Lordship,
certifying you that as much is done as may be for
your supply in all things. I wrote to your Lordship
that there were two companies of horse ready to be
sent unto you, but now I say there are three, and in
them two hundred and twenty soldiers well armed
and horsed. And it please God they shall be all
embarked in this month ; God in His divine mercy
guide them. There are men levied in all Castile and
Portugal, and shipping engaged to transport them,
victuals, and other necessaries in providing ; and now
at this instant there are embarked in Lisbon, in the
Groyne, and Saint And era more than six thousand
hanegas of wheat, three hundred pipes of wine, some
beans and rice, and six hundred arrobas of oil ; and,
moreover, besides this which I say is embarked, there
are commissaries taking more up, and no care shall be
wanting to hasten them away. I have spoken with
Captain Moreles, and of that which he hath told me
io6 Pacata Hibernia.
of the seat of tlie place, and of the small number of
men your Lordship hath, I feel myself grieved ; but
when I call to mind what a person Don Juan de
Aguila is, the way is open to me to expect great
matters, and I hope God will grant the same,
according to the worth of your Lordship, against
your wicked enemies. Let your Lordship hasten the
joining of the Earls with you, for of all things that
is most important, which, being done before the
Queen can reinforce her army, all is accomplished.
I am desirous to hear that the very good horsemen
were with your Lordship, that with them your Lord-
ship may win honour in the field, etc. From
Valladolid, this seventh of December, 1601.
ESTEVAN DE YbAERA.
To Don Juan de Aguila,
General Master of the Camp.
A Letter from the Secretary Franquesa to Don
Juan de Aguila.
His Majesty is much satisfied with the good govern-
ment in these occasions of your army, and I hope in
God, that with the succours which now shall be sent
to you, it will be bettered in such sort that you will
not only be able to defend yourself from the enemy,
but also to chastise them. The means to eff'cct the
same is for you to hold yourself as you are, until the
succours aforesaid do come. In the meantime the
more you are pressed upon, the more will be your
reward and recompense which His Majesty will
confer upon you, which I will thrust on as occasion
shall offer itself, and be always vigilant in those
things which shall concern your Lordship as 1 have
Pacata Hibernia. 107
been. God presevc your Lordship according to my
desire. From Mansilla, the thirteenth of January,
1602.
To Don Juan de Aguila, Master of the
Camp, General of His Majesty's
Army in Ireland.
A Letter from the Duke of Lerma to Don Juan
DE Aguila.
By that which Zubiare and Pedro Lopez de Soto
have written, and by the coming of the Earl
O'Donnell, who is now in the Groyne, we have
learned of the overthrow of the Earls, and from this
is gathered that all the forces are now bent against
you, and that only your valour and wisdom have
been able to resist them ; and let the great estimation
His Majesty holdeth of you mitigate the care which
this business may bring you. His Majesty hath
commanded me speedily to prepare gallant succours,
both by land and sea, which is done, and shall be
presently dispatched ; and this ship is only sent to
advertise you thereof, to the end that you may with
the more courage defend yourself, and to bring a
true report in what state you stand, which may more
particularly appear unto you by His Majesty's letter,
which with this you shall receive, whereunto he hath
commanded me to add this, that he hath in his favour
made you one of his councillors of his Council of
"War, upon which I congratulate you ; assuring you
on his part that, God willing, he will confer greater
favours upon you, wherefore proceed cheerfully, as
both now and heretofore in the course of your life
you have done, taking every occasion to strengthen
io8 Pacata Hibernia.
yourself in this siege, and to harm the enemy that
he may not hinder you, and to assure the array. No
man living hath received greater rewards from His
Majesty than you shall receive. I take upon myself
the care of it, and I pray you to write me such good
news as I desire, whereof I hope in God. In
Mansilla, the thirtieth of January, 1602.
El Ddque de Lerma, Maruces de Dbnia.
God is my witness that I neither eat nor sleep with
less care than any one of them that are with you, and
I would willingly be in the peril of every one of you,
and, if the shedding of my blood might be advan-
tageous, I would readily give it for you all that have
such need. Do your endeavours, for presently
succours shall be sent unto you.
To Don Juan de Aguila, Master of the
Camp, General of the men of war in
Ireland.
A Letter from the King of Spain to Don Juan
DE Aguila.
El Rey.
Don Juan de Aguila, Master of the Camp, General
of my army in Ireland ; l)y that which Pedro de
Zubiare and Pedro Lopez de Soto have written to me
I have learned of the defeat of the Earls O'Neale and
O'Donnell, and likewise I now see that all your hopes
remain in your valour and wisdom, wherein I have
such confidence that I hope, in the midst of so many
dangers and labours wherewith you are environed,
that you will preserve the army until more succours
of shipping, men, arms, and munitions be sent unto you,
Pacata Hibernia. 109
wMcli are with all possible expedition in preparing, and
shall be speedily dispatched. You may make use of
them and take revenge of the enemy, and until they
come, which shall be, as I have said, with celerity,
preserve yourself. I do not advise you of any
particulars, because I assure myself of your judgment
and experience, which knows how to take advantage
of such occasions as the enemy shall give for the
benefit of the siege. And yourself and the army
which is with you shall have good testimony of my
bounty, thankfulness, and honour I will do unto you
all ; and so much do you signify to the army from
me. The Duke of Lerma shall write more unto you.
From Mansilla, the one-and-thirtieth of January,
1602.
Yo, El Key.
To Don Juan de Aguila, Master of the
Camp, Greneral of our army in Ireland.
Don Pedeo Feanquesa.
Not long after most of the Spaniards were embarked
in Kinsale, only a few remaining who were to pass
with Don John, the day before his departure, the
Lord Deputy showed him the copy of the letters,
saying that they were sent to him out of Ulster by a
priest, who was his spy about Tyrone, to whom the
letters had been carried. Don Juan, taking this for
good payment, thanked the Lord Deputy for his
favourable care. All the while Don Juan was at
Cork, every day the President and he had familiar
discourse together, but for the most part their
passages in speech were between jest and earnest,
somewhat sharp, and especially when they spoke of
religion, their sovereigns, or the nations. But it
no Pacata Hibernia.
seems that lie carried a good respect of the President,
as by writing and presents sent which shall in due
place appear.
The jQfteenth, the Lord Deputy and the President,
having acquainted the rest of the Council with the
effect of the Spanish letters intercepted as aforesaid,
though not with the manner that they were got,
thought it meet to write to the Lords of the Council in
England this ensuing .letter, whereby they might
understand how things stood for the present, as also
to provide for the future, since by the intercepted
letters it appeared that the King of Spain had set his
heart upon the war of Ireland.
A Letter from the Lord Deputy and Council to
THE Lords in England.
May it please your Lordships : The fourteenth of
this month we dispatched Sir Richard Morison with
our letters to your Lordships from this place, and
the nine-and-twentieth we wrote again by Captain
Butler, yet to this day the wind hath continued still
so westerly that since the departure of Sir Richard
no shipping is come to us either out of England from
your Lordships, as we desired, or from Waterford,
Wexford, and those parts, as we directed, to carry
the Spaniards hence ; nor yet until Sunday, the
seventh hereof, could those ships stir that lay ready
at Kinsale to be sent to Baltimore, Castlehaven, and
Bearehaven ; but now they are gone, we hope that
the service to be done by them (which is the possess-
ing of the castles and sending away of the Spaniards
in them) will be presently accomplished, although the
wind hath served them so scantily that we fear they
PaCATA HiBERNIA. Ill
will hardly recover all the places whereto they are
directed. There is only one Scottish ship gone from
Kinsale to Spain, which carried one hundred and
sixty Spaniards, with part of the artillery, but there
lies now ready at the harbour for the first wind so
much shipping as will carry away fifteen hundred
more ; so that there will be yet remaining in Kinsale
above one thousand more, which with the first
shipping that comes from the other ports shall be
embarked. Don Juan stays to go last. It appeareth
by some letters intercepted, which we send herewithal
to your Lordships, that the King of Spain purposeth
to send a larger supply hither with all expedition.
Don Juan assures us to do the best he can to stay
them, and if he arrive first in Spain he makes no doubt
to dissuade their coming ; but if they should come
before his departure he promiseth to return them
according to his covenant in the contract, if they do
not come under the command of some other that hath
a commission apart from his from the King. The
Irish have of late received letters from O'Donnell to
encourage the rebels to persevere in their rebellion,
assuring them of present aid from Spain ; in the
meantime, the best of them all do but temporize,
being ready to assist them when they come, especially
if they come in any strength, as it is to be thought in
all reason they will, having found their first error.
Her Majesty must therefore be pleased to be at some
charge to erect fortifications at Bearehaven, Kinsale,
and this place, the commodities and weakness of these
places being as well known to the Spaniards as to us,
and further withal to erect citadels at Limerick, Cork,
and Waterford, though it be only to assure the towns
from revolt. It appeareth by the King of Spain's
112 Pacata Hibernia.
letter, and so by the Duko of Lerraa's, that his heart
is very much set upon the enterprise of Ireland, and
it is not unlikely that he may send more supplies,
after or before Don Juan's arrival in Spain, either
under him or some other commander ; which, if he
do, it is also likely the same will be sent shortly.
For prevention thereof, if in your Lordships' wisdom
it shall be thought meet, we do humbly beseech that
the four thousand supplies heretofore desired, and by
your Lordships intended, may be presently sent
hither, whereof two thousand to be erected in com-
panies, and their captains to be named here, and the
other two thousand for the supplies of the army,
which is exceeding weak ; for our men die daily in
greater numbers than they died in the camp, the
infection being greater, and by some thought a kind
of plague (for the jDCople in the towns die in far
greater numbers than the soldiers), though we hope
the contrary. And we do further desire that Her
Majesty will be pleased to hasten her fleet to the
coast of Spain, which, coming timely, will in our
opinions hinder any enterprise for Ireland ; but lest
that should fail, we renew our former motion that the
Tremontania and the Moone may be returned to serve
upon the coast of Munster, that the proportions of
munition and victuals desired in our former letters
may speedily bo dispatched hither, and that victuals
without impediment may come for all places to relieve
us ; for already a very great dearth is begun, and a
famine must ensue, the rates of all things being
incredible, and the new money ^ much repined at, which
' Now for the first time in hor reign Queen Elizabeth issned
base coin. Hugh U'JN^cill liad in fact Leatcn the State to bank-
ruptcy.
Pacata Hibernia. 113
notwitlistanding we do our utmost endeavours to
advance it. But in a matter of so great importance
we humbly desire your Lordships to give us leave to
deliver our opinions freely, having so assured ground
for it that if the King of Spain continue his war in
this country it will be hard to preserve Her Majesty's
army and kingdom without the altering of the current
money, so general is the dislike thereof, and so
insolently do they begin already to refuse it ; but if
there come no other foreign aid, Her Majesty, as we
think, may securely continue it as it is ; for all we
that are of the army, whom it most concerneth, in
regard we live wholly upon our entertainment, will,
God willing, endure it for the advancement of the
service, though we are sensible of our loss by the
excessive enhancing of the prices of all things that we
are to live upon, which cannot be helped so long as
this new coin continues current. Of Tyrone, since
his overthrow and departure, we hitherto have heard
little, neither do we think he will be able to do any
great harm, without the aid of new supplies from
Spain. And so we humbly take leave, etc.
From Cork, 15 February, 1601.
Among many letters and papers which were found
in the Castle of Dunboy (of the winning whereof you
shall afterwards hear) there was one written, bearing
date the fourth of February, 1602, stilo novo, by
Patrick Sinnet,^ an Irish priest, remaining in the
Groyne with the Earl of Cara9ena, to Dominick
Collins, a Jesuit, who was taken at Dunboy and exe-
cuted. Amongst sundry other things he related of
^ This Patrick Sinnett was tutor to Philip O'Sullivan, the historian
â– who gratefully commemorates him in a Latin poem.
VOL. II. I
114 Pacata Hibernia.
O'Donnell's landing in tlie Asturias, wlio, with the
General Pedro de Zubiare, embarked at Castlehaven
the January ; the next day after he came to
the Groyne, where he was nobly received by the
Earl of Cara9ena, who invited O'Donncll to lodge
in his house ; but he, being sea-sick,^ in good manner
refused his courtesy ; wherefore the Earl lodged
him in a very fair house, not far from his; but
when his sea-sickness was past he lodged in the Earl's
house ; and upon the twenty-seventh of January
O'Donnell departed from the Groyne, accompanied by
the Earl and many captains and gentlemen of quality,
who evermore gave O'Donnell the right hand, which
within his government he would not have done to
the greatest duke in Spain; and, at his departure,
he presented O'Donnell with one thousand ducats,
and that night he lay at Santa Lucia. The Earl of
Cara9ena being returned, the next day he went to
Saint James of Compostella, where he was received
with magnificence by the prelates, citizens, and re-
ligious persons, and his lodging was made ready for
him at Saint Martin's, but before he saw it he visited
the Archbishop, who instantly prayed him to lodge in
his house ; but O'Donnell excused it. The nine-and-
twentieth the Archbishop, saying Mass with ponti-
fical solemnity, ministered the sacrament to O'Don-
nell, which done he feasted him at dinner in his
house ; and at his departure he gave him one
thousand ducats. The King, hearing of O'Donnell's
arrival, wrote to the Earl of Caraycna concerning
' It is singalar that hardly any of the Irish lords, even those who,
like Hugh Roe, had maritime countries, ever sought to do anything
â– upon the eea. So when Hugh Roe had been taken prisoner by
Perrott, there was not a ship in Tyrconnell which could be sent in
pursuit of the kidnappers.
Pacata Hibernia. 115
the reception of him and the affairs of Ireland,
which was one of the most gracious letters that ever
king directed; for by it it plainly appeared that
he would endanger his kingdom to succour the
Catholics of Ireland to their content, and not fail
therein ; for the perfecting whereof great prepara-
tions were in hand. O'Donuell carried with him to
the court Redmond Burke, Father Florence, Captain
Mostian, and nine gentlemen more, where they were
nobly received. Although the knowledge of the re-
ception of O'Donnell in Spain was not well known
by me until after the taking of Dunboy, yet I thought
it requisite to insert it in its due place, according to
the time of his being at the Groyne. But now let us
return to the affairs of Munster.
Captain Roger Harvy, according to his directions
being come to Castlehaven, Pedro Lopez de Soto,
the Veador, who had the chief command thereof, after
the receipt of Don Juan de Aguila's letters and
messages entertained him with great humanity, and
upon the twelfth of February rendered the castle
to him, receiving an acknowledgment under his and
his brother's, Captain Gawen Harvy's, hands in writing
for the receipt thereof, which done they embarked
their victuals, baggage and ordnance ; lastly their
men, to the number of one hundred and forty by
poll, and four Spanish captains. Captain Roger
Harvy delivered the charge of the castle to his
brother Captain Gawen Harvy, there to remain in
garrison with his company of one hundred foot. The
same day that Captain Harvy came to Castlehaven,
the O'Driscalls, who had the inheritance of the same,
by a sleight got into the castle, and had made them-
selves masters of it. The Spaniards, to recover it
I 2
ii6 Pacata Hibernia.
again, assaulted it, and were undermining tlie same
when Captain Harvy was entering the haven; but
upon the sight of his ships the Irish, by composition,
to depart in safety, rendered it to the Spaniards, who
had lost two of their soldiers in the attempt. The
one-and-twentieth Captain Harvy, having in his
company the Yeador and some other Spaniards, set
sail for Baltimore, whereupon the three-and-twentieth
they went on land and were feasted in the castle of
Donnelong by the governor thereof, called Andreas
do Aervy, and the next day, by the direction of the