Let not the reportes of those that haue spent all their owne and what they could by any meanes get from others in England, discourage you from Ireland, although they and such others by bad dealinges haue wrought a generall discredite to all English men, in that countrie which are to the Irishe vnknowen.
These men will say there is great danger in trauelling the countrie, and much more to dwell or inhabite there: yet are they freed from three of the greatest dangers: first, they cannot meete in all that land any worsse then themselues: secondly, they neede not feare robbing for that they haue not anye thing to loose: lastly, they are not like to runne in debte, for that there is none will trust them. The greatest matter which troubleth them is, they cannot get any thinge there but by honest trauell, which they are altogether ignorant of. These men cannot tell what good fruites England hath, the which Ireland wanteth, neyther can they iustly saye, but that it lieth better for the vent of all commodities then England doeth.
What these men haue reported or what the simple haue credited, that would rather beleeue a runneagate then trauell to see, I care not. But what I haue discouered or learned in that countrie, I will herein recite vnto you.
First, the people are of three sortes, the better sorte are very ciuill and honestly giuen: the most of them greatly inclined to husbandrie, although as yet vnskilful, notwithstanding through their great trauell many of them are rich in cattell: some one man there milketh one hundred kine, and two or three hundred yeawes and goates, and reareth yeerely most of their breed.
Their entertainement for your diet shalbe more welcome and plentifull, then cleanly and handsome: for although they did neuer see you before, they will make you the best cheare their country yeeldeth for two or three dayes, and take not any thing therefore. Most of them speake good English and bring vp their children to learning. I saw in a Grammer schoole in Limbrick, one hundred, & three score schollers, most of them speaking good and perfit English, for that they haue vsed to conster the Latin into English. They keepe their promise faithfully, and are more desirous of peace then our English men, for that in time of warres they are more charged, And also they are fatter praies for the enemie, who respecteth no person. They are quicke witted and of good constitution of bodie: they reforme them selues dayly more and more after the English manners: nothing is more pleasing vnto them, then to heare of good Iustices placed amongst them. They haue a common saying which I am perswaded they speake vnfeinedly,
which is, Defend me and spend me: meaning from the oppression of the worser sorte of our countriemen: They are obedient to the laws, so that you may trauel through all the land without any danger or iniurie offered of the verye worst Irish, and be greatly releeued of the best.The second sorte being least in number are called Kernes, they are warlike men: most of that sorte were slayne in the late warres.
The third sorte, are a very idle people, not vnlike our English beggers, yet for the most parte, of pure complexion and good constitution of bodie: one of the greatest ouersights in the better sorte is, for that they make not that idle sort giue accompt of their life.
They haue the English lawes and gouernours as in England. First, there is a Lord deputy ouer the whole land, that representeth her Maiesty, also a Lord Chancellor, a lord Treasurer a Lorde chiefe Iustice, and all other Maiestrates, Officers and Courts, in like maner as belongeth to Westminster.
The land is deuided into fiue great parts: that is to saye Munster, Lanster, Canath, Meath, and Vlster. In Munster, are these vii. great countries: Owrmwood, Deasmond, Corke, Waterford, Typerare, Lymbericke, and Carrey. A great parte of Munster, was forfited to her Maiestie by meanes of the Deasmondes late rebellion.
There is two very rich countries called Kennory and Conelogh, both within the countie of Lemerick: and they are called the gardenes of the land for the varietie and great plentie of all graine and fruites: and also there is more plentie of venison, fish and foule then else where in Ireland, although in euery place there is great store. This land belonged some-to the knight of the valley, who for high treason was executed at Lemerick. Ouer euery part is an Englishman liefetenant which hath authoritie as fully as the Marshall, to execute Marshall lawes vpon the Irish offenders at all times. Also there are Iudges of assises for euery circute, who keepe their assies as our Iudges doe: if any matter be to bee tryed there betweene an Englishman and an Irish, the Iury is halfe English and halfe Irish. There is a sheriffe of euerye countie, with vndersheriffes, Arrant bayliffes, and all other officers appertaining. Also ther is a conuenient number of Iustices of peace in euery countie with Constables and pettie Constables, who keepe their quarter sessions orderly.
The countrie is scituated somwhat neerer the Equinoctial line then England, but yet for that it lyeth more vppon the Ocean seas and is full of Riuers and
small brookes, it is not so hot in summer as England, neyther is it so colde in winter, for that the seas fretteth away the Ice and Snowe there, muche more then in England.The generall Map of Ireland, which is ioyned with the old Map of England, is most false: The authour (as it seemeth) drew them both by reporte, and the common computation of myles: and made his scale after the English measure that is one thousand paces, or fiue thousand footes to the myle: but therein hee greatlye deceiued himselfe: for the shortest myles in England are much longer then that measure, and an Irish myle is longer then two of those myles, by which meanes he hath made the Map of England lesse by the halfe then it should be. Notwithstanding, he hath ouer reached in his number of parish Churches, and the Mappe of Ireland littell more then one fourth of that it would be, if it were truely drawen. This seemeth strange, and hath deceiued manye ignorant in Geometrie: but alwayes take this for a principle, that the square of two myles contayneth iust foure times so much as the square of one myle, & so of all proportions from the greatest to the least: wherefore as much may be said of the longe myle which containeth two shorte myles.
Some mistrust that the Spaniards will enter the land, and that the Irishe will releeue them: no doubte there are some Traytors in Ireland. I woulde I coulde truely saye there were none in England. But this I dare assure you, the greater number, and all the better sorte doe deadly hate the Spaniardes, & yet I thinke they beare them fayre wether, for that they are the popes champions, and a great parte of the Irish (for want of good preaching and discipline) are greatly inclined to papistrie.
But their entertainement this last yeere amongst the Irish (notwithstanding they brought the popes holye candles and pardones) sheweth howe they affecte Spanishe gouernement. Most of the better sort of the Irish haue read of their monsterous cruelties in the west Indians, where they most tiranously haue murthered many millions moe of those simple creaturs then now liue in Ireland, euen such as sought their fauours by offering vnto them all that they had, neuer resisting nor offering them any harme. Wherefore I doubt not, that the Irish are so foolish to entertaine such proud guestes knowing their tyrannie, and hauing not so well deserued at their handes as those simple soules whom they so cruelly murdered. Neither are the Spaniardes so vnwise to trust those Irish, who so lately imbrued their handes in their blood, slaying them as dogges in such plentifull
manner, that their garmentes went aboute the countrie to be sold, as good cheape as beastes skines. If you haue not the said booke of the Spanishe cruelties, I praye you buy it, it is well woorth the reading, I haue forgotte the title, but it is of a smal volume in quarto: it is written by a learned Bishop of their owne country about forty yeeres sithens in the Castalian toonge, and dedicated to theire King for reformation of those cruelties: afterwardes translated into English and diuers other languages, to make their monsterous tirannie knowen to the world. When you haue read the same, commende it to our Catholickes that will bee sauede by their workes, and yet will not giue God thankes at their meate, for that they will not once haue in their mouth the prayer for our Queene, annexed to our vsuall thankes giuing at meate. I pray God open the eyes of their vpholders, and let them se what these men gap for, which is (no doubt) the ruine & ouerthrowe of her highnes, whom I pray God preserue. But none are so blind as they that wil not see. The Catholiks are borne with for their conscience sake, yet from such consciences spring all the Traiterous practises against her Maiestie.Although some of small iudgemente (which thinke euerye soil good that beareth long gras) haue failed of their expected woad crops, by meanes of their vnskilfull choice of grounde, yet assuredly the commodities of the countrie are many moe then eyther the people can well vse or I recite. Their soile for the most part is very fertil, and apte for Wheate, Rye, Barly, Peason, Beanes, Oates, Woade, Mather, Rape, Hoppes, Hempe, Flaxe and all other graines and fruites that England any wise doth yeelde. There is much good timber in manye places, and of that streightnesse and so good to reaue, that a simple workeman with a Brake axe will cleaue a greate Oke to boardes of lesse then one ynche thicke, xiiii. ynches broad and xv. footes in length, such a board there is vsually sold for ii. d. ob. There is verie riche and greate plentie of Iron stone, and one sort more then we haue in England, which they call Bogge myne, of the which a Smith there wil make at his forge Iron presently. Also there is great store of Lead Ore, & Wood sufficients to mayntayne diuers Iron and lead workes (with good husbandrie) for euer. A barrell of Wheate or a barrel of bay Salt contayning three bushels and a halfe of Winchester measure, is sold there for iiii. s. Malt, Peason, Beanes, for ii. s. viii. d. Barly for ii. s. iiii. d. Oates for xx. d. a fresh Sammo worth in London x. s. for vi. d. xxiiii. Herrings or vi. Makerels vi. sea breames, a fat hen, xxx. Egges, a fat Pigge, one pound of Butter, or ii.
gallones of new milke for a penny. A reede Deare without the skinne, for ii. s vi. d. A fat Beefe for xiii. s. iiii. d. A fat Mutton for xviii. d.There be great store of wild Swannes, Cranes, Phesantes, Partriges, Heathcocks, Plouers, greene and gray, Curlewes, Woodcockes, Rayles, Quailes, & all other fowles much more plentifull then in England. You may buy a dosen of Quailes for iii. d. a dosen of Woodcokes for iiii. d. and all other fowles ratablie. Oysters, muskels, cockels and Samphiere about the sea coastes are to be had for the gathering, great plentie: the Phisitions there holde, that Samphier is a present remedie against the stone: you maye buy the best Heafers there with Calues at their feete, for xx. s. a peece, which are nothinge inferiour to the better sort of Lyncolnshire breed. Their chiefe horsses are of as great price as in England, but carthorsses, mares, & little hackneies are of a very smal price: the meanest Irish man disdaineth to ride on a mare. You may keep a better house in Ireland for L. li. a yeere, then in England for CC. li. a yeere. All your commodities you may transport from the sea side, from the countie of Corke (where I haue prouided for each of vs foure hundred Acres of land) to England for viii. d. the hundred waight, so that you make the same ready about S. Andrewes tide, when the hering fishers goe home from Ireland. The charge of which carriage for so much as you barell, you may saue a great parte through Cheapenes of the caske, and then will most of your commodities, viz. Butter, Cheese, Bacon, Beefe, Honny, Waxe, Tallowe, Corne, and Herring, with diuers other Marchandize be readie for the market.
The worsser sorte of vndertakers which haue seignories of her Maiestie, haue done much hurte in the countrie, and discouraged many from the voyage: for they haue enticed many honest men ouer, promising them much but performing nothing, no not so much as to pay their seruants, and workmen wages. They will not let any terme, aboue xxi. yeeres or three liues, and the demaund for rent xii. d. the Acre: this is so farre from the meaning of her Maiestie, as appeareth by her highnes graunt, that (as I think) they haue, or shortly wil make all their estates voyde. They find such profite from the Irish tenantes, who giue them the fourth sheafe of all their corne, & xvi. d, yearly for a beastes grasse, beside diuers other Irish accustomed duties. So that they care not although they neuer place any English man there. But the better sorte of vndertakers being many good knights and gentelmen of great worship, do seeke by all meanes possible to plant their landes with English men according to the
meaning of her Maiesties graunt: they offer to any man either three hundreth acres of land in feefarme or foure hundred acres by lease for one hundred yeeres, for vi d. the acre without any fine.Sir Richard Greenfield taketh a very good order for artificers and labourers. he will let any poore man of honest behauiour a house, xl. acers of land and vi. milche Kyne for xl. s. the yeere, for the terme of three liues: and if any of these men after they haue bread on the same stocke a sufficient number of cattell to store their ground, doe deliuer their stocke again then shall they pay but xx. s. rent for the rest of their termes. And if any of the said Kine be stolne, and the owner doe track which way they were driuen from his ground, the said sir Richard will deliuer him so many Kine for them, for that the lawe is there, if you track any stolne goodes into any mans land, he must tracke them from him, or answere them within xl. daies, so where the tracke ceaseth, the goodes must be answered.
A man may be as well and cleanely tabled at an English house in Ireland for the profit of fiue Kine and fiftie sheepe, all which will be bought for vii. li. x. s. and for the rent of so much land as will keepe them, which is xx. s. the yeere, as at the best ordinarie in England for vi. d. a meale. all which amounteth but to xxxv. s. vi. d. a yeere, accounting ii. s. in the pound for interest of the stocke. Women may be borded for the profite of foure Kine. xl. sheepe, and xvi. s. rent. Seruants for iii Kine. xxx. sheep, and xii. s. rent. Children for ii. Kine, xx. sheepe, and viii. s. rente. Thus may a man that is xii. in houshold, viz. Himselfe, his wife ii. seruantes, and viii. children be very well tabled a yeere for the profite of xxxi . Kine, iii. C. x. sheepe, and vi. li. x. s. rente: all which stocke will be bought for lesse then lx. li. The vse wherof being vi. li. the whole charge of a yeere for xii. persones is xii. li. x. s. which is xx. s. x. d. a peece. This hath not bene long vsed there, but now that Englishman thinketh himselfe happy that can make such a bargaine with an honest man: for although that which is not euery way to the guest aboue xii. li. x. s. may make the host with good husbandry more the a hundred markes.
One hundred poundes will buy lx. milche kine, CCC. yeawes, xx. swine, and a good teame: the ground to keepe these cattell, and vse this teame on, will be CCCC. acres at x. li. rent: so your yeerely charge will be with interest of your mony, xx. li. for the which you may haue yeerely vpon good securitie with warrant of your storke. XI. firkins of butter, and fortie great wayes of cheese, of the
milke gathered betwixt May and Michaelmas, which at x s. the firkin, and xxv. s. the waye, is three score and ten poundes, and the wooll and lambe of your sheepe, cannot bee so little worth as xxx.li. a yeere, all which amounteth to one hundred poundes: so may you declare besides your interest and rent, eightie poundes a yeere.To husband this farme, your tenaunt must keepe viii. persons, which may be well done with the profite of the swine, winter milke, caules and the croppe which he should get vpon your land with your teame.
Most of the coyne in Ireland, and that which the people generally desire is base money made of coper or brasse, they will not change you an angell into that money without iiii d. gaines: I would to God her Maiestie woulde coyne foure hundred thousand markes of the same, and lende it to the English marchants gratis for two yeeres, to be imploied ther in mather, woade, rape, hoppes, hempe, flaxe, and such other commodities, as might set some great number of our English men to worke: by which meanes (in my iudgment) the land might be very well peopled, her Maiestie disburthened of a great parte of her charge there, the marchantes made great gayners, and yet at the two yeeres ende paie her Maiestie her full summe in currant English money for that base mettell, whereby her Maiestie might gaine at least CC. thousand poundes without hurte to any, and good to many thousandes. I haue sent you here inclosed an instruction how you shal mak a warren for conneies of two acres of ground, that shall bee sufficient for a gentlemans house, in which warrane, you may also make an Ortchyard, and the connies shal not barke your trees, nor make their berries vnder the rootes, neither shall the said connies goe forth of two acres. Thus with my hartie commendations, I bid you heartilye farwell.
From my house at Poynes end, this xxv. of Iune. 1590.Your llouing freind
Robert Paine.