I am not a shameles suitor, and cannot therefore advaunce my longer services wit importunitie, and therefore have the more neade of such Honour favours, whereof I had never more nead then nowe, havinge with manie thwarts beene greatlie burdened by chardge; firste ymployed as an undertaker, and my landes given from me by Her Majestie to the Earle of Clan Carre, and next by dealinge with the same Earle for the redempcion thereof from him; and the more to increase the same, the horsemen allowed untoe me, are with the rest to be presentlie dischardged, and so layde uppon my burden; wherein I crave yourhealpe to have a contynuance for four or five yeares of twelve onlie, for that I stand in greate doubte that all the Mc Carties will joyne against my three sonnes that are possessed of those lands which Florence McCartie did chieflie looke to have had uppon the marriadge of the Earle's daughter; and beinge soe (as I am advertised yt is), withoute her Majesties assistaunce,—lyinge so farre remote from this state,—they shall never be able to holde owte. Donell Mc Carthie, thEarle's bastarde, is gone to the woodes, and lyethe as an owte lawe, resortinge contynually to the Mc Carthies of Carbrye, and is there secretlie supported. Yt were not good that those countreis should be loste in thErle's tyme, for puttinge Her Majestie to greate chardge in recoveringe the same, except shee will yealde all unto them, as Florence Mc Cartye and his friendes dothe not sticke to reporte she will; and allso alio we of the marriadge, which (as he falslie publishethe) was not forbydden him; and so at Corcke, where he remaynethe with the resorte of his frends and thEarle's daughter, with small restraynte, he rather reioyceth with banquettinge, then that he seemethe sorie for his contempte. And yf he and the rest were removed thence, and broughte to Dublin, it woulde be more securyte to her Highness, and cause them the better to knowe themselves. I am hartelie sorrie to heare of your often sicknes, and so praie to the Lord Almightie to restore you to perfecte healthe, and longe contynuance of the same.
At Dublin
Your Honor's bounden at commaundment,
VALENTYNE BROWNE.