It may please your Honour, hauing about the time that Sir Robart Gardner came hyther, delivered my letters to the Lord Deputie, by whom, and the rest of the Councell (onely Sir Geffrey Fenton excepted) I was honourable used, and told by his Lordship that I shalbe well imployed yf there by an occasion, but I was denied of a protection, because the Judges who are of the Councell, wold grant none. The Lord Generall hath on Freday laste, being the Freeday before Easter, taken his jorney towards Dundalk to parle with the Earle of Tireowen, who as I do heare commonly reported is (yf, as it be suspected, he doth not dissemble) desireous to accept any condicions of peace that her Majestie wilbe pleased to grant him; but O'Donnel, and the rest of those fooles, are growen into such extreme pride and folie, by reason they have neyther witt, knowledge, nor experience to judg or weigh her Majesties power, that they stand uppon greate tearmes, as it is say d; but I pray God the Earle himself have witt or grace to show now his thankfullnes for the great advauncements that he hath received at her Majesties hands. Before the Lord Generall departed I had conference with his Lordship concerning those of the North, and wold have gon with him, but that I haue no credit, nor acquaintance with the Earle of Tireowen, but before his Lordship departed I told him what creditt and acquaintance I had with O'Donnell, and what good hope I had, uppon conference with him, to bring him to som good conformitie, as also that I was very willing to venter my life, or bestow any paines or travayle that lay in me to benefit her Majestie in what sorte soever his Lordship wold direct me; whereuppon his Lordship accepting well of myne offer, willed me to stay here at Doubling for the space of ten dayes, and that he wold parle with the Earle; and yf ODonnel be there his Lordship will send for me; or yf he find the Earle conformable to any reason he will send for me and send me to O'Donnell. In regard thereof I haue omitted to go into Mounster with my Lord Treasurer's letters about my suite, or about any other busines, untill I know whether my service here now, may in any sorte avayle or benefitt her Majestie; but I wrote thyther that som souldiers may be in areadines for me, yf the warres be not now at an end, and so hauing thought fitt to acquaint your Honor herewithal, what myne endeavour may do herein The Lord Generall will aquaint your honor withall,
I humblie take leue this 13th day of April your Honours most humble and bonde.
ffloR MCCARTHY.