With a note what conference passed between Florence McCarty and Donnell M'Carty.My duty most humbly remembered unto your Honor,
May it please the same; since conference had with Mr. Watson, I have presumed to advertise your Honor of the success of things here, hoping of your Honor's favorable acceptance thereof, only done in discharge of my duty in my place. After that the traitor O'Neyll had taken a full view of the harbours of Cork and Kensall (which are ten myles asunder) and had don his will upon the inhabitants in the borders, he retourned the way he came, into Muskry, into the Lord Roche's countrey, and so into Arlo Woodds, where he was the eighth day of the last moneth, at which tyme my Lord of Ormond passed with his forces that way toward Limerick, about some six myles of. Tirone getting knowledge of his being passed by, raised his camp at midnight, leaft his fyres burning, went on his journey northward, and that peece of the night, and the next day, marched 23 miles at least. Tirone, amongst other establishments of his for our southren rebells hath deputed his Cosin Florence Mc Carthy, his Mac Carty Moore, the chief commander over the Irishry; and James Fitz Thomas his Earle of Desmond, over the English-Irish rebells, that is, those Irish of ancient English stock, now Irished altogether. Since that, Florence Mc Carthie, the traitor, is so stronge upon all this coast, viz., from the old head of Kensall untill Dingle-Cush, and within the river of Limerick in Kerry-side; it is needefull (under correction) that his coast be well garded, and kept from foreign forces, which doubtlesse Florence will by all meanes seek to drawe to him. Florence gave twoe pleadges unto Tirone for his loyalty, and fidelity, and to bringe in to him his eldest Sonne; viz., his own brother Dermode, that traitor, and one Finin Mc Donell Carthy, his foster brother, a freeholder; the said pleadge, his eldest sonne was to be given to Dermode O'Conohor, O'Neyll's deputie, for that purpose, about the 12th of the last moneth, the delivery is yet uncertain. O'Neyll hath taken one of the said twoe pleadges with him unto the north; the other—yt is Florence's brother—is retourned home. The said Dermode O'Conohor is leaft behind with O'Neylls other forces to attend on Florence; having a thousand of O'Neylles Northern rebells under his commaund, to be at Florence's direction. The case thus standing, Florence Mc Carthy, yet, for all this, pollitikely and impudently gives it forth by lettres and messagies to his friends in the townes, where he is well favoured, especially in Kinsall, that he continueth loyall to Her Majestie; and did what is done in deape pollicie to coossen Tirone, by warrant out of England, for the better safety of himself and his countries. The Irish do beleeve this, and hold him for a good subject; yea, and of the English also, not knowing that this was the verie practise of O'Neyll himself at his first entrance into action of rebellion, to dally with the State, and the worlde, untill he had fitted himself, as your Honor best knoweth. Florence being in camp besides Kinsall with O'Neyll, had thereout, upon his lettres, from his friends bottells of wyne, and better relief. I cannot but deliver this unto your Honor, wishing it might be looked into, with other of the Towne's doings.
The 27th of the last, Florence wrote unto Sir Henry Power, for protection to parley with him; the council did agree, and gave him ward. The day following comes Florence within twoe miles of Cork, with 300 Connaught Bonewes, by a woodside, (for he would not come into Cork). Theether went Sir Henrie, and Sir George Thornton, and Sir Charles Willmott; and Florence comes out of the wood all armed with a pistoll at his gerdell, verie timorous. First conferred with him Sir Henrie and Sir George, and after Sir Charles with them. His speeches in defence of his doings are so frivolous, as that I will trouble you Honor therewith, as, if Her Majestie would have him to leave all, and beg in England, he wold do it; with other vaine words. But no likelihood of any hope that he is, or will be, a thankfull subject for so many great favours, and graces, received of Her Highnes. The generall opinion of him heere is that he will shew an Irish trick, ingratitude, for a good turne, and whatsoever he allegeth, sure it is his joining with O'Neil was voluntary; he might have kept him from him, but he aimeth to be as great in the south as the other in the north. The Lord of Hosts confound them both! I pray in charity.
At the old head of Kensall, there is a strong fort, lately in Florence's keeping, but now taken by direction, and a ward there placed. O'Neyll hath equally divided betwixt his cosin Florence, and his Earle of Desmond, all profits gotten in the province, or coming from beyond the seayes. Pardon me, Right Honourable, I beseech you: to yield a poor opinion, it were very requisite that some of Her Majesty's pinnaces be appointed for this coast, and the river of the Shannon. The consideration I humbly leave to your Honour's grave and deep judgment, craving pardon for my boldness.
Corkthis 2nd of April, 1600.Your Honor's humbly to be commanded,
WILLIAM CORK & Ross.The Lord President is not yet come into the province, but looked for daily.
To the Right Honourable Sir Robert Cecil, Knight, Principal Secretary to the Queen's Most excellent Majesty.