First it appeareth by the 10th Book of the business of Ireland, Anno 1594, fol. 99, under Sir William Fitz Williams his hand, being Lord Deputy of Ireland, and Sir Thomas Norreys, upon the confession of one David Buttevant, that the said Florence Mc Carte had near correspondency with Sir William Stanley, and one Jaques, who sent over hither Patrick Cullen to kill the Queen, and was executed for the same, and was to be only servant of the said Florence; it also appeareth thereby that the said Florence and Jaques were sworn brothers.
By a letter written from Sir Nicholas Browne, the 4th December 1594, it is thus written, 'I know him to be suspicious and subtle, a great briber to his power, friended by some great men of Ireland, who have procured him favourable countenance with some of great calling in England; an importunate suitor, and indeed the only dangerous man in Munster, having been brought up and in league with James Fitz Morrice, Dr. Saunders, Sir William Stanley, and Jaques.'
By a letter of Sir Gefferey Fenton's, anno 1595, he sets him out to be 'the fittest head of a faction, when time should serve for it; and that being always Spanish, he sold all his patrimony to purchase the old head of Kinsale, so greatly desired of the Spaniards for a landing place,' and in divers other letters from Sir Gefferey Fenton in '96, there are very earnest advices given 'to lay hold on him, and to keep him in safe-guard for being so dangerous a man, and so wholly Spanish.'
There are divers letters directed unto him, whereof the originals (as it seemeth) remain with my lord Carewe,—for the copies are here found under my lord Carewe's hand,—directed to Florence Mc Carte, from the Earl of Tyrone, and O'Donel, and divers other rebels; the tenor whereof are these as followeth.102
It appeareth by a letter written from his agent Mac Donagh, addressed to the King of Spain, by his direction, that he made proffer of his service to the said King. The letter is dated in January 1601.
Signed, THO. SHELTON.
Testified by my lord
CAREW.
It appeareth by other papers that are collections of his actions and intentions, that he was combined with Desmond in his rebellion, and had prepared forces to have served with that party in the action.
That immediately before the Spanish intended invasion he departed into Ireland, married the daughter of the Earl of Clincart, and by that means got from that Earl and from Sir Owen Mc Carte, some places of the greatest strength in Munster and most tending upon Spain.
That there passed Curriers betwixt him and Jaques, that notable traitor; and that Patrick Cullin, who should have killed Queen Elizabeth, went betwixt them.
That he pretendeth to come lineally from the Kings of Munster, who were expelled upon the conquest of Ireland; and to be both Mc Carte More, and Mac Carte Reogh and so to have command upon all the Lordships that do lie one upon another above three score miles together westward, next towards Spain.
This that followeth is since His Majesty's coming to the Crown.
It appeareth by a long relation made by one Teag Hurley, a servant to Florence Mc Carte, that when he would have gone into Ireland he intreated him to stay, and promised he would employ him into Spain, in the third year of his Majesty's reign.
That at the same time he being in the Marshalsea, a seminary priest coming out of Spain, had continual recourse unto him in the habit of a poor Frenchman, and had secret conference with him from morning to night a long time together; and he sent the said priest into Spain for money, and another of his servants to Brussels. The said Teag heard him design how he will escape (upon the receipt of the money which he hoped for) out at a window in an upper chamber in the Marshalsea.
That upon his sending to Brussels, there came over unto him one Francisco, brother to the traitor Jaques, to help Florence to money, and upon some other treacherous intentions, which were known only to Florence, and his men, as Teag Hurley sayeth, and which the said Francisco was so afraid to have discovered that, meeting with Captain Newse who knew him, invited him to a banquet and poisoned him; for the which he was committed to the Tower.
That Jaques being prisoner in the Tower, he did write letters in ciphers to Jacques, and sent them by this Teagh, whereof he knew not the contents. That about a year and a half since he employed one man into Spain, and another in the Low Countries.
This information upon the oath and under the hands of Teagh Hurley was set down the 27th March, 1617.
Indorsed. An abstract of Florence Mc Cartyes treasons and intentions from 1594 till 1617.