August.
Estado, 840. |
689. Advices from Scotland given by the Earl Of Bothwell.
The King (of Scotland) has sent to Rome, Patrick Stewart, a
Catholic, and brother to the earl of Athol, to confirm the promise
given, in his name, to his Holiness by the bishop of Vaison, (fn. 1) and to
ask for the money promised by his Holiness.
The King has also sent Baron Burleigh to Holland, to ratify the
alliance which has hitherto existed between them, and to strengthen
it by making it for the future offensive and defensive. They (the
States) have agreed to this, and undertake to recognise him
(James) as king of England on the Queen's death. Burleigh is
commissioned to obtain 20,000 cuirasses and as many muskets there
to take to Scotland. This baron Burleigh is so faithful a servant
of mine that it will be easy to induce him to bring all these arms here,
and not send them to Scotland, if they have not already gone.
A courier should at once be sent to him with a letter from me, in the
form I will submit to your Lordship, if you will allow me. Patrick
Stewart is instructed to lay before the Pope the great preparations
the King is making to begin the war, as soon as the money is
received.
In consequence of great disputes between the queen of England
and the king of Denmark, which may well lead to hostilities, the
king of Scotland has sent Peter Young, of his privy council, to
Denmark to offer the King to declare war upon the queen of
England in his favour, if necessary, on condition that the king of
Denmark will help him to become king of England.
The Council of State, reporting on the above advices, recommend
that Bothwell's offer about the arms be accepted. They remind the
King that this man, Bothwell, is in great want in consequence of
his not having been paid the 2,000 ducats ordered some time ago.
He has already taken leave of the President of Orders, and is leaving
in depair. This would have an extremely bad effect in discouraging
Catholics, both in England and Ireland, and the Council strongly
recommends that he should not be allowed to go away in such a
condition. They think he should at once be paid the 2,000 ducats
he has already spent, and 4,000 more for his present needs. (fn. 2)
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13 August.
Estado, 840. |
690. Report of the Council Of State to Philip III. on letter
of 14th April, from O'Neil.
In accordance with your Majesty's orders the Council has considered
the above letter, of which the following is the substance :—
He thanks your Majesty for allowing his son to come hither. He
presses that no Irish ships should be admitted into Spain without a
license from himself and the archbishop of Dublin. He begs that
Maurice Geraldine should be sent with the succour from your
Majesty. Although he is a claimant to the earldom of Desmond,
and might be supposed to be at issue with the present holder of the
title, he, O'Neil, thinks that no dispute will arise. The Council is
of opinion that a kindly reply should be sent, praising him highly
for his bravery and steadfastness, and saying how glad your Majesty
was for his son to come. He should be told that Don Martin de la
Cerda will give him an account of what has been done with his
son.
It would be advisable, in order to please O'Neil, to accede to his
request about the passports. Advices will have to be sent to all
the ports. All ships from Ireland not bringing these passports to
be confiscated to your Majesty.
Geraldine should be released but not allowed to leave, and when
the expedition is ready it can be decided what course shall be
pursued with him. (fn. 3)
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