1611. differences being only in the rents and lands granted. And many small parcels may be granted by one patent, good regard being had to the King's rent. The King may be pleased to ease them in the charge of the Great Seal. The surveyor is not to have above 3s. 4d. Irish for a particular, and the clerk 10s. Irish for the engrossing and drawing of books. (6.) For the tenures, such as have portions under 1,000 acres, are to hold by common socage and rent; such as have 1,000 acres or above, to hold by knight's service of the King. The chief of the country who claim freedom are to pay some rent to the King for settlement of their estates and clearing those tenures which are now in chief. (7.) Where small parcels are claimed by many by colour of "gavel kind," the grant may be made to the eldest, worthiest, or best deserving in every cartron, and he to grant estates to others (if need be); yet they are to consider the multitude of small freeholders beggars [in] the country, wherefore none is to have less than one cartron. (8.) If the people be agreed to this settlement, they are to be freed from all pretence of titles to be derived from the King to any of the lands in that country (except abbey and church. lands) and from intrusions, which will much further this service, from the which if the people be freed, they may increase 50l. more rent, and so pay to the King 2001. per annum for this whole charge. (9.) Sir Francis Shane is to have the castle of Granard, and also other the land and hereditaments mentioned in the King's letter of the 13th of July, in the sixth year of his reign, with such privileges and benefits as are therein contained, and upon such rent and tenure as is likewise therein mentioned, wherein it is thought fit that the said castle and land thereto belonging, and to be laid to the same, be of the tenure of knight service in capite, and all the rest to be of the tenure of socage as of the castle of Dublin. And the lands which are to be granted to him as before in lieu of this 100%. English, and of the arrearages accrued until the date of his patent, are to be holden in socage as of the castle of Dublin, and subject to the rent mentioned in he King's letter, without reservation of any further rent or service. If the O'Farrolls and other inhabitants of the county of Longford shall not consent to surrender, and accept of this project, then Malbie's rent and Sir Francis Shane's beoves* with the arrearages to be imposed upon them, and satisfaction to be given to Sir Francis Shane according to this project." (10.) Certificate to be made at or before Allhollantide† next of all the proceedings. So in the original; apparently some words are wanting. † Sic. 1611. Vol. 629, p. 142. 122. (11.) The Lo. Deputy to grant the commission with choice and such other instructions for due execution thereof as to him and the Council shall be thought meet. (12.) Provided if the instructions aforesaid concerning Sir Francis Shane be not effectually accomplished to him before Allhollantide next, then he may proceed for his arrearages of rent and passing his letters patent. (13.) And if the project proceed, care is to be taken by the Lo. Deputy that Sir Francis Shane be secured, both for his rent and arrearages, according as is here expressed, the rather for that he has paid the King a good sum of money for the same, and has been ever ready to do the State faithful service. Copy. Pp. 4. An ESTIMATE REPORT made by Sir Laurence Esmond, Sir Edward Fisher, Knights, and the King's Surveyor General and Escheator of Leinster, lately employed for surveying and accepting surrenders of certain lands in the county of Wexford, whereunto the King hath ancient title. According to your direction we made our repair unto the territories of the Morrowes, Kinshlaghes, and other lands of low Leinster, lying between the rivers of Slane and Blackwater, and at our coming into those countries we assembled the inhabitants of each principal territory before us at several places, and imparted to them at large the King's just and apparent title to those lands, and also his purpose to take all those lands into his hands, to the end to plant and dispose of them. And withal we shewed our authority from you to proceed therein accordingly. We acquainted them that the King's pleasure was to distribute the lands as well to strangers as to the natives and present inhabitants, for the better civilizing and planting the country, and that such as were worthy should be made freeholders by patent, the residue to be settled upon terms of years or lives at reasonable rents. We found the inhabitants ready to embrace the course of plantation, and disposed to yield to the King's pleasure, only some doubted if he was acquainted with it, and many of them feared a sudden removal out of that country, which did terrify them. The first thing we took in hand was the survey of the several territories, which we executed by measurement of several parcels in each territory, by the oaths of the best and most expert inhabitants of each parish, and we found that all the lands lying within the limits above mentioned being two small barronies, amounted to about 61,000 acres of all manner of land, over and besides two small territories called Synott's lands and Roche's lands, containing about 4,000 acres, which we forbear to add to the other sum of the King's lands, 1611. because those gentlemen being of English progeny do stand upon ancient title from the Crown, which must be further examined, and if it be found for the King, yet they and their kindred will look to be preferred thereto before others. We find that within the continent of 61,000 acres, there are about 13,000 acres, as well abbey land as other, lately granted to several persons by letters patent from the Crown of the rent of 911. 38. 4d. Ir., and also 2,000 acres at least, parcel of the temporalities of the Bishop of Fearnes, but passed from that See to several persons upon small reservation. Their land we see not how other ways to deal with than to confirm them for the most part to the patentees and grantees, or so much other land, in lieu thereof, as the conveniency of planting may best admit. We find likewise so great a number of present inhabitants as well of English lineage as mere Irish, who now hold a good form of subjection, that we cannot see how they may be settled upon less than 24,000 acres, including therein Sir Richard Maisterson, who is now possessed of a great quantity. And yet to the Irish, of whom few are like to be freeholders, we shall allow but mean proportion, holding it fit that none of them have above 1,000, nor any less than 100 acres, so as there will then remain about 22,000 acres to be bestowed amongst civil families for intermixture with the natives, who will build for the strength and civility of the country. Out of these 22,000 acres, the chief rent of 90l. st. per. ann. due to Sir Richard Masterson out of the Kinshellaghes, and 1167. per ann., over and above the King's rent paid to the heir of Sir Wm. Synnot out of the Morrowes, are to be brought in and to be compounded, for the better quiet of the King's tenants, for all which land is to be given at such reasonable rates as by parties may be agreed. And, further, out of these lands is to be raised all the charge and expense laid out in the prosecution of this business, both in England and here; as attending the King's pleasure, finding out records, making several surveys of the lands, etc. that the King be not burthened therewith. And upon their lands are all the castles like to be built; for the Irish can have no great proportions, neither will they be able to build. We published in the country the commission directed to us to receive the surrenders of all the inhabitants of the abovementioned lands, which we declared was rather to give the King satisfaction of their conformity and readiness to submit themselves to his purposes for civilizing those parts, by bestowing some of his own lands upon his better educated subjects, than any way by the least enforcement to constrain them to give over any good right they had or to mend any title claimed by the King. Many of the best understanding and ability in the country, to the number of fifty persons, and a few of the meanest rank, have voluntarily and freely surrendered into the King's hands all their lands, rights, and demands 1611. in the said territories, to be disposed of at his will, without any manner of promise or assurance from us. And so would all the rest have done had not certain lawyers (who would never be seen) distracted them much for their own private interest. In settling the natives and inhabitants, we think very fit that some principal men of the Cavenaghes, especially those who now have land upon the inland borders of their territories, be transplanted and settled upon the places towards the sea, though that be the best and most profitable land of the country, for that upon those borders most of the castles are to be built, which the Irish will never do. And those borders being secured all the land between them and the sea is recovered. And, besides, these castles will stand very conveniently to balance all the Irish neighbour countries, which have hitherto lain open to all licentious practices. During the time of our proceeding in these affairs, we received from your Lp. and Council a commandment to enter into examination of the title of one John Morphie, or any his ancestors, to the country of the Morrowes, or the most part thereof, wherein we have laboured and do find he has utterly mistaken himself, and by taking hold of a name and undigested pedigree, gathered out of the mouths of some hoping to make use of him he has emboldened himself to claim the King's license and aid to be restored to that country, whereunto in truth he hath no manner of colour, by the attainders of the lineal heirs truly known and acknowledged by all men. During the time of our continuance in the country, finding the people well disposed to further the business we laboured in and especially as they declared to us divers recent titles, which the King might, if he pleased, take hold of, by late attainders, of several persons, as well by course of common law, as by Act of Parliament and killing in rebellion, I, the Escheator, caused a jury to be impannelled to inquire therein, who have found the attainders of at least 185 persons. And when by perusal of the records we find the King has hitherunto by way of composition and for rent received out of all the said territories but 1797. 3s. 4d. Ir. per ann., besides rectories and tithes, we think you may now advance his revenue for the temporal lands into those parts to 400l. per ann., besides placing some civil inhabitants and building a competent number of castles to quiet all those parts. Lastly, since our return from the survey of the above lands, the King's title being now generally notified, a sufficient number of meet persons and of good quality and substance have presented themselves to undertake all the lands remaining to be planted by strangers, so as you may forbear entertaining others until you shall take a full consideration of theirs. Signed: Laurence Esmond, Edw. Fysher, I. Barlowe, Endorsed: Rec. the 21st of Sept. 1611 1611. Vol. 629, p. 146. 123. Doncanon. SIR JOSIAS BODLEY to LORD CAREW. Upon my last receipt of that small sum which was remaining of the moneys demanded and granted for the forts in Munster and Galway, I presently resumed the care of that business; surveyed diligently those several places, gave directions for perfecting the works and supplied them with sufficient means for the same so far as my allowance would extend, that by this time, the most part of them, and by Allhallow tide, they will be thoroughly finished. That you may the better be satisfied concerning the present state and strength of each place, I have thought good to signify how I found them, and how they are left. At the fort of Doncanon, whereas the rampier that encloseth the same at the lands side, by reason of the weakness thereof (for it exceeded not twelve foot in thickness), could but meanly have resisted any battery, and by reason of its lowness lay open to exceeding annoyance from the high grounds without, I caused the same with "rice" and earth to be enforced to more than double that thickness, and raised it to such height as might secure the defenders from those commanding hills, I scoured the ditch, made new the drawbridge and gate, placed a pallisado on the counterscarp, built a lodge over the port, and repaired the decays of the casemates. And as that neck of land which comprises the circuit of the fort by reason of the convexity thereof, lay so open both to the haven and the neighbouring hills on each side, that men could not safely show themselves upon it, or descend without danger towards the platforms in time of service, I encompassed the same with a stone wall, well rampiered behind with earth, on the east and west sides, and on the front towards the haven raised a work of earth and sods with a mount for defence of the platforms. The platforms being formerly not above 14 or 15 foot broad, I enlarged them to more than double that breadth, by cutting the rock behind them (which rose to more than 24 foot in height), plaunched them and made them fit for present use. The lodgings for the warders with the square pile at the end of the inner wall, which were much ruined, I caused to be repaired. Of what strength this place is, both by natural site and by this late enforcement, and how much it may import the King's service in those parts I leave to your experienced consideration. This only I will add, that as I have heard it objected that notwithstanding the command which this fort has over that harbour, an invading enemy may securely land his forces in divers other parts of that haven, and march forward at his pleasure, it may easily be imagined that no enemy would be so ill-advised as to leave a place of such moment at his back, from which he might be continually prosecuted; besides, for any army to infest those quarters *Flanked. |