96 - 4 Mar. To John Bramhall, bishop of Derry

Summary

Salutem in Christo

My very good Lord.

Before the returne of my last Letters, I sawe there was in my owne iudgment a great mistake, concerning the Statute which gives way to the Bishopps in Ulster to lett Leases for 60 yeares, but it was a thinge quite forgotten by myselfe and not observed by any other Lords of the Committee that the Plantation was in those parts, and thatt the Tenants had in being already more then twice one and twenty yeares, and therfore would not renewe for one and twenty. I am glad my Lord Deputy hath sent backe the Statute, and I will certainly doe the best I can, that it may be kept in force, and those Bishopps have the benefitt of it. As for the Clause concerning the Lord Deputy, and the Councells consent, I confesse I did not understand the reason of that, till these your Letters came. Namely that you could not trust one of your Company for Succession, and I pray faile not in your next Letters, to send me word whoe that one is, not that I have any purpose to hurt him, were it in my power, but that I thinke it may be very fitt in many respect I should knowe him.

I doe easily beleeve the alienations of Church Possessions, have been both many and unconscionable in that Kingdome. England hath been badd enough for that, and therfore I may easily conceave Ireland, hath been much worse. And had not my Lord Deputy been very hearty in all these Services which belong to the Church, there could not have been such remedy in many yeares, as is nowe God be thanked likely to be in fore.

I have received the note which you sent enclosed conteining the true state, and value of the Appropriations yet remaining to the Crowne in Ireland, together with the Copy of the Petition of the Clergie; when it comes over with authority to the Kinge, I shalbe the more ready, and furnished, to doe the Church the best service I can in that great particular, which I have soe long and soe heartily desired to see finished, if God shalbe pleased soe farre to blesse me, a[nd] and my endeavors. And I heartily pray God, that I may find neither rubb, nor delay heere, [but] I feare both.