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AS I neuer knew the Irish to want English frends that did vphold them so they are neuer destitute againe of some others, to procure them pardōs.
This Port-sale of pardons, hath been the vtter vn∣doing of Ireland: for what betweene those pardons that were sent from the Pope, and the other againe that were obtained from the Prince, euery Traytor, euery Rebell, euery murtherer, euery Theese & eue∣ry
Robber, might put in practise what he listed, with∣out dread or danger, for the Pope he dispensed on the one side, and the Queene she pardoned on the other, and thus between them (as time and occasion serued) it was holden for the high way to preferment, for a man to play the traitor, and to stirre vp Rebellion: for he that was found to be most dilligent, most daunge∣rous, and most desperate, in the execution of Trea∣son, should not onely bee sure to haue a pardon, but hee should bee likewise gratified with a pension, or with some daily pay, from out of the Princes Co∣fers.
Now, who would forbeare to be a Traitour, or a Rebell, or a Theefe, or to enter into any mischiefe whatsoeuer, that could stil warrant himselfe a pardon for a few stolen Cowes?
This generality of pardons and protections, did much harme in Ireland, for they still gaue encourage∣ment to the ill disposed to aduenture of any enter∣prise, and to do any maner of villany what themselues listed, and there wanted not those that were fauorites and followers to the Lord Deputy, that were stil hun∣ting after sutes, that obtained both Pardons and pro∣tections, and manie other Grants, that were so pre∣iudiciall vnto the seruice of our late gracious Queen, that she had been better to haue giuen them stipends of some thousandes by the yeare to haue maintained them in England, rather then to haue suffered them to haue made such Traffique in Ireland, as they did at that time.
As these Pardons were the onely encouragements to giue daring Traitours to attempt against their Prince, so they were againe the verie cause of dismay,
whereby to terrifie the subiect from the seruice of his Soueraigne: for when a Traitour was out in rebelli∣on, those that were bordering vpon him, that had best knowledge in the strength and fastnesse of his Coun∣trey, durst neuer serue against him; for they knew wel enough that there was not a Rebell in Ireland so foo∣lish, but that he had English friends to procure him a pardon, and then they were sure that the winding vp would be (as it hath beene in many other things) that he that shold oppose himself to serue his Prince faith∣fully, should bee left to the spoile of a Traitour, who hauing once made his owne peace by pardon or pro∣tection, would liue to be reuenged of as many as had serued against him.
Is it now so much to be wondered at, that her ma∣iestie could haue no better seruice performed against her Rebelles in Ireland, when by her ouer much cle∣mency, shee defeated her selfe of their seruices, that were best able to stand her in stead.
I might speake further of Pardons, that hath beene many waies more preiudicial, then I haue set downe: but I wil conclude, That so long as there are any par∣dons to be hoped for in Ireland, so long there will be Traitors in Ireland: and so long as a proclaimed trai∣tor shall be able to compasse either pardon or prote∣ction, so long the Prince shall haue no seruice perfor∣med against any Rebell, either by English or Irish, that are dwelling neere about him, and that can best serue vpon him.