thither, or exported thence, as well poundage and tonnage, as the great and small customs, for twenty-one years, paying yearly 6s. 8d. as an acknowledgment.

"Furthermore, that his Majesty will be pleased to buy from the possessors, the salmon fishing of the rivers of Bann and Lough Foyle; and out of his princely bounty, to bestow the same upon those towns (for their better encouragement) which some years proveth very plentiful and profitable.

"And likewise to grant them licenses to transport all prohibited wares growing upon their own lands.

"And likewise the Admiralty in the coasts of Tyrconnell and Coleraine, now, as is supposed, in the Lord Deputy by the Lord Admiral's grant, may be, by his Majesty's means, transferred unto them for the term of twenty-one years."

"The Land Commodities which the North of Ireland produceth.

"The country is well watered, generally, by abundance of springs, brooks, and rivers; and plenty of fuel, either by means of wood, or, where that is wanting, of good and wholesome turf.

"It yieldeth store of all necessary for man's sustenance, in such measure as may not only maintain itself, but also furnish the city of London, yearly, with manifold provision, especially for their fleets; namely, with beef, pork, fish, rye, bere, peas, and beans, which will also, in some years, help the dearth of the city and country about, and the storehouses appointed for the relief of the poor,

“As it is fit for all sorts of husbandry, so for breeding of mares and increase of cattle, it doth excel, whence may be expected plenty of butter, cheese, hides, and tallow.

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English sheep will breed abundantly in Ireland,—the sea coast, and the nature of the soil, being very wholesome for them; and, if need were, wool might be had cheaply and plentifully out of the west parts of Scotland.

"It is held to be good in many places for madder, hops, and woad.

"It affordeth fells of all sorts, in great quantity, red deer, foxes, sheep, lamb, rabbits, martins, squirrels. &c.

"Hemp and flax do more naturally grow there than elsewhere; which, being well regarded, might give great provision for canvas, cable, cording, and such like requisite for shipping, besides thread, linen, cloth, and all stuffs made of linen yarn, which is more fine and plentiful there than in all the rest of the kingdom.

"Materials for building,-timber, stone of all sorts, limestone, slate, and shingle,—are afforded in most parts of the country; and the soil is good for brick and tile.

"Materials for building of ships (excepting tar) are there to be had in great plenty; and in the country adjoining, the goodliest and largest timber in the woods of Glanconkene and Killetrough that may be, and may compare with any in his Majesty's dominions, which may easily be brought to the sea by Lough Neagh, and the river of the Bann. The fir masts, of all sorts, may be had out of Lochabar in Scotland, not far distant from the north of Ireland, much more easily than from Norway;-other sorts of wood do afford many services, for pipe staves, hogshead staves, barrel staves, hoop staves, clapboard staves, wainscot, soap and dyeing ashes, glass and iron work, for iron and copper ore, are there plentifully had.

"The country is very plentiful for honey and wax.

The Sea and River Commodities.

"First. The harbour of the river of Derry is exceeding good; and the road of Portrush and Loughswilly, not far distant from the Derry, tolerable.

"The sea fishing of that coast very plentiful of all manner of usual sea fish, especially herrings and eels; there being, yearly, after Michaelmas, for taking of herrings, above

seven or eight score sail of his Majesty's subjects and strangers for lading, besides an infinite number of boats for fishing and killing.

"Great and profitable fishing are in the next adjacent isles of Scotland, where many Hollanders do fish all the summer season; and do plentifully vend their fish in Spain, and within the Straits.

"Much train or fish oil, of seal, herrings, &c. may be made upon that coast.

"As the sea yieldeth very great plenty and variety of the sea fish, so doth the coast afford abundance of all manner of sea fowl, and the rivers greater store of fresh fish, than any of the rivers in England.

"There be also some store of good pearls upon this coast; especially within the river of Lough Foyle.

"The coasts be ready for traffic with England and Scotland, and for supply of provision from or to them; and do lie open and convenient for Spain, and the Straits, and fittest and nearest for Newfoundland.

"The Profits which London shall receive by this Plantation.

"If multitudes of men were employed, proportionably to these commodities, which might be there by industry attained, many thousands would be set on work, to the great service of the King, strength of his realm, advancement of several trades, and benefit of particular persons, whom the infinite increasing greatness (that often doth minister occasion of ruin to itself) of this City, might not only conveniently spare, but also reap a singular commodity, by easing themselves of an insupportable burthen, which so surchargeth all the parts of the City, that one tradesman can scarce live by another; which, in all probability, would be a means also, and preserve the City from infection; and,

by consequence, the whole kingdom, which, of necessity, must have recourse thither, which persons pestered or closed up together, can neither otherwise, or very hardly avoid.

"These colonies may be a means to utter infinite commodities from London, to furnish the whole north of Ireland, which may be transported by means of the rivers of Bann and Lough Foyle, into the counties of Coleraine, Donegal, Tyrone, Armagh, and Antrim.

"The city of Dublin being desolate by the slaughter of the Easterlings, who were the ancient inhabitants thereof, was given by King Henry the Second to the city of Bristol, to be inhabited; which, without any charge to the King, Bristol did undertake and performed it, whose posterity doth there continue unto this day. This Plantation, thus performed, to the perpetual commendation of Bristol was not the least cause of civilizing and securing that part of the country.

"It were to be wished this noble precedent were followed by the city of London, in these times, with so much the more alacrity, as in ability and means they excel them; and so much the rather, for that the commodities which the city of London shall reap thereby, do far surpass the profit that could redound to Bristol by the other."

After a few days had elapsed, the Lords of the Privy Council, and the corporation of the city of London, came to an understanding on the subject; and the latter expressed their willingness to undertake the Plantation, provided the representation of its advantage and practicability, which formed the basis of their determination, should, upon inves1 Aug. tigation, appear to be correct. Accordingly, to determine this point, a Court of Common Council was convened, when it was agreed, that four wise, grave, and discreet citizens should be immediately sent to view the situation proposed for the new Colony; who should make a report to the Court,

1st

1609.

2d Dec.

on their return from thence, of their proceedings and 3d Aug. opinions. And thereupon, John Broad, Goldsmith; Robert Treswell, Painter Stainer; John Rowley, Draper; and John Munns, Mercer; were appointed as the Deputation: who, being furnished with written instructions, proceeded on their mission to Ireland. On their return, they presented a Report of their various transactions to the court of Common Council, which was openly read. The Court then appointed various of their members a Committee for proceeding in their negociations with the Privy Council; and prescribed 15th Dec. the times and place, at Guildhall, for their meetings. The Committee, soon afterwards, made their Report to the Common Council of the several things intended to be demanded from the Crown, as necessary to the final adjustment of the affairs in question; in which Report they expressed their opinion, that a Company should be constituted in London, of persons to be selected for that purpose, and corporations to be settled in Derry and Coleraine: but, in all things concerning the Plantation, the same to be managed and performed in Ireland, by advice and direction of the Company in London. The Report being approved by the court of Common Council, it was ordered to be presented to the Privy Council; and, after some further negociation, articles of agreement 28th Jan. were, at length, entered into, (on the 28th of January, 1609,) between the Right Honourable the Lords of his Majesty's most honourable Privy Council, on the King's Majesty's behalf of the one part, and the Committees appointed by act of Common Council, on the behalf of the Mayor and Commonalty of the city of London, of the other part; concerning a Plantation in part of the province of Ulster.

"First. It was agreed by the City, that the sum of £20,000 should be levied; whereof £15,000 was to be expended on the intended Plantation, and £5,000 for the clearing of private men's interests in the things demanded,

"Second. Also, that, at the Derry, two hundred houses