Hamilton manuscripts

16
" Now these affairs, as also Con's* escape and journey with Sir Hugh, and their errand, took time and wind at Court,
notwithstanding theirs (and the said George's) endeavours to conceal them from the prying courtiers (the tmsiest
bodies in all the world in other men's matters which may profit themselves), so that in the interim one Sir
James Fullerton, a great favourite, who loved ready money, and to live in Court, more than in waste wildernesses
in Ulster, and afterwards had got a patent clandestinely passed for some of Con's lands, made suggestions to the
King that the lands granted to Sir Hugh and Con were vast territories, too large for two men of their degree, and
might serve for three Lord's estates, and that his Majesty, who was already said to be overhastily liberal, had been
over-reached as to the quantity and value of the lands, and therefore begged bis Majesty that Mr. James Hamilton,
who had furnished himself for some years last past with intelligence from Dublin, very important to his Majesty,
might be admitted to a third share of that svhich was intended to be granted to Sir Hugh and Con. Whereupon, a
stop was put to the passing of the said letters patent, which overturned all the progress (a work of some months)
that Sir Hugh bad made to obtain the said orders for himself and Con. But the King sending first for Sir Hugh, told
him (respecting the reasons aforesaid) for what loss he might receive in not getting the full half of Con's estate by that
defalcation, he would compensate him out of the Abbey lands and impropriations, which in a few months he was to
grant in fee, they being already granted in lease for twenty-one years ; and that he would also abstract out of Con's
half, the whole great Ardes for his and Mr. James Hamilton's behoof, and throw it into their two shares ; that the sea
coasts might be possessed by Scottish men who would be traders, as proper for his Majestie's future advantage, the
residue, to be laid off about Castlereagh (which Con had desired) being too great a favour for such an Irishman.
" All this being privately told by the King, was willingly submitted to by the said Sir Hugh, and soon after this
he and Con were called before the King, who declared to them both his pleasure concerning the partitions as afore-
said, to which they submitted. On notice of which procedure Mr. James Hamilton was called over by the said Sir
James Fullerton, and came to "Westminster, and having kissed the King's hand, was admitted the King's servant (but
not in a great while knighted ; therefore, hereafter I shall make mention of him as Sir James Hamilton, in its due
place) ; all which contrivance brought money to Sir James Fullerton, for whose sake and request it was the readilyer
done by the King. Sir Hugh and Mr. Hamilton met, and adjusted the whole affair between themselves. Whereupon
letters of warrant to the Deputy, dated 16th April, 3rd Jacob. 1605, were granted to pass all the premises, by letters
patent, under the Great Seal of Ireland, accordingly, in which the said Sir James Fullerton obtained further of the
King, that the letter to the Deputy should require him that the patent should be passed in Mr. James Hamilton's
name alone, yielding one hundred pounds per annum to the King; and in the said letter was inserted that the said
lands were in trust for the said Mr. Hamilton himself, and for Sir Hugh Montgomery, and for Con O'Neill, to the
like purport already expressed.
" Then the said Con, Sir Hugh Montgomery, and Mr. Hamilton entered into tripartite indentures, dated ult°. of
the said April, whereby (inter alia) it was agreed that unto Con and his followers their moderate ordinary expenses
from the 1st of August preceding the date now last mentioned, being already paid them, should be continued them, till
patents were got out for their pardons, and also deeds from Mr. Hamilton for Con's holding the estate which the King
had condescended to grant him. Soon after this Mr. Hamilton went to Dublin to mind his business, and to ply telis
extremis for the furtherance of it.
" All this being done, and Sir Hugh having no more business (at present) at Whitehall, he resolved with conve-
nient speed to go through Scotland into Ireland, to follow his affairs, which he did so soon as he had renewed his
friendship with the English and Scottish Secrecarys, and laid down further methods, with his said brother, of inter-
course between themselves for their mutual benefit; and the said Con, well minding Sir J. Fullerton's interposition
for Mr. Hamilton (whereby he was a great loser), and that the patent for his lands was to be passed in Mr. Hamilton's
own name, and only a bare trust expressed for his (Con's) use, in the letters of warrant aforesaid, he thought it neces-
sary that Sir- Hugh and he should look to their hitts. They therefore took leave at Court ; (and being thoro' ready)
they went to Edinborough and Braidstane, and after a short necessary stay for recruits of money, they passed into Ire-
land, taking with them the warrant for Con, his indemnity, pardon, and profit.