126 ACCOUNT OF COUNCIL BUSINESS. 



orders in the middle shires, we find the informers to faulter 

 and fail in their accusation. Nevertheless, upon my mo 

 tion, the table hath ordered, that the informer shall attend 

 one of the clerks of the council, and set down articulately 

 what he can speak, and how he can prove it, and against 

 whom, either the Witheringtons or others. 



For the causes of Ireland, and the late letters from the 

 deputy,* we have but entered into them, and have appointed 

 Tuesday for a farther consultation of the same ; and, there 

 fore of that subject I forbear to write more for this present. 



Indorsed March 30, 1617. An account of Council 

 Business. 



AN ACCOUNT OF COUNCIL BUSINESS, AND OF OTHER 



MATTERS COMMITTED TO ME BY HIS MAJESTY. 

 FIRST, for May day, at which time there was great appre 

 hension of tumult by apprentices and loose people. There 

 was never such a still. The remedies that did the effect 

 were three. 



First, the putting in muster of the trained bands and mili 

 tary bands in a brave fashion that way. Next the laying 

 a strait charge upon the mayor and aldermen for the city, 

 and justices of the peace for the suburbs, that the apprentices 

 and others might go abroad with their flags and other 

 gauderies, but without weapon of shot and pike, as they 

 formerly took liberty to do ; which charge was exceedingly 

 well performed and obeyed. And the last was that we had, 

 according to our warrant dormant, strengthened our com 

 missions of the peace in London and Middlesex with new 

 clauses of lieutenancy; which as soon as it was known 

 abroad all was quiet by the terror it wrought. This I 

 write because it maketh good my further assurance I gave 

 his majesty at his first removes, that all should be quiet, 

 for which I received his thanks. 



For the Irish affairs, I received this day his majesty s 

 letters to the lords, which we have not yet opened, but shall 

 sit upon them this afternoon. I do not forget, besides the 

 points of state, to put my lord treasurer in remembrance 

 that his majesty laid upon him the care of the improve 

 ment of the revenue of Ireland by all good means, of which 

 I find his lordship very careful, and I will help him the 

 best I can. 



The matter of the revenue of the recusants here in Eng 

 land I purpose to put forward by a conference with my 



* Sir Oliver St. John, afterwards Viscount Grandison. 



