294 THE FIRING OF ARWENACK BY THE SP.^'IARDS. ^H 



These levies do not appear to have heen very efficient, for 

 when they were inspected on January 15th, 1596, although they 

 numbered 270, most of them were unarmed, and Hanabal Yyvyan 

 goes on to report* "Mr. Killegrew rebuked them sharply, and 

 challenged them to say if he had wronged any of them, or if 

 any of them did think he had not used her majesties money 

 (yea rather more) for mounting of his great ordnance, repayring 

 of his plotte, and other the defects the said House f wanted, 

 he wished them there to charge him with the same, but their 

 answer was silence, save that one of them affirmed, that the 

 house was now far otherwise provided than it was at the 

 Spaniards being here." 



It is now time to turn to the documents refered to, which 

 run as follows. 



FROM JOHN KILLEGREW TO THE COUNCIL. 



Most honourable the fourthe of this monthe, this examin- 

 ation herein enclosed was manifested before me and Mr. Yyvyan, 

 therefore thinking it my dewty to certefie your honours hereof I 

 have sent this bearer. And do hereby most humbly desire your 

 honors in this dangerous tyme to have consideration for the 

 fortefieing of Pendenis Castell, and for the furnishing of it with 

 arms and victualles necessary for the defending of it, if any 

 invasione shoulde happen. 



So most honorable as the place is of that regard, that it 

 were better 1000 as good as my self e should loose theire lives, 

 rather then the enemye should possese the place which if they 

 should, the recovering of it would cost too many mens lyves, 

 with so great a charge to her Majestie, and too great a mischeef e 

 to the commonwealth. 



Sir Henry Palmer at his last being in Faulmouth viewed the 

 place and knows the defectes, unto which report I refer this 

 cause havinge donne my dewty to put your honours in mynde 

 hereof, praying also what so ever happen hereafter that it may 

 be remembered that this xij monthes as appeeres by my 



* State Papers Domestic, Elizabeth, Vol. 256. 

 f Pendennis Castle. 



