| Description | Owen's letter of the 19th was a very welcome one to the writer, not for the news it brought of the King's landing in Ireland or of the Bonaventure's absence but for the obligations and respects he owes to him who wrote it. The King's landing is confirmed by letters from Cork to Lord Insequin and by letters from Dublin; and that he brought arms for 20,000 men and a proportional quantity of ammunition etc. It will put the Irish into such a condition that not only the North will be ruined but the conquest of Ireland will be a matter very difficult and tedious to be done by a Kingdom divided among themselves; and no doubt King James's being there very much retards men's coming in to go against that Nation, for the Parliament have given very little satisfaction yet to the people of those things which were 'buzzed' against that King. It is true the King and Parliament agree beyond precedent, and that the writer believes Common danger will unite them and most of the great men in England to defend themselves, and that perhaps may make Ireland a seat of war rather that of quietness. However, if Scotland proves steady to King William, it will make much alter measures. The writer's thoughts at present are that if Scotland favours King James and that he indulges the Protestants in Ireland, as doubtless he will, rather than lose his personal estate and the possessions at least of his small real estate, to return to Ireland, for doubtless they will live peacably, though in a submissive truckling condition there, at least for some considerable time, during which perhaps this Kingdom may be the seat of war, for he cannot think but that King James will find some other use for that great army which he has in Ireland than merely to let out that Kingdom, and if Scotland joins him, he knows not what he (the King) may not do. As for the Bonaventures the writer is under the same fears as Owen is. Mr Stoyle is going to Liverpool to enquire after her. As for the writer's whest, he thinks the best way would be to sell it if it would yield, barrells and all, 18 shilings a barrell, he would be satisfied. Thanks Owen for his kind enquiry after the writer's settlement in Chester, but as yet he has none other than 2 chambers with 3 beds and the use of the kitchen at 4s 6d per week; but he has as good as agreed for a little house in Forest Street which has a kitchen, 4 pretty lightsome rooms, besides garrets and a garden, and lies in the best air and prospect about the town. It differs from Penrhosbradwen in this, that he can have a kitchen, the 2 best rooms, one closet, the gardens and garrets with a large oak cupboard as useful as a closet for £3 per annum, the wholefor £4.10.s. but then it wants a greater advantage which he had at Holyhead - the happiness of Mr John Owen and his family's conversation which he prefers to all in Chester; for they are none of them very welcome there for they cry they make their markets dear, tough the ungrateful people should consider that it is better for the country round about and that a great part of the city was 'unsett' till they came.
Post Script the 28th This morning came thither the Bonaventure's master; himself safe at Nesson. He tells a dismal story of their suffering in the storm. But here is worse news of the defeat of the north-east forces of Ireland by Tyrconnell's army. It was done without many blows, for the Connaught forces, the forces of the north-west and of Londonderry had not joined them |