3 actes for the benefitt of the subject are passed this session and 4 subsidies wth unanimous consent graunted by the Layitie; and with such cheerefulnes and alacritie that some Irish gentlemen, and of good qualitie, made it their suite, not onely to part wth their estates, but to hazard their lives in his maties service and for the defence of his Kingdomes.
The clergie (though 3 subsidies of the 8 graunted the last parliamt are yet to pay) are willinge and forward to straine their estates and (since the cause is theirs) to supply his maties p'sent wants so farre as their abilities give leave; so that all things here have that end wch was wished and prayed for by all good men. God graunte the like happie successe to that wch is now to be holden in England. I will not further trouble yor Lopp at this tyme, but if yor Lopp have occasion to use me for yorselfe or any friend freelie com̄aund him who is
Dublin, the 25 of March, 1640. Henric' Elphinensis."[1]
At the same time the bishop received a letter from Sir Philip Mainwaring, Strafford's secretary, written on the same day,[2] to inform him of the Lord-Lieutenant's return to England, and expressing a hope that they might travel together to London to attend the parliament:
"My Lord: The Monday after my Lo: Lieutennant tooke his leave of yor L. he tooke shipping at Beaumorres. The winde only serving him to get out of the Port, but for the rest it was very contrary to him; neverthelesse the weather being fayre he landed neere unto Dubline the Wednesday following, Twoe dayes after that he sate in Parliament, and three dayes after that he did the busines he came for, and hath gotten the King not onely a present suply of 4 subsidies, but a further ingagement wherein both the howses of Parliament joyne to give his Matie further supplyes so long as this threatning occasion shall continue and according as it shall require.
So as now my L. makes hart to retourne, and hath appoynted Wednesday being the first of Aprill to imbarque himself for Chester. And I do