LETTER III.

TO THE SAME.

_Dublin May 20: 1689_:

You will before this, have had an account from L^{d.} Melfort, of what men, arms, and stors, have been sent you, and are designed for you, I now send back to you this bearer L^{d.} Dungan to lett you know that this day I have been informed by one who came from Chester on Wednesday last, that Kirke was to sett saile with the first fair wind from thence with fower reg^{s.} of foott, to endeavour to relieve Derry, I have ordered a copy of the information to be sent you, I know you will do your part to hinder if you can, their getting into that towne, for should once more those English succors be obliged to return againe, that rebelious towne could not hold out long with the force I send you, but if you cannot hinder their getting into the towne you must then take care to secure your retreat as well as you can, on your side, and to take care also of the cannon, mortars and men, w^{ch.} are on the east side of the river of Derry, for no doubt they will presse you, when you draw off, in case you should be obliged to do it, what I propose is that you should endeavour to keep Castlefin, Cladyford bridg, and Strabane to hinder them from coming over those waters, this I thinke may be easily done considering tho' they may be strong in foott, they can have but few and bad horse, and that I designe to go about to reduce Eniskilling, in the mean tyme I am thinkind of sending some more troups towards Charlemont which will be ready to look toward you, or Carrickfergus as occasion shall offer, lett Castlederg, be well provided, I have sent some horse and dragoons to reinforce Sarsfield at Sligo, and have ordered Pursell's dragoons to Belturbet, what els I have to say, I refer to this bearer L^{d.} Dungan,§.

JAMES R.