With  the  first  letter  came  the  despatch  from  the  Queen  with  the
writing  signed  by  Walsingham,  which  they  gave  you  as  their
version  of  what  the  Qneeu  said  to  you,  although  you  say  it  was
different  from  that  set  forth.  An  answer  could  easily  be  given  to
it,  but  it  is  not  considered  to  be  worth}'  of  it,  particularly  as  you
replied  perfectly  well.  You  also  did  wisely  in  appearing  to  take
no  notice  of  the  Queen's  information  that  the  French  were  going
to  attack  Flanders,  as  her  reason  for  giving  it  is  quite  evident.
Your  reply  to  the  complaints  about  Ireland,  and  the  way  in  which,
with  obvious  and  excellent  reason,  you  exonerated  me  in  the
matter,  on  the  ground  that  it  had  been  done  by  the  Pope,  is  also
fully  approved,  as  are  your  remarks  to  the  Queen  in  deprecation  of
the  aid  sent  to  my  Flemish  rebels.  You  can  continue  to  answer
in  the  same  way  if  they  speak  about  the  loading  of  (English)  ships
{in  Spain),  which,  as  you  know,  I  permitted  as  an  exceptional
thing  and  not  generally.  Notwithstanding  this,  and  that,  in  good
truth,  the  succour  recently  sent  to  the  Irish  Catholics  was  by  order
of  the  Pope,  and  consisted  of  troops  raised  and  despatched  by  hia
officers,  it  will  be  well  for  you  to  keep  me  informed  as  to  what  is
going  on  there,  and  what  forces  the  Queen  is  sending.  Report  to
me  also  what  progress  is  made  with  the  negotiations  with  France.
I  am  informed  from  there  that  the  Queen  bad  sent  Stafford  to
Alen9on  to  treat,  amongst  other  things,  of  this  question  of  Ireland.
