Ffeil Clenennau letters and papers 281 [RESTRICTED ACCESS] - Ralph [Eure, Lord] Eure, Ludlow Castle, to his friends Sir John Wynne, kt, bart, Sir William Moris and Sir William ...,

Ralph [Eure, Lord] Eure, Ludlow Castle, to his friends Sir John Wynne, kt, bart, Sir William Moris and Sir William Thomas, kt's and John Gruffith, esq., deputy lieutenants of Caernarfonshire. Covering letter with No. 280. What Ralph Eure cannot attend or perform in person rests on his deputies. The letters express the King's care for the general good rather than any immediate known cause of danger, but such frequent directions as Ralph Eure has received in three letters over the last two months, must proceed from extraordinary causes, especially when they are so general, and in the case of the musters, throughout the kingdom. When the ill-affected or suspect, such as the Papists, should be disarmed for fear of danger, so the loyal should be equipped for their own safety. Recommends this service, which is important and admits to delay, to their care and swift performance. If any are obstinate, being insensible of the inconvenience that may be or neglectful of their duty or the deputy lieutenants' commands, let the latter proceed against them at their own discretion or bind them over to answer for their contempt before Ralph Eure. Let the deputy lieutenants use their authority according to the trust reposed in them and the necessity of the service. Hopes former directions have made good provision for things of this kind; any lack in the persons of the men or their arms, horses and equipment or the store of match and powder must now be supplied. Requires the captains of the bonds [sic for bands] to be summoned before the deputy lieutenants with their companies, both horse and foot, and that the muster masters be there, attending also to the allowing or disallowing of arms. Leaves to the deputy lieutenants' choice the day, place and manner of the musters, whether all in one day or in one place, but the time must be between 12 and 17 March so that Ralph Eure may have their certificates before 28 March; must return his own certificate, which must be particular with regard to defects and supplies, by 31 March. To press the deputy lieutenants further would be to doubt their diligence; yet cannot but say that his former directions have not produced due satisfaction. Their own discretion and the enclosed instructions will show them what is requisite. Authorises them fully to act in his absence; let them discharge this duty in fitting manner.