Instructions from the King to Daniel O'Neill, Groom of the Bedchamber. You are to repair to our ports of Dartmouth and Falmouth, where you are to confer with Sir N. Crispe and Capt Haesdonck, or other owners of ships or frigates in our service. You are to let them know that, whereas by a clause in their several commissions, they are obliged to employ their frigates for six weeks at our special command, we giving them satisfaction for the same; we have, now occasion for their service, and require them to be in readiness to expect our orders, for all such ships or frigates as can, within a fortnight or three weeks, be set to sea for a month or six weeks service; and that for the present they do send immediately with you over into Ireland all such frigates as are now fitted and ready, there to expect such order as they shall receive from the Marquis of Ormond. In case you find that more than one frigate cannot within a few days be ready, you are to make choice of the nimblest vessel you can there find, and whilst the others are preparing, you forthwith transport yourself to the Marquis of Ormond, there to pursue such further directions as we here give you, having first advertised us by express what we may rely on, and when, concerning the shipping aforesaid expected for our service. You are to represent unto the Marquis of Ormond the great importance [it will be] to the good of our affairs, that we be speedily supplied from our kingdom of Ireland with some good number of foot; that we should be very glad you could frame such a body there, to be sent over, as might be worthy his coming to command it, in which case when we hear from him we will give him further directions; but for the present, that no time must be list in sending over what numbers can be spared of our old English army there, as well as what may be procured of the Irish, together with the best artillery, as well for battery as the field, that the Marquis can assist us withal. You are to acquaint him with the diligence used here to procure shipping for their transport. You are also to employ yourself in soliciting what aids of all kinds may possibly be had from the Irish, according as you shall be instructed from the Marquis, and what by his appointment you shall promise or engage in our name by way of invitation or encouragement to our service unto any in that kingdom, we will be careful to make good; but in this and all things govern yourself by such directions as you shall receive from the Marquis, and no otherwise. Of all this, and what we may expect from thence, and when, you are to give the speediest and punctualest accounts you can unto our Principal Secretary of State attending.
This is a copy and numbered 69, showing it to have been amongst the papers taken at Sherburn. Printed in Appendix to Ludlow's Memoirs, ed 1751, p 492.