Queen Elizabeth's instructions to Howard of Effingham and Essex t may be briefly suummrised. The generals were advised that the armament had heen originally collected because of the prewdcnce of reports that Spain was preparing a greter Armada than that of 15 to invade England, and to aid the Irish rcbcls. The reports had tmumd out to be exaggerated. 5Ioreover, the Spanish fleet had been scattered, partly for the pursuit of Drake and prtly for the reinforcement of the Indies. But there was still danger tlnt the Irish rebels might be assisted, and that might best be prevented by the capture or destruction of "some good number" of the King of Spain's ships in his ports. The duties of the generals would, there- fore, I)e to discover the strength, whereabouts, and designs of the Spanish navy, and the nature and quantity of stores collected in Spain for purposes of aggression over sea; to destroy any vessels intended for Ireland. the Narrow Seas, or Calais, to generally injure the nawd pover of Spain, to avoid the unnecessary hazarding of ships and men, to tMm nndefeuded towns, especially if they should be understood to contain treasure; not to injure non- combatants, and to preserve all booty for her majesty's disposal. The two generals were to be assisted by a comcil of five, composed of Lord Thomas Howard. Sir Valer Ralegh, Sir Francis Vcre, Sir Conyers Clifibrd. and Sir George Carcw; - and the proceedings of the generals and council were to I)e from time to time recorded for the queen's information by Anthony Ashley, one of the clerks of her Pri Couucil, who would accompany the fleet for the pro'pose. If, after the attainment of the main objects of the expedition, the generals should learn of the home~coming of any rich Spanish carracks from the Indies, they might exercise fimir discretion as to effecting fimir capture; lint the fleet was not to be kept abroad longer thm needful. Before the sailing of the expedition, the queen's attitude towards it, and especially towu'ds Essex, changed; and, almost at th last moment, the tvo leaders received letters of rccfil. These were vithdrawu only upou the urgent remonstrances of Lord Thomas Howard, Sir Frmcis Vere, and other subordimtc officers.

Cotton MSS., Otho E. ix.

The generals had power to add to this Cramoil. s Anthony Ashley, gr,'mdfatl,er of the first Earl of .qhaftesbm'y, becanle Secretary to

the Privy Cotmcil under James I., was made a 1,aronet in 11;22, and died in 1;28.