And he also set on others to question his titles which had never before before doubted.  He therefore humbly besought the king to direct that new letters patent should be made out re-conveying to him and his heirs the lands in dispute, being, he said, ’such a favour as is appointed by your majesty to be extended to such of your subjects of this kingdom as should be suitors for the same, amongst whom I will during my life endeavour to deserve to be in the number of the most faithful, whereunto not only duty, but also your majesty’s great bounty, hath ever obliged me.’

This was dated at Mellifont on May 26, 1607.  It does not appear that any answer was received to his appeals to the king, nor is it likely that it served his cause, for it is seldom safe to appeal from an agent or deputy to the supreme authority.  The Privy Council in Dublin, however, made a report confirming to some extent the claims put forth by Tyrone.  A jury had been appointed to inquire into the boundaries and limits of the lands granted by Queen Elizabeth, and they found that they extended from the river Fuin to Lough Foyle, and from Lough Foyle by the sea-shore to the Bann, and thence to the east of Lough Neagh.  Within these limits they found that there existed the territory called O’Cahan’s, Glenconkeine and Killetragh, which were not the lands of the O’Neills, ’but held by tenants having estates in them equivalent to estates of freehold.’  The jury could not determine what rents the tenants of said lands were accustomed to pay, but they found generally that all lands within the limits of Tyrone, except the lands of the church, rendered to O’Neill bonnaght or free quarters for armed retainers, ‘rising out, cutting and spending.’  The parties, however, did not abide by the decision of the privy council, but kept up their contention in the courts of law.  It was quite clear that matters could not remain long in that unsettled state, with so many adventurers thirsting for the possession of land, which was lying comparatively idle.  It was thought desirable to appoint a president of Ulster, as there had been a president of Munster.  The Earl of Tyrone applied to the king for the office, evidently fearing that if Chichester were appointed, he must share the fate of the Earl of Desmond.  On the other hand, it was felt that with his hereditary pretensions, impracticable temper, and vast influence with the people, it would be impossible to establish the English power on a permanent basis until he was got out of the way.  This was not difficult, with unprincipled adventurers who were watching for opportunities to make their fortunes in those revolutionary times.  Among these was a person named St. Lawrence, Baron of Howth.  This man worked cunningly on the mind of the lord deputy, insinuating that O’Neill was plotting treason and preparing for a Spanish invasion.  He even went so far as to write an anonymous letter, revealing an alleged plot of O’Neill’s to assassinate the lord deputy.  It was addressed