THE OUTBREAK,

Otago Witness, Issue 1934, 19 March 1891, Page 32

THE OUTBREAK,

The English court was anxiously watching how things were going, and to prevent such a great war as must necessarily take place if the Spanish succeeded in landing troops and stores in Ireland, General Norris was in 1595 sent over with a large body of " veteran troops," and it was at once reported that effective steps were to be taken by him to prevent O'Neill from being able to wait for the Spanish, or that he would so thoroughly fortify the disaffected parts of Ulster as to completely hem him. To avoid this, O'Neill determined he would at once unfurl the standard of rebellion. He thereupon gathered his army, and marched to attack the English garrison at the Blackwater. He sent in haste to acquaint the King of Spain, and to urge him to send assistance immediately. He also called on the Earl of Kildare to join him in his war "to restore the Catholic church and to put down the reformed religion," and in doing so to free the country from the English yoke. Norris marched to Armagh, where he received letters from O'Neill, repeating his old professions of loyalty, " and earnestly entreating the general not to drive him into rebellion." These letters were in reply to a summons from the Viceroy to appear at Dundalk, on a given date, or be declared a traitor.