martial law in MacCartan's country, but the indiscretion of Thomas Smith in publishing his scheme for the plantation of the Ardes and Upper Clandeboye, by putting the Irish on their guard, placed obstacles in the way of realising his plan. He succeeded in reducing Sir Brian O'Neill to temporary submission in October 1572, and in the following month captured O'Neill's youngest daughter; but, despite efforts with Smith, and at a later period with Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex, he failed to establish himself permanently. Essex chose Malby report to the privy council on the situation of affairs in the north in December 1574. He returned to Ireland on 5 May 1575 with special instructions for the Earl of Essex, and with an order for his own admission to the privy council. He had made a good impression on Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester and Francis Walsingham, who recommended him to the queen for the government of Connacht, but several months elapsed before their recommendation took effect. During the summer of that year he took part in Essex's expedition against Sorley Boy MacDonnell, and may have assisted at the massacre of the MacDonnells on the island of Rathlin. Lord President of Connacht He accompanied Sir Henry Sidney into Connacht in September 1576, and having been knighted by him on 7 October, was appointed colonel, or military governor, of the province (called Connaught by the English). Malby then proceeded against John and Ulick Burke, sons of the Earl of Clanricarde, harrying their countries with fire and sword. In October 1577, after arranging a feud between O'Conor Don and MacDonough, he, at O Connor Sligo's request, attacked the castle of Bundrowes, and having captured it from O'Donnell, restored it to O'Conor Sligo. But not having much confidence in the loyalty of the latter, he appointed Richard MacSwine High Sheriff of Sligo. Shortly afterwards O'Donnell invaded the county, slew the sheriff, and besieged Bundrowes, compelling him to retrace his steps. He drove O'Donnell out of the county, but was unable to overtake him. At Sligo, on his way back to Roscommon, he came to terms with Brian O'Rourke, but the arrangement did not last long, owing to O'Rourke's refusal to expel certain coiners he maintained. In April 1578 Malby invaded his country, captured his chief castle, and put the entire garrison to the sword. In the autumn of 1578 he went to