Licentiousness of the inhabitants of the country

The disorderly state of the province, and the vice and licentiousness of the people, about this time, were most lamentable. In the year 1600, they were described in the following forcible terms in an assembly of the citizens of Galway, which was convened for the purpose of counteracting the effects of those evils: "August 1. This day informacon being made and moved in open courte, by certain of the brethern, of the ymminent loss generally all the corporation doe daily sustain for want of the administration of justice in the counties and shires of the province abroad, by means of the obstinacie, wilful disobedience, Iyinge and deceit of the country gentlemen and inhabitants, that by no means there can no remedy be had against them for the recovery of anie debt due, muche less of any roberies or spoiles; neverthelesse, upon the repair of them to this town of Galway, are so dayly supported and upholden by the mayor and his associats, that noe justice can be ministered upon them; the mayor ordinarily granting to every of them, so comeing, his worde and protection to retourne safe without any molestation; the country inhabitants, voide of all charitie, litle regardinge their duty to God, thereby making against the goods of the poor merchants." In order to remedy these disorders, it was resolved that no such protection as that complained of should thenceforth be granted by the mayor, or any other authority, to any of the inhabitants of the country.

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