This series of letters comprises largely copies made of originals that were seized by the British Government in charge of Ireland, in an attempt to gather intelligence about papists thought to be enlisting in the French service in the face of the threat of war with Spain. It also includes letters from Charles Massy to Francis Burton about his concern that tall British army men were being enticed out of the King's troops by a man named Moore, to join the Prussian service or the highest bidder.
In most it is not clear that enlisting is the topic of the seized letters but the language of some may allude to it without mentioning it specifically.
The letters are written by an array of individuals, generally between relatives and friends between Flanders, Paris and Ireland.
Topics of the letters from Charles Massy include: flaxseed and poor provisions; converting land to another use; John and Roger Moore carrying men out to Prussia and possibly to France; travelling to Ireland to drop off those enlisted (including a man named Dun [Denn?]); some of Captain Montgomery's troops deserting or sold and concealed in Spain; Stumbles, Gill and Connors of Nenagh in the country attempting to get troops to desert on orders from Moore; advising allowing deserter to return and be forgiven; mention of Fitzgerald and Franklin as examples of deserters; Moore's movements in Ireland; John Ryan of the Kellemont Gang; his aim to 'fix' some of the troopers in County Waterford; his suspicion that letters are being intercepted; Connors sheltering at Mr Monsell's who gave him up with confronted by Massy; hempseed order.