Nor was the business free from local complications. Before County Derry was shired, it formed part of Tyrone, but lay under the chiefry of the O’Cahans. That sept paid tribute to the O’Neills; and Bishop Montgomery soon learnt of Sir Donal O’Cahan’s desire to be freed from contribution to the Earl of Tyrone. O’Cahan was married to O’Neill’s sister, and had joined him in the wars; but Chichester and Docwra, to end the struggle, tempted him to take the Queen’s side by a promise to relieve him from tribute to O’Neill and grant him his lands in fee simple. O’Cahan’s acceptance of this offer, and the breach of the bargain, led to consequences that have furrowed deep tracks in Ulster history. Hardly had the compact between him and Docwra in 1602 been concluded than O’Neill was also persuaded to cease insurgency. The Earl yielded upon a guarantee that his estate should be restored intact, and thus the undertakings to chief and sub-chief were wholly repugnant to one another. The treaty with O’Neill was signed on behalf of the Crown, that with O’Cahan on behalf of Chichester. State policy compelled the breach of one or other. For, when Elizabeth lay dying in March, 1603, the Lord Lieutenant thought it good to promise O’Neill pardon ere the Scotch King, with whom the Irish were in amity, ascended the united Thrones. O’Neill accepted conditions, knowing of the offer to O’Cahan, but not of the Queen’s death-sickness. He refused at first to parley, because a re-grant of his territory with undiminished rights was denied. The Lord Lieutenant, though loath to concede such terms, feared that, if the news of the accession of James I. reached Ulster before peace was concluded, O’Neill would surrender voluntarily, and so win grace with the new King. He, therefore, ordered Sir Garrett Moore and Sir William Godolphin to confer a second time with him, and to agree to all he asked. A treaty embodying the bargain was signed at Mellifont; and, when O’Neill afterwards visited England, a King’s Letter for Tyrone was handed to him. He returned in triumph in September, 1603, having had all his claims and those of his family honourably met at Court.