A true copy of a Letter sent from Mr William Bulwark, a Grand Recusant in his majesty's Arms, to a friend of his, one Mr. John Greenall in Drury Lane. Which letter on the 16. of this month of November was intercepted, and in which is manifestly expressed the horrible designs of the Papists and Cavaliers for the surprising of the city of London, and the destruction of the Parliament.  
SIR, I had well hoped, there should not have been any need of sending any more letters to our friends in London, but in the stead of your enjoying me by paper, that we should have enjoyed one another in person, where our loves should have feared neither interception nor suspicion; how soever I have ventured this last by the safest hand I could, and I hope it will arrive as safe as it is meant. What success our designs had on last Saturday, being the 12. of November, you well understand: all the hopes and promises from you, and the failings of them, we know not which way to impute either to your fear, or to the misreport of what had happened in our Army. This for a certain, that the Catholic cause could never find a better opportunity to advance itself, had you but the spirits to conceive it. The best Regiment that the Parliament had, and stoutest, was that day sorely distressed, they had fire and water enough; and from the fury of one element, they plunged themselves into the mercy of the other. The other Regiments that came in to their rescue, were quickly weary of their task. In the mean time the City was in a tumult, their Generals distracted, their Forces scattered, neither could there have been a greater advantage, had we then but hands & hearts to follow it. This bearer can truly possess you how sensible we are what a loss by your neglect, the Catholic cause then received. Let us understand by this bearer, the reason of it: and because his memory is but weak, let us partake it in some letter. We are sorry to understand of the Captivity of our friend who was taken at Mile-End, & do much lame at his ●ni fortune, that so great a head should be overtaken by so weak agents. Remember me kindly to your brother Nicol●s, & if no further good can be done with you, advise him to haste to the army. Our army is not so weak either in number or in courage, as it is reported in the City, and some three hundred of the Parliaments Forces are reported this day to be united to ours. It is commonly reported, that all the vaults and close ways under ground, from S. Paul's unto Westminster, are discovered unto the inhabitants, who have made it known unto the Parliament. I pray be careful to send direct word of it: for upon that (as you sufficiently know) the chiefest of our designs depend. Let me not fail to hear of you by the return of honest Thomas: for though we are so near unto intelligence, yet we hear nothing certain, some affirming one thing, some another; and oftentimes we have more news from a Round-head then a Catholic. I have no good news from York, if you hear any, I pray impart it. We are now at Kingston, where we believe we shall reside a while. Some of our Cavaliers did wear the Earl of Essex his colours, and by that means we found an easier admittance into the town. Remember to fend me true word what is become of our friends in Summersetshire. We hope within these few days to kiss the hand of the good Queen again, whose presence will be a great encouragement to the whole Army; but especially to him who is  
Your most affectionate friend who prays for the happiness of your soul and body, William bulwark.   

This Letter was intercepted by one Thomas Harland, and delivered to Mr. Greenall as from the abovesaid Messenger, who although (it seems) he something did suspect him, did give unto it this reply as followeth.  
SIR, I am most sorry in hope to receive you, to receive your Letter: And I more wonder, that you should write now to me by such a Messenger in so dangerous a time, whose face before I never saw, nor ever heard of his name; but because that you are p●eased to repose so much trust in him, I have done so too, and as near as I can, to give you satisfaction to the materials of your Letter. If you knew in earnest, how thin our numbers are here, how much we are of late discountananced and cried down, there would remain no further ground for your wonder of our neglect. For my part, the Catholic and our cause are grown so odious unto the ciry, with the most narrow eye they are so much sought after, and sentenced, that we scarce dare hold any commerce in private, our numbers are every day grown less and less, and I am almost afraid to see my own face in the glass. What could be expected where there is so little to be done; and where, if that little was done, it would put the whole cause into a greater distress and jeopardy then as yet it is. The Forces of the Parliament were that night most careful that no opportunity should be neglected, the fields and the City were filled witharmed men; and there wanted, I believe, no resolution to their numbers: even their women (forsooth) were so full of courage, that in that tumult and alarm, they would seem to put new courage into the men, and were as busy in arming their friends, as they were of late in assisting their works against us. To confirm your belief in this truth, the other night there was a false an alarm raised, I believe on purpose in the City, and it is a wonder to consider, what multitudes in every street were immediately gathered together, whereby their resolution, by those who raised the coil, might easily be observed. The day following, our friend's house on Clarkenwell Green, who belonged sometimes to the Spanish ambassador, was plundered by their soldiers. You would wonder to see how all his moveables were torn from him, and made a prey to the violence and greediness of the soldiers. I much lament the taking of our brave friend at Mile-End, and justly partake in his sufferings with you. I hear nothing of the discovery of any vaults, and I much wonder that you would intrust so great a secrer unto paper, and from such a bearer, who although he told me his name was Thomas, yet is not that Thomas I expected from you. Our affairs at York do move but slowly forward, neither do I believe are there those heroic spirits which was conceived there had been. If I be not much mistaken in your brother Nicolas, who hath been lately there, and last night intended to be with you, can give you a true and exact rel●tion of all things that have happened there, and the Countries thereabouts. I am glad with you to partake of the good news of her Ma●esties return to England, which in these manifold afflictions and daily fears which do surround me, brings some ease and comfort to  
Your true distressed friend, John Greenall.   

Printed for Francis Wright, 1642.