William Bowes: William Bowes's Letter to the Lord High Treasurer 15 June 1702

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Sr William Bowes's letter to ye L.d High Trear June 15.th 1702

My Lord.

Haveing for some time observed yt diverse false Guineas and counterfeit Crown P.es & $\frac{\mathrm{1}}{\mathrm{2}}$ Crowns, were put forwards in paym.ts & being Sencible of the ill consequences to the publique, therefrom, I apply'd my selfe wth all diligence to detect the Artifixers, and yre corespond.ts in yt mischievous Trade and haveing (my L.d) made use of proper persons for such Intelligence I have so far succeded in the Discovery, as to apprehend and com̄it to Durham Goale, two notable Artists, James Blades and Joseph Thompson, & haveing caused them to be strictly searched, some papers concerning ye mixing Metalls for counterfeiting Gold and Silver were found in private pockets about 'em, as also 4. bad Crown peices in Blades's Stockes 'twixt that and his foot.

On Exaiaion of Blades he confest (my Lord) where some Instrum.ts for Coyning were hid, wch I caused to be Seiz'd, & have now by me, a Dye or Stany for Guineas, and Some Stamps for the Silver coyn, with some peices of MixtMetall, and many Instrum.ts for impressing Letters, the Arms of Englnd &c.t and indeed my Lord they are borh so conscious of their Guilt that they offer to discover all they know if they might but hope for any punishm.t less than yt of death. There are my Ld two Witnesses agt em <1v> as to the fact of Coyning Henry Smithson & Jonathan his Brother the former my Lord came in voluntarily on the Encouragemt of the Late Act of Parliament, has made a very large discovery and pursuant thereunto, has been very faithfull and diligent, in the Apprehending divers Coyners, and Utterers of their false moneys, in the Counties of Durham, Yorksh Westmorl.d & Northumberld (as your LordP. will find by the inclosed Informaion, wch menioning some facts Subsequent to the date thereof, yor L.dP I hope will Excuse on my Intention to give yor L.dP a further Acco.t in a short time, haveing this day sent him into Lancashire to apprehend (if possible) the cheife Artificer Button als Broadley menion'd in his Informaion as for Jonathan Smithson the other Evidence, he was committ'd last year by me to Durham Goale, for uttering bad money, he was convict thereof last Assises and fin'd 100£ for wch he hath layn in that prison ever Since. And now my Lord he begs to be admitted to Serve her Ma.ty in discovering and Evidencing all he knows.

I have reason my Ld to beleive that neither of these Smithsons Thô they have been concern'd in Uttering bad moneys, have any Skill in counterfeiting it. And must not om̄it to represent to yor L.dP that Will Robson whose Informaion I likewise transmitt, was the first that gave me intimaion of this matter, and is I beleive as unskilfull as ye Smithsons are. I would not trouble yor L.dP wth a particular account of all those, who, on suspico I have bound over to answer at York & Durham Assises, but hope I may assure your L.dP I shall not be wanting to discharge my duty in this this concern, and have the like confidence that those I have thought proꝑ to imploy in this Service may receive Encouragement as they shall appear to deserve it . Upon the whole Matter my L.d thô I dare scarce preSume to intimate my poor thoughts, yet I humbly conceive, if my L.ds the Judges that come this Circuit may receive your Ldps Instruions on this Occasion, I doubt not these Northern Counties, may in a great measure be freed from that dang'rous Evill, which was like to over Spread'em I am Sencible my Lord, I have drawn out this letter to, too great a length, and have not Room for the distance of respect, wherewth I shud subscribe my selfe. My Lord yor L.dPs most ob.t humble Servt                                                    Will Bowes.