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

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Sr William Bowes's letter to the L.d High Treasurer June 15.th 1702

My Lord.

Haveing for some time observed that diverse false Guineas and counterfeit Crown peices & $\frac{\mathrm{1}}{\mathrm{2}}$ Crowns, were put forwards in payments & being Sencible of the ill consequences to the publique, therefrom, I apply'd my selfe with all diligence to detect the Artifixers, and their corespondents in that 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 the 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 Examination of Blades he confest (my Lord) where some Instruments for Coyning were hid, which 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 Instruments 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 punishment less than that of death. There are my Ld two Witnesses against em <1v> as to the fact of Coyning Henry Smithson & Jonathan his Brother the former my Lord came in voluntarily on the Encouragement 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 Lordship will find by the inclosed Information, which mentioning some facts Subsequent to the date thereof, your Lordship I hope will Excuse on my Intention to give your Lordship a further Account in a short time, haveing this day sent him into Lancashire to apprehend (if possible) the cheife Artificer Button alias Broadley mentioned in his Information 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 which he hath layn in that prison ever Since. And now my Lord he begs to be admitted to Serve her Majesty 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 your Lordship that Will Robson whose Information I likewise transmitt, was the first that gave me intimation of this matter, and is I beleive as unskilfull as the Smithsons are. I would not trouble your Lordship with a particular account of all those, who, on suspicion I have bound over to answer at York & Durham Assises, but hope I may assure your Lordship I shall not be wanting to discharge my duty in this this concern, and have the like confidence that those I have thought proper 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 Lordships Instructions 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, wherewith I shud subscribe my selfe. My Lord your Lordships most obliged humble Servant                                                    Will Bowes.