Chapter I (6)

Farthings are also made in considerable quantities, chiefly in London, but so very thin that the profit upon this species of coinage is much greater than on the halfpence, though these counterfeits are not now, as formerly, made of base metal. The copper of which they are made is generally pure. The advantage lies in the weight alone, where the _coiners_, _sellers_, and _utterers_, do not obtain less than 200 per cent. A well known coiner has been said to finish from sixty to eighty pounds sterling a week. Of halfpence, two or three persons can stamp and finish to the nominal amount of at least two hundred pounds in six days.

When it is considered that there are seldom less than between forty and fifty coinages or private mints, almost constantly employed in London and in different country towns; in stamping and fabricating base silver and copper money, the evil may justly be said to have arrived at an enormous height. It is indeed true that these people have been a good deal interrupted and embarrassed from time to time, by detections and convictions; but while the laws are so inapplicable to the new tricks and devices they have resorted to, these convictions are only _a drop in the bucket_: while such encouragements are held out the execution of one rogue only makes room for another to take up his customers; and indeed as the offence of selling is only a misdemeanor it is no unusual thing for the wife and family of a culprit, or convicted _seller_ of _base money_ to carry on the business, and to support him luxuriously in Newgate, until the expiration of the _year_ and _day's_ imprisonment, which is generally the punishment inflicted for this species of offence.

It has been already stated [_page_ 16, &c.] that trading in base money has now become as regular and systematic as any fair branch of trade.--

Certain it is, that immense quantities have been regularly sent from London to the Camps during the summer season; and to persons at the sea-ports and manufacturing towns, who again sell in retail to the different tradesmen and others who pass them at the full _import_ value.

In this nefarious traffic a number of the lower order of the German Jews in London assist the dealers in an eminent degree, particularly in the circulation of bad halfpence.

It has not been an unusual thing for several of these dealers to hold a kind of market every morning, where from forty to fifty of these German Jew boys are regularly supplied with counterfeit halfpence; which they dispose of in the course of the day in different streets and lanes of the Metropolis, for _bad shillings_, at about 3_d._ each. Care is always taken that the person who cries bad shillings shall have a companion near him who carries the halfpence, and takes charge of the purchased shillings (which are not cut:) so as to elude the detection of the Officers of the Police, in the event of being searched.

The bad shillings thus purchased, are received in payment by the employers of the boys, for the bad halfpence supplied them, at the rate of four shillings a dozen; and are generally resold to _Smashers_, at a profit of two shillings a dozen; who speedily re-colour them, and introduce them again into circulation, at their full nominal value.

The boys will generally clear from five to seven shillings a day, by this fraudulent business; which they almost uniformly spend, during the evening, in riot and debauchery; returning pennyless in the morning to their old trade.

Thus it is that the frauds upon the Public multiply beyond all possible conception, while the tradesman, who, unwarily at least if not improperly, sells his counterfeit shillings to Jew boys at threepence each, little suspects that it is for the purpose of being returned upon him again at the rate of twelve-pence; or 300 per cent. profit to the purchasers and utterers.

But these are not the only criminal devices to which the coiners and dealers, as well as the utterers of base money, have had recourse, for answering their iniquitous purposes.

Previous to the Act of the 37 Geo. 3. cap. 126, counterfeit French crowns, half-crowns, and shillings, of excellent workmanship, were introduced with a view to elude the punishment of the then deficient Laws relative to Foreign Coin.

Fraudulent die-sinkers are to be found both in the Metropolis and in Birmingham, who are excellent artists; able and willing to copy the exact similitude of any coin, from the British guinea to the sequin of Turkey, or to the Star Pagoda of Arcot. The delinquents have therefore every opportunity and assistance they can wish for; while their accurate knowledge of the deficiency of the laws, (particularly relative to British Coin) and where the point of danger lies, joined to the extreme difficulty of detection, operates as a great encouragement to this species of treason, felony, and fraud; and affords the most forcible reason why these pests of society still continue to afflict the honest part of the community.

An opinion prevails, founded on information obtained through the medium of the most intelligent of these coiners and dealers, that of the counterfeit money now in circulation, not above one third part is of the species of _Flats_ or _composition money_; which has been mentioned as the most intrinsically valuable of counterfeit silver, and contains from one fourth to one third silver; the remainder being blanched copper.--The other two thirds of the counterfeit money being _cast_ or _washed_, and intrinsically worth little or nothing, the imposition upon the public is obvious. Taking the whole upon an average, the amount of the injury may be fairly calculated at within ten per cent. of a total loss upon the mass of the base silver money now in circulation; which, if a conclusion may be drawn from what passes under the review of any person who has occasion to receive silver in exchange, must considerably exceed _one million sterling_! To this we have the miserable prospect of an accession every year, until some effectual steps shall be taken to remedy the evil.

Of the Copper Coinage, the quantity of counterfeits at one time in circulation might be truly said to equal three fourth parts of the whole, and nothing is more certain than that a very great proportion of the actual counterfeits passed as Mint halfpence, from their size and appearance, although they yielded the coiners a large profit.

Even at present the state both of the silver and copper coinage of this kingdom (the copper pence only excepted) deserves very particular attention, for at no time can any person minutely examine either the one coin or the other, which may come into his possession, without finding a considerable proportion counterfeit.

Until, therefore, a new coinage of halfpence and farthings takes place upon the excellent plan adopted by Government, with respect to the pence now partially in circulation, what must be the situation of the retail dealers, the brewers, distillers, and many other classes of industrious traders, who in the course of their business, are compelled to receive depreciated counterfeit money?[46]

[Footnote 46: It is a curious fact, that although the number of Pence which have been supplied by that admirable Artist, Mr. BOULTON, of Birmingham, and which have been actually circulated amounts to Forty Million of Pieces, making L.166,666. 12_s._ 4_d._ sterling, and which is equal to 4_d._ for every inhabitant in this Island, according to the largest computation: yet the quantity of halfpence (chiefly counterfeits) which are found in actual circulation, are at least in the proportion of forty to one. This must ever be the case until some expedient, such as is hereafter recommended, shall be adopted for calling them in, and substituting in their place a new Coinage of the full standard weight: For it is evident that the Dealers and Tradesmen at present hoard up the penny pieces, and only circulate the counterfeit halfpence which they receive; the nuisance therefore remains, and the coiners are thus encouraged to continue their nefarious practices.]

The burden is not only grievous beyond expression, to those who have no alternative but to take such base money in payment; but extends indirectly to _the Poor_: in as much as the diminished value of such coin, arising from its reduced or base quality taken in connection with the quantities thrown into circulation, tends to enhance the price of the first articles of necessity.

The labourer, the handicraftsman, and the working manufacturer, being generally paid their weekly wages, partly in copper money of depreciated value;--it is obvious that they must obtain less than they would otherwise receive, were the coin of a higher standard; for the retail dealers who furnish the poor with food, must shield themselves, at least in part, against the unavoidable losses arising from base money; by advancing the prices of their various commodities.

Nor are such advances made upon a principle which cannot be defended; since it is evident that the relative value _even of the old copper coin of the Mint_ to gold or silver, is nearly _twice its intrinsic value_; and while such copper money cannot be paid into the receipt of his Majesty's Exchequer, or received in payment by the officers of the revenue, the burden and loss of a diminished coin fall entirely upon the traders, (who are compelled to receive such money,) and upon the labourers and mechanics through whose medium it is chiefly circulated.

While the disproportion thus stated between the denominative value of copper and silver money is so very great, it is evident that the legal coinage of copper must produce an immense profit; as _one pound_ of copper estimated at 15 _pence_[47] will make as many halfpence, of the legal coinage, as pass for _two shillings_.

[Footnote 47: A few years ago sheet-copper was as low as 11-1/2_d._ a pound, and will probably be again at the same price on the return of Peace. Indeed it has been even lower, although it has recently very much advanced in price.]

This fact plainly shews the vast temptation which is held out to those who carry on the counterfeit coinage, where the profit from the coiner to the dealers, and from these dealers to the utterers, at the full denominative value, must be in many instances from two to three hundred per cent. When to this circumstance is added the security which the deficiencies in the present laws hold out, the whole operates as a kind of bounty to these fraudulent people, who cannot resist the prosecution of a trade where the profit is so immense, and where a coinage equally _pure and heavy_ as the old mint standard would even be extremely productive.[48]

[Footnote 48: This observation does not apply to Mr. Boulton's New Copper Coinage; for although some feeble attempts have been made to counterfeit it, these can never go to a great extent, from its not being a sufficient object of profit; besides the fraud is easily detected, since each penny weighs an exact ounce: of course the halfpence should weigh half an ounce, and the farthings one quarter of an ounce, when these last two denominations are brought into circulation; as it is expected they will be.]

In every view the evil at present arising from base money of every denomination appears to be of the greatest magnitude--while its extent will scarce be credited by any but those who have turned their attention very minutely to the subject.

The trade of dealing in counterfeit coin acquires its greatest vigour towards the end of March; for then the Lotteries are over, when _Swindlers_, _Gamblers_, _Pretended Dealers in Horses_, _Travellers with EO Tables_, and _Hawkers_ and _Pedlars_ go into the country, carrying with them considerable quantities of base silver and copper money; by which they are enabled, in a great degree, to extend the circulation, by cheating and defrauding ignorant country people.

In the spring season too, the dealers in counterfeit coin begin to make up their orders for the different country towns; and it is supposed, upon good grounds, that there is now scarcely a place of any consequence all over the kingdom where they have not their correspondents; it is also a fact well established, that many of these correspondents come regularly to the _Metropolis_, and also go to Birmingham and the neighbouring towns once or twice a year for the purpose of purchasing base money, where the evil is said to be increasing even more than in London.

It very seldom happens, on account of the great demand, (especially of late years) that the dealers have ever any considerable stock on hand. The base money is no sooner finished, than it is packed up and sent to customers in town and country; and with such rapidity has it been fabricated, on occasions of pressing emergency, that a single dealer has been known to procure from the coiners who worked for him, from L.300 to L.500 for country orders, in the course of the week!

The lower ranks among the Irish, and the German Jews, are the chief supporters of the trade of circulating base money in London;--there is said to be scarce an Irish labourer who does not exchange his week's wages for base money; taking a mixture of shillings, sixpences, and copper.

The Jews principally confine themselves to the coinage and circulation of copper; while the Irish women are the chief utterers and colourers of base silver. A vast number of these low females have acquired the mischievous art of colouring the bad shillings and sixpences, which they purchase from the employers of Jew-boys, who cry _bad shillings_.

It is somewhat singular that among the Jews, although many cases occur where they appear to be coiners of copper money and dealers to a great extent, yet scarce an instance can be adduced of their having any concern in the coinage of base silver: neither are they extensive dealers in any other base money than copper.

The Jews, however, deal largely in foreign coin, counterfeited in this country; having been the chief means by which _Louis d'Ors_, _Half Johannas_, as well as various silver coins, (particularly _Dollars_) made of base metal, have been sent out of this country. It is through the same channel that the Sequins of Turkey have been exported; and also the Pagodas of India.[49]

[Footnote 49: See ante, p. 17, 18.]

In contemplating and in developing the causes of the vast accumulation and increase of base money, which has thus deluged the country of late years, the evil will be found to have proceeded chiefly from the want of _a new coinage:--of laws, applicable to the new tricks and devices practised by the coiners:--of proper checks upon fraudulent Circulation:--of rewards for the detection and apprehension of Offenders;--and of a sufficient fund to ensure the prompt execution of the law; by a vigorous and energetic Police_, directed not only to the execution of apposite laws in the detection and punishment of offenders, but also to the means of prevention.

The vigour and energy requisite to put good and apposite laws in execution for the suppression of crimes of every kind, but particularly that of the coinage and circulation of base money, depend much on the zeal and activity of the Magistrate: and on the affording an adequate pecuniary resource, to enable him to reward men who may undertake to risk their persons in the company of desperate and daring offenders, in order to obtain that species of evidence which will produce a conviction. Without such pecuniary resource, the law, as well as the exertions of the Magistrate, becomes a dead letter: and his efforts for the purpose of promoting the ends of public justice, are crippled and lost to the Community.

In suppressing great evils, strong and adequate powers must be applied, and nothing can give force and activity to these powers, but the ability to reward liberally all persons engaged in the public service, either as police officers, or as temporary agents for the purpose of detecting atrocious offenders. The following ideas are therefore suggested with a view to the important subject at present under discussion.

The Coinage Laws (except those relating to copper money) which contain the most important regulations in the way of prevention, having been made a century ago, it is not to be wondered at, in consequence of the regular progress of the evil, and the new contrivances and artifices resorted to, in that period, that many obvious amendments have become necessary. A consolidation of the whole laws from the 25th of Edward the Third, to the 14th of his present Majesty, would, perhaps, be the most desirable object; as it would afford a better opportunity of correcting every deficiency, and of rendering this branch of the criminal code, _concise_, _clear_, _explicit_,--applicable to the existing evils, and to the means of prevention.

For the purpose, however, of more fully elucidating this proposition, it will be necessary to state the existing laws, and what are considered as the most apparent deficiencies therein.

We will begin by giving a short _Summary_ of the existing Laws.

25 Edw. III. _stat._ These acts make counterfeiting the
5, _cap._ 2. gold and silver coin of the
1 Mary, _stat._ 2, _c._ realm--counterfeiting foreign money,
6. current within the realm--knowingly
1 & 2 Ph. & Mary, bringing false money into the realm
_cap._ 11. counterfeit to the money of England;
5 Eliz. _cap._ 11. or bringing in _any_ false and
14 Eliz. _cap._ 3. counterfeit money, current within
18 Eliz. _cap._ 1. the realm; in order to utter the
same here;--diminishing or
lightening any current (gold or
silver) coin--_High
Treason_.--Counterfeiting foreign
money, not current in the
kingdom--_Misprision of Treason_.

8 & 9 Will. III. These Acts contain a detail of
_cap._ 26 (_made the principal offences and punishments,
perpetual by_ 7 upon which prosecutions
Anne, _c._ 25)--9 are founded at present.
& 10 Will. III.
_c._ 21.

7th of Queen Anne, Allows 400_l._ a year for prosecuting
_cap._ 24. offenders; increased by 15
Geo. II. _c._ 28. Sec. 10, to 600_l._

15th of George II. Amends some of the above laws, and
_cap._ 28. establishes new regulations relative
to the Copper Coinage.

11th George III. Makes further regulations respecting
_cap._ 40. the Copper Coinage; which, however,
have not been at all effectual.

Since the last edition of this work the following additions have been made to the Statute Law on this subject.

By 37 Geo. III. _c._ 126, so much of 15 Geo. II. _c._ 28, as relates to _halfpence and farthings_, and the statute 11 Geo. III. _c._ 40, and all other acts relating to the copper money of this realm, are extended to all such copper money as shall be coined and issued, by the King's Proclamation.--This was for the purpose of protecting the Coinage of _penny_ and _twopenny_ pieces made for Government by Mr. Boulton, of Birmingham; and which it is believed have not yet been counterfeited, at least to any great extent.

By the same statute, 37 Geo. III. _c._ 126, persons counterfeiting any _foreign gold or silver coin_, tho' not current in this realm, are made guilty of felony, punishable by seven years' transportation; as are also persons bringing the same into the realm, with intent to utter it.--A penalty is imposed on persons tendering _such_ counterfeit coin in payment, _or exchange_; for the first offence, six months' imprisonment: for the second, two years; and on the third, they are declared guilty of felony without Clergy.--Persons having more than _five_ pieces of such counterfeit coin in their possession, shall forfeit the same, and also a penalty of not more than L.5, nor less than 40_s._ for each piece; or suffer three months' imprisonment.--Justices are impowered to grant warrants for searching suspected places, _for such counterfeit foreign coin_; which with the tools and materials may be seized and carried before a Justice, who shall secure the same as evidence: to be afterwards destroyed.

By statute 38 Geo. III. _c._ 59, the act 14 Geo. III. _c._ 42, prohibiting the importation of light silver coin of this realm, was revived and continued till June 1, 1799.--And by statute 39 Geo. III. _c._ 75, it was made perpetual.

By statute 38 Geo. III. _c._ 67, _Copper Coin_ not being the legal Copper Coin of this realm, and _all counterfeit gold or silver coin whatever_, exported, or shipped for exportation, to Martinique or any of the British Colonies in the West Indies or America, is declared to be forfeited, and may be seized as under the laws respecting the Customs.--And a penalty is imposed on persons exporting it, of L.200 and double the value of the coin.

We next proceed to state the deficiencies which still remain unremedied.

1. The punishment inflicted on the different offences
specified in the Coinage Laws, do not seem to be adequate to
the degree of enormity, in some instances; while in others,
from being too severe, the law is not always put in
execution. The sale of base Money (for instance) under the
value it imports, is only punishable by a year's
imprisonment; although in point of fact, it is well known,
that the Sellers are the _Employers of the Coiners_; that
with them this high offence originates, and but for them it
would not have been committed: while the actual Coiners, who
work for these Dealers merely as Journeymen, subject
themselves to the punishment of Death.

2. Prosecutions under the stat. 8 & 9 W. III. _c._ 26, are
at present limited to commence within three months. This may
often defeat justice, as offences committed in the country
frequently cannot be tried in less than four, five, and in
some cases nearly six months. [-->] _The limitation to
twelve months would remove the difficulty._ [There is no
such limitation in the statutes of 37 & 38 of Geo. III. just
alluded to.]

3. The words _Milled Money_ seemed necessary, in the minds
of the makers of the act of 8 & 9 William III. _cap._ 26, to
form the description of coin similar to the current Coin of
the Realm; and that Act declares it to be felony to take,
receive, pay, or put off _counterfeit milled Money_.--A
considerable portion of counterfeit Coin is _cast_, and _not
milled_. [-->] _The words_ counterfeit Money, Milled _or_
not Milled, _would remove the ambiguity._

4. It does not appear that any provision is clearly made, or
punishment inflicted, for the offence of _uttering base
silver Money in exchange_, as well as in payment: except
under _stat._ 8 and 9 Will. III. _cap._ 26, where the
expression of _counterfeited milled money_ is used, the
ambiguity of which has already been noticed. The words in
the _stat._ 15 Geo. II. _c._ 28. are, "any person who shall
utter or tender in payment," and it seems that the word
_utter_ cannot be detached from the subsequent words, "in
payment." [The partial remedy applied in this particular in
the instance of counterfeit _foreign gold and silver coin_,
under 37 Geo. III. _c._ 126, should be extended to _all_
cases of counterfeit money.]

5. The laws peculiarly relating to the _Copper Coinage_,
although more modern, have also been found to be extremely
defective, and totally inadequate to their object. The Act
of the 11th of his present Majesty, _cap._ 40, indeed,
makes it felony to sell Copper Money of the similitude _of
the current Money of the Realm_ at a less value than the
denomination doth import; but the benefit of Clergy not
being taken away, and no specific punishment being
mentioned, the offenders are generally subjected only to a
year's inprisonment, which proves no check whatever, as
their families carry on business in the mean time; and if
they sell _plain or evasive Halfpence_, or what are called
_Irish Harps_, or mix them with _stamped Half-pence_,
similar to the current Coin of the Realm, so that the
stamped Coin does not exceed the value of what the
denomination imports, it is doubtful whether the prosecution
will not fail.

[-->] It is submitted, that a statute ought to be framed, declaring it _Felony_, punishable by seven years' transportation: 1st. For any person to make or manufacture any piece of Copper or other metal, with or without any device whatsoever, with an intent that it shall pass as the _Copper Monies of the Kingdoms of Great Britain or Ireland_. 2nd. For any smith, engraver, founder, &c. or any person, except those employed in the Mint, or authorized by the Treasury, to make or mend, buy or sell, conceal or have in their possession, without a lawful excuse, any puncheon, stamp, die, mould, &c. on which shall be impressed, or with intent that there shall be impressed on the same, any resemblance whatever, in part or in the whole, of such _Copper Monies_. 3d. For any person to buy or sell, or offer to buy or sell, or to utter or tender in payment, or to give or offer to give in exchange, _thirty or more pieces of Copper_ in any one day; such piece resembling or being intended to resemble, or passing or being intended to pass as the current Copper Money of the said kingdoms.

That such proposed statute should also make it a misdemeanor (punishable by a fine of 40_s._ for the first offence, L5. for the second, and L10. for every subsequent offence) for any person to buy, sell, utter, &c. any number _less than thirty_ of such pieces of Copper, resembling or intended to resemble or pass, &c. as such current Copper Money. The fines to be recoverable in a summary way before one magistrate. This would reach Turnpike-men and others, who wilfully pass bad Halfpence at one gate which are refused at another: and would generally check the circulation of base Copper Money, which has become an evil of great magnitude.

6. The laws, as they now stand, are silent regarding
Provincial Copper Coin, or what are called _Tokens_,
representing an Halfpenny. It might perhaps be useful to
legalize _Tokens_ or _Provincial Coins_ on three conditions.
[-->] _1. That the Copper of which they are made shall be
pure.--2. That this Coin shall be at least 10 per cent.
heavier than Mr. Boulton's new Coinage.--3. That the parties
circulating such Coin be responsible to the holders, for the
value in Gold or Silver, when demanded: and shall stamp
their names and an obligation to that purpose on the Coins,
Tokens, or Medals so issued by them._--It would be necessary
under such circumstances that every person, issuing Tokens
or Medals, should take out a Licence for that purpose from
the principal Officers of the Mint, as an authority for such
Coinage: giving security at the same time to observe the
above Conditions.

It may, however, be worthy consideration, whether these tokens should not be wholly suppressed, and the offence of fabricating any Copper pieces passing, or intended to pass "_as, for, or in lieu of_" the lawful Copper Coin, be made felony: and that such tokens should in all respects be considered as actual Counterfeit Coin, and treated accordingly: or, at all events, that persons issuing and circulating such tokens should be liable to a severe penalty; and bound to pay the holder, on demand, the full denominated value.

7. The mischievous agents of the Dealers in base Money, _the
persons who keep Flatting-mills, and other machinery, for
preparing, and rolling their metals, for being coined into
base Money_, are not at present within the reach of
punishment by any existing law. Although by preparing the
metal for the subsequent process of stamping, they are in
fact parties concerned, without whose aid the Coinage of
what are called _Flats_, or milled money, could not be
carried on.--The chief difficulty is in punishing persons
for producing an article which may be turned into coach and
harness ornaments, buttons, and many purposes as well as
base Money.

[-->] With respect to this whole tribe of dangerous manufacturers, whose trade and abilities are so liable to be perverted to iniquitous purposes, it has been under consideration to regulate them, by legislative measures, to the following effect: viz. "That no person, except those employed in the mints, shall erect, set up, or use, or knowingly have in possession any _cutting engine for cutting round blanks by the force of a screw out of fatted bars or sheets of Copper, or other metal_; or any _stamping press, fly, rolling mill, flatting mill, or other instrument for stamping, flatting, or marking metals_, or _which, with the assistance of any matrix, Stamp, or dye, will stamp or mark Copper or other metals, or prepare the same for stamping or marking_, without first giving notice thereof in writing to persons authorized to keep an entry and registry thereof, containing the Christian and Surnames of the owners of such instruments, and describing the use thereof, and the house or other place in which the same is intended to be erected, set up, used or kept; and to give the like notice on any removal, under a certain penalty, recoverable as in the case of Hair Powder, and other revenue laws."--It is believed, on the best authority, that the Licence here proposed (especially as it would subject the parties to no pecuniary burden) would meet the approbation of the principal manufacturers, on account of the facilities which it would afford in detecting and in embarrassing those who set up machinery for unlawful purposes.

8. No provision is made in any Act against, and consequently
no punishment is inflicted on, the offence of _buying base
money to recolour it_--[-->] This is a modern device, and
may be remedied, as it seems, by enacting--"That every
person who shall buy, take or receive any blank or round
piece of blanched copper, mixed metal, or metal of any sort
whatsoever, for the purpose of colouring the same, or
causing the same to be coloured, or with intent or knowledge
that the same shall or will be coloured, or which shall have
been coloured, so as to pass for the current Gold or Silver
Coins of Great Britain or Ireland, shall be punishable by a
fine of L.20 and one month's imprisonment; and that any
person who shall buy or sell, or offer to buy or sell any
piece of blanched Copper, &c. which may formerly have passed
as or for such current Gold or Silver Coin, shall be
punishable by a fine of 40_s._ recoverable in a summary way;
or by one month's imprisonment."--This last penalty will
reach the Jew Boys, who cry bad shillings, and will prove,
it is hoped, an effectual check by means of a very mild
punishment upon shopkeepers, tradesmen, and others, who
inadvertently sell defaced counterfeit shillings without
reflecting that although they obtain 3_d._ in this traffick
for what is not intrinsically worth one farthing, that the
same counterfeits are again coloured, and received by them
at the full value of 12_d._

9. No existing law gives any power to Magistrates upon
information on oath, to search for, or seize Counterfeit
Coin of this realm in the custody or possession of _known
Dealers_ or _reputed Utterers_; although these Dealers and
Utterers are now the persons (and not the actual Coiners)
who keep the base money: neither is there any power to seize
base money conveying in coaches or waggons going into the
country. Under this shelter the Dealers are enabled to hold
markets for sale in their houses, where they frequently keep
large stocks; and base money is also sent into the country
without the least hazard of detection or seizure.

[-->] Here again the partial remedy introduced by 37 Geo. III. c. 126, should be extended and applied.

10. No power is directly given by any existing law, (not
even by the modern Act last mentioned) though upon the most
pointed information, to search the houses or workshops of
coiners _in the night time_. Hence it is that _detection_
becomes so difficult, and the evil increases, because the
law in some measure shields the offenders from discovery.
Since in Lottery offences (which are certainly greatly
inferior in their enormity to Coining) a power is granted to
break open houses in the night-time, surely no reason can be
assigned why treasonable offences, in Coining base Money,
should not in this respect be on the same footing. Unless a
positive power is given to search in the night, and suddenly
to force open doors or windows, it will be impossible to
detect the Makers of Cast Money.

11. The act 11 Geo. III. cap. 40. gives a power to
Magistrates to issue their warrants to search for tools and
implements used in the _Copper Coinage_, (with regard to
Silver or Gold Coinage of this realm no such power is
given); but, what is very singular, _no punishment whatever
can be inflicted by any existing law_ on the owner or
proprietor of such tools for making Copper Money, nor upon
the person in whose house they are found; and if when such
search is made, there should be found only _plain_
Halfpence, or _Irish Harps_, or _evasive Halfpence_ or
_Farthings, varying in the Stamp_ in any degree from the
current Coin of the Realm, so as not to be of the exact
similitude, (a practice which has now for some time very
much prevailed) the act in question is defeated; inasmuch as
the crime of felony does not attach to offences short of
Coining _Copper Money of the similitude of the current Coin
of the Realm_. The Coinage of base Copper therefore goes on
with impunity; because it is owing to the carelessness of
the parties themselves if ever they permit the law to reach
them.

12. The laws now in being give no power to seize Counterfeit
Halfpence; either in the hands of the Dealers, who keep a
kind of open market at their own houses every morning to
supply Jew Boys, who cry bad Shillings, or in those of many
others in various trades, who become the channels of
circulation to a vast extent without risk or inconvenience.
Neither does the statute law authorize the apprehension of
Jew Boys, who go out every morning loaded with counterfeit
Copper, which they exchange for bad shillings.

[-->] To remedy this part of the evil, it is proposed, "That on complaint made to any one Justice of Peace upon oath, that there is just cause to suspect that any person is concerned in making or using, or has in their custody any unlawful puncheon, stamp, die, mould, &c. made for the purpose, or which may be applied to the purpose, of counterfeiting the Gold, Silver, or Copper Coin of the Kingdoms of Great Britain or Ireland; or of making or manufacturing any pieces of metal intended to pass as such coin, or any cutting engine for cutting round blanks by means of force applied to a screw, or flatted bars of metal, &c. or any wash or material which will produce the colour of Gold or silver, or copper, or any round blank of base metal or mixed metal, or of brass copper, or lead, so as to resemble such coin; or who hath been concerned in buying, selling, taking in exchange, receiving, or putting off any Gold, Silver, or Copper Money, not melted or cut, at a lower rate or value than the same doth import, such Justice may, by a warrant under his hand, cause the house, out-house, and other places occupied by such suspected person to be searched, _either by night or by day_; and if any of the articles hereinbefore mentioned, or any counterfeit or pretended coin, blanks, or round pieces of metal be found, the parties to be seized, and, with the said articles, brought before a Justice, and such articles may be afterwards used in evidence, and then broken, defaced, and disposed of as the Court or Justices shall direct.

"That any Constable, Headborough, or Beadle, and every Watchman, while on duty, may apprehend and detain all and every person or persons who may be reasonably suspected of having and carrying, or any ways conveying for the purpose of selling or trafficking in the same, any counterfeited or forged Gold, Silver, or Copper Money, whether the same shall resemble or be intended to resemble, or shall pass or be intended to pass as and for the coin of the said kingdoms, or of any foreign Country or State; or having in their possession, without lawful excuse, any round blanks of base metal or mixed metal, &c. or any pieces of Gold, Silver, Brass, Copper, or Lead, of a fit size and figure to be coined, coloured, or converted into Counterfeit Money; with power also to seize and detain the said Counterfeit Money, blanks, &c. and convey the same, with the person or persons apprehended, before one or more Justices; and if the party shall not give a satisfactory account how the same came into their possession, or shall not produce the party from whom it was received, he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by fine and imprisonment in a summary manner."

13. The statute 37 Geo. III. cap. 126. (see p. 194) has
restrained the evil pointed out in former editions of this
Treatise, respecting the counterfeiting of Foreign Gold and
Silver Coin. It is to be wished, however, that the penalties
imposed on the _exportation_ of such counterfeit Coin by 38
Geo. III. cap. 67, could be further extended and enforced.

14. It must here be repeated, that the great cause of the
defect in the execution of the Laws against Coiners, is the
want of a proper fund for Prosecutions and Rewards, and
other expences for detecting Offenders.--The acts 7 Anne,
cap. 24, and 15 Geo. II. cap. 28, allow only L.600 for the
expence of prosecutions, which has never been increased for
above half a century; although the offences, as well as the
expence of detection and prosecutions, have increased, at
least, six fold.

15. The reward of L.40, given under the Acts 6 and 7 William
III. cap. 17; 15 Geo. II. cap. 28, is construed to be
limited only to the Conviction of actual Coiners and
Clippers of Gold and Silver; and is not allowed to extend to
colouring and finishing, as well as a number of other
offences connected with _making_, _counterfeiting_, and
_uttering base_ Money:--the reward for Copper Coin is by the
said Act of 15 Geo. II. cap. 28, limited to L.10, and is by
no means a sufficient encouragement to Officers to do their
duty. _It would be a great improvement if a liberal sum were
allowed by Parliament for detections, prosecutions, and
rewards; to be paid on the report of the Judges who try the
offenders, according to the merit and trouble of the
apprehenders, prosecutors, and witnesses; whether there is a
conviction or not._

The following rewards have been suggested as proper to make part of a Bill now in a state of preparation, for the general Regulation of the Coinage: and which is meant to include all the remedies before hinted at and pointed out: a Legislative measure which must do honour to the Minister who will carry it into execution.

To persons contributing to the conviction
of _Coiners of British or Foreign Coin, or
persons plating with Gold or Silver_, or
_persons colouring with wash_ or _materials
to produce the colour of Gold or Silver_, any
blanks or flats of metal, base or mixed, L. _s._ _d._
to resemble the said current Coin 40 0 0

Convicting, &c. persons guilty of counterfeiting
Copper money of these Kingdoms
or of Foreign States, or colouring such
Copper money to resemble the same 20 0 0

Convicting, &c. persons guilty of uttering
counterfeit Gold and Silver Coin, and
selling it at a lower rate than it imports 10 0 0

Convicting, &c. persons guilty of buying
or selling Counterfeit Copper money of
Foreign States at a lower rate than it
imports 10 0 0

To be paid without deduction or fee, within one month after such conviction, on tendering a certificate to the Sheriff.

It is also proposed that the Treasury shall have power to issue out of the Duties of Customs a sufficient sum of money for prosecuting offenders against the Mint laws.

Whatever might be the effect of these amendments in the Mint laws, and necessary as they appear to be, it is still to be feared that until a new coinage of Silver money and Copper halfpence and farthings shall take place, no legislative restrictions, regulations, or punishments, can produce an effectual cure to this enormous evil; although, from the many deficiencies which have been detailed, it is evident a great deal of good may be done immediately in this way.

A coinage of Silver money is a great State question, which may require a fuller consideration; but no doubt can be entertained of the indispensable necessity of such a measure, as soon as circumstances will admit.

If to a new coinage of _shillings_ and _sixpences_, should be added an extensive coinage of silver money of the value of _four pence_ and _three pence_, according to ancient usage, it would prove a great convenience to the public, and remedy much of the inconvenience which arises from the ponderous nature of Copper money; while a smaller quantity would be required for circulation.

No doubt can be entertained of the nation deriving considerable advantages from having increased the weight of copper coin, so as to bring it as near as possible to the _intrinsic_ value of the metal of which it is composed.

This arrangement will, it is hoped, ultimately prove the means of effectually preventing counterfeits; and the copper, being a native article produced in the country, may in time, through the medium of _coined money_, become a profitable branch of commerce with foreign nations; where even an extensive circulation may be insured, in consequence of the _intrinsic_ and _denominative_ value being the same, or nearly so.

This is exemplified in the policy of Sweden, where the copper dollar being so heavy as to answer to sixpence sterling, has long been exported; and forms a considerable, and even a profitable branch of commerce to that nation.

In Russia the _Three Copee Piece_ is very nearly of the weight of six English halfpence, yet its current value is only a small fraction above one penny sterling;--and thus by issuing no copper coin where the _denominative_ is not in proportion to the _intrinsic_ value, every class of dealers who vend the necessaries of life are shielded against loss; and every unnatural rise in the price of provisions for the subsistence of the poor is of course prevented.

This principle seems to have been admitted by the Legislature; for when the subject of Copper Money was under the consideration of the House of Commons, at a period not very remote, the Journals shew that an opinion then prevailed, "_that the most effectual means to secure the Copper Coin from being counterfeited, was, that the denominative value of such Coin should bear as near a proportion as possible to the intrinsic_ value of the metal of which it was formed."[50]

[Footnote 50: Journal, House of Commons, Vol. xviii. p. 178.]

In fine, it is a question worthy of attention, whether in order to prevent clamour, and to shut out at once all pretence for circulating any of the old Copper money, _good or bad_, after the period when Mr. Boulton shall be able to furnish a sufficient quantity of halfpence and farthings for circulation, it might not be proper to consider how far it would be practicable as a measure of State policy, to introduce a clause into the proposed Bill, empowering the Treasury, within a given time, to receive all the old Copper Coin, good and bad, at a certain price per ton, allowing a _bonus_ to the honest holders of it of 20 per cent. above the current price of Copper.--This would at once clear the country of counterfeit halfpence and farthings, and would reconcile the holders to the loss; while the pecuniary sacrifice to Government would be more than compensated an hundred-fold by a compleat and instant renovation of this species of coinage.--As the chief part of the bad halfpence are good copper, they could be recoined, or sold, as might appear most beneficial.

It is earnestly to be hoped that the further regulations proposed will be adopted; and followed up, by an extensive coinage of Silver money, so as to shield the honest part of the Community against a system of fraud, rapid beyond all example in its growth, and unparalleled as to its extent.[51]

[Footnote 51: It was suggested in a former edition of this work, that a coinage of _seven shilling_ pieces of _gold_ would be of great utility.--The expedient was adopted by Government at the end of the year 1797.]

Certain it is, that base money contributes more to the support as well as to the _increase_ of the number of those mischievous and abandoned members of the community, who exist _wholly_ by different kinds of fraud, than any other device which they pursue to enable them to live in their present state of idleness and debauchery, and to indulge in luxury and extravagance.

The increase is certainly astonishing, since it is known that in London and the Country, there were some time since fifty-four actual Coiners, and fifty-six large Dealers, besides, at least, ten Die sinkers, whose _names_, _characters_, and pursuits, were perfectly known; but these bear no proportion to the horde of smaller dealers and utterers of base money in the Metropolis, and in most of the commercial and manufacturing towns in the kingdom. Their numbers must amount to several thousands. From being at present nuisances to society, in the constant habit of defrauding the Public, they might be rendered (through the application of the remedies proposed) useful members of the State; by changing a life of idleness and crimes, for a course of useful labour and industry.

CHAP. VIII.

_The magnitude of the Plunder of Merchandize and Naval
Stores on the River Thames.--The wonderful extent and value
of the Floating Property, laden and unladen in the Port of
London in the course of a year.--Reasons assigned for the
rise and progress of the excessive Pillage which had so long
afflicted the Trade of the River Thames.--The modes pursued
in committing Depredations as the result of a regular
System, which had been established through the medium of
various classes of Criminal Delinquents, denominated--River
Pirates--Night Plunderers--Light Horsemen--Heavy
Horsemen--Game Watermen--Game Lightermen--Mudlarks--Game
Officers of the Revenue--And Copemen, or Receivers of Stolen
Property.--The devices practised by each Class in carrying
on their criminal designs.--General Observations on the
extent of the Plunder and number of Individuals implicated
in this Species of Criminality.--The effects of the Marine
Police in checking these Depredations.--The advantages which
have resulted to Trade and Revenue from the partial
experiment which has been made.--The further benefits to be
expected when, by apposite Legislative Regulations, the
System of Protection is extended to the whole Trade of the
River.--General Reflections arising from the Subject._

The immense depredations committed on every species of Commercial Property in the River Thames, but particularly on West India produce, had long been felt as a grievance of the greatest magnitude; exceedingly hurtful to the Commerce and Revenue of the port of London, and deeply affecting the interest of the Colonial Planters, as well as every description of Merchants and Ship-Owners concerned in the Trade of the River Thames.

The subject of this Chapter will therefore be chiefly confined to a detail of the causes, which produced these extraordinary and extensive depredations, and the various means by which they were perpetrated; and also to the remedies which have been successfully applied since the publication of the preceding editions of this Work, for the purpose of reducing within bounds, and keeping in check, this enormous and growing evil; for certain it is, that previous to the establishment of the Marine Police System, in the Month of July 1798, the increase had been regular and progressive, while the easy manner in which this species of property was obtained, generated an accession of plunderers every year.

To those whose habits of life afford no opportunities of attending to subjects of this nature, the details which are now to be given will appear no less novel than extraordinary; and with respect to the extent of the mischief in some instances perhaps incredible. The West India Planters alone have estimated their losses by depredations upon the River and in the Warehouses at the enormous sum of L.250,000 a year. It cannot be unreasonable then to suppose, that the extent of the plunder on the other branches of Commerce, which form nearly 5-6th parts of the whole value of Imports and Exports, could not be less than L.250,000 more, making an aggregate upon the whole of Half a Million sterling![52]

[Footnote 52: For a specific Estimate of the plunder on all branches of trade carried on to and from the port of London, see "A Treatise on the Commerce and Police of the River Thames: with a summary View of the Laws of Shipping and Navigation:" (now in the press) by the Author of this Work.]

Surprising as this may appear at first view, yet when, by a cool investigation of the subject, it comes to be measured by the scale of the astonishing Commerce which centers in the port of London, (according to the annexed Abstract) and the vast extent of Floating Property moving constantly upon the River Thames, and the adjacent Wharfs and Quays subject to depredations; when by calculation it is also found, that the whole amount of the aggregate plunder, great and extensive as it appears to be, does not much exceed _three quarters per cent._ on the value of the whole property exposed to danger: the Reader will be reconciled to an estimate, which from the elucidations contained in this chapter, will ultimately appear by no means to be exaggerated.

ABSTRACT

OF THE _IMPORTS_ INTO, AND THE _EXPORTS_ FROM, THE _PORT OF LONDON_;

_Made up from the Public Accounts for one year, ending the 5th day of January, 1798; but differing with regard to the value, from those accounts; in which the price is estimated on data established many years ago, when the articles of commerce imported and exported were not rated at above half the sum they now fetch,_ exclusive _of duty._

_It is, therefore, to be understood that the following Estimate of Foreign Articles is made up according to the_ present value, _as nearly as it has been possible to ascertain it, by the payment of the Convoy-duties, under the Act 38 Geo. 3. cap. 76--It exhibits a very astonishing picture of the immense opulence and extent of the commerce of the Metropolis; and accounts in a very satisfactory manner for the vast resources of the Country, which have been manifested in so eminent a degree in the course of the present and former wars._

From whence Number of Average Value of Goods Value of Goods Total Value of
arrived. vessels Tonnage. Imported. Exported. Goods imported
including and exported.
repeated
voyages.
L. s. d. L. s. d. L. s. d.

East Indies 53 41,456 6,544,402 10 2 3,957,905 5 1 10,502,307 15 3
West Indies 346 101,484 7,118,623 12 8 3,895,313 18 7 11,013,937 11 3
British
Continental
Colonies 68 13,986 290,894 4 10 1,347,250 1 7 1,638,144 6 5
Africa and
Cape of
Good Hope 17 4,336 82,370 15 0 449,077 19 3 531,446 15 1
Southern
Fishery 29 7,461 250,689 3 2 54 16 4 250,743 19 6
Greenland
Fishery 16 4,769 64,142 0 8 0 0 0 64,142 0 8
United States
of America 140 32,213 1,517,386 2 8 3,898,864 12 9 5,416,250 15 5
Mediterranean
and Turkey 72 14,757 390,794 19 10 118,914 3 7 509,709 3 5
Spain 121 16,509 776,686 12 2 171,073 4 6 947,759 17 8
Portugal 180 27,670 414,359 7 2 438,877 16 2 853,237 3 4
France 56 5,573 15,951 17 8 859,974 16 0 875,926 13 8
Austrian
Flanders 66 5,104 21,027 3 2 118,064 2 2 139,091 5 4
Holland 329 19,166 673,241 17 4 1,538,120 3 6 2,211,362 0 10
Germany 235 37,647 2,658,011 8 2 8,014,260 3 0 10,672,271 11 2
Prussia 608 56,955 220,827 14 0 211,662 12 0 432,490 6 0
Poland 69 17,210 207,477 0 0 35,468 18 3 242,945 18 3
Sweden 109 14,252 152,707 6 10 169,293 18 4 322,001 5 2
Denmark and
Norway 202 48,469 94,821 3 6 711,082 10 8 805,903 14 2
Russia 230 56,131 1,565,118 7 6 452,106 16 7 2,017,225 4 1

Foreign
Coasting
(Including
repeated
voyages.)
Guernsey,
Jersey and
Alderney 46 5,344 218,916 12 8 83,281 12 1 302,198 4 9
Ireland 276 32,824 1,878,971 7 2 659,922 14 1 2,538,894 1 3

British
Coasting[53]
(Including
repeated
voyages.)
Coal Trade 3676 650,000 1,700,000 0 0 10,000 0 0 1,710,000 0 0
English
Coasting
incl. Wales 5816 500,000 3,900,000 0 0 2,200,000 0 0 6,100,000 0 0
Scotch
Coasting 684 60,000 300,000 0 0 300,000 0 0 500,000 0 0
-------------------------------------------------------------------
13,444 1,779,326 30,957,421 8 2 29,640,568 4 6 60,597,989 12 8

[Footnote 53: No rule being established, whereby the British Coasting trade can be valued, the Estimate here given is grounded on the supposition, that the value of each cargo must amount to a certain moderate sum.--The aggregate of the whole is believed to exceed the estimate considerably.]

RECAPITULATION.

Ships and Tonnage.
Vessels.
Foreign and Coasting Trade as
stated in the foregoing Table 13,268 1,773,326