The Sun.
London, England, 1801-09-25 00:00:00

FORGERY.

THE folhAving are 'the particulars of the trial of
George Fearns, at .the
.la-si—Stafford Assizes, for
Forgery.:
. • .. . . ,
In consequence of information received by the
• . •
Batik of England relative to YearnS, they sent di-
reAiOn's .to their. agents in •Mai*heStereto lay someplan
.for the detOtiOn of die 'Prisoner oner in the utter-
ing of forged Bank:Notes: Instrul ons were, in
consequence, given to Mr. Nadin (the well known
and very aCtlve Constable of Manchester) ; and on
the Ist instant,. Me:Nadir); accompanied by Mr:
Marshall Knowles (another Constable of Manches-
ter), went to_ the ho.use of Fe-aril's; known by the
name' of the BOttoni Public House, four or five
miles from Leek; it was near eleven at night
when they arrived there ; Nadin, under the name
of William Oliver, and Knowles, by his Christian
name of Marshall, disguised as hawking pedlars
as a confirmation of that being their business, they
had with them a quantity of maslins; prints, &c.
with a one horse chaise or cart. Fearns himself
attended them, and the only observation Nadin
thought proper to make that evening to the Pri-
soner, was, " it is bad times, and a man has foae,
work to live honestly." In the morning, (at an
early breakfast, of which Fearns partook,) Nadin
ordered some ruin and milk, and justly supposing
that a man who was gUilty of one species of vil-
lany, would not be very scrupulous, if opportu-
nity offered, of committing another, found fault
with the rum, and asked where he bought it ?
Fearns replied, of a man at Manchester. Nadin
said he dealt in that article, and could help him
to some very cheap: Fearns said, I suppose you
are a Smuggler ; but how low can you afford it ?
the other answered, at 6s. and 6s. and 6d. a gal-
lon ; Fearns immediately ordered any quantity,
but asked how he could manage to send it, with-
out the Exciseman knowing of it ? Nadin inform.
ed him that he put a cask of 20 or 2t gallons into
a barrel of American Fluor, put flour round it,
and sent it as flour : Fearns said that was a good
plan. Nadin and Knowles now shewed their goods
to Fearns, asking him a price, not a fourth part of
their value ; and Nadin said to Knowles, " Mar.
shall, when did that man say he would send the
swag," (for an explanation of the cant terms, see
the end of this account,) on which Fearns said be
supposed they were spoke to (pointing to the goods)
which Nadin said was the case. During the Con-
versation relative to these goods, Nadin put down
a forged Halifax One Guieea Note ; Fearns said
lie could not change it ; Nadin told hint he did not
want it chaited, he wanted him to 'look at it, and
say if it was not, well 'done ; Prisoner said, he
saw it was a forged one, and thought it was badly
done. - Nadin then asked Knowles where the
screeves were, (on his using this cant term, he ob.
served Fearns' countenance to change ; he had
looked rather gloomy before, but now he appeared
quite licksome); Fearns said, the screeve business
was very good two or three years ago, bit one
Jackson had quite spoiled it ; Nadin asked where
Jackson was ? Fearns replied, he is gone eta of the
Country, about some heifers. Nadin now she wed him
some forged Bank of England Notes (which he in-
formed the Court he had from a person whop was
sentenced to Transportation at. Chester Assizes, for
having them in his possession); Fearns said these
were very badly executed ; Nadin said he thought
he had never seen any that were better done ; he
had smashed several, and had no doubt but he should
smash a great many more. Fearns asked where he
got them ? Nadin. said he had them from one Ben
Baker, but be was at a loss how to get any more.,
as Baker .was run away. Fearns asked what he
gave for the 11. screeves ? Nadin replied Bs. 6,1.
and 14s. for the zl's. Fearns said, that is the price
I give for them ; but you must not offer to s'mesie
any in Leek or Congleton, for if you do yOu will
be Iced dire&ly; Nadin said he had sniashed one
at the Bull, in Congleton. Fearns said, it is a
wonder you was not leg'd : a man ivas taken up
there a little time ago, who is now in Chester gaol,
and has been snitching about ine, and the Constables
and Cavalry from Leek have been and searched my
houses and several other houses about here, that
deal in the screeve way; Nadin asked him how he
knew the man had snitched of him ? He said the
man had wrote some letters to his friends at Wal-
sall; which were dirthed to be left at my .house,
and when I saw the CheSter post mark on them, I
guessed who they were from, and so opened them:
Prisoner then asked Nadin; if he ever dealt in 51.
or 161. screeves Nadin Said he never saw any; he
wished he could get some, and then he would go
to Ireland, and buy salt beef and pork, and could
pass any quantity there. Fearns said, he did not
mind if he went with them.—Kriowles, Who had
just before left the room; came in, and said, there
was a man at the door, who, he thought, came
from Manchester ; on which Nadin said, you must
not let any body in here, these goo& are all spoke
to, and if any .body 'sees them and me; I shall be
taken up ; Fearns said he might be quiet there,
nobody should tome into that room ; and added,
I Will thew you a. 51; screeve before you. go: • He
then went out tel the person; who -was a liquor
merchant, and in about an 'hour after returned to
Nadin anti Knowles, and brought with him a et.
and ti. notes saying, these are articles, look at
mine and look atyours ; Nadin said he never saw
a, 51. screeve before; and asked what he should give
for it ? Fearns replied, he gave a 'guinea and • a
half for it ; and; being again called out, twitched
the note from Nadin, put it into his coat pocket,
and went out of the room ; after he had stayed
souse time; Nadin began to think he would not sell
any of the notes, he therefore diteded Knowles,
under the pretence of going fdr a swag; • to fetch
the Constables from Leek, that Fearns might be
apprehended tinder the late aEt Of Parliainent, for
having the notes in his possession ; haft after Fearns
had been absent an Wilt, or more; be again return.
ed; and; holding two notes in his hand; Nadin Of-
fered him three guineas for the'mi Stitiposing they
Were two sq; notes; on which Ferns looked ear-
nestly at him; and said; Aye man I but one is a tor.
screeve; Nadin then agreed with him' for the TOL
note at three guineas, the 571. one at One guinea
and a half; and a tl. note at half a guinea ; • he
. then put his hand into an inside waistcoat pocket;
and pulling out a canvass bag, took' from it a 51,

and tl. ;late, which Nadin also, wanted to biiy
but PriSo‘ier refused to part with these, saying lie
was going, into Yorkshire soon; and-u14.4.-.4,,1g.f,
theiti fur .their full value; he then 'direaed. Nadirs
to atte'nd to the dateS of the notes, and. to setl
thtin accordingly ; arid said, this most be done by
ruWoing them with a sweaty hand, and all one way;
that'he must nOt'squeete or rumple them in 111.
hand, •as the imitation of the watermark was
done. with a stiff substance, and if he squeezed it,
it would break all illto boles ; he added; these are a
good sort', triy brother Tom and I played the devil
with them in Wales, last Chester fair : we went
to the fair, and fl-om thence to Wales; Where we
smashed about sod!. worth. Nadin asked in what
he laid them out ; he replied; in horses and cattle;
which I took into Nottirghamshire and sold ; I
have a licence to deal in horses, Ile then asked
Nadin if he knew Long Tom ? ht said, do you
mean Tom Morley. FearnS said he did not know.
his surnaine, but that was the than he had them of ;
he conies here, said he, once a month ; it is now
three weeks since he was here, he will be here
again next week, and you may then have any
quantity. The Constables from Leek were now
arrived ; Fearns *As taken into custody, and the
next morning was committed to the county gaol by
the Rev—Mr. Powis.
Mr. Nadin underwent a Severe cross exarnina -
don by Mr. Serjeant WILLtANis, but without
least variation in his evidence, which was fully con-
firmed by Mr; Knowles; whose evidence exadli
corresponded with that of Mr. Nadin.
M. Glower; Inspeaor from the Bank,
ed that the several Bills purchased by Mr. Nadir
from the ,Ptisorict, and these found upon him, were
all forged:.
The Piisoner being called Upon fot his defence,
said he kne* nothing of the notes in question : he
did not sell thern, and he had Witnesses to prove he
did not.

James floor stated himself to be a bread baker,
and dealer in flour, living beak the Prisoner's house;
said he was there at the same tine with Mr. Nadin
and Knowles, and all the time that Knowles was
absent, during which no such conversation as that
stated by Mi. i‘radiri, passed between him and the
Prisoner; nor 'did be hear of or see any notes, which
he most have 'done if the Prisoner had sold Or paid
any to Nadin ; he alSo contraditfted all the principal
circumstances.
The jury, Without hesitation, found Feaos
Guilty.

Bloor, the Witness, was taken into custody, the
solicitor for, the Bank undertaking CO prosecute him
for perjury at the next assizes.
In paSSing sentence on Fearns his Lordship told
hira; hi' was a crime that prevnnted any applica=
tion for mercy ; the Paper Credit was now the se.
curity of the affluence, the riches; and,the power
of the Country, and if Forgeries were so frequent,
and so well imitated the originals that the most
wary might be 'deceived, they must be stopped,
or there would be an end to commerce; an end to
us as A country: Forgeries like these atfeaed the
property of tote people; in a way tairist which they
had no security a man might prevent being rob-
bed of much on the highway; by carrying but
little With him.; doors and windows might be
barred ; but against forgery there was no security ; if;
for instance, the paper credit of the Bank of England
was destroyed by the nuinetoas forgeries upon it,
or if they were Obliged to pay thoe forged Bills;
it Must (vast as Was its capital) be its ruin. To
*hat extent these forgeries 'are carried, some faint
idea may be conceived, when the Prisoner himself
oWnS that in one journey he passed away upwards
of 5001. worth. But there was another bar to
mercy for the:Prisoner, and another high aggrava-
tion of his crime he had broelght forward a man
(Bloor), who in the most gross; most impudent,
and shameful manner; came into that Court to

coin nit a wilful perjury ; who swore that he had
not seen the father, brother; or servant of the Pri.
loner since he tame to this place; when by the
Most respeaahle Witnesses it was clearly proved he
had been with them; ate and drank with them,
and even slept with one of them. He hoped the
repeated conviftions would convince those whd
were concerned in this milk, that it was impose
Bible for them to carry on thii nefarious trade with-
out detection. Last summer it was his painful
duty; at the Assizes at Warwick, to preside at the
trials of several of the rnanufaClurets of these sort
of Notes ; they had. long carried on this trade, and
by dealing with Persons as infarnaus as thernselves,
and only with one at a time, they thought them_
selves quite secure; but they were `betrayed by'a
Man as infathous as any of them; on whose eVidence,
corroborated by the Most undeniable and credible
Witnesses; they were convi6ted, and no leSs than
nine were sentenced to death; which sentences were
fulfilled. In the present instance; Yearns gave his
confidence_tO two men; strangers to him, because
they found means to 'satisfy hiM they were as
wicked; as infainous as himself. His Lordship then
More partieUlarly addiessing the Prisoner, informed
him that .When a crime, like his was proved; the
Law must take its course, he therefore advised him
to eitiplOy the short tine he had to remain in this
world; in eiideavottring to obtain rardon for his
Many tilt-ties; and earnestly to ask forgiveness of
Heaven; for on Earth the gates of mercy were shut
against him. His Lordship then; in the most awful
'and impressive manner, pronounced sentence of
Death.
reams was executed On the gth of Atignst:
The folloWing is an explanation of the cant terrns
Used in the above trial:
1,-1;w-1.4:ark Dili tlt.
Stf.tig A bundle of stolen goods.
Spoke to Stolen.
&reeve . A forged Bank Note.
Vrksonie Lancashlre plirast) Lighfsome, eitearful
Gone out of the Cc4in4 Transported.
Sniashred Paid away.
Leg'd , Takers into custody:
Impeaching, intOtming against,

The Chzinibei Oigan. which His Mztjesty bath
commanded 'tot Kew; is neatly complete; and loth
much credit to the ingetiious maker, Mr. GPIE E
of lsleWorth.• it is particularly calculated for the
perfotmance of Handel's Sublime Compositions, whic
Authot His Majesty's estimation of, pteveats 40,
ink neglested in this degenerate a4e.

'Of those referred tp under the general designa-
tion of Gentlemen, some may-be found unworthy of
the chataCter,lvho will obstinately persevere in their
practices. . Let all such be shunned, and their con-
.. duttreprobated by every Female of Honour. There
are seasons too, in which the open Bather' are en-
titled to the liberty of the Sands. Upon these, and
Similar occasions, much good or evil will depend on
the manner in which the Females of the place may
think proper to conduCt themselves. Their beha-
.viour, One way- or the other, will be construed into
reproof, which is Always useta; or into tacit
approbation, which must be pernicions. They can.:
not remain innocent speClators of indecent aCIS or
appearances ; much le'ss ought they to obtrude them-
, selves upon either, even through inattention. A
' modest woman may be' said to he off her guard,
• who unnecessarily loiters upon benches, or saunters
along the Sands, at times • when ari. attention to
delicacy requires her abgence. Her-eyes cannot he
'always averted. But .should any female of charafter
and honour, imprudently suffer herself to be driven
. in Sociables, Curricles, or Gigs, along the edge of
the Sands, or . through the surf, in the midst or
naked men and boys ftolitking without controul,.
let her reflex that she exposes herself and her Sex
to the derision of libertines, and her conduct' to t,';c
just censure of that part: of the. Male Sex Whose
good opinions are.worth preserving. •
:It is highly expedient .too, that. Ladies should
keep their Nuriery-Maids at home, to impose greater
restraints on their use of the Sands. The behaviour
of many of them, with infant females by their sides,
is often faulty, and highly reprehenSible. But, as
already observed, the reformation must, begin with
the Masters and- Mistressei thernSelves.
.It is a
common and just adage, that " Example more
revalent than ,precept."
A FRIEND:iO THE FAIR SEX, AND A
LOVER OF DE,CENCY AND ORDER.

Durhain, June.l6, 18ot.

•
J. C.- STEEL, by
.appointment Lavender-Water
Merchant to Her Royal Highness ,the Princess of
'iles, continues, (as usual), his highly esteemed La-
vender, at zs, gd. and fine . Honey-Water for the
Hair, &c. at 4.5. 6d. per„Bottle, at hii Magazine
for those Waters only,.NO. 15, in Catherine.street,
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tne sale of those superiOr Articles are confined t
the above W:lihouse (notWithstariding repeated ap-
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in order that.the Nobility, Gentry, &c. who ho-
nour him with their favours, may depend on having
thetti genuine, as their credit would be materially
injured by imitations obtruded on the Public. •

S a
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LONDON : Prj'nted by MJ N AVNII 14 AN (ef Bow-street,- Covent-Garden) ; and Published by WI Li %.mHorse_ SCRIPTS (ofHorse_ lerry-road,"Westrninster),
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