Report on two coinage offenders

Author: Newton, Isaac, Comptroller

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Sir

On Saturday Sep 16th Instant we received a Letter from Mr Secretary Boyle dated the day before & directed to the Officers of her Majesties Mint signifying that her Majesty having been pleased to reprieve Iane Housden & Mary Pitman who were condemned last Sessions at the old Baily for high Treason in counterfeiting the coyn of this kingdom, & that there having been some circumstances represented which might induce her Majesty to pardon them, he was commanded to inform himself of the said Officers what objections they might have in relation to their being pardoned.

We the Master & Com in the absence of the Warden whose buisiness it is to prosecute such Offenders) have therefore enquired into that matter & find that Jane Housden was committed to prison by the name of Jane Newstead in the year 1696 for clipping the coin of this kingdom & that a warrant was also then issued out against one Tho. Newstead her pretended husband for the same crime & information was soon after given that the said Tho. Newstead used indirect practises Newstead to stifle the said warrant & procure the liberty of the said Jane Newstead.

We the Master & Comptroller of the Mint in the absence of the Warden whose buisiness it is to prosecute such Offenders) have thereforeenquired into that matter & find that Jane Housden was committed to prison by the name of Jane Newstead in the year 1696 for clipping the coin of this kingdom & that a warrant was also then issued out against one Tho. Newstead her preten ded husband for the same crime & information was soon after given that the said Tho. Newstead used indirect practises Newstead to stifle the said warrant & procure the liberty of the said Jane Newstead.

About two years after, the said Iane Newstead was again committed to prison by the name of Iane Newstead alias Housden for putting of counterfeit money & upon suspicion of coining the same, & about four pounds of counterfeit money were then taken upon her & three files with some sand found in her house, & she confessed that she received the said counterfeit money & the three files of one Mr Tuck <466v> whom she knew to be a coyner & that the sand was left in her custody by another man who had brought her into the acquaintaince of the said Tuck .

Aftwerds in the years 1702 she was again committed to prison & convicted of counterfeiting the coyn of this kingdom & pardoned by her Majesty in order to be transported, & was set at liberty upon giving security to transport herself & therefore being now found in England she is liable to be called down to the barr upon the judgment then given against her

And whereas she & Mary Pitman were accused the last Sessions at the old Baily of coining together & convicted by the finding of the coining Tools & counterfeit money, we observe that this is the second conviction of Iane Housdens; But against Mary Pitman we meet with nothing antecedent to the fact of which she now stands convicted

These things we pray you to lay before her Majesty & remain

I Sir

Your most humble
& most obedient Servants.

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And this present year being again accused of high Treason in counterfeiting the coyn of this kingdom when she was apprehended she dropt a parcel into the Thames which was found to be a parcel of counterfeit money & the coining Tools were found in the house of Mary Pitman where these two weomen were said to coine together, & by these circumstances she stands now convicted a second time. But against Mary Pitman we meet with nothing antecedent to the fact of which she now stands convicted.

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To the Right Honourable Henry St John Esquire her Majesties
Principal Secretary of State.

Report on two coinage offenders

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