Robert Tresler: The Information of Robert Tresler 27 February 1700/1

Middx & Westmr } Ss The Information of Robert Tresler Cloathworker within the Parish of S.t Giles Cripplegait taken upon Oath this 27.th day of Febr. 170$\frac{\mathrm{0}}{\mathrm{1}}$.

Who saith that upon Sunday the 12th day of January last past, one John Handcock did desire this Deponent to goe along with him, to the house of Mrs Mary Webster in Wine Office Court in Fleet Street, to bear witness that the Said Handcock did pay her $\frac{\mathrm{1}}{\mathrm{2}}$ a Crown (which he was obleiged to do weekly untill a debt was paid off that way due from the Said John Handcock unto the said Mrs Webster) and there comeing into a parlour which belonged unto the Said Mrs Webster, he this deponent did see the said Mrs Mary Webster (in her morning Gown) Set at a <1v> Table with a Small file in her hand, and Scales and weights upon the Table, as also a considerable Quantity of coyn'd Gold upon the Said Table, and did also See another parcell of coyn'd Gold loose in a Drawer belonging unto a Chest of Drawers, both which particularly this Deponent verily beleiving to be also Guineas.

And this Deponent further saith that he did see a paper lye upon the said Mary Websters Lapp, and another paper upon the Table aforesaid, and that he did also see fileings or Dust in both the Said papers, which Look't like the Colour of Gold.

And he further saith, upon his Oath, that he did at the same time see a man in black cloaths in the Said parlour whome this Informant was afterwards told was John Chapman Brother to the Said Mary Webster. And he further saith that Mary the Daughter of the aforesaid Mary Webster was also in the Room at the same time, and to the best of his remembrance was Sate by the fire. And this Deponent further saith that after Mr Handcock had paid Mrs Webster the Mother the $\frac{\mathrm{1}}{\mathrm{2}}$ Crown as aforesaid he came away. and after that this Deponent toldMr Handcock that he did suspect the Said Mrs Webster to be Guilty of some unlawfull practices by deminishing of Guineas the Currant coyn of this Kingdom and had the more Suspicion for that the 3. persons aforesaid whome he found and Saw togeather in the parlour were in a very great surprise and consternation upon their comeing bolt into the parlour so Suddainly and therefore he this Informant told the Said Handcock that they might bring themselves into trouble if they did not discover the Said practices to some person or other. Whereupon he this Informant togeather with the Said Mr Handcock went fortwith to acquaint one Mr Poole (who is one of my Lord Mayors officers) thereof, and Mr Poole said if the said Handcock should make any Stir about it, that it would look like Malice in him because that he ought her money, but that he would acquaint some of the heads of the Parish with it who should have an Eye upon him or to this Effect, And this deponent further saith upon his Oath, that he verily beleives that the Dust before mentioned to be in the papers was the fileings or the diminishings of Guineas. And this Deponent further Saith, that he did go along with the said John Handcock to the Said Mary Webster's house on the next Sunday following in the afternoon to carry another halfe Crown when she refused to show John Hancock aforesaid the paper of his Account, and was so very huffing that he did not pay her the $\frac{\mathrm{1}}{\mathrm{2}}$ Crown then. And this Deponent told the Said Mrs Webster that she did not look so blank or dejected now as she did the sunday Before, or words to that Effect.                                          Robert Tresler Jurat ano et die Supradict coram me Philip Howard