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Chaloner's Letter to Mr. Secretary Vernon
r.t.r. Carter called me into his Lodging where he
shewed me a Copper Plate which he had reversed upon and had begun to
grave it I was surprised at his shewing me such a thing and I askt him
what he meant by shewing me such a thing and he
there's no harm in it for I do it but for an t
a litle money out of him I told him that if he had not a care such experiments
would bring him into Newgate againe about a fortnight after I met him
and he had this plate in his Grove and d.d
the knott I then told him that I did not desire to see any such things for
nothing but trouble attended such things and pray not to med
any thing t.t.t.r. Carter had left a letter for
me I not knowing any thing of it opened it before some people that
was in the house and in it I found a piece of Copper graved and 10 blank
Notes I was d
surprized at it askt me t.
me into some mischiefe so before them all I took a pair of scissors
and cut the plate in two and the Tickets also and went in the fields
and put them in some Rubish next morning Mr. Carter come
early to my lodging and askt me for t.
him why he left it with me did he intend to trapan me into some
mischief he said that he had heard that Sellinger and ers.
was after him and they came into a house where he was so he left it
hear for hear of them I told him that I had thrown it away at which he
fell in a great rage and swore I did intend to keep it for my selfe
and if I d.
have it again for I durst not tell him I had cut it lest he should do me
some mischief so it rested ever since t.
and Carter came me and told me that they had been with of Dick (as
they called him) who lives with r.
in the Exche
him the water how to take out writing and that he offered to put
off Bills or Tickets for them and if I would be d
But I told them I would not so Carter told me trt
he had given it to me to grave a plate by at ch
at them for making their Cheats upon me and lay it on me so
they promised they would go to Dick and undeceive him that I
had none of his bill but that Fitzgarrall had pawned it
which somedaies after they told me they had done and
Fitzgarall had shewn Dick one of blank Tickets that Carter had
made by had it again and Carter told me he never had nor
would put off any so I never see Fitzgarrall since so all this
matter lay dead till t.
and I never see none of them for t.
fortnight before Carter was taken he came to me and said that
now he could get a great deal of money by his Plate soe I told I
had given one that was gone into the countrey because I had cut it and I was afraid to tell him so for fear he should e in a
rage for my cut
and barn the Tickets so he told me I should go a fourth share
with him and have my 4th. share in good bells when delivered and
200 ll advance but I told him it was a Nonsenceicall project of
him for bills must be traced from the originall and it was imposible
but who ever undertook it must be found out and Price and the
rest were and I would not be d
if I might have the Table full of Gold and that I had wife &
Children that could not goe away so I desire him to let it be cut
and the Tickets burnt so he bid me ring them cut to
him that day he was taken at 3 of the clock at the Red Lyon
in Hangerford Market at Mr Collier's now if he denys one
word of t.
in the world but I can prove I cut the plate and Tickets t
3 months ago that he brought them in a letter and left it a letter any lodgings that he can grave and did grave it and there
I did refuse to be concerned in it and hindred from going on
so I hope that your honour will not be opinion that I have done
any ill to the Government in this matter but have prevented an
ill thing from being done r
and Tickets which r
here is a man that would put his own roguery upon me saying
that I graved it which is false and I can prove it so. Now r.
been ingenious with you in giving you a whole rela
know of this r.
as you promised you would not and that if you desire me to give
you the plate and bills that you will give one some assurance that
I shall not be put to trouble but if you intend to try one for
this matter I not knowing what this ill man will say tr
man to be evidence t.t.
his own liberty for he was once taken for coyning and stealing horses
and put in Warwick Gaol so he made a formall Informat
many persons in London but there was no such persons in the world so e
Keeper of the Gaol came up to London with him where he made his
escape from —
Hee has been 6 times in the Pillory in London and one
for forgery and perjury,
Counter and got out in woman's Clothes he has gone by severall names
but his name it
I d.
Companion was handed that was
so
outlawed for high Treason so I hope your honour will believe him
before you see whether I can clear my self and not this ill
man put his own roguery upon me to clear his self
Bit if it shall ever appear otherwise that I am guilty I desire no favour or
if there by any bills Tickets et that I know of have any hand in
them
others from doing an ill thing to the t.
offers made to my self to do it I hope your honour will not put me
to further trouble if I send these things in my position
guilty of doing any harm thereby but prevented harm being done
by my having them I am.
rrs.
W Chaloner