On Monday 13th Janry 1783 between the hours of 12 Yra Person (who
since proves to be a Servant at the Saracen's Head Inn in Friday Street )
delivered to Mr. Bettsworth< no role > then in the Court Yard of Messrs. B's House< no role >
in Mark Lane , a bill of Excha. drawn by James Gordon< no role > on Messrs. B's
for £52.10, desiring to have the same accepted, Mr. Bettsworth< no role >
in answer said Messrs B's were not in Town & desired the person
to leave the bill till the morrow,he did soMr. Bettsworth< no role >
of course brought the bill into the Counting House & when Mr. T Bodding
came to the Counting House which was about 20'Clock the same day
the bill was handed to him to accept, on his observing the bill
was drawn as p advice, he enquired if any advice was received. & being
answered in the Negative, immediately expressed his doubts as to the
signature being Mr. Gordon'sin the evening of same day
about 4 O'Clock, a letter came to hand by the General Post, adressed
to Messrs B's signed James Gordon< no role > , advising of the above bill &
one otherMessrs B's being gone out of Town the letter was
opened by Mr. Robinson, who on perusing it, signified to the other
Clerks then present, his apprehension that the letter & Bill was a
forger, on Mr. Bettsworths< no role > coming in, the letter was handed
to him, who coincided in the same opinion,here the matter
rested till next Morning Janry 14th, about 11 o'Clock, the person
who left the bill, came & desired to have it up, he was informed
it was not accepted, on being asked whose property the bill was
he replied he received it from a Gentleman that come a day or two
before to his Masters House in the Exeter Diligence, whose name
he did not know, but who had desired him to take the bill up
accepted on not, this requisition encouraging the former suspicion
he was refused the bill & at his request an answer was given