John Henry Aikles < no role > and John Moffat < no role > were set to the Bar, when Mr. Justice Ashurst delivered the Opinion of the Twelve Judges, on their Cases, as follows.

John Moffat proceedingsdefend , you was indicted here at a former sessions, for uttering as true, a forged acceptance, purporting to be the acceptance of George Peters < no role > , on a bill of exchange, knowing it to be false; it was dated,

"Navy office, the 21st of December,

"1786. Sir, seven days after date,

"please to pay to Mr. John Moffatt < no role > , or

"his order, the sum of three pounds and

"three shillings, and place the same

"to the account of, Sir, your obedient

"humble servant, Walter Stirling < no role > :

"Accepted, George Peters < no role > . Directed

"to George Peters < no role > , Esq; Bank of England.

"Indorsed John Moffat < no role > , now surgeon

"of the Scipio Guard Ship, Sheerness." The fact of the forging this acceptance was fully proved, but a doubt was made on the case, whether under the particular circumstances of this case, you was liable to be found guilty of the crime of forgery: The Judges have consulted on your case, and they are of opinion, that as this fact was committed before the expiration of an act of Parliament, in the 17th year of his majesty's reign, but which is since expired; that this note if real would not have been of full validity, and in that case, the forging of it was not a capital offence; the consequence is, that the judgment must be staid, and that you will be entitled to be discharged ; but I would not have you flatter yourself, that this is a practice which you can with security be guilty of in future, for the act of parliament is expired, and the offence remains as before; therefore you will do well to get some honest method of obtaining your livelihood. Let him be discharged.