John Cooper proceedingsdefend and Elizabeth Reeve proceedingsdefend , of St. Dunstan in the West , were indicted for counterfeiting 20 pieces of Gold of the current Coin of Portugal called Moidores, of the value of 27 s. each, on the 3d of July last, intending thereby to deceive and defraud his Majesty's Subjects.

Mr. Westley deposed, that the Widow Holmes came to him for 2 Pound of Soap, and gave him a Moidore; that he gave her Change out of it, that she came that Day Week with another, and he stopt her, sent the Moidore to the Goldsmith to ask if it was good, and it proved counterfeit: that Holmes said she had it of Reeve; that searching Cooper's House they found five False Moidores and a Silver Piece in a little Drawer, and Aqua-fortis, Quicksilver, Crucibles, Etc. That Cooper owned the Moidores were his, and that Reeves had those of him, which she gave to Holmes.

Margery Holmes < no role > deposed, that she had the Moidores of Reeve, a dozen at several times; that she used sometimes to give her Drink, sometimes 6 d. for changing them. And that she carried 2 to Mr. Westley. Richard Ware < no role > deposed, that when Holmes was stopt, she said she had the first of a Gentleman in the Temple, the last from Reeve: that he went to Cooper's House, who said he gave em to Reeve to change, she to Holmes, and he would go and clear her. And that he had taken 16 of a Jew for a Watch: And that Holmes owned she had put off several.

Mr. Sparks deposed that he searcht Cooper's House with Mr. Pinkney, and found the Tools produced in Court, as 2 Dies, Crucibles, Quicksilver, Flatted Gold, a Vice, and other Implements for Coining. Mr. Bellasis deposed, that Mr. Westley came to have him try if a Moidore was good, that his Man Weigh'd and Toucht it and thought it so; but he (this Evidence) to be satisfied, turn'd it up with his Graver, and discover'd Silver underneath. That he try'd the 5 found in the Drawer with his Graver, and found them to be the same: that they were of the same Weight with the true Moidores, made of the finest Silver, and sealed over with Gold; that it bore the Touch, and he try'd it with Aquafortis, and it bore that. That Mr. Cooper owned he gave them to Reeve to change, and said he took 16 of a Jew: And that Reeve said he took 7 or 8 of a Captain. Mr. Bembridge deposed that he had 5 of those that were delivered to my Lord Mayor by the Constable, and produced 3 of them, that a Silver Crusade and a Moidores were deliver'd to Mr. Pinkney, that one of the Moidores was cut to make an Essay, and it proved false, viz. Silver Plated. Mr. Smith deposed that the Prisoners used to buy fine Silver of him, and gave 6 s. an Ounce for it. That in 2 or 3 Months he bought once 29 Ounces, and twice 30 Ounces at a time. That it's heavier than Common Silver; that he believed he might have sold him 180 Ounces or thereabouts at several times; and that one Ounce would make 3 of those Counterfeit Moidores.

Mr. Pearce deposed that he knew Cooper; that he had sometimes bought fine flatted Gold of him; and that once he asked him for some an Inch and a quarter wide, for a Whim he and another had.

Mr. Green deposed that Cooper bought fine Beaten Gold of him several times, some thicker, some thinner; he believes about a Hundred Pounds Worth since last March; and that Reeve used to come to know if it was ready.

Mr. Rogers deposed, that he worked with Mr. Green and that the Prisoners had Gold of him several times, and as near the quantity Mr. Green mention'd, as he could guess.

Mr. Green being call'd again and asked, deposed that he kept a Gold-beater's Shop in their House: that Mr. Harpum was a Stranger to him; that Cooper told him Harpum used it for Clock-Cases. And that once he received a false Moidore of'em, but they gave him a good one for it.

Mr. Bowman deposed, that about 2 Months age Mr. Cooper came to the Woolpack in Foster-Lane, pull'd out an Ingot of Silver about a Foot long, but not quite so broad as a shilling, and being asked what he did with it, he said he sent it abroad; that he (this Evidence) apprehended it to be fine Silver because it bent; and asking how he ventur'd to carry it home in his Pocket, said another was to call upon him for it.

Samuel Wood < no role > deposed, that Cooper sent for him to the Wool-pack about 3 Months ago, and asked him if he could make a Press to strike off Watch-Keys and Middles: That he did formerly make a Press for one Buntin for Watch-Keys, but did not make one for Cooper, only discourst with him about one. And being asked, said he believed it not strong enough for Coining.

Mr. Pinkney deposed, that he was present when that Press of Buntin's was taken, and that it was the Opinion of all the Workmen that it was of use in Coining; And that these Moidores could not be made without a press. That the Silver used in them was 15 Penniweight better than Standard.

Robert Sutton < no role > deposed, that Cooper proposed to Marry Reeve to him, telling him she was an ingenious Woman, and that it had cost him 5 l. to learn her to Coin: That he might make himself by it, and wear a long Wig and Sword in 3 Years time. That he knew his Garret, and had seen there Iron Ladles, White Filings and Yellow Filings. That coming down once and leaving the Garret Door open, he was angry, and ordered him to shut it, saying he should be robb'd one time or another. And that when he was Married he would let him into the Secret. Being askt when this Discourse was, he said two Years ago, Edward Ash < no role > deposed, that Cooper said to him Ned, you know all my Affairs but one, as well as Reeve; you see I have sometimes but 5 s. at other times 20 l. in my Pocket. Being askt how long this was ago, said 3 Years. That he told him he should be let into the Secret in a little time, that he said Ned, you know how to cast, Reeve can Gild, and I'll put em off; that be (this Evidence) put the Danger to him, who reply'd, that it was indeed Death to Coin English Money, but it was not Death to Coin Foreign; and the Scandal of a Pillory would soon blow off. He being askt when this Discourse was, he said, that about the Pillory was two Years ago.

Mrs. Smaile deposed, that Reeve came to their House about 6 Weeks ago, and said Cooper took them of Mr. Harpum, and that when she told him of it he only laught, and said she Gilded them. The Prisoner Cooper denied that he was concerned in the making of them, or that he knew they were Counterfeit, and said that he had them of Mr. Harpums whom he had large Dealings with for Watches and fine Silver, which he sent to Norway: and as to the Tools produced in Court, they were only the common Tools used in the Watch Trade; and that Sutton and Ash swore out of Mialice against him, there being a Difference between them, and called a great many to prove his Defence.

Elizabeth Owen < no role > deposed, that she saw Mr. Cooper take a parcel of Money of Mr. Harpum, she believed about 50 l. that there were 3 or 4 sorts, some Shillings, Guineas, Broad Pieces, and some with Crosses on them. Mr. Sessioms deposed, that he saw Gold on Mr. Cooper's Table, some with Crosses on them, and that he went into the Room as Owen came out.

Mr. Pinkey being askt by Cooper, said that he did give him Intelligence of Harpum, but he was gone; that he took his Brother at Greenwich, and that Robert Harpum < no role > was taken at Yarmouth with 50 false Moidores upon him. But that Cooper, when in the Compter, said he received 17 Moidores of a Jew for a Watch or Watches, And that the Tools produc'd in Court would not do for Coining without others.

Mr. Williams deposed, that he was one Evening at the Woolpack in Foster-Lane, saw Mr. Cooper pull out a Bar of Fine Silver publickly and bend it; and that he said it was to go to Norway.

George Hariss < no role > deposed, that he instructed Mrs. Reeve in Watch Gilding; that he workt for Mr. Cooper, took a great deal of Money of him, non bad. That the Tools produced in Court were such as they used in the Watch Trade, and which they could not Gild without. That he gave Six Shillings an Ounce for Silver; and that they use the finest Gold for Gilding.

Several other Watchmakers and Gilder deposed that they had large Dealings with him, some of them lately, and that he always paid them honestly in good Money, and that the Tools produced in Court were what they could not Gild without; that they used Quicksilver and Aquafortis; and that a piece of slatted Gold produced in Court taken out of the Prisoners Garret was the same sort they buy at Capt. Pearce's Shop.

Arthur Cross < no role > deposed, that he reading the Newspaper at the Black-Raven in Fetter-Lane about 6 Weeks ago, wherein Mr. Cooper was mentioned, Mr. Sutton (who sat in the next Box) said he knew him very well, was in Holland with him. that he (Cooper) cheated him in Spanish Wool they were concern'd in: but he was now in Newgate and he should have him Hang'd.

Mr. Smart deposed that he knew Cooper 3 or 4 years, that there was a Difference between him and Sutton.

William Walker < no role > deposed that he Graved Watches for Cooper, who paid him honestly; and that Ash is a Man of a base Character.

Job Harris deposed, that he lodg'd in Mr. Cooper's House 4 Years, had seen Reeves at work in the Garret in the Watch Trade frequently, never found the Door lockt, but any of the Lodgers might go in.

Mr. Bennet deposed, to the same effect.

Mr. Cooper called several others to his Reputation. The Jury considering the whole matter Acquitted them of this indictment; but there being another against them for High Treason, they were ordered to remain till next Sessions.