[Copyist’s hand: part of a booklet, comprising folios 341 to 357]

nd [wm 1798]

1

Mr B is not quite certain with regard to the correctness of the copy, not having

examined it himself.

Thoughts

On the means of preventing Forgery, in the case of Paper Money: particularly Bank

of England Notes. –

§.1 Of Forgery in the way of Fabrication: - particular Safeguards proposed. –

[marginal heading:] 1 Forgery is either by 1. Fabrication, or 2 Alteration.

Forgery in general, and of Bank Paper in particular, is committed either in the

way of Fabrication, or in the way of Alteration.(a)

The distinction is a fundamental one: the plan of operation, to be pursued in

combating the criminal enterprize, being altogether different in the two cases.

[marginal heading:] 2. Safeguards against Fabrication. –

I Particular Expedients

1. Real Portrait from Copper-Plate

To begin with the case of Fabrication: being the case which in my view of the

matter presents the greatest difficulty. I will state in the first place the

particular expedients that have occurred to me: by this means, the general

principles, by which those expedients were suggested, will place themselves in

the clearer point of view.

1. In the room of the Emblematical figure, exhibit the head of some real person:

– some Officer of the Corporation: - either temporary such as the Governor; or

permanent, such as the Cashier: the Engraving to be executed by the most skilful

Artist whose services can be engaged.+

[marginal note:] For the use of this additament, see § 3 p. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.

[marginal heading:] 3

2. Plates multiplied

by

2. As a means of reducing the expence (resulting from the

want

(a) Fabrication where a Paper Note which never passed through the hands of the

Bank, is made to assume the appearance of a Bank Note: alteration, or (as it may

be termed) falsification, where, in a real Bank Note, a fictitious larger sum is

contrived to be substituted to a genuine smaller sum.