The Newport Gazette

LONDON.

On Saturday the Rev. Dr. Dodd was brought before Mr. Robinson, a broker, who went before the Lord Mayor, at Guildhall, by Henry Fletcher and Samuel Peach, Esqrs. with forgery and uttering a false instrument in writing, containing bond, purporting to be executed of the Earl of Chesterfield, to which the Doctor is answerable, for the payment of 4200l. with interest the said Messrs. Fletcher and Peach to cheat and defraud.

Some suspicions arising, Mr. Manly immediately called on Lord Chesterfield, and shewed his Lordship the bond and receipt to be informed whether it was of his execution. The noble Lord stood amazed, and declared that he never before had heard of that deed.

Samuel Peach, Esq: deposed, that R. Robinson had published to him the bond, and said it was executed by Lord Chesterfield; and paid him the 4200l. at Mr. Manly's chambers.

Lord Mayor. Mr. Robinson, you hear the charge, and what has been said against you, it behoves you to make an answer to it; what have you to say?

Mr. Robinson's defence: My Lord. I received this bond from Dr. Dodd witnessed by him, to the execution of it by the Earl of Chesterfield. My confidence in the Doctor bade away (of suspicions of the least degree of fraud being blended with the transaction. In consequence of a letter producing it, which was wrote H.W. Dodd. and the Jews the loan of 4200l. for a young noble man just turned of twenty-one years of age) I called upon Dr. D. and, by agreement, went to Mr. Mann, who refused to advance the money, because he was not to see the bond executed. I returned, and told Dr. D. I afterwards proposed to endeavour what I could do in the city: accordingly I met with Mr. Fletcher, who, jointly with Mr. Peach, agreed to lend the money. Mr. Fletcher at first objected to my receiving the money; at which I told him that I had no doubt of procuring a note from the Earl for me to be paid it The next morning I called upon the Doctor; he said he had been with Lord Chesterfield, and seen the bond executed by his Lordship: He then leaved this name as a witness, and I knowing Mr. Fletcher to be a particular man, and one of those who would object to one subscribing witness only, put my name after the Doctor's, I then went and received the money, which I paid into the hands of Dr. D. 300l. in notes of Sir Charles Raymond and Co. the remaining 3900l. was in bank notes. Dr. D. asked me how his commission amounted to? I told him we could not take more than 100l. a-piece; Dr. D: paid me 100l. and kept, as I thought, the other 100l. for his trouble. I hope Dr. D. will publicly declare me innocent: he knows I am so. When he was apprehended, he openly declared I knew nothing of the forgery; he said, I had acted an honourable part.

Dr. Dodd's evidence proved opposite almost deprived him of those fine faculties. This loss of speech, which in the pulpit have so often been listened to with astonishment, and been favoured with approbation. This great man was so struck under the horror of impending conviction, his countenance indicated the deepest sorrow of his mind,

After he recovered his spirits a little, he spoke followed asinine Dr. Dodd defence. It was at a distant while to offer a fool in a cruel man intention to defraud my Lord Chesterfield hopes, that the satisfaction I gave my mind in returning the money, will atone for the offence. My life can be of no service to any body, though if it must be sacrificed, take it. I shall be willing to resign it. I was pressed exceedingly for 3000l. to pay some debts due to tradesmen. I took this step as a temporary resource. I should detest it in half a year. My Lord Chesterfield cannot but have some tenderness for an old pupil. I love him (here his tears interrupted him for some time) he knows it. He has experienced it of me, and reaped his honour at my own. There is no body wishes to prosecute. Pray, my Lord Mayor, consider my case: and as there is no prosecution, dismiss me. I am sure my Lord Chesterfield does not want my life. I hope he will shew clemency. Mercy should triumph over justice.

Mr. R. I hope, Doctor, you will do me the justice to declare here publicly that I am so warm still 2.

Dr. D. I do! I do! I do! Mr. R.

Mr. Fletcher having received back 2000l. and accepted a power of attorney from the Doctor for the remainder of the money which he had advanced, now shewed no forwardness for a prosecution, On the contrary, Mr. Manly contended, that if it was incumbent on any person, it was upon the noble Earl, who had been so freely implicated in the business. As to the bond produced, it was now a public instrument. To Mr. Fletcher it was no better than blank paper. It is now handed to the public, and any person may use it as an instrument in the hands of justice. But it behoves the noble Earl in particular, says Mr. Manly, to shew to the world, that his name has been improperly applied to such base purposes; for it was the credit which was given to his Lordship, that occasioned the miscarriage.

The Lord-Mayor was of a different opinion. He called upon Mr. Fletcher to prosecute, who was bound in a recognizance of 500l. and the prisoners were sent to Newgate.

Dr. Dodd was reckoned one of the most celebrated preachers and greatest orators of the age: but his extravagance, it is supposed, has brought him into the above dreadful situation.