The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a letter from Birmingham, April 24.

There has just been laid open here a most extraordinary scene of iniquity, which, if it had been carried on a little longer, might have involved the whole nation in the ruinous consequence attending the commission of a crime of such public notoriety. This is no less than a discovery of a numerous gang of COINERS, several of whom are people of property, who have lived in this town in credit and good repute. The discovery was made at London, to Sir John Fielding, by one Bacchus, who formerly resided here, and whose son was executed on the 27th of May last at Tyburn, for high treason, in coining guineas, half guineas, &c. with which the father was likewise charged, but became evidence against the son, and was himself acquitted. This Bacchus is very positive in his account, and pretends to be well acquainted with all the parties he has impeached, and to have been in the secret with them all. He was brought down yesterday by two of Sir John's men, and goes with them to apprehend the people charged by him. Nine men have been already taken up here and confined in our prison; but as some of them are very credible people, and as they have not undergone an examination before a Magistrate, we do not yet choose to publish their names. A short time, however, must throw more light upon this affair, and it is sincerely wished there may not be too great foundation to support the charge against some of the accused. It is thought many more will be apprehended on this account, as we are told messengers are sent for that purpose to different parts of the country. We shall forbear commenting on this affair for the present; but it may not be improper to remark that on Wednesday last one Davis was committed to Newgate, London, on the confession of one Green, an accomplice, for diminishing guineas; upon that occasion a farther discovery was likewise made of two others of their accomplices, and this finally produced, as may naturally be supposed, the discovery here, which has given such a great alarm.