The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

August 9. Moses Alexander, capitally convicted at the Old Bailey for forgery, was carried from Newgate at half past 12 to Tyburn, and there executed. The sheriffs indulged him to that late hour in expectation of a reprieve. Great interest had been made for him, and much had been said in the papers in extenuation of his crime; but as it was not all founded in truth it perhaps did him more harm than good. He had formerly carried on a great trade in the Borough, and had failed for more than 60000l. but had again entered into business, without a proper capital to support what he had undertaken. He therefore, like many more in the same circumstances, had recourse to bill-drawing: and that led him to the forgery for which he was convicted.

He was indicted for forging an indorsement on the following bill. "Leeds. Jan. 15, 1768. Six weeks after date, pay Mr. John Brown, or order, £81. 16s. value received, as advised. RICH. AKED." To Mr. Nathaniel Aked. &c.

The most favourable circumstance for the prisoner, was the bill's being so long in the possession of the prosecutors; by which it should seem they were not so solicitous about punishing the crime, as about securing to themselves the sums due to them: and if the delinquent had been able to have satisfied their demands, the public would perhaps have never heard of the forgery. The forgery, however was proved, and other bills of the same kind was ready to be proved: the law therefore was strongly against him, tho' something might be urged to mitigate the punishment: for the forgery was not of the same kind with the forgery of a common sharper, who having obtained his end, has no view to restitution. This man's forgery was only to enlarge his credit; and he certainly designed to pay every bill he raised money upon, had not the unlucky situation of his affairs prevented his intentions. Indeed, this kind of traffic is by no means justifiable, and what is here said is only to show that it differs in its nature from that of the abandoned villain.