crowns or silver French crowns was likewise constituted a felony without benefit of clergy. 1 The offence was extended, by an act of April 1 1, 1782, to cover counterfeiting, raising or passing with knowledge notes of the Bank of North America. 2 In such cases the commissioners for conspiracies issued a warrant to the constable of the particular district for apprehending and committing the culprit, and the warrant also commanded the keeper of the jail to receive him into his custody. 3 When guards were placed over such prisoners, the commissioners paid them. 4 The discovery of counterfeit money upon the person of the accused prisoner led to an examination, which was reduced to writing, and was followed by close confinement. If the prisoner had also good money

in his possession, it was used toward reimbursing those whom

he had defrauded with counterfeits. This good money was deposited with the treasurer of the board.® The commissioners advertised in the newspapers, even those of other States, calling upon persons, who had been imposed upon, to bring the counterfeit money to them, in order to receive in lieu thereof good money. 7 If they came from a distance, as was

often the case, the board allowed them an additional amount to reimburse them for their expenses in coming before the commissioners as witnesses. 8 They summoned a man for "endeavoring by every Means in his Power to depreciate the Credit of the Paper Currency emitted by the Congress of the United States," and put him under a bond of £5,000, ' Laws of New York. Poughkeepsie: John Holt, 1782, p. 210. • Ibid, pp. 236-237. » May 13, 1778. June 4, 1778. * November 13, 1778. November 14, 1778. ' November 21, 1778; February 22, 1779. November 19, 1778.