the Judge pronounced the awful sentence of the law, the last words of which did wring from his stubborn eye one solitary tear. He suffered on the 30th of March, 1797, and his body given to be dessected and anatomized.

DODD, WM. (FORGER,) doctor of divinity, prebendary of Brecon, and chaplain in ordinary to his majesty who was the promoter of many charities, and the institutor of some, particularly the Magdalen Hospital, the Society for the Relief of Poor Debtors, and that for the Recovery of Persons apparently Drowned. Being in want of cash to pay his tradesmen's bills, and having been preceptor to the earl of Chesterfield, he pretended that his lordship had an urgent occasion to borrow 4000l. but did not choose to be his own agent, and begged that the matter might be secretly and expeditiously conducted. The doctor employed Mr. Robertson, a broker, to whom he presented a bond, not filled up or signed, that he might find a person who would advance the requisite sum to a young nobleman who had lately come of age.After applying to several persons who refused the business, because they were not to be present when the bond was executed, Mr. Robertson, absolutely confiding in the doctor's honour, applied to Messrs. Fletcher and Peach, who agreed to lend the money. Mr. Robertson returned the bond to the doctor, in order to its being executed; and on the following day the doctor produced it as executed, and witnessed by himself. Mr. Robertson, knowing Mr. Fletcher to be a particular man, and who would consequently object to one subscribing witness only, put his name under the doctor's. He then went and received the money, which he paid into the hands of Dr. Dodd, 3000l. in notes of Sir. Charles

Y 3

Charles Raymond and Co. the remaining 1200l. in bank-notes. The money being thus obtained, the doctor gave Mr. Robertson 100l. for his trouble, and paid some of his own debts with a part of the remainder. It appears the doctor intended to replace the money, and pay off the bond in a short time, without the knowledge of any person but the broker, and the gentleman of whom the money had been borrowed. It happened, however, that the bond being left with Mr. Manly, (attorney for Messrs. Fletcher and Peach), he observed, in the condition of the bond, a very remarkable blot in the first letter E, in the word SEVEN, which did not seem to be the effect of chance, but done with design. He thought it remarkable, but did not suspect a forgery; yet he shewed Mr. Fletcher the bond and blot, and advised him to have a clean bond filled up, and carried to lord Chesterfield for execution. Mr. Fletcher consented; and Mr. Manly went the next day to his lordship, who, having previous notice of the intended business, asked him if he had called about the bond. Mr. Manly said he had; and his lordship answered, "I have burnt the bond." This appeared very extraordinary; but was soon explained, by lord Chesterfield's saying he thought the gentleman called about a bond for 5ool. which he had given some years before, and had taken up and burnt. When Mr. Manly produced the bond in question, lord Chesterfield was surprised, and immediately disowned it. Upon this Mr. Manly went directly to Mr. Fletcher, to consult what steps to take. Mr. Fletcher, a Mr. Innis, and Mr. Manly, went to Guildhall, to prefer an information respecting the forgery against the broker and Dr. Dodd. Mr. Robertson was taken into custody, and with Flet

cher,

cher, Innis, Manly, and two of the lord mayor's officers, went to the house of the doctor in Argyle-street. They opened the business-the doctor was very much struck and affected. Manly told him, if he would return the money, it would be the only means of saving him. He instantly returned six notes of 500l. each, making 30col. he drew on his banker for 500l, the broker returned 100l. and the doctor gave a second draft on his banker for 200l. and a judgment on his goods for the remaining 400l. which judgment was carried immediately into execution. All this was done by

the doctor in full reliance on the honour of the parties that the bond should be returned to him cancelled; but, notwithstanding this restitution, he was taken before the lord, mayor, and charged as above-mentioned. The doctor declared he had no intention to defraud lord Chesterfield, or the gentleman who advanced the money. He hoped that the satisfaction he had made, in returning the money, would atone for the offence. He was pressed, he said, exceedingly for 300l. to pay some bills due to tradesmen. He took this step as a temporary resource, and would have repaid it in half a year. "My lord Chesterfield," added he, cannot but have some tenderness for me, as my pupil. I love him, and he knows it. There is nobody wishes to prosecute. I am sure my lord Chesterfield don't want my life-I hope he will shew clemency to me. Mercy should triumph over justice." Clemency, however, was denied; and the doctor was committed to the Comptor, in preparation for his trial. On the 19th of February, Dr. Dudd being put to the bar at the Old Bailey, addressed the court in the following words:

"MY

"MY LORDS,

"I am informed that the bill of indictment against me has been found on the evidence of Mr. Robertson, who was taken out of Newgate, without any authority or leave from your lordships, for the purpose of procuring the bill to be found. Mr. Robertson is a subscribing witness to the bond, and, as I conceive, would be swearing to exculpate himself, if he should be admitted as a witness against me; and as the bill has been found upon his evidence, which was surreptitiously obtained, I submit to your lordships that I ought not to be compelled to plead on this indictment; and upon this question I beg to be heard by my counsel. My lords, I beg leave also further to observe to your lordships, that the gentlemen on the other side of the question are bound over to prosecute Mr. Robertson."

Previous to the arguments of the counsel, an order, which had been surreptitiously obtained from an officer of the court, dated Wednesday, Feb. 19, and directed to the keeper of Newgate, commanding him to carry Lewis Robertson to Hicks's-hall, in order to his giving evidence before the grand inquest on the present bill of indictment; likewise a resolution of the court, reprobating the said order; and also the recognizance, entered into by Mr. Manly, Mr. Peach, Mr. In nis, and the right hon. the earl of Chesterfield, to prosecute and give evidence against Dr. Dodd and Lewis Robertson, for the said forgery, were ordered to be read; and the clerk of the arraigns was directed to inform the court whether the name Lewis Robertson was indorsed as a witness on the back of the indictment, which was answered in the affirmative.