. vm. SEPT. 28, i9oi.] NOTES AND QUERIES.
259
the aid received from many influential and
well-to-do people, the authorities could do
nothing but simply look on, impotent to
enforce the law and put a stop to the work.
The excise officers at Halifax were quite
cognizant of this secret trade plied so deter-
minedly in the heart of the hills. But at
last the affair became so barefaced and
assumed such gigantic proportions that the
authorities in London determined to crush
it, and resolved to spare no expense in
rooting out this desperate band of men.
The Mint sent down to Halifax a certain Mr. Deighton, an officer of exceptional ability, to cope with this Turvinian question. He had to grapple with dangers and diffi- culties of no ordinary kind. As the coiners had grown rich so had they grown more reckless nay, had even come to imagine that they possessed vested rights, and that all interference on the part of Government was an infringement of their privileges and property. Common interests and common implication in crime had welded them to- gether in a strong and resolute confederacy as stubborn to uproot as the crags and shaws of their own wild hills. But Mr. Deighton was the man to grapple with the under- taking, though success was purchased at a terrible penalty.
Mr. Deighton set about the business with his accustomed tact and perseverance, sparing no labour and no money to attain his ends. He divined, with an insight that showed that he had a clear knowledge of human character, that he could reach those lovers of lucre through the channel of lucre. Bribery was the weak point through which he could unerringly assail the Turvinian citadel. And so to bribery he resorted with lavish liberality in order to accomplish his purpose, and his policy was to endeavour to seduce the more avaricious and irresolute of the gang to inform against their fellow- coiners. These tactics triumphed, and one Broad bent was induced by the bait of a hundred guineas to give evidence against his chief, the renowned " King David." Mr. Deighton was now master of the situation, and some of the culprits were quickly appre- hended and brought to justice.
The solicitor for the Crown was Mr. Parker, a Halifax gentleman. At the spring and summer assizes held at York in the year 1770, the apprehended coiners were charged with the crime of high treason. In the language of the indictments,
"certain pieces of false, feigned, and counterfeit money to the likeness and similitude of the good, legal, and current coin of this realm they unlaw-
fully and feloniously did make and coin, against the
form of the statute in such case made and provided
and against the peace of our Lord the King, his
crown and dignity."
Only two of the coiners, however, were con- victed. One of them was no less a person than "King David" himself, and the other was James Oldfield, of Warley. Hartley and Old field were hung at York Castle. We cannot but pity the sad end of "King David," a talented and courageous man, especially when we know that his hands were never stained with blood, as was the case with some who endeavoured to take the leadership after his death.
Though only two of the confederates were executed and the rest set at liberty, the gang was unquestionably broken up when the arch-coiner had been captured and put to death. That David Hartley was one of the first to be apprehended and brought to justice speaks well for Mr. Deigh ton's saga- city and decision. The complete disruption of the coining confederacy was now only a matter of time. j\
(To be continued.)
THE PARISH REGISTER OF BROADWOOD-
WIDGER, DEVONSHIRE. As it appears that
a book has been offered for sale which is
described as the register of the parish of
Broadwood-Widger for the years 1654-97, I
should like to warn your readers that it is
only a copy ; the original register is in our
parish chest.
Some months ago (in October, 1900, 1 think) I received a letter from an address in the City, offering me the copy for sale. On hearing from me the writer most courteously sent the book for my inspection. It appeared to be a faithful copy, neatly transcribed in one handwriting throughout. In various places leaves have been removed from the original register. As the copy (evidently made since their removal) did not supply any of these omissions, I returned it to the sender. Since then I have twice received letters making inquiry about it, the last stating that it was reported recently to have been sold by public auction (Church Times, 9 August, p. 150). I am curious to know how it was described at the sale.
That the register I hold is the original one would not be doubted by any one who examined the different hand writings in which the entries are made at different dates, and the antique appearance of the parchment. The copy is made on paper, if I remember rightly.
The present owner of the volume may
