5. The laws peculiarly relating to the _Copper Coinage_, although more modern, have also been found to be extremely defective, and totally inadequate to their object. The Act of the 11th of his present Majesty, _cap._ 40, indeed, makes it felony to sell Copper Money of the similitude _of the current Money of the Realm_ at a less value than the denomination doth import; but the benefit of Clergy not being taken away, and no specific punishment being mentioned, the offenders are generally subjected only to a year's inprisonment, which proves no check whatever, as their families carry on business in the mean time; and if they sell _plain or evasive Halfpence_, or what are called _Irish Harps_, or mix them with _stamped Half-pence_, similar to the current Coin of the Realm, so that the stamped Coin does not exceed the value of what the denomination imports, it is doubtful whether the prosecution will not fail.
[-->] It is submitted, that a statute ought to be framed, declaring it _Felony_, punishable by seven years' transportation: 1st. For any person to make or manufacture any piece of Copper or other metal, with or without any device whatsoever, with an intent that it shall pass as the _Copper Monies of the Kingdoms of Great Britain or Ireland_. 2nd. For any smith, engraver, founder, &c. or any person, except those employed in the Mint, or authorized by the Treasury, to make or mend, buy or sell, conceal or have in their possession, without a lawful excuse, any puncheon, stamp, die, mould, &c. on which shall be impressed, or with intent that there shall be impressed on the same, any resemblance whatever, in part or in the whole, of such _Copper Monies_. 3d. For any person to buy or sell, or offer to buy or sell, or to utter or tender in payment, or to give or offer to give in exchange, _thirty or more pieces of Copper_ in any one day; such piece resembling or being intended to resemble, or passing or being intended to pass as the current Copper Money of the said kingdoms.
That such proposed statute should also make it a misdemeanor (punishable by a fine of 40_s._ for the first offence, £5. for the second, and £10. for every subsequent offence) for any person to buy, sell, utter, &c. any number _less than thirty_ of such pieces of Copper, resembling or intended to resemble or pass, &c. as such current Copper Money. The fines to be recoverable in a summary way before one magistrate. This would reach Turnpike-men and others, who wilfully pass bad Halfpence at one gate which are refused at another: and would generally check the circulation of base Copper Money, which has become an evil of great magnitude.