From the Kentish Gazette, 3 October 1837.

DOVER.—EXTENSIVE FORGERIES.

(From the Morning Chronicles).

On Monday last a more than usual degree of interest was created here, arising from it being known that a young man who drove his coach and four was to be finally examined on a charge of forgery. The accused, whose name is Henry Brooks, about twenty-four years of age, was examined before the Mayor, William Cocke, Esq., and several magistrates, and ultimately was fully committed for trial.

From the facts adduced in the examination, it appears that the prisoner some years past had lived as clerk to his uncle, of the Strand, London, who, in partnership with some other gentleman, carried on the business of an extensive glass manufacturer, and which situation he left three months ago. On that occasion he went to Mr. Edmonds, silversmith, residing at Charing-cross, and presented a check for £20, signed "John Smith," and drawn upon Drummond and Co. He reached Mr. Edmonds’ just after the banking-house had closed, when he stated that the firm was short of change, and he would be obliged to Mr. Edmonds to cash it. Knowing the high respectability of the house of Messrs. Brooks and Co., Mr. Edmonds cashed the check. The same system he practised on Mr. Goodchilds, glass manufacturer and hop merchant of the Borough, from whom he obtained £25. From a tradesman in Gerard-street, Soho, he procured £35, as well as from several other persons who were in the habit of transacting business with his uncle, until his forgeries amounted to nearly £400.

On the above discoveries being made, information was given to Goddard, one of the officers of Bow-street, who, after great exertion, succeeded in tracing out the prisoner, who had been travelling about under the assumed name of Beauclerk, and had represented himself as belonging to the family of the Duke of St. Alban’s. To carry on the deception he wore the undress of a naval captain, and under this assumed name he remained at "Waite's Hotel," Milton, near Gravesend, for three or four weeks, accompanied by a young and fashionably dressed lady, about twenty-seven years of age, who since the apprehension of the prisoner states her name to be Beresford. While there they were seen daily driving about in a carriage, and occasionally in a post chaise. During his sojourn at "Waite’s" the prisoner went on one occasion in a gig to Strood, and by means of a forged check obtained £20 from Mr. Huggett, a plumber. From thence he went to Rochester, and by similar means obtained £35 from Mr. Rowland, a builder. In the latter case he said that he had given up his situation as clerk to his uncle, and had taken that of traveller; that he had not been at home for some weeks, and he was in consequence short of money. After some further conversation he persuaded Mr. Rowland to put his name to the back of the check, as he was unknown at the Rochester Bank. He then said that he was going to Dover, on which Mr. Rowland recommended him to Mr. Flight’s. On Thursday last the prisoner called at the mansion of Lady Darnley; he afterwards went to the "Bull Inn," and there partook of a luncheon, on which occasion he stated himself to be the brother of the Marquis of Waterford, and that he was going off to the Continent, he then left the "Bull," and in the coarse of a short time he was again observed to pass the place in a carriage and four, driven by two postillions, and accompanied by a lady; they changed horses at the "Red Lion," Ospringe, when it was intimated to the persons about the Inn that his lordship had run away with a rich heiress. This affair of gallantry of the soi disant (self styled) noble lord spread like wildfire along the line of route, and when the carriage arrived at the "Rose Inn," Canterbury, between three and four hundred persons assembled to catch a glimpse of the runaway fair. After stopping about ten minutes at the "Rose," they proceeded to Dover, and the prisoner took up his residence at the "Ship Hotel," and commenced living in a most magnificent style. On the following morning he desired Air. Worthington, the proprietor, to order him a travelling chariot and four, as unexpected business called him to London. In the meantime a letter was sent to Mr. Thistleton, a tradesman at Dover, to give the prisoner into custody it he attempted to obtain any money. While the carriage was getting ready, the prisoner went to Mr. Thisleton and begged of him to change a cheque for £50, at the same time presenting one signed Henry Beauclerk, drawn upon Coutts and Co. Instead of obtaining the money, he was handed over to the custody of a constable immediately, examined, and remanded. In the course of an hour and a half after his apprehension, Goddard arrived in a post chaise and four, when, finding that the prisoner had not been searched, he proceeded to the gaol, where he found him lying asleep on a bed; and on the table were three cigars, a lighted candle, and a decanter containing a pint of sherry. On his person were found several duplicates relating to very valuable plate pledged in London; and in the corner of his pocket handkerchief were some documents of considerable importance, but torn so small as to render it impossible to place them together so as to read them. Goddard then proceeded to the "Ship," and seeing Mrs. Beresford (which we understand is a false name), obtained from her some money which belonged to the prisoner, arising out of the produce of his forgeries; the lady at the same time packed up her jewellery, which was of considerable value, and started immediately for London by the mail.

The trial of the prisoner will take place in the course of the next month, and should he escape conviction he will be sent up to London in custody. No doubt he will pass his time very comfortably in gaol, as the gaoler has received orders to treat him like a gentleman, and to let him have the best of accommodation. At present it is quite impossible to state to what extent these forgeries have been committed, as the prisoner had previously been to Bristol and Clifton, driving about in a conch and four, and where he was equally successful in passing his forged checks. In many instances he disguised himself, as Goddard found on him a pair of false whiskers, which, with the other property, remain in his possession.