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Mail robbery. Bank bill stolen out of the Bristol mail

General Post-Office, November 1, 1738
Raguin Code: NEWS –3805

Whereas a Bank Bill, D. No. 3848, dated the 12th of September, 1738, for the Sum of £23 10s. 2d. payable to Anna Stalker, or Order, three Days after Sight, was stolen out of the Bristol Mail upon the 13th of September last, and was brought to the Warehouse of Mess. Bigot and Godin, on Monday the 30th of last Month, by one who pretended his Name was George Willis, and bought of the said Bigot and Godin, by their Servant David Delavau, Nineteen Yards of white Paduasoy, at the Price of 9s. 6d. per Yard, which came to £9 11s. 6d. which he paid to the said Delavau by delivering to him the Bank Bill aforesaid, receiving the Overplus of £23 10s. 2d. after the Deduction of the £9 11s. 6d. The said George Willis is described to be a Man between the Age of 20 and 30, of a middle Size, and had on a Drab colour Coat and a Bob Wig, and said he lived at a Merchant's near Tower Hill, that dealt in Spicery, which, upon Enquiry, appears to be false.

The Post-Master-General therefore thinks it proper, upon this Occasion, to publish this Advertisement concerning the said George Willis, describe'd as above, looking upon him as a Person who either robb'd the Bristol Mail himself, or was concern'd as an Accomplice in the Robbery; and that what has been already publish'd may be again made known, that upon the Conviction of the Principal or Principals in the Robbery, such Principal or Principals being convicted thereof, the Person who shall make the Discovery of him or them, will be entitled to the Reward of £200 for each of them, who shall be so convicted as Principals or Accessories, besides the Rewards provided by Act of Parliament for apprehending of Highwaymen. And any Accomplice or Accomplices in the said Robbery, who shall make a Discovery as aforesaid of the Person or Persons who have committed the said Robbery, will be entitled to the Rewards aforesaid, and further, have the Benefit of his Majesty's most gracious Pardon.

J. D. BARBUTT, Secretary.