The Proceedings of the Old Bailey

 

A  man for Personating another, and in his Name entring into a Recognizance , was convict of Felony ; and truly was so far inexcusable, since another for the like offence but two Sessions ago was Condemn'd and carried to Execution, though under the Gallows he

met a gracious Reprieve. However, in this Case the Crime being committed only before a Justice of the Peace, it was some doubt, whether within the Statute, which makes it Capital; and so the Court waved Sentencing him to die, discreetly inclining in dubious Cases to favour rather than severity.