Bayley's son, William, had forged his father's signature on several promissory n otes.

On discovering the forgeries the bank arranged a meeting of all the partie s. At the meeting Williams said to Bayley 'If the bills are yours we are all rig ht; if they are not, we have only one course to pursue; we cannot be parties to compounding a felony.' During further discussions Williams' solicitor said it wa s 'a serious matter' and Bayley's solicitor added, 'a case of transportation for life.' After further discussion Bayley said to his solicitor 'What be I to do? How can I help myself? You see these men will have their money.' In the end Bayl ey reached a settlement with the bank by which in return for him mortgaging his property to them they would return the forged notes to him.