Joseph Story

“ It is, for instance, clearly settled, that the making of a false instrument, which is the subject of forgery, with a fraudulent intent, although in the name of a non-existing person, is as much a forgery as if it had been made in the name of a person known to exist, and to whom credit was due. ”

“ It is an attempt to pass a false bill or note, as true, purporting to be a bill or note issued by the order of the president, directors and company; for the word 'purport' imports what appears on the face of the instrument. ”

“ It is there said, if any person shall falsely make, &c., any bill, 'in imitation of, or purporting to be, a bill,' &c., where the words 'in imitation of' properly refer to counterfeiting a genuine bill, made by the proper authorized officers of the bank ”