KIDD’S END
Kidd’s experience of the legal profession and the procedure of our
English courts, though short, had been painfully instructive. After his
return to Newgate, he seems to have had no more to do with either of
them. But he had yet to reckon with his political and religious advisers,
who combined to beset him to the last.
Bellamont’s apologist says: “Dr. G----g knows who the person was, who
was with Kidd more than once some few days before his execution and
dealt so freely with him as to advise him to charge two lords by name
with somewhat that was material, which he said was the only way he could
save his life. And the more to provoke the poor wretch to follow his
advice, swore to him that those lords and their friends, were restless
in soliciting to have him hanged, and therefore it was reasonable for
him to do their business.” “God,” he adds, “disappointed all these
cursed designs. Perhaps the unhappy creature knew himself incapable to
make a probable story, or to carry on one though made to his hands, and
that deterred him from hearkening to these counsels of devils. I rather
hope that as wicked as he had been, he was not arrived at such a pitch,
as to attempt to take away other men’s lives and honour by deliberate
perjuries.”
It never seems to have occurred to this gentleman, or indeed to any
one else, during Kidd’s last days, that he was innocent of the crimes
laid to his charge, and that he was not likely to go back on his word.
Not only in his statements with respect to his employers, but also in
his simple written narrative to Bellamont and in the oral evidence
given at his trial of the various incidents in his voyage he had told
a plain unvarnished tale, from which he had never deviated. So far as
his dealings with his employers were concerned he had sworn in his
examinations before the Admiralty and also in the House of Commons, that
he had never seen Somers or Shrewsbury, or heard more of them, than that
Bellamont had told him they were two of the owners of the _Adventure
Galley_; that Bellamont had introduced him to Orford and that Colonel
Hewson had carried him to Romney in his coach which was all that he knew
of them. He had been recalled and pressed to make some further disclosure
with regard to these great personages, and asked categorically if he knew
anything in relation to Bellamont, Romney, Shrewsbury, Somers, or Orford,
or any of the other owners, in relation to his expedition, or any other
matter, touching any private directions, articles or instructions, given
to him by word of mouth or otherwise. And after taking time “to recollect
himself well,” he had affirmed that “he had nothing more to say in
relation to the owners than that he had before declared.” It may safely
be assumed that his answer to Dr. G----g’s mysterious friend, whoever he
may have been, was to the same effect.
It remained now for him to undergo that last trial of his patience, to
which all condemned prisoners had in those days to submit, the well-meant
attempts on the part of the Chaplain of the gaol to extort from them
confessions of their guilt. If Kidd had yielded to this cruel pressure,
he would have left this world with a lie upon his lips, as it is to
be feared many poor creatures did before and after him. Witness the
confessions of some of those convicted of witchcraft. It is no small
confirmation of his innocence that he was able to emerge even from this
trying ordeal without discredit to his veracity.
The Ordinary of Newgate at that time was the Rev. Paul Lorrain, well
known in his day as the author of innumerable “Last Dying Speeches and
Confessions” of noted criminals, who seems to have combined with the more
serious duties of his calling as confessor to the doomed the somewhat
incongruous functions discharged in these latter days by enterprising
press interviewers of celebrities in whose personal peculiarities and
proclivities the reading public may be supposed to take an interest.
He can rarely, if ever, have had more promising subjects for his
professional treatment, or men of whose last days his account was likely
to have a wider circulation, than Kidd and his fellow sufferers.
There are two extant records of the “Behaviour, Confessions and Last
Dying Words of Kidd and the other Pirates that were Executed with Him.”
Both were published by the same printer, E. Mallet at the Hat and Hawk
in Bride Lane. One of these accounts is signed by Lorrain on the day of
the execution, and concludes with these words: “This is all the account,
which (in this hurry) can be given of these persons by Paul Lorrain.
Friday, May the 23rd 1701.” It is clear from internal evidence that the
earlier part of this account had been carefully composed before the day
of execution, and that it was only the concluding portion of it which
was hurriedly written on that day. No inconsiderable part of the earlier
paragraphs is devoted to the texts and heads of the discourses delivered
by the Ordinary to the prisoners, on the two preceding Sundays when they
had had the privilege of listening to him. These, admirable as they may
be, it is unnecessary to reproduce in the present narrative. From the
remainder of this account it appears that Lorrain on the day after their
trial visited the prisoners, and “did pray with them and admonish them
to self examination and repentance,” that during his whole attendance on
them, which was “every day, both forenoon and afternoon” until the day
of execution, he “pressed upon them the acts of faith and repentance,
exhorting them to confess their crimes.” “I at last,” he says, “prevailed
on them to uncover and own those crimes which they had before so
industriously endeavoured to hide or excuse, particularly Captain Kidd,
who vainly flattering himself with hopes of a reprieve, deferred his
confession so long that there was hardly any time left for taking it in
any exactness or order.” (It is clear from the latter part of his account
that Kidd never confessed to any of the crimes of which he had been
convicted.) “Darby Mullins, one of the condemned pirates was of all the
rest the most ready and free to open himself to me: and therefore I shall
begin with his confession.” Let us see what the free and open confession
of this poor man amounted to and what were the heinous crimes, which he
had so industriously endeavoured to hide or excuse.
“I. _Darby Mullins_, about 40 years old, born in Ireland hard by
Mullingfelt, about 16 miles from Londonderry. He said he lived in his own
country and with his parents and followed the plough, while he was young,
but being kidnapped he was carried away into the West Indies, where he
served a planter for the space of four years. Afterwards he turned a
waterman, and followed several other employments in and about Jamaica.
And when the earthquake happened there he was miraculously preserved,
yet took no great notice of his deliverance, so as to be thankful (as he
ought) to God for it, which is now matter of trouble and grief to him.
After this earthquake he went to Kingston, a town in these parts, and
there he built himself a house and sold liquors, etc. Then he came to
New York, with his family in the _Charity_, Captain Sims commander, and
continued there two years. At the end of which he took his passage on
board _Captain Slade_ to the Madeiras, where he stayed but three weeks
and then returned to New York; and some time after having bury’d his
wife there, he was not able any longer to keep house; but apply’d himself
to carrying and fetching wood from place to place in a boat of his own,
about 20 tons. Then he left off this employment and engaged himself with
Captain Kidd and afterwards with Captain Culliford, not knowing but
that it was very lawful (as he said he was told) to plunder the enemies
of Christianity. But now he being shew’d that those were the greatest
enemies to Christ and his religion, who did such unaccountable things, as
he and his companions did, contrary to the laws of Christianity, which
they profess, he said he heartily begged pardon of God and the world for
it, and wished he had not been such an offender. He confessed he had been
a great sinner in that he had not served God as he should have done,
but far from that had of late very much given himself up to swearing,
cursing and profaning the Sabbath Day, which had deservedly brought this
calamity upon him. He seemed to be very penitent of the facts, for which
he was justly condemned, and prayed to God to forgive both these and the
other errors and miscarriages of his past life. He was a poor unlearned
person, not very much acquainted with the principles of religion. Yet he
was very willing to be directed and express’d great hopes that through
the merits of Christ he should find mercy and salvation.”
“II. _Captain William Kidd_, condemned for murder and piracy. He was
about 56 years of age. I found him very unwilling to confess the crime
he was convicted of, or to declare anything, other than that he had been
a great offender, and lived without any due consideration either of
God’s mercys or judgments, or of his wonderful works which had so often
been set before him. That he” (like Mullins) “never remembered to have
returned Him thanks for the many great deliverances he had received from
him, or call’d himself to account for what he had done. But now he owns
that God is a just God, and he is a vile and wretched sinner. He says
he repents of all his sins and hopes to be saved through the merits of
Christ. He further declares that he dies in charity with all the world.”
So far, it is clear, he had made no confession either of murder or piracy.
“On the day being the day of execution, I went betimes to these condemned
persons, and had them up to the Chappel both morning and afternoon,
where having given them further admonitions to Faith and Repentance,
they seemed to me very desirous and earnestly striving to die in God’s
favour. Only I was afraid the hardness of Captain Kidd’s heart was still
unmelted. I therefore apply’d myself with particular exhortations to him”
(‘the innocentest person of them all,’ to quote his own words) “and laid
the judgment of God against impenitent and hardened sinners, as well
as his tender mercies to those that were true and sincere penitents,
very plainly before him. To all which he readily assented and said that
he truly repented of all his sins, and forgave all the world: and I was
in good hopes that he did so. But having left him to go a little before
him to the place of execution, I found to my unspeakable grief, when he
was brought thither, that he was inflamed with drink,” (Some kind fellow
countryman had possibly given the poor old man a wee drappie of which
he must have stood sorely in need, after all these exhausting religious
exercises and his confinement for over a year in Newgate), “which had
so discompos’d his mind that it was now in a very ill frame, and very
unfit for the great work now or never to be perform’d by him. I prayed
for him, and so did other worthy divines that were present, to whom as
well as to myself the Captain appeared to be much out of order, and not
so concerned or affected as he ought to have been. ’Tis true he spoke
some words expressing his confidence in God’s mercys through Christ,
and likewise declared that he died in Charity with all the world. But
still I suspected his sincerity” (Why?) “because he was more reflective
upon others than upon himself” (as he might well be) “and would still
endeavour to lay his faults upon his crew and others, going about to
excuse and justify himself much about the same manner, as he did upon
his trial. When I left him at Newgate he told me he would make a full
confession at the tree,” (so he did, of everything he had to confess)
“but instead of that he was unwilling (contrary to my expectation) to
own the justice of his condemnation or so much as the providence of
God, who for his sins had deservedly brought him to this untimely end.
I continued to pray for him and the rest, who (to outward appearance)
were very humble and penitent, particularly Darby Mullins, who persisted
in asserting what he had told me before and said it was the truth and
he had nothing to add to or diminish from it. This being done and the
Captain having warned all mariners of ships and others to have a care
of themselves, and take warning from him” (the words of his warning
were very significant as will be seen below) “I then sang with them a
Penitential Psalm, and after another short prayer, recommending them to
God, I parted with them and left them to the Divine Mercy. And then they
were turned off.”
“But here I must take notice of a remarkable (and I hope a most lucky)
accident which then did happen,” (it may be doubted whether the reverend
gentleman would have considered it so lucky if it had befallen himself)
“which was this, that the rope by which Captain Kidd was ty’d broke, and
so falling to the ground he was taken up alive, and by this means had
opportunity to consider more of that Eternity he was launching into.
When he was brought up and ty’d again to the tree, I desired leave to
go to him again, which was granted. Then I showed him the great mercy of
God in giving him unexpectedly this further respite, that so he might
improve the few moments left now so mercifully allowed him in perfecting
his Faith and Repentance. Now I found him in much better temper than
before. But as I was unwilling, and the station also very incommodious
and improper for me to offer anything to him by way of question, that
might have perhaps discomposed his spirit, so I contented myself to
press him to embrace (before it was too late) the Mercy of God now again
offered him upon the easy conditions of Stedfast Faith, True Repentance
and Perfect Charity, which now he did so fully and freely express, that I
hope he was hearty and sincere in it, declaring openly that he repented
with all his heart, and dy’d in Christian Love and Charity with all the
world” (as he had repeatedly said before). “This he said, as he was on
the top of the ladder (the scaffold being now broken down) and myself
halfway on it, as close to him as I could, who having for the last time
prayed with him, left him with a greater satisfaction than I had before,
that he was penitent.”
From the later account above referred to which purports to be “The only
True Account of the Dying Speeches of the Condemned Pirates,” and is
possibly a revised edition of the earlier account by Paul Lorrain, we
learn that “all the prisoners were conveyed from Newgate to the execution
dock in Wapping by the officers of the Admiralty and others, carrying
the Silver Oar before them according to the usual custom:” that Kidd’s
“behaviour in Newgate after condemnation was not so serious and devout as
became a person under his circumstances, but whether it proceeded from
an heroick temper in not seeming to be in any way terrified or afraid on
the approaches of death (tho’ in a violent manner) he being naturally of
an undaunted mind and resolution, or from a conceited hope of obtaining
a reprieve, there being great endeavours tho’ in vain used for that
purpose, is yet unknown.”
The author of this account also informs us that Kidd “could hardly be
brought to a charitable reconciliation with those persons, who were
evidences against him alleging that they deposed many things that were
inconsistent with truth and that much of their evidence was by hearsay:
and in the general part of his discourse seemed not only to reflect on
them _but on several others, who instead of being his friends as they
professed, had traitorously been instrumental in his ruin_!” “He further
declared that as to the death of William Moore, his gunner, the blow that
he gave him, it was in a passion, as being provoked by him to do so, but
not with an intention of any manifest injury, much less to kill or murder
him. Nay, he was so far from bearing any malice against him, that he
freely gave £200 for his ransom, and further said that all his sailors
knew he always had a great love and respect for him; adding that if any
one concerned in his tryal had acted contrary to the dictates of his or
their own conscience he heartily forgave them, and desired that God would
do the like.” “He expressed abundance of sorrow for leaving his wife and
children without having the opportunity of taking leave of them, they
being inhabitants in New York. So that the thoughts of his wife’s sorrow
at the sad tidings of his shameful death was more occasion of grief to
him than that of his own sad misfortunes.” “_He desired all seamen in
general, more especially Captains in particular to take warning by his
dismal unhappiness and shameful death and that they would avoid the means
and occasions that brought him thereto, and also that they would act
with more caution and prudence, both in their private and public affairs
by sea and land, adding that this was a very fickle and faithless
generation._” (He had undoubtedly found it so.) “After he had ended his
discourse to the people, he spent the rest of his time in Prayer and
other pious and Godly exercises with the Ordinary of Newgate and other
ministers: and at last seemed very devout and penitent, expressing his
hearty sorrow for his manifest transgressions, especially the unhappy and
sudden death of William Moore his gunner--but would not call it murder to
the very last, esteeming it rather an accidental misfortune than a murder
by reason that there was but one blow given and that in passion without
any premeditated malice.”
No reference is made in this account to Kidd’s being “inflamed with
drink.” It is clear from it that whether or not he had been given a
drop of whiskey on his way to execution, he was to the end in the full
possession of his faculties.
The only member of his crew who was hung with him was poor Darby
Mullins, the remainder being at the last moment reprieved. Why Mullins,
who had surrendered himself to the Governor of East Jersey along with
two others, relying on the King’s proclamation, was selected as Kidd’s
fellow-sufferer, is not clear. It is true that he was an Irishman, and in
the opinion of the chaplain in a better frame of mind to meet his death
than any of his companions: but neither of these circumstances in itself
seems quite a satisfactory justification for hanging him. He had no doubt
joined Culliford, unquestionably by far the most guilty of all the seamen
implicated, but for whose presence at Madagascar, when the _Adventure
Galley_ arrived there, Kidd in all probability would have been able to
bring his prizes home before the hue and cry had been raised against
him. But Culliford, though indicted for several piracies about the same
time as Kidd, apparently escaped scot free, having been clever enough
to save his neck by surrendering to the right persons under the King’s
proclamation, and to secure the services of a counsel who did not fail to
put in an appearance on his behalf, when his case came on for hearing;
the result of which was that “his case” (according to a note in the State
Trials) “being particular and argued by Counsel he was respited.”
To come now to the last painful incident in this disgraceful tragedy. The
day after Kidd’s corpse had been hung aloft in chains on the gallows,
Somers dared at last to break the silence he had so long maintained and
to put in his reply to the Articles of Impeachment brought against him by
the Commons. The allegations he had to meet were that in the grant of the
goods of the pirates to the co-adventurers, the name of Samuel Newton,
one of the Grantees, had been “used in trust and for the sole benefit of”
himself: that “the grant manifestly tended to the obstruction of trade
and navigation, the great loss and prejudice of merchants and others,
His Majesty’s subjects, and the dishonour of the King and his Kingdom:”
and that “by procuring and passing it,” he had been guilty of a notorious
breach of his duty. In his reply he was forced to admit that Newton had
been named in the grant, “by and in trust for him,” and was apparently
unable to give any excuse whatever for this discreditable deception. He
pleaded that the grant “did not in any way tend to the obstruction or
discouragement of trade or navigation, or to the loss or prejudice of His
Majesty’s subjects, nor to the dishonour of His Majesty or His Kingdom.”
He denied (and the denial implied what would be considered in these days
a very low estimate of official honesty) that the passing of the grant
was any breach of duty, inasmuch as it “was formed as a recompense to the
grantees, who at their own charge had provided and fitted out the said
Ship” (the _Adventure Galley_) to enable Kidd “to execute the powers in
the said grant mentioned, _whereby the public might have received great
benefit had the said William Kidd faithfully discharged the trust reposed
in him by His Majesty and the Grantees, which he failing to do, the
owners of the said ship had lost their expenses, and had not received any
benefit from the grant_.”
As a matter of fact, it may well be doubted whether any of the grantees,
excepting Kidd and Livingstone, lost any part of their expenses. As
has already been shown, one of the conditions on which their legal
advisers had been careful to insist had been that if the prize moneys
were insufficient to make good the full amount advanced by the grantees,
other than Kidd and Livingstone, the deficiency was to be made good by
Kidd and Livingstone, both of them men of substance. We have seen with
what eagerness, and with what disastrous results to Kidd, Livingstone
had endeavoured to get his bond restored to him by Bellamont. That
Kidd’s estate of itself, notwithstanding the fact that he was unable in
Newgate to get funds for his defence until the night before his trial,
was sufficient to have covered any loss sustained by the great men, who
had exploited him, is clear from the fact that of his effects forfeited
to the Crown, six thousand four hundred and seventy-one pounds were
afterwards given by Queen Anne towards the establishment of Greenwich
hospital.[14] But whether or not these great men found it inconvenient to
reclaim their one thousand pounds apiece, it is impossible to doubt that
when making this cruelly unjust charge of faithlessness against Kidd the
day after his death, Somers was fully acquainted with the essential facts
of the case. It is incredible that he had not read Kidd’s narrative,
the depositions of his men, and Bellamont’s correspondence, and that he
was not cognizant of all the proceedings at Kidd’s trial, the keeping
back of the French passes by the Admiralty officials: the failure of
Kidd’s counsel to put in an appearance on the critical day when he was
tried for piracy; the break-down of the most material parts of the
King’s evidence; and the manner in which the trials had been conducted
throughout by the Lord Chief Baron. It is to be feared that he not only
knew all this, but that his was the unseen master hand that had held the
strings, which had been so skilfully and ruthlessly manipulated as to
bring about Kidd’s death so opportunely by the verdicts of London juries.
If this be so, what is to be said of the Whig historians, who have dealt
with Kidd’s case? Is it possible to believe in the face of indisputably
recorded facts, that Somers really was the immaculate politician of his
day depicted for us by Macaulay, “whose integrity,” we have been assured,
“was ever certain to come forth bright and pure from the most severe
investigation”? In the foregoing pages an attempt has been made, it is
believed for the first time, to allow the personages who took part in
this melancholy business to speak for themselves, so far as the extant
records permit. Hitherto by a conspiracy of silence, their voices have
been hushed, and the facts of the case studiously suppressed or perverted
by eminent advocates, who have thought it necessary, if the memories
of Somers and his colleagues were to be cleansed from the stigma which
clung to them in their own day from the part they took in it, that
Kidd’s reputation should be blackened, and that he should be depicted as
a villain of the deepest dye, whom, on account of his unexceptionable
antecedents, these great men were fully justified in employing, but whose
character underwent so rapid a deterioration after he had once come into
contact with them, that he betrayed them for the purpose of enriching
himself with spoils, of which as a matter of fact he stood in little
need and which he made no effort to secure for himself. He has been
represented by Macaulay not only as a rapacious pirate, but also as a
monster of cruelty, who for his own ends depraved his crew and led them
into every kind of wickedness. To quote but one passage from Macaulay’s
indefensible and inexcusable travesty, “With the rapacity he had the
cruelty of his odious calling. He burnt houses: he massacred peasantry.
His prisoners were tied up and beaten with naked cutlasses, in order to
obtain information about their concealed hoards. One of his crew, whom he
had called a dog, was provoked into exclaiming in an agony of remorse,
‘Yes, I am a dog: but it is you that have made me so.’ Kidd in a fury
struck the man dead.”
These accusations have obtained ready credence; but their absurdity will
be evident to any one who will take the pains to examine the records.
There is no reason whatever for believing that Kidd was cruel or
rapacious. The only ground for suggesting that “he massacred peasantry”
is the one case, when his cooper’s throat having been cut by the natives,
he retaliated by ordering one native to be shot. This was the only time
when it was ever alleged in his own day that he had burnt houses: and we
have it on the authority of Palmer, the King’s evidence against him, that
on this occasion Kidd had given express orders to his men to spare the
houses that had white flags hoisted on them, because their inmates had
helped to water his ship. The episode on the strength of which Macaulay
accuses him of causing his prisoners to be beaten with cutlasses, in
order to extort from them information as to their concealed hoards, has
already been explained. The men in question were not his prisoners. He
allowed them to proceed peacefully on their voyage, and their ship was
not taken from them. Kidd never went on board of her, much less did he
give directions to his crew to ill-use them. Questioned as to whether any
gold had been taken from them, Palmer freely admitted that he did not see
any. Asked further by Kidd, whether it was not the case that a parcel of
rogues had gone on board and done the deed complained of, he virtually
admitted that it was so by making no reply. In the matter of cruelty
there is a marked difference between the reported doings of Kidd and of
the pirates of whom the East India Company were repeatedly complaining.
In these complaints mention is often made of the outrages committed: but
in the case of Kidd the Company made no complaint of similar misdeeds.
From all that can be learned of him, he seems to have been a kind-hearted
man. There is no reason to doubt the truth of his dying statement that
he had paid two hundred pounds for his gunner Moore’s ransom, probably
on the occasion when the natives had cut his cooper’s throat. One of
the reasons which led Bellamont to employ him is stated by Bellamont’s
apologist to have been Kidd’s well-known affection for his wife and
family, which was also relied on by Bellamont as being strong enough to
prevent him from attempting to escape by forsaking them on his return.
And we have it on the record of a witness who certainly had no bias
in his favour that his chief solicitude in Newgate after he had been
sentenced to death was for them and not for himself.
The suggestion that Moore, when knocked on the head by Kidd, was “in an
agony of remorse” for acts of piracy which Kidd had led him to commit, is
almost too ludicrous to call for comment. It is absolutely clear from the
evidence of every witness of the occurrence that so far from Kidd having
led Moore astray, Moore had vainly endeavoured to induce Kidd to become a
pirate, and that it was his failure to succeed in this endeavour that led
to the altercation which ended in his death.
But the most flagrant fiction fabricated by a Whig historian in relation
to poor Kidd, is not to be found in Macaulay’s history, but in the pages
of a grave historical work, compiled by an eminent lawyer, who in his
day had filled not only the office of Lord Chief Justice, but also that
of Lord Chancellor. That great legal luminary, Lord Campbell, in his
“Life of Somers” has not hesitated to insert a circumstantial fable
to the effect that Kidd was caught red-handed on the high seas in the
midst of his criminal career. In the fifth volume of his “Lives of the
Chancellors,” pages 126 and 127, he tells the tale thus: “A noble vessel
called the _Adventure Galley_ was fitted out, and the command of her
given to William Kidd, a naval officer, esteemed for honour as well as
for gallantry. On arriving in the Indian Seas, he turned pirate himself,
and cruised against the commerce of all nations indiscriminately, till
after a sharp engagement with an English frigate in which several fell
on both sides, he was captured and brought home in irons.” To such depths
can history sink when written by political partisans of the highest rank
and respectability.
APPENDIX A
1. COPY OF GRANT OF PIRATES’ GOODS
2. ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN BELLAMONT, LIVINGSTONE, AND KIDD
3. KIDD’S SAILING ORDERS
APPENDIX A
1. COPY OF GRANT OF PIRATES’ GOODS
_William_ the Third, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland,
France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc., To our Right-trusty and
Well-beloved Counsellor, Sir John Somers, Knight, our Keeper of our Great
Seal of England, Greeting.
We will and command you, That, under our said Great Seal of England, in
your custody being, you cause these our letters to be made forth Patents,
in Form following:
_William the Third_, by the Grace of God, etc., To all to whom these
Presents shall come, or may in any wise concern, Greeting. Whereas upon
divers Complaints and Informations to Us made, That _Thomas Too_, _John
Ireland_, _Thomas Wake_, _William Mace_, alias _Maze_, and divers other
our Subjects, Natives or Inhabitants of _New England_, _New York_, and
elsewhere in our Plantations in _America_, had associated themselves with
divers other wicked and ill-disposed Persons, in order to commit, and
did frequently commit, many great Piracies, Robberies and Depredations,
upon the Seas in the Parts of America, and in other Parts and places; in
Violation of the Laws of Nations; to the Obstruction and Discouragement
of Trade and Navigation; and to the Loss and Prejudice of our Subjects,
and the Subjects of our Friends and Allies; and also to the Dishonouring
of our Royal Authority, in case any of our Subjects, guilty of such
great and detestable Enormities, should go unpunished; We did, by our
Commission under our Great Seal of _England_, bearing Date the 26th Day
of _January_, in the Seventh Year of our Reign, in order to bring the
said Pirates, Free-booters, and Sea Rovers, and their accomplices, to
Justice, give and grant full Power and Authority to Captain _William
Kidd_, Commander of the Ship _Adventure Galley_, and to the Commander
of the said Ship for the Time being, to apprehend, seize and take into
Custody, the said _Thomas Too_, _John Ireland_, _Tho Wake_, and _William
Maze_, and all other Pirates, Free-booters, and Sea Rovers, of what
Nation soever, whom he should find, or meet with, upon the said Coasts or
Seas of _America_, or in any other Seas or Parts, with their Ships and
Vessels, and all such Merchandise, Money, Goods, and Wares, as should be
found on board of them; and, in case of Resistance, to fight with, and
compel the said Pirates, Free-booters, and Sea Rovers, to yield; and them
to bring or cause to be brought, to a legal Tryal, to the end they might
forthwith suffer condign Punishment, according to their Demerits: And
we did also, by the same Commission, require the said Captain _William
Kidd_ to keep an exact Journal of his Proceedings, in relation to the
Execution of our Royal Pleasure in the said Premises; and therein to set
down the Names of such Pirates, and of their Ships and Vessels, as he
should, as aforesaid, seize or take; and also to specify the Quantities
and Particulars of the Arms, Ammunition, Provision, and Loading, of
such Ships, and the true Values thereof: And whereas the said Ship
_Adventure Galley_ was, with our Knowledge, and Royal Encouragement,
fitted out to Sea, for the Purposes aforesaid, at the great and sole
charges of our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin _Richard_ Earl
of Bellamont in the Kingdom of Ireland, and our trusty and well-beloved
_Edmund Harrison_, Merchant, _Samuel Newton_, Gentleman, _William Rowley_
Gentleman, _George Watson_ Gentleman, and _Thomas Renolls_, of St.
Martins: Now know ye, that We, out of due Regard to the Premises, and
being graciously inclined that so chargeable an Undertaking, tending to
such good and laudable Ends, should have meet and proper Encouragement
and Reward; of our special Grace, certain Knowledge, and mere Motion have
given and granted, and by these Presents do give and grant, unto the
said _Richard_ Earl of _Bellamont_, _Edmund Harrison_, _Samuel Newton_,
_William Rowley_, _George Watson_, and _Thomas Renolls_, their Heirs,
Executors, and Assigns, all and whatsoever Ships, Vessels, Goods, and
Merchandizes, and Treasure, and other Things whatsoever, which since the
Thirtieth Day of _April_, Anno Domini, 1690, have been taken or seized
upon or with, or did belong to, or which shall be taken or seized upon
or with, or which do or shall belong to the said _Thomas Too_, _John
Ireland_, _Thomas Wake_, _Wm. Maze_ or their Adherents, or any other
Pirates, Free-booters, and Sea Rovers, by the said Captain _William
Kidd_, or other Commander of the said _Adventure Galley_, or which by, or
by means of the said Ship or Galley, shall be taken, or forced ashore,
in any of our Plantations in _America_, or other our Dominions; as far
as the said Premises, or any of them, do, shall, or may belong to Us, or
can or may be granted or grantable by Us, or is or are in our Power to
dispose of, in Right of our Crown of _England_, or as Perquisites of our
Admiralty, or otherwise howsoever, and all our Right, Title, Interest,
Claim and Demand whatsoever, of, in or unto the same, and every Part
thereof; To have, hold, take, receive, and enjoy the said Ships, Vessels,
Goods, Merchandizes, Treasure, and all and singular other the Premises
hereinbefore-mentioned, and intended to be hereby granted, and every of
them, and every Part and Parcel thereof, or such and so many of them,
are, can or may be, in any manner granted or grantable by Us, unto the
said _Richard_ Earl of _Bellamont_ _Edmund Harrison_, _Sam Newton_,
_Wm. Rowley_, _George Watson_, and _Thomas Renolls_, their Executors,
Administrators and Assigns, to their sole Use and Benefit, and as their
own proper Goods and Chattels, without any Account thereof and therefore
to be made or rendered to Us, our Heirs and Successors: And We do hereby
for Us, our Heirs and Successors, charge and command the Commissioners
of our Treasury now being, and the High Treasurer, or Commissioners
of our Treasury for the Time being, and all other our officers of our
Revenue, our Commissioners for executing the office of Lord High Admiral
of England, now, and for the Time being, and all other our Admirals,
Vice Admirals, Judge and Judges of our Court and Courts of Admiralty,
Governors of all and every our Colonies, Islands and Plantations in
_America_, Magistrates, Officials Military and Civil, and all other our
loving Subjects whatsoever, That they be aiding and assisting in all and
every matters and Things, as to them respectively shall appertain, as
well as to the said Captain _Wm. Kidd_, in the seizing, apprehending,
taking and securing, the said Pirates and their Ships and Vessels, and
other the Premises hereinbefore mentioned, and intended to be hereby
granted, every or any one of them, and in bringing the said offenders to
Justice; as also unto the said Captain _Wm. Kidd_, and all others whom it
may concern, in the seizing, securing, and delivering to them, the said
_Richard_ Earl of _Bellamont_, _Edmund Harrison_, _Samuel Newton_, _Wm.
Rowley_, _Geo. Watson_, and _Tho. Renolls_, their assigns, Agents, and
Servants, all and every the said Ships, Vessels, Goods, Merchandizes,
Treasure, and other Things hereinbefore mentioned, and intended to be
hereby granted, according to the true Intent and meaning hereof; and
in such manner, as may most effectually contribute to the putting in
Execution our gracious Intentions in and about the Premises, for and on
the behalf of the said _Richard_ Earl of _Bellamont_, _Edmund Harrison_,
_William Newton_, _William Rowley_, _Geo. Watson_, and _Thomas Renolls_;
And lastly, We do hereby declare and grant, That these our Letters
Patents, or the Enrollment thereof, shall be, in and by all Things, firm,
good, valid, sufficient, and effectual in the Law, notwithstanding the
not naming, or not rightly naming, the Premises, or any Part thereof, or
the true Value, or the Nature or Kind thereof; and notwithstanding the
not mentioning, or not rightly mentioning, the Names of the said Pirates,
Free-booters, and Sea Rovers, or any of them, or of the Possessors of the
said Sloops, Vessels, Merchandizes, Goods, Treasure, and Premises, or
any Part or Parcel thereof; and notwithstanding the ill naming, or not
naming, or any Seas, Havens, Countries, or Places, wherein, or in which,
the Premises hereby granted, or any Part or Parcel thereof, is or are,
shall or may be found; and notwithstanding any mis-recital, non-recital,
Incertainty, Defect, or Imperfection, whatsoever. In witness, etc.,
Witness, etc., Given under our Privy Seal, at our Palace of
_Westminster_, the 30th Day of April, in the Ninth Year of our Reign.
THO. WATKINS.
Recepi vicesimo septimo
Die. Maii 1697
2. ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN BELLAMONT, LEVINGSTON AND KIDD
Articles of Agreement, made this 10th Day of October 1695, between the
Right Honourable _Richard_, Earl of _Bellamont_, of the one Part; and
_Robert Levingston_ Esquire, and Captain _William Kidd_, of the other
part.
Whereas the said Captain _Kidd_ is desirous to obtain a Commission as
Captain of a private Man of War, in order to take Prizes from the King’s
Enemies, and otherwise to annoy them: And whereas also, certain Persons
did some time since depart from _New England_, _Rhode Island_, _New
York_, and other Parts in _America_, and elsewhere, with an Intention to
become Pirates, and to commit spoils and Depredations against the Law of
Nations, in the _Red Sea_ or elsewhere, and to return, with such Goods
and Riches as they shall get, to certain Places by them agreed upon, of
which said Persons and Places the said Captain _Kidd_ hath Notice, and
is desirous to fight with and subdue the said Pirates, as also all other
Pirates, with whom the said Captain Kidd shall meet at Sea, in case he
be employed to do; And whereas it is agreed between the said Parties,
That for the Purposes aforesaid, a good and sufficient Ship to the Liking
of the said Captain Kidd, shall be forthwith bought, whereof the said
Captain Kidd, is to have the Command. Now these Present witness, and it
is agreed between the said Parties:
1. The said Earl of _Bellamont_ doth covenant and agree at his
proper charge, to procure from the King’s Majesty, or from the Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty, as the Case shall require, One or more
Commissions, impowering him the said Captain _Kidd_ to Act against the
King’s Enemies, and to take Prizes from them, as a private man of War in
the usual manner; and also to fight with, conquer, and subdue Pirates;
and to take them and their Goods, with such other large and beneficial
Powers, and Clauses in such Commissions, as may be most proper and
effectual in such cases.
2. The said Earl doth covenant and agree, That within Three months after
the said Captain _Kidd’s_ departure from England for the Purpose in these
Presents mentioned, he will procure, at his proper charge, a Grant from
the King, to be made to some indifferent and Trusty Person, of all such
Goods, Merchandizes, Treasure and other Things, as shall be taken from
the said Pirates, or any other Pirates whatsoever, by the said Captain
_Kidd_, or by the said Ship, or any other Ship or Ships under his Command.
3. The said Earl doth agree to pay Four Fifth Parts, the Whole in Five
Parts to be divided, of all Monies, which shall be laid out for the
buying such good and sufficient Ship for the Purposes aforesaid, together
with Rigging and other Apparel and Furniture thereof, and providing the
same with competent Victualing, the said Ship to be approved of by the
said Parties; and the said other Fifth Part of the charges of the said
Ship to be paid by the said Robert Levingston and _William Kidd_.
4. The said Earl doth agree, That in order to the speedy buying of
the said Ship, and in Part of the said Four Parts of Five of the said
Charges, he will pay down the Sum of 1,600_l._ by Way of Advance, on or
before the 6th Day of November next ensuing.
5. The said _Robert Levingston_ and Captain _William Kidd_ do jointly
and severally covenant and agree, That on or before the said 6th Day of
_November_, when the said Earl of Bellamont is to pay the said sum of
1,600_l._ as aforesaid, they will advance and pay down 400_l._ in Part of
the Share and Proportion which they are to have in the said Ship.
6. The said Earl doth agree to pay such further Sum of Money, as shall
complete, and make up, the said Four Parts of Five, of the Charges of
the said Ship’s Apparel, Furniture and Victualing, unto the said Robert
Levingston and William Kidd, within Seven Weeks after the Date of these
Presents, and, in the like manner, the said _Robert Levingston_ and
_William Kidd_, do agree to pay such further Sum as shall amount to a
Fifth Part of the whole charge of the said Ship, within Seven Weeks after
the Date of these Presents.
7. The said Captain _Kidd_ doth covenant and agree to procure and take
with him, on board the said Ship, one hundred Mariners and Seamen, or
thereabouts, and to make what reasonable and convenient Speed he can to
set out to Sea with the said Ship; and to sail to such Places or Parts
where he may meet with the said Pirates; and to use his utmost Endeavour
to meet with, conquer and subdue the said Pirates, or any other Pirates;
and to take from them their Goods, Merchandizes and Treasure; also to
take what Prizes he can from the King’s Enemies, and forthwith to make
the best of his Way to _Boston_ in _New England_; and that without
touching at any Port or Harbour whatsoever, or without breaking Bulk, or
diminishing any Part of what he shall take or obtain, on any Pretence
whatsoever; of which he shall make Oath, in case the same shall be
desired by the said Earl of Bellamont; and there to deliver the same into
the hands or Possession of the said Earl.
8. The said Captain _Kidd_ doth agree, That the Contract and Bargain
which he will make with the said Ship’s Crew, shall be, No Purchase, No
Pay; and not otherwise: And that the Share and Proportion which his said
Crew shall, by such Contract, have of such Prizes, Goods, Merchandizes,
and Treasure, as he shall take as Prize, or from any Pirates, shall not,
at the most, exceed a Fourth Part of the same; and shall be less than a
Fourth Part, in case the same may reasonably and conveniently be agreed
upon.
9. The said Robert Levingston, and Captain Wm. Kidd, do jointly and
severally agree with the said Earl of Bellamont, That in case the said
Captain Kidd do not meet with the said Pirates, which went from _New
England_, _Rhode Island_, _New York_, or elsewhere, as aforesaid; or
do not take from any other Pirates, _or from any the King’s Enemies,
such Goods, Merchandizes, or other Things of Value, as being divided as
hereinafter is mentioned, shall fully recompense the said Earl, for the
monies by him expended in buying the said Four Fifth Parts of the said
Ship and Premises; that then they shall refund and repay to the said Earl
of Bellamont, the whole Money by him to be advanced, in Sterling Money,
or Money equivalent thereunto_, on or before the 25th Day of March which
shall in the Year of our Lord 1697; the Danger of the Seas, and of the
Enemy, and Mortality of the said Captain Kidd, always excepted: _Upon
Payment whereof, the said Robert Levingston and Captain Kidd are to have
the sole Property in the said Ship and Furniture; and this Indenture
to be delivered up to them, with all other Covenants and obligations
thereunto belonging_.
10. It is agreed between the said Parties, That as well the Goods,
Merchandizes, Treasure and other Things which shall be taken from the
said Pirates, or any Pirates, by the said William Kidd, as also all such
Prizes as shall be by him taken from any of the King’s Enemies, shall
be divided in manner following; that is to say, Such Part as shall be
for that Purpose agreed upon by the said Captain Kidd, so as the same do
not in the Whole exceed a Fourth Part, shall be paid or delivered to the
Ship’s Crew, for their Use; and the other Three Parts to be divided into
Five equal Parts, whereof the said Earl is to have, to his own Use, Four
full Parts, and the other Fifth Part is to be equally divided between
the said Robert Levingston and the said _Wm. Kidd_; and is to be paid
and delivered them by the said Earl of Bellamont, without Deduction or
Abatement or any Pretence whatsoever. But it is always to be understood,
that such Prizes as shall be taken from the King’s Enemies, are to be
lawfully adjudged Prizes, in the usual manner before any division, or
otherwise intermeddling therewith, than according to the true Interest of
the same Commission, to be granted in that behalf.
Lastly, it is covenanted and agreed between the Parties to these
Presents, That in case the said Captain _Wm. Kidd_ do bring to _Boston_
aforesaid, and there deliver to the Earl of _Bellamont_, Goods,
Merchandizes, Treasure and Prizes to the Value of 100,000_l._ or upwards,
which he shall have taken from the said Pirates, or from other Pirates,
or from the King’s Enemies; that then the Ship which is now speedily to
be bought by the said Parties, shall be and remain to the sole Use and
Behoof of him the said Captain _Kidd_, as a Reward and Gratification for
his Good Service therein.
BELLAMONT.
Memorandum.
Before the Sealing and Delivery of these Presents, it was covenanted and
agreed by the said Earl of Bellamont with the said _Robert Levingston_
Esquire and Captain _William Kidd_ That the Person to whom the Grant
above-mentioned in these articles shall be made by his Majesty, shall
within Eight Days at the most, after such Grant has passed the Great
Seal of _England_, assign and transfer to each of them, the said _Robert
Levingston_ Esquire, and Captain _William Kidd_, respectively, their
Heirs and Assigns, One full Tenth Part (the Ship’s Crew’s Share and
Proportion being first deducted) of all such Goods, Treasure or other
Things, as shall be taken by the said Captain Kidd, by virtue of such
Commission as aforesaid: And the said Grantee shall make such Assignment
as aforesaid, in such manner as by the said _Robert Levingston_ Esquire,
and Captain _William Kidd_, or their Counsel learned in the Law, shall be
reasonably devised and required: And then these Presents were sealed and
delivered, the Sixpenny Stamp being first affixed, in the Presence of us.
MARTHA BREKEN
JOHN MADDOCKE
JOHN MOULDER.
WHEREAS the necessary Fitting, Equipping and Outset, of the ADVENTURE
GALLEY, bought by the above-mentioned WM. KIDD, in pursuance of these
Articles, could not be completely finished and perfected within the time
thereby limited; and consequently, that all the several Sums of Money,
therein covenanted to be paid were not actually paid by all or any
the Parties to the above-written Covenants and Agreements, within the
Time thereby expressed, limited and directed; but that, nevertheless,
all the said Sums have since been paid; and the Ship bought for the
Voyage and Design expressed in these Articles, is now completely fitted
out and provided with all Things necessary, and lies ready to depart,
and that also the several Commissions have been obtained by the Earl
of _Bellamont_. It is hereby further mutually declared, covenanted and
agreed, by and between the abovesaid Right honourable _Richard_ Earl of
_Bellamont_, and _Robert Levingston_, and _William Kidd_, on behalf of
themselves, and all others concerned therein, That, notwithstanding the
Delay in the Dispatch of the said Ship or Galley, and of the Payments
of the Monies expressed in the above-mentioned Agreement, that, yet,
nevertheless, all and singular the several Agreements, articles and
Clauses, therein mentioned and intended, as hereby declared to be, and
are and shall be and remain in as full Force and Virtue, as if the said
Ship, and all the Sums of money, had been actually paid within the time
limited and directed by the said Articles, anything therein to contrary
notwithstanding.
Dated in London, the 20th Day of February 1695/6.
BELLAMONT.
Witness present at the Signing and Sealing thereof.
SARAH OAKLEY
JOHN STANLEY
3. KIDD’S SAILING ORDERS
LONDON, 25th February, 1695/6.
CAPTAIN WILLIAM KIDD,
You being now ready to sail, I do hereby desire and direct you, that
you and your Men do serve God in the best Manner you can: That you keep
good Order, and good Government, in your Ship: That you make the best of
your Way to the Place and Station where you are to put the Powers you
have in Execution: And, having effected the same, You are, according
to Agreement, to sail directly to _Boston_ in _New England_, there
to deliver unto me the Whole of what Prizes, Treasure, Merchandizes,
and other Things, you shall have taken by virtue of the Powers and
Authorities granted you: But if, after the Success of your Design,
you shall fall in with any English Fleet bound for England, having
good convoy, you are, in such case to keep them Company, and bring all
Your Prizes to _London_, notwithstanding any Covenant to the contrary
in our Articles of Agreement. Pray fail not to give Advice, by all
Opportunities, how the Galley proves; how your Men stand, what Progress
you make; and, in general, of all remarkable Passages in your Voyage, to
the time of your Writing. Direct your Letters to Mr. _Edmund Harrison_. I
pray God grant you good Success, and send us a good Meeting again.
BELLAMONT.
APPENDIX B
1. NARRATIVE OF HIS VOYAGE BY KIDD
2. THE EXAMINATION OF WILLIAM JINKINS, RICHARD BARLEYCORNE AND ROBERT
LUMLEY
3. THE EXAMINATION OF HUGH PARRATT
4. THE EXAMINATION OF GABRIEL LOFF
5. THE DEPOSITIONS OF ABEL OWEN AND SAMUEL ARRIS, ENGLISH SMITH, HUMPHRY
CLAY AND HUGH PARRATT
APPENDIX B
1. A Copy of a Narrative of the Voyage of Captain William Kidd, Commander
of the “Adventure Galley,” from London to the East Indies.
BOSTON, 17th July, 1699. Mr. John Gardner of Gardner’s Island presented
this note to His Excellency in Council, which he made oath was delivered
to him by Captain Kidd, as was wrote with the said Kidd’s own hand on
board his sloop, and all the particulars therein mentioned were committed
to his custody.
Examined by Isa Addington Secretary.
That the Journal of the said Captain _Kidd_, being violently taken from
him in the Port of St. Marie’s in Madagascar, and his Life being many
times threatened to be taken away from him by Ninety-Seven of his Men
that deserted him there, he cannot give that exact Account he otherwise
could have done: but as far as his Memory will serve, is as followeth,
viz.,
That the said _Adventure Galley_ was launched in _Castle’s_ Yard at
_Deptford_, about the Fourth of _December_ 1695; and about the latter end
of _February_ the said Galley came to the _Buoy in the Nore_: and about
the 1st Day of _March_ following, his Men were pressed for him for the
Fleet; which caused him to stay there for Nineteen Days; and then sailed
for the _Donnes_, and arrived there about the Eighth or the Tenth Day of
_April_ 1696; and sailed thence for _Plymouth_; and on the Twenty-third
Day of the said month of _April_ he sailed on his intended Voyage: and,
some time in the month of _May_, met with a small French Vessel, with
Salt and Fishing Tackle on board, bound for _Newfoundland_, which he
took and made Prize of, and carried the same into _New York_, about the
Fourth Day of _July_, when she was condemned as lawful Prize: The Produce
whereof purchased provisions for the said Galley, and for her further
intended Voyage.
That about the Sixth Day of _September_ 1696, the said Captain Kidd
sailed for the _Maderas_, in company with one Joyner, Master of a
Brigantine belonging to _Bermudas_, and arrived there about the 8th Day
of _October_ following: and thence to _Bonavista_, where they arrived
about the nineteenth of the said month, and took in some Salt, and stayed
Three or Four Days; and sailed thence to _St. Jago_, and arrived there
the Twenty-fourth of the said Month, where he took in some Water, and
stayed about Eight or Nine Days; and thence sailed for the _Cape of
Good Hope_; and in the Latitude of Thirty-two, on the Twelfth Day of
_December_ 1696, met with Four English Men of War: Captain _Warren_
was Commodore; and sailed a week in their Company; and then parted,
and sailed to Telere, a Port in the _Island of Madagascar_, and being
there about the Twenty-ninth Day of January, came in a Sloop belonging
to _Barbadoes_, loaded with Rum, Sugar, Powder and Shot, one _French_
Master, and Mr. _Hatton_ and Mr. _John Batt_, Merchants; and the said
Hatton came on board the said Galley, and was suddenly taken ill and
died in the Cabin: And, about the latter end of _February_, sailed for
the _Island of Johanna_, the said Sloop keeping Company, and arrived
there about the Eighteenth Day of _March_; where he found Four East India
Merchantsmen outward bound; and watered there all together, and staid
about Four Days: And from thence, about the Twenty-second of _March_,
sailed for _Mehila_, an Island Ten Leagues distant from _Johanna_, where
he arrived the next Morning, and there careened the said Galley; and
about Fifty men died there in a Week’s Time.
That on the 25th Day of _April_ 1697, set sail for the Coast of India,
and came upon the Coast of _Mallabar_, the Beginning of the Ninth of
_September_; and went into _Carwarr_ upon that Coast about the middle
of the same Month, and watered there: And the Gentlemen of the English
factory gave the Narrator an account, That the _Portuguese_ were fitting
out Two Men of War to take him; and advised him to put out to Sea, and to
take Care of himself from them, and immediately to set sail thereupon; …
about the 12th of the said month of _September_; and the next morning,
about Break of Day saw the said Two Men of War standing for the said
Galley; and spoke with him and asked him, Whence he was? Who replied
from _London_; and they returned answer, From _Goa_; and so parted,
wishing each other a good Voyage; And making still along the Coast, the
Commodore of the said Man of War kept dogging the said Galley all the
Night, waiting an Opportunity to board her; and in the Morning, without
speaking a Word, Fired Six great Guns at the Galley, some whereof went
through her, and wounded Four of his Men; and thereupon he fired upon him
again; and the Fight continued all Day; and the narrator had Eleven Men
wounded: the other _Portuguese_ man of War lay some Distance off, and
could not come up with the Galley, being calm; else would have likewise
assaulted the same; the said Fight was sharp, and the said _Portuguese_
left the said Galley with such Satisfaction, that the Narrator believes
no _Portuguese_ will ever attack the King’s Colours again, in that Part
of the World especially. And afterwards continued upon the same Coast,
cruising upon the coast of _Cameroone_, for Pirates that frequent that
Coast, till the Beginning of the month of _November_ 1697, When he met
with Captain _How_ in the _Loyal_ Captaine, an _English_ Ship belonging
to _Maderas_, bound to _Surratt_, whom he examined; and finding his Pass
good, designed to freely to let her pass about her Affairs; but, having
Two _Dutchmen_ on board, they told the Narrator’s Men, That they had
divers _Greeks_ and _Armenians_ on board, who had divers precious Stones
and divers other rich Goods on board, which caused his Men to be very
mutinous, and got up their Arms, and swore they would take the Ship: and
two-thirds of his Men voted for the same: The narrator told them, the
small Arms belonged to the Galley, and that he was not come to take any
_Englishmen_, or lawful Traders; and that if they attempted any such
thing, they should never come on board the Galley again, nor have the
Boat, or small Arms; for he had no Commission to take any but the King’s
Enemies, and Pirates, and that he would attack them with the Galley,
and drive them into _Bombay_; the other being a Merchantman, and having
no Guns, might easily have done it with a few Hands; and, with all the
Arguments and Menaces he could use, could scarce restrain them from their
unlawful Design; but at last I prevailed, and with much ado I got him
clear, and let him go about his Business. All which the said Captain
_How_ will attest, if living.
And that, about the 18th or 19th Day of the said month of _November_,
met with a _Moors_ Ship of about 200 Tons coming from _Surratt_, bound
to the Coast of _Mallabar_, loaded with Two Horses, Sugar and Cotton, to
trade there having about Forty _Moors_ on board, with a _Dutch_ Pilot,
Boatswain, and Gunner; which said Ship the Narrator haled, and commanded
on board; and with him came Eight or Nine _Moors_, and the said Three
_Dutchmen_, who declared it was a _Moors_ Ship; and demanding their pass
from _Surrat_, which they shewed; and the same was a _French_ Pass, which
he believes was shewn by a Mistake; for the Pilot swore Sacrament she was
a Prize, and staid on board the Galley; and would not return on board
the Moor Ship; but went in the Galley to the Port of _St. Marie_.
And that, about the First Day of _February_ following, upon the same
Coast, under _French_ Colours with a Design to decoy, met with a Bengall
Merchantman belonging to _Surratt_, of the Burden of 4 or 500 Tons, 10
Guns; and he commanded the Master on board; and a _Frenchman_, Inhabitant
of _Surratt_, and belonging to the _French_ Factory there, and Gunner of
the said Ship, came on board as Master; and when he came on board, the
Narrator caused the _English_ Colours to be hoisted; and the said Master
was surprised, and said, You are all _English_; and asking, which was the
Captain? Whom when he saw, said, Here is a good Prize, and delivered him
the _French_ Pass.
And that, with the said Two Prizes, sailed for the Port of _St. Marie’s_
in _Madagascar_; and, sailing thither, the said Galley was so leaky,
that they feared she would have sunk every Hour, and it required Eight
men every Two Glasses to keep her free; and was forced to woold her round
with Cables to keep her together; and with much ado carried her into the
said Port of _St. Marie’s_, where she arrived about the First of _April_,
1698: And about the 6th day of _May_, the lesser Prize was haled into the
careening Island or Key, the other not being arrived; and ransacked and
sunk by the mutinous men; who threatened the Narrator, and the men that
would not join with them to burn and sink the other, that they might not
go home and tell the news.
And that, when he arrived in the said Port, there was a Pirate Ship,
called the _Moca_ Frigate, at an Anchor, _Robert Culliford_, Commander
thereof; who with his Men, left the same at his coming in, and ran into
the Woods: and the Narrator proposed to his Men to take the same, having
sufficient Power and Authority so to do; but the Mutinous Crew told
him, If he offered the same, they would rather fire Two Guns into him,
than one into the other; and thereupon Ninety-seven deserted, and went
into the _Moca_ Frigate, and sent into the Woods for the said Pirates,
and brought the said _Culliford_, and his Men, on board again; and all
the time she staid in the said Port, which was the Space of Four or Five
Days, the said Deserters, sometimes in great Numbers, came on board the
said Galley and _Adventure Prize_, and carried away great Guns, Powder,
Shot, small Arms, Sails, Anchors, Cables, Surgeons, Chests, and what else
they pleased; and threatened several times to murder the Narrator, as he
was informed, and advised to take care of himself; which they designed
in the Night to effect; but was prevented by him locking himself in his
Cabin at Night, and securing himself with barricading the same with Bales
of Goods; and, having about Forty small Arms, besides Pistols, ready
charged, kept them out; Their Wickedness was so great, after they had
plundered and ransacked sufficiently, went Four Miles off to one _Edward
Welche’s_ House, where his the Narrator’s Chest was lodged, and broke it
open; and took out Ten Ounces of Gold, 40 Pound of Plate, 370 Pieces of
Eight, the Narrator’s Journal, and a great many Papers that belonged to
him, and the People of _New York_ that fitted them out.
That about the 15th _June_, the _Moca_ Frigate went away, being manned
with about 130 Men, and Forty Guns, bound out to take all Nations: Then
it was that the Narrator was left with only Thirteen men; so that the
_Moors_ he had to pump and keep the _Adventure Galley_ above Water, being
carried away, she sunk in the Harbour; and the Narrator, with the said
Thirteen men, went on board the _Adventure Prize_; where he was forced
to stay Five Months for a Fair Wind; In the meantime, some Passengers
presented, that were bound for these Parts; which he took on board, to
help to bring the said _Adventure Prize_ home.
That, about the beginning of _April_, 1699, the Narrator arrived at
_Anguilla_ in the _West Indies_, and sent his Boat on Shore; where his
Men had the News That he and his People were proclaimed Pirates, which
put them into such Consternation, That they sought all Opportunity to run
the Ship on Shore upon some Reef or Shoal, fearing the Narrator should
carry them into some _English_ Port.
From _Anguilla_ they came to _St. Thomas’_; where his Brother-in-law
_Samuel Bradley_ was put on shore, being sick; and Five more went away,
and deserted him: Where he heard the same News, That the Narrator, and
his Company, were proclaimed Pirates, which incensed the People more and
more.
From _St. Thomas_ set sail for _Moona_, an Island between _Hispaniola_
and _Porto Rico_; where they met with a Sloop called the _St. Anthony_,
bound for _Antega_ from _Curaso_, Mr. Wm. _Boulton_ Merchant, and
_Samuel Wood_, Master: The men on board then swore, they would bring the
Ship no further. The Narrator then sent the said Sloop _St. Anthony_
for _Curaso_, for Canvas to make Sails for the Prize, she not being
able to proceed; and she returned in Ten Days; and after the Canvas
came, he could not persuade the Men to carry her for _New England_; but
Six of them went and carried their Chests and Things on board of Two
_Dutch_ Sloops; bound for _Curaso_; and would not so much as heel the
Vessel, or do anything, the Remainder of the men not being able to bring
the _Adventure_ Prize to _Boston_, the Narrator secured her in a good
Harbour in some Part of _Hispaniola_ and left in the Possession of Mr.
_Henry Boulton_ of _Antegua_, Merchant, the Maker, Three of the old Men,
and Fifteen or Sixteen of the men that belonged to the said Sloop _St.
Anthony_, and a Brigantine belonging to one Mr. _Burt_ of _Curaso_.
That the Narrator bought the said Sloop _St. Anthony_ of Mr. _Boulton_,
for the Owner’s Account; and after, he had given Directions to the said
_Boulton_ to be careful of the said Ship and Lading, and persuaded him
to stay Three Months till he returned; and then made the best of his
Way to _New York_; where he heard the Earl of _Bellamont_ was, who was
principally concerned in the _Adventure Galley_; and hearing his Lordship
was at _Boston_, came thither; and has now been 45 Days from the said
Ship.
WM. KIDD.
BOSTON. 7th July, 1699.
* * * * *
Further the Narrator saith, That the said Ship was left at _St.
Katharina_, on the South East Part of _Hispaniola_, about Three
Leagues to Leeward of the Westerly End of _Savona_: Whilst he lay at
_Hispaniola_, he traded with Mr. _Henry Boulton_ of _Antegua_, and Mr.
_Wm. Burt_ of _Curaso_, Merchants, to the Value of 11,200 Pieces of
Eight; whereof he received the Sloop _Antonio_ at 3000 Pieces of Eight,
and 4200 Pieces of Eight by Bills of Exchange, drawn by _Boulton_ and
_Burt_ upon Messieurs _Gabriel_ and _Lemont_, Merchants in _Curaso_, made
payable to Mr. _Burt_, who went himself to _Curaso_; and the Value of
4,000 Pieces of Eight more in Dust and Bar Gold; which Gold, with some
more traded for at Madagascar, being Fifty Pounds Weight, or upwards, in
Quantity, the Narrator left in Custody of Mr. _Gardner_ of _Gardner’s
Island_, near the Eastern End of _Long Island_, fearing to bring it
about by Sea: It is made up in a Bag put into a little Box, locked,
nailed, corded about, and sealed: Saith he took no Receipt for it of Mr.
_Gardner_.
The Gold that was seized at Mr. _Campbell’s_, the Narrator, traded for at
_Madagascar_, with what came out of Galley.
Saith, That he carried in the _Adventure Galley_, from _New York_, 154
Men: Seventy whereof came out of _England_ with him. Some of his Sloop’s
Company put Two Bales of Goods on shore at _Gardner’s Island_, being
their own proper Goods. The Narrator delivered a Chest of Goods, viz.,
Muslins, Latches, Romalls, and flowered Silk, unto Mr. _Gardner_ of
_Gardner’s Island_ aforesaid, to be kept there for the narrator: Put no
Goods on shore anywhere else: Several of his Company landed their Chests,
and other Goods, at several Places.
Further saith, He delivered a small Bale of coarse Calicoes unto a Sloop
Man of _Rhode Island_, that he had employed there. The Gold seized at Mr.
_Campbell’s_ the Narrator intended for Presents to some, that he expected
to do him Kindnesses. Some of his Company put their Chests and Bales on
board a _New York_ Sloop lying at _Gardner’s Island_.
WM. KIDD.
Presented and taken, die praedict before his Excellency and Council.
Copy Examined by
ISA ADDINGTON, _Secretary_.
2. THE EXAMINATION OF WILLIAM JINKINS, RICHARD BARLYCORNE AND ROBERT
LUMLEY
The Examination of _William Jinkins_, of Bow, near _London_, aged about
18 years. Apprentice to _Geo. Bullen_, deceased, late chief Mate to the
_Adventure Galley_, Captain _Wm. Kidd_, Commander:
Who saith, That, some time after _Christmas_ in the Year 1695, he sailed
with the said _Adventure Galley_ from _Plymouth_, in _England_; and the
said Galley made her Course for _New York_; took a _French_ Prize in her
way, which was carried in with the same.
That the said Galley, some time after her arrival at _New York_ sailed
from thence to _Madera_; from _Madera_ to _Bonavista_ and _St. Jago_,
where they took in Provisions, and steered for the _Cape de Bon
Esperance_, but put not in there; but proceeded for an Island named
_Joanna_; staid there about a Week, took on board some Water, and then
went from thence to Mohilla; where the said Galley was laid on shore and
cleaned; and then returned again to the said Island of _Joanna_; from
whence the said Galley sailed to _Motta_ in the _Red Sea_, and there
watered; and then proceeded to a Place called _Bobs Key_, to wait for
Shipping: And, during the time of their being there, the _Moca_ Fleet
passed by; but the said Galley did not endeavour to come up or speak with
any of them, apprehending they were too strong; afterwards we spoke with
a small Bark coming from the _Red Sea_, commanded by one _Parker_, out
of which the Company belonging to the said Galley took about a Bushel of
Pepper: Then the said Galley went into a Port called _Callacut_, where
was an _English_ Factory; remained there Four or Five Days, and then
went a cruising upon that Coast; and sometime afterwards gave Chace to
a Ship about 150 Tons Burden, and, after about Nine Hours Chace, came
up with the same; then Captain _Kidd_ ordered Two Shot to be fired at
the same, to bring her to; whereupon she accordingly brought to; and the
Master, being a _Dutchman_ called _Skipper John_ came on board: There
was belonging to the said Ship Three _Dutchmen_, a Boy, and the rest
_Moors_, between Twenty and Thirty in Number; the _Dutchmen_, and Two or
Three _Moors_, were kept on board the said Galley, and the rest of the
said _Moors_ had the Long-boat given to them to go on shore, being then
about Two Leagues distant from the same: the said Ship was loaded with
Cotton, and had two Horses likewise on board the same; which Cotton and
Horses Captain _Kidd_ and his Company sold to the Natives of the Country
for Money and Gold; kept the said Ship with them, the Galley being leaky,
and carried her to _Madagascar_; When the said Galley came up with the
said Ship, the said Galley had aboard _French_ Colours, and the Master
of the said Ship brought on board a _French_ Pass, having other Passes
besides: The Time when the said Ship was taken, as above mentioned, was
about 13 or 14 Months since, about a Month or Five Weeks after which,
the said Galley gave Chace to another Ship; and, having chaced her about
Four Hours, came up with the same, the said Galley having aboard _French_
Colours, and the other Ship _Armenian_; which Ship was of the Burden of
about 400 Tons, called the _Quedah Merchant_, and was commanded by one
_Wright_, an _Englishman_, had on board the same, Two _Dutchmen_, who
were Mates of the said Ship; and a _Frenchman_, who was a Gunner, Six
or Eight _Armenians_; and the rest of the Company Moors, being about
ninety in Number; all of which Captain _Kidd_ sent on shore in the Boats
that came off from thence: the said Ship came from _Bengall_, bound for
_Surratt_; was mounted with 16 or 18 guns; the _French_ Gunner of which
brought on board a _French_ Pass, and said, She was a good Prize to the
_English_: the said Captain was loaded with Bale Goods, Sugar, Iron and
Saltpetre: Captain _Wright_ who commanded the said Ship, declared she was
in the employment of the _English_; that the Lading belonged to them:
And, about Four or Five Days after the said Ship was taken by the said
Galley, Captain _Kidd_ called the Company together, and proposed to them
to return the said Ship to those from whom they had taken her, or sell
her to them; and said, He would agree to anything they should do therein,
were it for the Value of a Piece of Eight: Said also to his Company, The
Taking of the said Ship would make a great Noise in England, and they
should not know what to do with the Goods taken in the same: But the
Company of the Galley agreed not to the said Captain Kidd’s Proposal; but
carried the said Ship into _St. Marie’s_, off _Madagascar_, and there
unloaded her, and shared; Whereupon each of the said Galley’s Company,
being then about 115 in Number, shared, one with another Three Bales
and some loose Goods, besides about Two Thirds of a Bale: and Captain
_Kidd_ had Forty Shares: The Bales contained Calicoes, Romalls, Muslins,
some Silks, some striped, some flowered, and some Plain. After sharing of
the said Goods, Ninety and upwards, of the Company belonging to the said
Galley, deserted the same, and went to the _Mocha_ Frigate, then lying at
_St. Marie’s_ aforesaid: And the said Captain _Kidd_, with the Men that
remained with him, carried their Shares on board the Prize Ship, called
the _Quidah Merchant_, and ran the said Galley on shore, being very
leaky; and having stript her of her Furniture, set her on Fire to get
her Iron-work; and put all that they could save, of, or belonging to the
said Galley, on board the said Prize Ship; with which the said Captain
_Kidd_, and the men that remained with him, and some others that he had
procured there, came from _St. Marie’s_ aforesaid, and arrived in some
time afterwards at the Island of Anguilla, in the West Indies: Where
being informed that the said _Kidd_, and his Company, were proclaimed
Pirates, the said Captain _Kidd_, and the men on board with him, went
with the said Ship to the Island of _St. Thomas_; but the Governor of the
said Island would not allow the said Ship to come in there: Whereupon
we sailed to _Mona_; and there met with one Mr. _Bolton_, of _Antegoa_,
Merchant; of whom Captain _Kidd_ bought the Sloop _Antonio_, in which he
lately came to _Boston_; gave, as this Examinant was informed 3000 Pieces
of Eight for the same, and took from out of the Prize Ship, into the said
Sloop, Forty Bales of the Goods on board the said Ship, and about Thirty
Bales of Sugar; and left the said Ship at _Hispaniola_, about Six or
Seven Weeks since in the Custody of the said Mr. _Boulton_, and 12 Men
more: And the said Captain _Kidd_ promised to return again to the said
Ship, in the Space of Three Months; and the said _Boulton_ promised to
stay with the same for so long time; Which Ship the said Captain _Kidd_
left lying in the River, in _Hispaniola_ aforesaid, to be reckoned about
Eighteen Leagues from _Mona_.
The Examinant further saith, That, after the said Galley had taken the
Two Ships before-mentioned, She also, in her Passage to _St. Marie’s_
aforesaid, took a Bark or Ship, of the Burden of 180 Tons, with about
Seventy Persons on board, navigated with _Portuguez_: She came from
_Bengall_; and was bound to _Goa_; and had on board Bengalls, Muslins,
Calicoes, and other things, which the Galley’s Company began to plunder,
and bring on board the Galley; but seeing several Ships coming down
towards them, the said Galley, with the other two Prizes she had taken,
came to sail, and left the said last Prize at a Place between _Brin John_
and _Angingo_, so called being an _English_ and _Dutch_ Factory, and left
on board the same all the Company belonging thereto, except the Master,
Merchant, and Seven Men more, that came on board the Galley when she
first took the said Ship: And the Vessel that was first taken by the said
Galley, as before-mentioned, was, by the said Galley’s Company, sunk at
_St. Marie’s_ aforesaid, after they had brought her thither.
And the said _William Jinkins_ the Examinant further saith, That whilst
Captain _Kidd_ and his Company, lay with the said Ship _Quidah Merchant_
at _Mona_ aforesaid, one _Burt_, Merchant of _Curaso_, came to them in a
Brigantine, and purchased several Goods of the said Captain _Kidd_; for
which he paid Part in money, and Part in Flour.
Further saith, That the first Place that the Sloop _Antonio_ aforesaid
touched at, after the said Captain _Kidd_, and his Company, left the said
Ship at _Mona_ aforesaid, was the _Horekills_ in _Dellaware Bay_, where
the said Sloop staid Two Days: and one _James Gillam_, a Passenger that
came with the said _Kidd_ from _Madagascar_, being one of the _Mocha’s_
Frigate’s Crew, sent his Chest on shore there, being a large chest and
heavy; which the Examinant supposeth to be full of _India_ Goods, and was
stowed in the said Sloop’s Hold in the Passage from _Mona_: After the
said Sloop had staid at the _Horekills_ aforesaid about Two Days, she
sailed to _Gardner’s Island_, and anchored there; where Captain _Kidd_
sent on shore Two Bales of Goods, Two Negro Boys, and a Negro Girl, and
delivered them to Mr. _Gardner_; and were not brought on board the Sloop
again, the Examinant remaining on board almost all the time; neither was
anything more carried on shore, there, to this Examinant’s knowledge:
And there was, in Company with the said Sloop under Captain _Kidd’s_
command, a Sloop said to belong to _New York_, whereon one _Hardrick_, a
_Dutchman_, a young Man, was either Skipper, or one of the Company; into
which Sloop there was put Two or more Bales, One of them being Bengall
Silks, all belonging to one _Humphry Clay_, and Four or more Chests
belonging to said _Humph Clay_, _English Smith_, _Gabriel Luffe_, and
_Martin Skinke_: This Examinant was informed, the said Sloop was bound on
a trading Voyage to _Martha’s Vineard_, with Rum and Fruckin Cloth; but,
having received the said Bales and Chests on board, did not proceed to
_Martha’s Vineard_, but went back again for _New York_. The said Captain
_Kidd_ and his Company, then proceeded with his Sloop to _Block Island_:
and put nothing on shore there, only Two Guns about Two or Three hundred
Weight apiece, which Captain _Kidd_ gave to one _Sands_: Then the Sloop
went to _Tarpolin Cove_, where One or more Bales of the Captain’s were
put on shore, and delivered to the Man that dwells there.
And the Examinant saith, That nothing that was put on shore at any of
the Places aforesaid, was, to his Knowledge, received on board the said
Sloop again: and that nothing was put on shore at any other Place, than
what is before-mentioned.
The Examinant further saith, That Captain _Kidd_ traded with Mr.
_Boulton_ and Mr. _Burt_ aforesaid, for the Quantity of Twenty Bales
of Goods or thereabouts, as he supposes; besides what those of his
Company with them: Six of which, viz., _Michael Callaway_, _John Hales_,
_John Beovender_, _Wm. Boyer_, _Neece_, a _Dutchman_ and _Nouter_, a
_Dutchman_, went to _Caracao_ in Burt’s Brigantine, and one other, named
_John Ware_, went thither also in a small sloop.
Signed
WILLIAM W. G. JINKINS.
BOSTON, 6 July, 1699. Taken before his Excellency and Council
ISA ADDINGTON. _Secretary._
* * * * *
The foregoing examination of _Wm. Jinkins_ being read unto _Richard
Barlycorne_, aged about Eighteen Years, Apprentice to Captain Wm. Kidd,
He saith, That the same is true, as to the Substance thereof.
And further saith, That _James Gillam_ carried Two Chests on shore at
the Horekills, which were stowed in the Hold of the Sloop: After they
came from the Horekills, they stopt at _Gardner’s Island_; and went
from thence to _Oyster Bay_; there took in Mr. Emott of _New York_; and
set him on shore at _Rhode Island_; in some Days afterwards, Mr. Emot
returned to the Sloop again, as she lay off _Rhode Island_; then they
went to _Gardner’s Island_; who went from thence, in a Whale Boat, over
to _Long Island_: And at _Gardner’s Island_, Captain _Kidd_ sent on
shore there, Two Bales of Goods, a Box, and Two Negro Boys, and a Girl,
committed to the Charge of Mr. Gardner. The Examinant also sent Two Bales
of his own, and his Chest, on shore there; and _Dick the Black_, another
Bale: and one _Robert Avery_, a Passenger that came with them from
_Madagascar_, went on shore there, and carried some Bundles of Muslin,
Silks, and other Goods of his own; and a Box about Three Foot long, and a
Foot deep: Knows not what was in it; It was handed over the Sloop’s Side.
There was also a Sloop of _New York_, lying at _Gardner’s Island_, into
which there was put about the Quantity of 15 or 16 Bales of Goods, Whole
or in Pieces; and about 9 or 10 Chests; Which Goods and Chests belonged
to _Humphry Clay_, _Gabriel Luffe_, _Samuel Wood_, Captain _Davis_ a
Passenger, _Martin Skinke_, _John Arris_, and _English Smith_: The Sloop
was full. From _Gardner’s Island_ we sailed to _Block Island_, and there
took in Captain _Kidd’s_ Wife, and one Mr. _Clark_ of _New York_; and
then stood towards _Gardner’s Island_ again, and met a _New York_ Sloop,
bound home, and put Mr. Clark on board of her: And Captain _Kidd_ put
a Chest on board said Sloop: He knows not what was in it: _John Arris_
put another chest on board: and _Wm. Jinkins_, a Bale of Goods; and
some other Bundles, that were made out of the Bales, were also put on
board said Sloop; and all, as aforesaid, committed unto the said Mr.
_Clark_: The Captain’s Chest was hoisted out of the Hold. They stopt at
_Tarpolin Cove_; and there put on shore One Bale, Two Barrels, and a Box
of Goods, delivered unto the Man that dwells there: And, as they came
over to _Nantinket Shoals_, they met a Sloop from the Bay, commanded by
one Captain _Way_; which said Way came on board our Sloop; and, when he
went off again;--in his canoe, by Captain _Kidd’s_ order, Two or Three
small arms, a Pendulum Clock bought of Captain _Wright_, Commander of the
_Quidah Merchant_; a Pair of Stilliards, and a Bag about as big as the
Crown of his Hat, sealed up; which the Examinant supposes to be Money.
Further the Examinant saith, That, when they came from _Hispaniola_,
Captain _Kidd_ told Mr. _Boulton_, whom he left in Charge of the Ship
that he would return to him again in a short time, after he had spoken
with my Lord _Bellamont_; and that the _New York_ Sloop, whereinto they
put the Goods at _Gardner’s Island_ as aforesaid, was an open Sloop,
manned with Two Men, named _Coster_ and _Hendrick_: There was Three Bales
of Goods, and Two Bags of Sugar, delivered out of the Sloop _Antonio_ at
Boston, unto Mr. _Duncan Campbell_. Saith, He knows not what sum Captain
_Kidd_ paid for the Purchase of the Sloop.
RICHARD BARLYCORNE.
BOSTON. 8th July 1699: taken before us
ELISHA COOKE } J. Pac.
ISA ADDINGTON }
BOSTON, 8th July, 1699.
* * * * *
The Two foregoing Relations of _Wm. Jinkins_ and _Richard Barlycorne_,
being distinctly read over to me _Robert Lamley_, Apprentice to
_Abel Owen_, Cook of the _Adventure Galley_, Captain _William Kidd_,
Commander; and I, having been in the said Galley throughout her whole
Voyage, and, since the Loss of her, in the Ship _Quidah Merchant_, and
Sloop _Antonio_, do affirm and testify to the Truth of the said Relations
respectively, as to the Substance of the same, as the several Articles
thereof.
ROBERT LUMLEY.
Taken before us.
ELISHA COOKE } Just P.
ISA ADDINGTON }
Copy examined by
ISA ADDINGTON, _Secretary_.
3. A COPY OF THE EXAMINATION OF HUGH PARROTT, OF PLYMOUTH IN THE COUNTY
OF DEVON, MARINER
BOSTON. 10th July, 1699.
Who saith, That, at the Island of _Joanna_, he left the Vessel he then
belonged to, and entered himself on board the _Adventure Galley_, Captain
_William Kid_, Commander; and from thence we sailed to the _Red Sea_,
and there cruised for Privateers and Pirates; but finding none, went
upon the Coast of India, and in our Cruize there, espied a Ship, which
we gave chace to, and came up with, being a Ship of near 200 Ton Burden,
whereof a _Dutchman_, _Mich Dicker_, the _Sound_: From _Gardner’s Island_
they was Master, being commanded on board the Galley, brought a _French_
Pass, and as the Examinant was informed, declared, That his Ship and
Lading was lawful Prize; and accordingly was made Prize of by the said
_Kidd_ and Company: The _Dutch_ Master remained in the Galley with the
other Two Dutchmen, and took up Arms to serve under Captain _Kidd_; the
_Moors_ were set on shore, being then not above Two Leagues from the
same: The Examinant knows not what the Ship was laden with; only saw Two
Horses sent on shore from her. And in about Six Weeks time afterward,
they took another Ship of 400 Tons, or upwards, mounted with about 12
or 14 Guns, commanded by one Captain _Wright_, an _Englishman_; and
there was also on board Two or Three _Dutchmen_; the rest of the Company
were _Armenians_ and _Moors_ to the Number of about Sixty or Seventy:
The Ship came from _Bengall_, bound to _Persia_, as it was said; and
that she belonged wholly to the _Moors_: She was laden with Bale-Goods,
containing Muslins, Silk striped and plain, and raw Silk, refined Sugar
in Bags, Saltpetre, Iron in Junks, Guns and Anchors: Captain _Wright_ and
other the _Christians_, with several of the _Armenians_ and _Moors_, were
speedily sent on shore; some of them came to _Madagascar_ in the Galley,
and there left her: Said, Captain _Kidd_ carried the said Prize Ship
into _Madagascar_, _Geo. Bullen_, Chief Mate of the Galley, being put
into command the said Prize Ship; and when she arrived at _Madagascar_,
they took out of her all the Bale Goods, and shared them among the
Galley’s Company, being about One hundred in Number more or less; some
had Three, others Four Bales to a Share; the Examinant has Four for his
Share, which he sold at _Hispaniola_, to Mr. _Boulton_ and Mr. _Burt_,
for 400 Pieces of Eight, which was paid him down in Money; 200 Pieces
of which he lost by Gaming, on board the Sloop _Antonio_, that he came
from _Hispaniola_ in; the rest of his money was stolen from him. They
arrived in the said Sloop, first, at the _Horekills_ in _Delaware Bay_,
where they put out Two Chests, belonging to _James Gillam_, a Passenger,
who also went on shore there; which Chests, the Examinant believes, were
full of _India_ Goods; From the _Morekills_ they went to _Oyster Bay_ on
_Long Island_; and there took in Mr. _Emot_ of _New York_, and carried
him to _Rhode Island_, and sent him on shore there; Then went, with their
said Sloop to _Block Island_, and put on shore Two Guns, delivered to
Two Men that came from the Shore, and cruised between _Block Island_ and
_Rhode Island_ until Mr. _Emott’s_ Return; and having taken him on board
went to _Gardner’s Island_, and there let him on shore: And there was
landed at the said Island, from out of the Sloop _Antonio_, some Goods
and Chests; and also several Bales and Chests were put into another Sloop
that lay at the said _Gardner’s Island_ bound up sailed, with the Sloop
_Antonio_ to _Block Island_; and there took up the Captain’s Wife, and
a Gentleman that accompanied her; and then stood to _Gardner’s Island_;
and there put the said Gentleman, which, the Examinant thinks, was named
_Clark_, into a Sloop bound up the _Sound_: into which Sloop, there was
also several Bales and Chests put, out of the Sloop, _Antonio_, by Order
of the said Captain _Kidd_: And then we came to _Tarpolin Cove_, where
there was a Bale and one or two Barrels of Goods landed: And from thence
we came over the Shoals, and there met a Sloop from _Campechea_, bound to
_Boston_; the Master of which Sloop, in the Canoe belonging to her, came
on board our Sloop; and at his going off there was put into the Canoe
a _Turkey_ work Carpet, Two or Three Small Arms; which is all that the
Examinant took notice of.
The Examinant further saith, That at their sharing at _Madagascar_,
Captain _Kidd_ struck for, and received several Shares; knows not how
many; there might be Forty. They stript the Galley at _Madagascar_, and
burnt her to save her Iron-work; and also sunk their lesser Prize there.
About Ninety of the said Galley’s Company deserted at _Madagascar_.
The greater Prize was called the _Quedah Merchant_; which they left in
_Hispaniola_, under the care of Mr. _Boulton_, and about Seventeen or
Eighteen men to assist: Captain _Kidd_ promising to return to him in a
short time: The Examinant supposes there might be about 150 Bales of
Goods remaining on board her, about Eighty or Ninety Tons of Sugar, the
Saltpetre, Iron, Guns and Anchors. Captain _Kidd_ traded with Messieurs
_Boulton_ and _Burt_, for a considerable Quantity of Goods taken out of
the said _Quidah Merchant_, at and about _Hispaniola_.
HUGH PARROTT.
Taken before us, _die praedict_.
ELISHA COOKE } J. Pac.
ISA ADDINGTON }
BOSTON, New England.
July 25th, 1699.
4. A COPY OF THE EXAMINATION OF GABRIEL LOFF, OF LONG ISLAND, WITHIN THE
PROVINCE OF NEW YORK, SEAMAN,
Who saith, That, in _September_ 1696, he entered himself on board the
_Adventure Galley_, Captain _Kidd_ Commander, as a Foremast-man, at
_New York_; and proceeded in the Galley from thence, first to _Madera_,
then to _Bonavista_, _St. Jago_, and from thence to _Joanna_; and from
_Joanna_ made their Course to the _Red Sea_ to cruise for Pirates; and,
after some time spent there, meeting with no Purchase, sailed for the
Coast of _India_, and cruised there, and there gave chace to a Ship,
which shewed us _French_ Colours, and _Moorish_ Colours, and some others;
and after some Chace, came up with her: Captain _Kidd_ commanded the
Commander of her to come on board; who accordingly did: The Examinant
knows not what Nation he was of; but he brought a _French_ Pass, and
told Captain _Kidd_, That his Ship was a Prize and Captain _Kidd_ made
Prize of her, and her Lading: She was about 150 Tons in Burden, laden
with Cotton Wool, Bees Wax, Tobacco and Two Horses: The company were
chiefly _Moors_;--only Three _Christians_;--he knows not the Number; the
_Christians_ remained in the Galley, and took up Arms there; The _Moors_
were sent on shore. Soon after the Taking of this Ship, the Examinant was
taken sick, and lay so most of the Voyage: Knows not what they did with
the Lading: The Ship they carried to _Madagascar_; and there sunk her.
Some weeks after the Taking of the said Ship, they took another Ship, at
the Coast of _India_, of Burden of 400 Tons, or upwards, commanded by one
_Wright_, an _Englishman_; which Ship came from _Bengall_: The Ship was
chiefly manned with _Moors_ and _Armenians_: There was Three _Christians_
on board.
The Examinant further saith, They carried the said Ship and Lading with
them to _Madagascar_; and there landed all the Bale-goods on board,
consisting of Callicoes, Muslins, Silk, and White, striped and plain,
Romalls, Bengalls, and Laches: There fell betwixt Three and Four Bales
to a Share: The Examinant had Three whole Bales and a Piece of a Bale,
to his Share: some of which he disposed of at _Madagascar_, to buy
Provisions; and left some in the Ship; the Remainder he had in his own
Chest, and some in _Martin Skinke’s_ Chest; which Chests were put on
board a _New York_ Sloop in the Sound, commanded by one _Coster_, and
committed to his Care, to be carried to _New York_: Captain _Kidd_ had
Forty odd Shares for himself, and his Ship; most of his men deserted. At
_St. Marie’s_, a difference arose between the Captain and his Company;
Captain _Kidd_ proposing to them to take the _Mocha Frigate_, which lay
there; but the generality of the men refused, saying, They would sooner
shoot him than into the said _Mocha_ Frigate: And they went aboard the
said Frigate.
Further the Examinant saith, That the aforesaid Ship, commanded by
Captain _Wright_, and taken by Captain _Kidd_ in the Seas of _India_,
was called the _Quiddah Merchant_: And that the said _Kidd_, and his
Company that remained with him, bought the said Ship from _Madagascar_
into _Hispaniola_, in the _West Indies_; and there the said Captain
_Kidd_ traded with Two Persons, named _Boulton_ and _Burt_, for some
of the Bale-goods, which were delivered out of the Ship: And Captain
_Kidd_ bought a Sloop of the said Mr. _Boulton_, and laded the said
Sloop with Bale-goods taken out of the said Ship for so much as he
could conveniently stow, and lodge the men besides: The Number of
Bales he knows not: And, leaving the said _Boulton_, with Seventeen or
Eighteen men, on board the Ship, the said Captain _Kidd_, with several
of his Company, proceeded in the said Sloop towards _New York_; and the
Discourse was, That Captain _Kid_ was to return to the Ship again within
the Space of Three Months: And, after their Departure from _Hispaniola_
they arrived, with the said Sloop, first at _Horekills_ in _Delaware
Bay_, where they landed a Chest belonging to one _James Gillam_, a
Passenger with them from _Madagascar_: Knows not what was in it: And from
the _Horekills_ they sailed with the said Sloop into the Sound, and put
some Goods on shore at _Gardner’s Island_; the Quantity the Examinant
knows not: Also put some Goods and Chests on board the _New York_ Sloop,
one _Coster_, Master, then lying at said _Gardner’s Island_: And also
put a Pack of Goods on shore at _Tarpolin Cove_. Whilst they lay with
the said Sloop off _Rhode Island_, _James Gillam_, before-named, went on
shore in a Boat, that came on board the same Sloop; Knows not from whence
the said Boat came, nor who she belonged to.
GABRIEL LOFF.
Taken, die praedict before us
ELISHA COOKE } J. Pac.
ISA ADDINGTON }
Copy examined per
J. ADDINGTON, _Secretary_.
5. THE DEPOSITIONS OF ABEL OWEN, MARINER OF FULL AGE, LATE COOK OF THE
“ADVENTURE GALLEY,” CAPTAIN WM. KIDD, COMMANDER; AND SAMUEL ARRIS,
MARINER, LATE STEWARD OF THE SAME SHIP, OF FULL AGE; DEPOSE AND TESTIFY,
AS FOLLOWETH, VIZ.,
That the said Ship was launched at _Deptford_ at _Castle’s_ Yard, about
the 4th Day of _December_, 1695: And that the said Ship came to the
_Buoy_ and _Nore_ about the latter End of _February_; and about the First
Day of _March_ the men were pressed from on board the said Galley for the
Fleet; and she was staid about Nineteen Days, and there sailed for the
_Dounes_; and, about the Eighth or Tenth Day of _April_ arrived there;
and thence sailed for _Plimouth_; and, on the 25th Day of the Month of
_April_ 1696, the said Ship sailed from _Plymouth_; and, sometime in the
Month of _May_, met with a small French Vessel, bound for _Newfoundland_,
which they took, and made Prize of, and carried the same into _New
York_ about the 4th Day of July following; and the same was condemned
there as lawful Prize: And that, about the 6th Day of _September_ then
also following, the said Galley sailed for the _Maderas_; and thence to
_Bonavista_; thence to _St. Jago_; thence to _Telere_, and the _Island of
Madagascar_; thence to _Johanna_, thence to _Mehila_, where they buried
about Fifty of their Men in the Month of _May_ 1697; and thence sailed
upon the Coast of _India_; and, returning back to _St. Marie’s_ the Ship
was all along so leaky, that they feared she would have sunk every Hour;
and that it required Eight Men every Two Glasses, to keep her free; and
were forced to woold her round with Cables, to keep her together; and,
with much ado, kept her above Water, and carried her into the said _Port
of St. Marie’s_.
And that they took Two Vessels, which they carried into the said Port;
and the Men, which afterwards deserted the Galley, sunk one of them
there; and threatened the Captain, and these Deponents, and others, now
arrived here, to sink the other, that they might not go thence to tell
News: And that about Ninety of the said Galley’s Crew deserted the same
there; and that the said Galley proved so insufficient and leaky, that
she possibly could not be repaired; and sunk at an Anchor in the same
Port.
And these Deponents further testify, That there was in the said Port a
Pirate called the _Mocha_ Frigate: And the said Captain _Kidd_ proposed
to his Men to take the same, having sufficient Power so to do; but the
said Deserters, then being on board, told the said Captain _Kidd_, That,
if he offered the same, they would fire Two Guns into him, rather than
One into the Other; and immediately deserted the said Galley, and went on
board the _Mocha_ Frigate.
And these Deponents also further Depose, That with what Guns, Powder, and
Sails, the said Captain _Kidd_ could save out of the said Galley from the
Violence of the said Deserters, he purchased, at least, between Thirty
and Forty Bales of Goods, which he has brought in the Sloop _St. Antonio_
into this Port, for the Use of the Owners of the said Galley.
Abel O Owen
His Mark
* * * * *
_English Smith_, and _Humphry Clay_, Mariners, of full age, lately
belonging to the said _Adventure Galley_, testify, That they sailed in
the same from _New York_ on the time before specified: and testify to the
Truth of the above-written Deposition from that time: And that the Goods,
now on board the said Sloop _St. Antonio_, were purchased, as aforesaid,
for the Use of the Owners of the said Galley.
ENGLISH SMITH
HUMPHRY CLAY.
* * * * *
_Hugh Parrat_ Mariner, of a full Age, also deposeth, That he went
on board the Galley at _Johanna_; and testifies to the Truth of the
above-written Deposition from that time; and that the Goods now on board
the said Sloop _St. Antonio_ were purchased, as aforesaid, for the Use of
the Owners of the said Galley.
HUGH PARRATT.
* * * * *
The Five Deponents within-named, did severally declare, That, whereas,
in their within written Affidavits, they speak of the Taking of Two
Vessels, they do further explain themselves; and testify, That the said
Two Vessels were _Moorish_ Ships, and taken by them upon the coast of
_India_: One of them of Burden betwixt Four and Five Hundred Tons, the
other about Two Hundred Tons; They surrendered to them without firing
any Gunns at them: The greater Ship came from _Bengall_; the lesser
Ship came from _Surratt_: The smaller Ship was taken in _November_
1697; the greater Ship in _February_ following: The Master, Gunner and
Boatswain of the smaller Ship were Dutchmen, the rest of the Company were
_Moors_, being about Forty in Number in the Whole: Her Lading consisted
of some _Persian_ Silks and other Dry Goods with some Horses. The Three
_Dutchmen_ afterwards took up Arms on board the Galley: The greater of
the Two Ships is the same that they lately left at _Hispaniola_: She had
about Ninety men on board: She was commanded by an _Englishman_ named
_Wright_: The Mate and Gunner were _Dutch_; all the rest of the Company
were _Moors_: She was mounted with Ten Guns; and laden with _Bengall_
Goods.
The Deponents further say, They met with the _Mocha Frigate_ at the _Port
of St. Marie’s_; and the Company belonging to her took the Companies
belonging to the aforesaid Two Ships, forcibly, from on board the
_Adventure Galley_; and Ninety of the Company of the said Galley there
also left her, and entered themselves on board the said _Mocha Frigate_;
having first plundered the Two Ships before-named, and taken out of them
a considerable Quantity of Goods and disposed of them at their pleasure.
(Signed)
ABEL O. OWEN
SAM ARRIS
ENGLISH SMITH
HUMPH CLAY
HUGH PARRATT.
BOSTON, 4th July, 1699.
* * * * *
The Five Deponents within-named, and subscribed to this Affidavit,
severally made Oath to the Truth of this their Deposition, before his
Excellency the Governor and Council.
Copy Examd. per ISA ADDINGTON, _Secretary_.
APPENDIX C
The French Passes sent to Bellamont by Kidd, included amongst the papers
ordered by the House of Commons to be delivered to the Secretary of the
Admiralty for the purposes of Kidd’s trial.
Pass. No. 1. PASS TAKEN ON BOARD THE QUEDAGH OR KARRY MERCHANT (“le
Navire Cara”).
Pass. No. 2. PASS TAKEN ON BOARD KIDD’S OTHER PRIZE. Copies of these
passes will be found in the 13th Volume of the Journals of the House of
Commons, page 21.
APPENDIX C
A COPY OF THE FRENCH PASS.
No. 1.
DE PAR LE ROY.
Nous Francois Martin, escuir, conseiller du Roy, directeur general du
Commerce pour la Royalle compagnie de France dans la royaume de Bengalle,
coste de Coromandelle, et autres lieux a tous ceux qui ces presentes
lettres verront, salut. Les nommés Coja Ouannesse et Coja Jacob Armenien,
Nacodas du navire Cara[15] Marchand, que le nomme Agapiris, Kalender
Marchand Armenien a Strete a Surate du nommé Cohergy Nannabaye Parsy, le
dit navire du port de trois cent cinquante tonneaux, ou environ, sur
lequel est pilote Rette tandel ou Besseman Ginannatou et ecrivain Gassou;
nous ayants remontré, quayante pris, avant, leur depart de Surate,
un passeport de la compagnie, qu’ils nous ont representé en datte du
premier Janvier mil six cents nonante sept, signé Martin; et plus bas,
de Grangemont; qu’ils apprehendoient d’etre inquietéz dans le voyage
qu’ils doivent faire de ce port a celuy de Surate, sous pretexte que
le dit passeport est furanné et qu’ainsy ils nous privient instemment
de leur en faire un novent: à ces causes recommendons a tous ceux, qui
sont sous l’autorite de la compagnie, prions les chefs d’escadres, et
commandons des vaisseaux de sa majesté, requirons tous les amis et aliez
de la Couronne, de n’apporter aucun empéchement, qui puisse retarder
son voyage; ains luy donner toutes sortes d’aydes, et d’assistance;
promettant en cas pareil faire semblable. En foy du quoy, nous avons
signé ces presentes. Fait contresigner, par le secretaire de la
compagnie; et à icelle apposer le sceau de ces armes, au comptoir general
D’ongly, le quatorze Janvier mil six cent nonànte huit.
MARTIN.
_Par mon dit Sieur Desprez._
No. 2.
DE PAR LE ROY.
Nous Jean Baptiste Martin, directeur général de la royalle compagnie
de France des Indes Orientalles, à tous ceux qui ces presentes lettres
verront, salut. Savoir-fasons que le nommé Vamel das Narendas, marchand
de Baroche, desirant envoyer son navire nommé Rouparelle du pont de cent
cinquante tonneaux ou environ, partant du part de Baroche, pour aller à
Malabare, Bengalle et Bassora, commandé par le Nacoda Abdel Reyin, sur
lequel est pilate Issac Condel, ou Bosseman Joquy, et écrivain Dalet
Mamet, nous auroit justemment prié de lui donner nôtre passeport: ce
que nous luy avons octroyé: à ces causes ordonnons à tous ceux qui sont
sous notre autorité, prions les commandants des navires de sa Majesté,
de l’ayder et secourir en tout ce qu’il aura besoin si leur ordres ne
sont contraires, et de faire saisir comme deserteurs, les François,
qui seroient dessus sans congé, par écrit de messieurs les directeurs
généraux de Bengalle ou de nous, et requirons à tous nos amiz et aliez
de n’apporter aucun empéchement, qui puisse retarder son voyage: ains
au contraire de luy donner toute ayde et secours: promettont en cas
pareil, faire semblable. En foy de quoy nous avons signe ces presentes.
Fait contre signer par le secretaire de la ditte compagnie et à icelles
apposer le sceau de ces armes. Fait a comptoir de Surate le
MARTIN.
APPENDIX D
APPENDIX D
REPORT OF DUNCAN CAMPBELL POSTMASTER OF BOSTON TO BELLAMONT
BOSTON, June the 19th 1699.
The Memorial of _Duncan Campbell_, of _Boston_, humbly presented to his
Excellency the Earl of _Bellamont_.
I, the said _Duncan Campbell_, being at _Rhode Island_ on _Saturday_ the
17th _June_ current; that Morning I went in a Sloop, in Company with Mr.
_James Emott_ of _New York_, and Two other Men belonging to the said
Sloop, towards _Block Island_; and, about Three Leagues from that Island,
I met a Sloop commanded by Captain _Kidd_, and having on board about
Sixteen men besides: after hailing of which Sloop, and being informed,
That the said _Kidd_ was Commander thereof, he the said _Kid_ desired
me to come on board the same; which I accordingly did; and, after some
Discourse passed, the said _Kidd_ desired me to do him the Favour as to
make what Speed I could for _Boston_, and acquaint your Excellency, That
the said _Kid_ had brought a Ship, about 5 or 600 Tons from _Madagascar_,
which some considerable time since he met within … and commanded her
there to bring to; and that thereupon the Pilot, being a _Frenchman_,
came on board the said _Kid’s_ Ship, and told him, the said _Kidd_, He
was welcome, and that the said Ship, to which the said Pilot belonged,
was a lawful Prize to him, the said _Kidd_, she sailing under a French
pass, whereupon he, the said _Kid_, and Company, took the said Ship; and
afterwards, understanding that the same belonged to the Moors, he, the
said _Kid_, would have delivered her up again; but his Men violently fell
upon him and thrust him into his Cabin, saying, The said ship was a said
Prize (sic); and then carried her into _Madagascar_, and rifled her of
what they pleased: But before they got into _Madagascar_, the Galley
under Command of him, the said _Kidd_, became so leaky, that she would
scarce keep above Water; whereupon the Company belonging thereto, having
taken out her Guns, and some other Things, and put them on board the
Prize, set the said Galley on Fire.
The said Captain _Kidd_ further told me, That, when he and his Company
were arrived at _Madagascar_ several of his Company moved him to go and
take a Ship called the _Moca_ Frigate, that lay ready fitted at a Place
not far distant from them, in the Possession of certain Privateers; and
to go in the same for the _Red Sea_; but that he the said _Kid_ said,
That if they would join with him, he would attempt the Taking of the said
Ship, supposing her a lawful Prize, being formerly belonging to the King
of _England_; but would not afterwards go with them on the said Design to
the _Red Sea_: Whereupon Ninety of his, the said _Kidd’s_ Men, deserted
him, went and took the said Ship, and sailed with the same on the said
Design, as he, the said _Kid_, was informed; obliging one Captain
_Culliver_, the then Commander of her, to go along with them.
And the said _Kidd_ further told me, That his Men having left him,
and his Design frustrated, he thought it his best Way to preserve the
said Ship then in his Possession, and the Goods on board her, for his
Employers, or the proper Owners thereof; And accordingly, with the few
Men he had then left, which would not join with the other Ninety in their
aforesaid Design, being about Twenty in Number, and with a few other men,
that he procured at _Madagascar_, to assist him in navigating the said
Ship, he intended to have brought the same to _Boston_, according to his
Orders; but, touching in his Way at the Island of _St. Thomas_, and other
Places in the _West Indies_, he there heard, That great Complaints were
preferred against him, and he proclaimed a Pirate; which occasioned
him to sail to a Place called _Mona_, near _Hispaniola_: from whence
he sent to _Curaso_, and brought there the Sloop on which he is now on
board, and took into her to the Value of about 8 or 10,000_l_ in Goods,
Gold, and Plate: for which Gold and Plate he traded at _Madagascar_, and
was produced by the Sale of sundry Goods and Stores, that he took out
of the _Adventure Galley_, formerly commanded by him; and hath left the
Ship taken by his Company, and carried to _Madagascar_, as aforesaid,
at or near _Mona_ abovesaid, in the Custody of about Six Men of his own
Company, and Eighteen others that he got from _Curaso_; the Merchant of
whom he bought the said Sloop, being intrusted therewith; unto which he
had promised to return again in Three Months; the said _Kidd_ resolving
to come into _Boston_ or _New York_, to deliver up unto, your Excellency
what Goods and Treasure he hath on board; and to pray your Excellency’s
Assistance, to enable him to bring the said Ship left by him at _Mona_
aforesaid, from thence; the said Ship being disabled from coming for want
of Furniture.
But the said Captain _Kidd_ further informed me, That by reason of what
his Men had heard in the _West Indies_, as aforesaid, of their being
proclaimed Pirates, they would not consent to his coming into any Port
without some Assurance from your Excellency, That they should not be
imprisoned nor molested: And the said Captain _Kidd_ did several times
protest solemnly, That he had not done anything since his going out in
the said Galley contrary to his Commission or Orders, more than what he
was necessitated unto, being overpowered by his Men that deserted him, as
aforesaid; who evil-intreated him several times for his not consenting
to, or joining with them in, their Actions: And all the men on board the
Sloop now with him did, in like manner, solemnly protest their Innocence;
and declared, That they had used their utmost Endeavours in preserving
the aforesaid Ship and Goods for the Owners or Employers.
The said _Kidd_ also saith, That, if your Lordship should see Cause so to
direct, he would carry the said Ship for _England_, there to render an
Account of his Proceedings.
Which beforegoing contains the Particulars of what Captain _Kidd_ and his
Men related to
Your Lordship’s most humble Servant
DUNCAN CAMPBELL.
APPENDIX E
APPENDIX E
EXTRACTS RELATING TO BELLAMONT AND KIDD FROM NARCISSUS LUTTRELL’S BRIEF
HISTORICAL RELATION OF STATE AFFAIRS FROM SEPTEMBER, 1678, TO APRIL, 1714.
1 April 1693. A patent is passing the seals for settling £500 per annum
on the Lord Bellamont in consideration of his past services. Vol. III, p.
67.
11 June 1695. The Lords Justices have given order for passing a
Commission for the Lord Bellamont to be Governor for New England. Vol.
III, p. 483.
25 June 1695. Lord Bellamont is hastening to his government of New
England. Vol. III, p. 489.
4 July 1695. The Lord Bellamont’s warrant for his patent runs to be
Governor, Captain General and Admiral of New England. Vol. III, p. 494.
29 Aug. 1695. Complaint being made to the Committee of foreign
plantations against Fletcher, governor of New York, ’tis said the
Council will annex that government to that of New England, and that Lord
Bellamont goes governor of both.
12 May 1696. The Lord Bellamont has obtained a grant of £1,000 per annum
out of the estate of Lord Kilmeare (formerly Sir Valentine Brown). Vol.
IV, p. 57.
7 Jan. 1697. The Lord Bellamont, ’tis said, will not only be governor of
New England, but also of New York. Vol. IV, p. 166.
18 March 1697. On Tuesday the Lord Bellamont was declared governor of New
England, and ordered to hasten thither. Vol. IV, p. 198.
20 March 1697. The Lord Bellamont is made governor of New York and New
Hamstead[16] as well as New England and Colonel of a regiment of foot.
Vol. IV, p. 199.
5 June 1697. The Lord Bellamont’s commission to be governor and captain
general of New England and New York is passing the seals, and his
Lordship will suddenly goe to his government in the Deptford frigate.
Vol. IV, p. 235.
11 Sept. 1697. The lords of the treasury have paid the Earl of Bellamont,
governor of New England, £12000 in mault lottery tickets. Vol. IV, p. 227.
4 Oct. 1697. This day the Earl of Bellamont, governor of New England,
went on shipboard. Vol. IV, p. 285.
24 Nov. 1698. The East India Company have acquainted the lords justices
with the action of Captain Kidd, commander of a man of war, sent to
suppress the pyrates in the Persian seas, but instead thereof joyned
them. Several great lords were concerned in sending him out, and to be
sharers of what he should take from those pyrates. Vol. IV, p. 454.
29 Nov. 1698. A proclamation is ordered to be published to pardon all the
pyrates settled at Madagascar except Captain Kidd and 3 others, provided
they submit within a certain time: which proclamation Captain Warren
takes with him. Vol. IV, p. 456.
3 Dec. 1698. The Earl of Bellamont, governor of New England and New York
has sent advice that he has caused several persons to be arrested there,
accused for corresponding and trading with the pyrates at Madagascar, by
which means they have got great riches. Vol. IV, p. 457.
1 Aug. 1699. We have a report that Captain Kidd, who some time since
turned pyrate in the _Adventure Galley_ and took from the subjects of
the Great Mogull and others to the value of £400,000 is taken prisoner
by a French Ship, the commander of which sent him in irons to the Great
Mogull. Vol. IV, p. 543.
3 Aug. 1699. We now have letters from the West Indies, which contradict
the taking of Captain Kidd the pyrate: and say that after the _Adventure
Galley_ was sunk, he went on board a Portuguese, and sailed directly for
Darien where the Scots received him and all his riches. Vol. IV, p. 544.
5 Aug. 1699. Captain Kidd the pyrate some time since said to be taken
by a French man of war, afterwards contradicted and that he was gone to
Darien, we now hear was at Nassau Island, near New York, and sent for
Mr. Livingston, one of the Council there, to come on board: accordingly
he went to him, and he proffered £30,000 to give the owners, who first
fitted out the _Adventure Galley_, and £20,000 for his pardon: but ’tis
presumed the same will not be accepted. Vol. IV, p. 545.
17 Aug. 1699. Letters from Curassau say that the famous pyrate Captain
Kidd, in a ship of 30 guns and 250 men offered the Dutch Governor of St.
Thomas 45,000 pieces of eight in gold and a great present in goods, if he
would protect him a month, which he refused: but the said pyrate bought
afterwards of an English Ship provisions to the value of 25,000 crowns
and since supplyed with necessaries from other ships. Vol. IV, p. 549.
22 Aug. 1699. There are letters which say the famous Captain Kidd has
surrendered himself to the Lord Bellamont, governor of New England. Vol.
IV, p. 551.
5 Sept. 1699. Captain Kidd the pyrate having surrendered himself to
the earl of Bellamont, governor of New England, after examination
was committed to prison and commissioners appointed by his lordship
to inspect the effects he had on board, to the end that there might
be a true inventory taken thereof: and his lordship sent to the said
commissioners the present of jewells, which Kidd had caused to be given
his lady, esteemed at £10,000 an account of which his lordship has
dispatched hitherto to the Commissioners of trade, and to know how he
shall be disposed of. Vol. IV, p. 557.
23 Sept. 1699. His Majestie’s Ship Rochester, Captain Ellis, commander,
is sailed to New York, to bring over Captain Kidd, the pyrate and his
men, in order to be tried here. Vol. IV, p. 563.
26 Sept. 1699. Last week the old East India company attended the lords
justices with a petition, humbly praying that Captain Kidd the pyrate,
may be brought to a speedy trial before the high court of admiralty,
and that all his effects unjustly taken from the subjects of the Great
Mogull may be sent back to them as satisfaction for their losses. Their
excellencies promised to consider it. Vol. IV, p. 564.
2 Nov. 1699. The trial of the pyrates is put off till the arrival of
Captain Kidd, who is to be brought hither from New England in order to be
tried with them: his effects are valued at £200,000. Vol. IV, p. 578.
2 Dec. 1699. The lords of the admiralty have an account that the man of
war sent to New England to bring hither Captain Kidd, the pyrate, is
returned, not being able to make her voyage, the winter being too far
advanced in those parts. Vol. IV, p. 589.
6 April 1700. Last night the lords of the admiralty had an express from
Bristoll that Captain Kidd, with 33 pyrates more, were arrived in that
channel from New England, in order to be tried for robbing the subjects
of the Great Mogull. Vol. IV, p. 632.
16 April 1700. The same day Captain Kidd, the notorious pyrate, was
examined before the lords of the admiralty and committed to Newgate: and
yesterday 13 more pyrates were likewise examined and sent thither. Vol.
IV, p. 634.
23 April 1700. Captain Kidd upon his petition has got his irons taken
off. Vol. IV, p. 637.
27 April 1700. This day 10 of the pyrates lately brought from New England
were examined and ordered to be tried by a high court of admiralty:
Captain Kidd will be kept close prisoner till the sitting of the
Parliament, to the end that they may have the examination of him. Vol.
IV, p. 638.
23 July 1700. The jewels taken on board the ship of Captain Kidd the
pyrate, have been valued and said to be worth £30,000. Vol. IV, p. 669.
27 March 1701. This day the commons examined Captain Kidd the pyrate
and Cogi Babba, a Persian Merchant attended in order to accuse him of
robbing him in those seas to £60,000 value. Kidd discovered little or
nothing. Vol. V, p. 32.
1 April 1701. Captain Kidd was examined again yesterday: he confessed
nothing material, so was remanded to Newgate. Vol. V, p. 34.
10 April 1701. This day the house, being acquainted that Captain Kidd
since his being in Newgate, had been with the Lord Hallifax, examined the
person who affirmed it and sent for the keeper of Newgate, who averred it
to be false, whereupon they distrust him. Vol. V, p. 37.
1 May 1701. Letters yesterday from New York advise that the Earl of
Bellamont, governor of that place and of New England dyed the 5th of
March of the gout in his stomach. Vol. V, p. 44.
10 May 1701. This afternoon Captain Kidd was found guilty of murder for
killing a seaman on board a ship, also of one piracy: and to-morrow will
be tried upon the others. Vol. V, p. 47.
10 May 1701. Capt. Kidd is found guilty upon 6 indictments of pyracy, and
8 other pyrates are condemned. Vol. V, p. 48.
24 May 1701. Yesterday Capt. Kidd and 3 others condemned for pyracy, were
executed at execution dock at Wapping. The halter of the 1st broke, but
he was tied up again. Vol. V, p. 53.
FOOTNOTES
[1] A copy of this grant will be found in Appendix A.
[2] See Appendix A.
[3] The narrative of this voyage written by Kidd and the depositions of
such of his crew as remained faithful to him, will be found in Appendix
B. Other details are to be found in the verbatim reports of his trials.
[4] The port of Madagascar to which she was afterwards taken.
[5] In the petition of Cogi Babba to the House of Commons she is said to
have cost forty thousand rupees and her cargo four hundred thousand.
[6] These sailing orders will be found in Appendix A.
[7] See Appendix B.
[8] See Appendix B.
[9] A copy of this memorial will be found in Appendix D.
[10] At St. Marie’s.
[11] See Appendix E.
[12] According to one of these, he was said to have been captured by a
French Man-of-War, the commander of which had sent him in irons to the
Great Mogul. According to another, he had gone to Darien, where the Scots
had received him, and all his riches. At one time he was reported to have
offered the Dutch Governor of St. Thomas, forty-five thousand pieces of
eight in gold and a great present in goods, if he would protect him for
a month. At another he was said to have proffered twenty thousand pounds
for his pardon. In the popular imagination he had in fact figured as the
Prince of Pirates for some three years before his trial. See Appendix E.
[13] Bellamont’s hypocritical letter to Kidd of the nineteenth of June,
1699 (see Chapter III).
[14] See Lyson’s “Environs of London,” Vol. IV, page 448.
[15] The Quedagh Merchant was spoken of by some of the witnesses at the
trial and in Cogi Babba’s relation as the Karry Merchant.
[16] Probably a misprint for New Hampshire.
End of Project Gutenberg's The Real Captain Kidd, by Cornelius Neale Dalton