The Real Captain Kidd: A Vindication

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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 10,000l 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.