APPENDIX B

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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.


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

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