Chapter XII: 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