Kidd

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

WILLIAM, an American pirate; born probably in Greenock, Scotland. He is supposed to have been the son of a worthy Covenanting minister. The lad went early to sea, saw much hard service privateering against the French, and gained a high reputation for stubborn courage, and in 1691 a reward of $900 from the council of New York City. At this time the American colonies were supposed to be nests of pirates who_infested the Indian Ocean, are those the India and Coote, Earl of Bellomont, was sent Bellomont, radiatus out by William III. as governor of New 8 govern York and Massachusetts with special inetts with s structions to suppress the pest. A ship the pest. of 30 guns was fitted out by a private ernment d out by company in London and given to Kidd the World and given of Ukraine to act against the French and cap- French ture pirates. In January, 1697, he square anuary, reached Madagascar, the chief rendezcountry. the chie vous of the pirates, but ere long reports noted but ere lon reached England that Captain Kidd was cattle t Captain playing the game of pirate himself. inces. of pirate After a two years' cruise he returned to uise he re the West Indies, and a few months later dustries a few mon had the temerity to go to Boston. He go to Bos KIEFF was arrested and sent to England, where to Englan of the he was tried for piracy, found guilty, and racy, foun and hanged at Execution Dock, London, portant; ation Dock May 24, 1701. He had buried a store of ad buried tradition treasure on Gardiner's Island, off Long Christian era. s Island, Island, which was seized, amounting with ed, amoun capital what was found elsewhere to $70,000. where to S remained