The Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1822-1822, 1822-06-06

his own nation-the Spanish commerce
was the principal object. which was me-
YER unpopular with the English, from
Sir Walter Raleigh's time to the pre-
cent moment; but 100 years ago the mo-
raj sense from habit had become az
broazed in all that related to the depre-
dations on the Spanish commerce, as
that of any privateersman OF the South
a few years past under a commission OF
Artegas.
The known and avowed practices of
Gov. Fletcher and of Nicolls, and the
very circumstance of MIR. L---'sga-
ing bonds that KID should not turn pr
rate, but above all that the king him.
| self, a man of the most inveterate per-
soual hostility to the Spaniards, should
take SO paltry a concern as twenty Six
hundred dollars, merely TO give the
thing a bastard character of nationally
to screen his favorites, is enough to raise
a presumption that Kid did not sail
without a cabinet compass. The a.
mount which this immortal plunderer
amassed, if not known, but with the
public, from that time to the present, it
is and has been counted as immense;
but that the posterity of the original
concern are yet afluentis more certain.
1t IS not generally known, that Kid ha.
wing accomplished his first project, by
some means or other got quit of his
comrades anc concern altogether, and
was taken while walking the stree $ Of
Boston. dressed like a gentleman, in all
the naughty tranquility of Cleveland at
Kirkwall, by Gov. Belmont himself,
who probably was the only man in town
who knew him; this was about 8 years
and a half from the time he Kid sailed
from Plymouth.
The Earl wrote to the Secretary of
State 70 send for Kid, with a view to his
trial in England, and a vessel was ac-
coadingly despatched upon that errand,
but having met with some accident, she
put back, and her voyage was not re-
neWed; this circumstance tended much
to infiame and fortify the parliamenta-
ry opposition, and a motion was actual
ly made in the House Of Commons for
the expulsion from office of all the lords
that composed the original concern, and
who we're now boldly and publicly ac-
cused of being concerned with Kid; this
motion, however, did not prevail. I'M
peachments were afterwards substitu-
ted, which were managed by the first
talent and efoquence of the opposition,
who, at the hazard Of a retaliation, not
over cheering to those who had little
fondness for the Tower and Tyburn,
charged the delinquents THE Lord Chan
ceDor being one Of a piratical conspiracy
from the beginning, and sharing the stu
pendous treasures of this fortunate TO.
yer, acquired upon every ocean, during
three years of the most lucky and des-
perate robberies.
What proofs then existed, to Justify !
this bold and desperate attack upon the
wings is not known, they must, howe
YER, have been numerous, and at least
plausible, to have warranted a measure
SO rash and hazardous. Gov. Bell
mont and Mr.. L. in the mean
while, intrenched beyond the reach of
this political hurricane, escaped with.
out notice, they lay not within the range
of the object, neither was it ever proved
that either of these gentlemen, or any
tot the English concern shared the trea-
sures hidden or RENTED by Kid; it is
better known that the latter went after
wards to England, but was never bro't
to trial, and opposition still said it
was for fear of disclosures more terri
BILE to the ministry than the halter was
to him, that he was soon set at liberty
for want o fproof, and that he lived in
London to a good old age, in very indie
pendent, ifnot a~f1uent circumstances.
This acquital, or voluntary escape, of
Kid, saved, of course, the bonds of Mr..
L., and he was never prosecu
ted on them, although he had, at the
time, provincial enemies enought to have
seized on this as a pretext for his ruin.
Had kidbeen condemned and hung, as
is now generally believed, in which case
the destiny of :his a%fluent and r~especta-
BILE family. might have been beyond tho
reach of envy. In the MSS annals Of
this family, commenced by the father of
Robert and continued by him and his
successors, perhaps to the present mo.
ment, this mysterious business of Kids
(never yet cleared up,) may undoubted-
~ be found, and it would be very ANU.
sing to the public, if some of Roberts
posterity would publish, if for no other
reason. vet as a snecifc anainst thia