The New York herald., 1851-12-04
NEW YORK HIsToRIcAL SOCIETY.

As We stated In eur edition yesterday, the pro-
eeedings Of this society, at its stated meeting on
Tuesday evening. were extremely interesting.
The Hon. Luther Bradish presided, and the
6braey room Of the society, at the University was
completely filed. Among the visiters were many
eminent Literary men. Mr.. Bradish is the best
presiding officer the society has ever had Inc late
learned Doctor Hosack was not remarkable Tor his
courtesy to the younger members, ana but little
Ras done by the society under bus auspices The
venerable Albert Galatin was too old and innrm to
take very active part, when he became President
OF the society, and Mr.. William Beach Lawrence,
who, as Vice President, sometimes oficiated
chairman of the meetings, had an eye, among other
things, to Rhode Island, where he is now either
LisatenantG Governor or acting Governor.
The minutes of the last meeting and the annual
enc having been read an approved, the librarian re-
ported several acquisitions, particularly
EARLY HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA.
This was, he said, very rare book-it was the
His:sry Of California, written by the Able Claw
gero, who had resided in that part of the world for
many years, and the work contained many curious
particulars as to the aboriginal inhabitants, and
the early settlement of the country In brief pre-
face !; stated that the origin of the name was
supposed 10 be Cslida Former, afterwards corrupted
priced himself on his Latinity,) on account Of the
heat Of the climate
The volumes (two small octave ones) had been in
the possession of the historian Gibbon.
CAPTAIN KIDD.
Judge CAMyBELL read one Of the papers Of the eve
ming, which very interesting accoupt, implied
from authentic sources, Of the reno owned Captain
Kidd, and tended to throw what will, no doubt, to
the nsjority OF our readers, be new light on the
Fubject. There were, the learned Judge said, two
wi
ever the English language was spoken, and had
been the theme Of finnumerable ballads and nursery
rhymes yet, strange to say nothing Of the men but
their names were known to the masses. He allud-
ed 10 Robin Hood and Captain Kidd, who fourished
at widely different periods the one supposed to be
. freebooter on the land, and the other on the
water. OF Robin very little was known. The
place CT his burial was still preserved in almost the
same wild state in the days when Sherwood forest
resounded with the notes of his bugle, and rang
With the shouts of his "merry men all" This
sepulchre was in the neighborhood of Hudders-
Geld, and near the ruins of the priory which the
bold outlaw had sought as a sanctuary, and whore
he died. He was claimant to the proud Earldom
Of Huntingdon, and the following Inscription has
been carefully preserved:-
"Underneath this little stone
Lies Robert, Earl Of Huntington;
And eSi p.opl. al called e. h him N f RSSn Hood
sueh Archers a. he and his men
England viii never again
Died October, 1853"
He had laid Il this grave more than four centuries
when w illi.m Kidd commenced his career, in the
early part Of the reign of William and Mary.
Kidd had always, from his earliest years, followed
the profession OF the had been a naval officer
prior 20 the year 1851, when he had married in this
country, and commanded a N srchant ship, belong
ing 70 Mr. Robert Liyings ston, and was in high re-
pu.ston and esteem. A resolution was passed llth
April, 1881, commenting hin for services rendered
he pahic, and the Council awarded him therfor
the Eum of one hundred and fifty pounds on the l4th
May following. About l695 the ocean had become
covered with pirates, and the subject obtained,
10 demanded, serious consideration by the govern
Ment in England; but all their available ships
being employed in the war; the only thing that they
could suggest was a private expedition. Kidd was
at this time in London, and it was said be would
lave had the comm and, If government expedition
were fitted out.
Judge CAMpBErL then referred to a very rare
pamphlet which be held in his hand, published in
l!ol, and entitled I" A Vindication Of the Earl Of
Belmont, &c," 1t was anonymous, but the author
Irefessed 10 derive al his information from the
Earl aud there good reasons to suppose it
enanated from the Esrrs own pen. By this 1t ap-
pesrei that when the King appointed Belmont
Governor OF the Province Of New England, IL was
because he considered him staunch and determined,
and man well fitted to suppress the pernicious
syStem Of piracy carried on then to q frightful
tent, an d with impunity on those shores: On the
Earl Of Belmont coming out, Col. Livingston
sought him, and had an interview, in which he |
told him be had Ia ked with Kidd, ia whom he ex-
pressed great confidence, and who had said. that |
with good ship OF thirty guns, and about one hun
dred and fifty men. he could capture most Of the |
pirates he knew many that had been out rowing,
and many that were going, and that, though there
Colonel Livngs.on) proposed that, If the govern.
ment would commission Kidd, and provide him a
thip, they Livingston and Kidd) would pay one
ffth OF the expenses. The Earl Of Belmont sub
mitted all this TO the government, who could not
place ship at his disposal, and he Afterwards, With
other noblemen (Lords Romney, Halifax,
Oxford, and other,) contributed the funds, and
entered into articles with Kidd and Livingston.
All this was done with the sanction Of govern.
ment, With whom the Earl communicated, and
those articles (not set out in thu pamphlet)
fled in the state Paper Ohec, whence the Hon, |
Judge had obtained copy, which he read, toge. |
ther with those Of the bonds given, simultaneously
They bear date Oct. 10, 1876, and in pursuance |
OF them commissioR "a copy Of which was also |
dated llth Dec following, suthoSizing Kidd, as |
privsteer, TO take all French cruisers and. the !
Kings enemies, &c and ship called the Adven. /
ture Galley was provided. The King himself ex- /
promising 10 contribute c3,0O0, reserved a certain
thare Of tie expected prizes to himself prin. |
eipaily TO show that he was partner. He after.
wards excused himself, however, from advancing |
the money. Thus armed With extensive powers, |
Kidd sailed from London in April, 1895, and came
TO New York, where he remained for time, in
Indian Ocean and other parts IL was known, at
this time, that Spain was receiving large amounts
Of treasure from American and West Indian pos.
sessions ard Kidd captured one-the Cuiiad |
Merchant, sailing a. alleged, under French pass,
and carrying a large amount The Adventure /
Galley, having from some cause be.ome dis /
sbled, her srnament transferred 10 the Cuidad |
Merchant, and, in the latter, Kidd continued his /
cruse Il THE ship. supF osed to have been sunk up
the Hudson river, that the searches have 50 often
been made for.
RGmors now became rife that Kidd had turned
pirate, and the East India Company represented to
government that some Moorish ships having
been taken they feared rePrissls would be made on
thent. orders were thereUpon sent TO all colonial |
= IN artu ~
at THE juncture, one Emmet waised on the Esrl Of
Belmoni, and told him II be could cone in safety,
lhdd would make Lis innocence appear, aud that be
Merchant in a creek in Hispanicla. The Earl qua
ranteed safety, f his innocence shoud appear sats-
actory. a7d upon this underst ding be landed in
B ston lst Jube. 1GtA. The rri.sr Of the pamphlet
tsses that The Earl having, fron the conduc. oe |
Kidd and Livin gston. season 20 doubt tleir aco1 |