Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1854-09-20

On the twelfth Of May, one hundred and
fifty three years ago. the celebrated pirate.
Kidd, was hung in England for the crime
OF murder. The following sketch of the
life of the pirate, is from Valentines His
tory of the City of New York"
The slave trade. being legitimate pur
suit and followed as a regular branch of
foreign trade for many years, was exceed
lngly profitable, though somewhat hazard
GUS owing 10 piratical adventurers, who
followed them into their remote trading
places, and often robbed them of their
stores and money used in the purchase Of
negroes. Tins practice became at last such
a pest to the mercantile interests, that ef-
fcrts were made by Influential merchants
of New York TO induce the English MIN
istry to assist them In fitting out cruis-
Ing vessel properly armed, to act against
the pirates Col. Robert Livingston. of
New York, an active and influential .citi
zen. brought this matter before the English
government and introduced Capt Viii
liam Kidd, of New Y ork, as an efficient
and well known commander, whose fitness
for such service was well understood In
New \ 0rk. He was a man OF family. and
had resided in New York for several wears.
Ii was proposed to engage in this enter
prise on the footing of a private adyen-
ture. although it was also desirable. for
some purposes that the scheme should re-
ceive the official counteuance Of tue gov
ernmeut. The king, Lord Semers, the
Earl Of COmney, the Duke Of Shewsber-
ry, the Earl of Oxford, the Lord Bella
mont, joined in making up the necessary
expense Of a proper vessel Col Living
ston also contributed a proportion The
profits we're to be divided among the own
ers Of the ship, allowing liberal share to
Kidd
4 commission was issued December IL.
1895 under the great seal of England
directed . to the trusty aud well beloved
Capt. William Kidd, commander of the
ship Adventure Galley" He set sail from
Plymouth in April, 1896, aud arrived Oh
the American coast, where he continued
for some time, occasionally entering the
harbor of New York. and visiting his
family in the city. lie was considered
useful in protecting our commerce for
which he received much applause, and the
assembly of the province voted him the
sum of two hundred and fifty pounds. as
Complimentary return for his services.
Soon after this he left this vicinity for
more active operations on the coast of
Africa. and it was not long ere the aston
ishing news arrived that Kidd had com
meuced the trade which he bad been en-
gagged to subvert and had committed sew.
eraI piraces The report of these facts
coming to the public knowledge in Eng
land the circumstance was made the sub
ject Of a violent attack upon the govern
ment by the opposition party. and in the
excess of party zeal, it was alleged that
the King himself, and those concerned in
the expedition were priyy to the piratical
adventure and shared in its profits The
charge having color Of foundation, from
the actual circumstances of the case. made
the question subject Of State enquiry.
and thus the name of Kidd though per
haps personally less obnoxious to the
odious characteristics Of his profession
than many others bseame from its asso-
ciatioa with partizaH warfare between the
great men OF the State, the most famous
among the pirates of the world. The no
blemen engaged in the enterprise under
went the form of trial for their lives, but
were acquitted.
The principal scenes Of Kidd's piracies,
we're OF the eastern coast of Africa at
Madagascar and the vicinity where be
captured and rifed several vessels. with
out, however, as We have been informed
by history committing extreme cruelties
upon bis captives- The only person prov
ca to have been killed BY him. being a
seaman of his own name, William Moore,
whom lie accidentally slew. by hitting him
with bucket, for iBsuboI diuation Kidd
having amassed fortune By this cruise.
shaped his course homeward, believing,
with strange fatuity, that no Information
Of his depreciation in those remote parts
OF the world had reached the scenes of
his home lie brought his vessel into
Long Island Sound IN the year l699. and
went ashore at GARDENERS Island, where.
from some uudiscoverabe motive. be made
known his desire to bury quantity Of
treasures on the island, and did according
ly deposit in the ground considerable
quantity of gold silver and precious stones,
in the presence of AIr Gardiner. but uu-
der strict ipjuuctions of secrecy. The
deposit consisted Of eleven hundred and
eleven ounces Of coined gold, two thousand
tLree hundred and fifty ounces of silver,
seventeen ounces Of jewels and precious
stones, sixty niue precious stones, Fifty bags
.of sugar, fJrty one bales Of merchandise,
seventeen pieces of canvas, one large load
stone. SC Having thus disburdened the
ship. he departed for Boston, with the
design. it is supposed. of selling his yes
sci. " While here, however. he was recog-
uized in the street, and apprebended He
was sent to England for trial. and indicted
for tie murder Of William Moore, before
spoken of and being convicted was hang
ed In chains, at Execution Dock, May L,
I7GI. Tie wife Of Kidd continued her
rcsidebcc IN this city after ais death,
herself and daughter living IN seclusion
in a habitation on the coast side Of the
town
BIG WoRDs "A fashionable lady in Buf-
falo. y Y, once said to a friend.
" Ny mex house, now directing is to be
sublimated and splendferous. There is
to be a Porto Rico in front, a. Pizza-