The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1867-02-15

tuuo 'poSN "Oi 'iSOS WCTG LII SOIue way COQ-
nected with the protection of the Colonial
merchant vessels from the attack of the
pirates, who were at that time lowering
along the coasts of Northern Colonies.
Indeed, the harbor of New York was no
stranger to the pirate vessels and the
commerce between them and the "people
of fgure,' in this city was not inconsid-
cradle. 1t was no great secret that the
pirates were frequently in the Sound, and
were freely supplied with provisions by
the inhabitants of Long Island and still
farther, it was we'll known in the year
1895, that the English freebooters had
fitted out their vessels in the harbor of
New York. On the arrival of the pirate
vessels from their cruises their goods were
openly solid in the city, and the conduct
of the Colonial Government was such that
collision, if not direct partnership be-
tween them and the public authorities was
not doubted.
Such was the condition of affairs, when
Robert Livingston, of New York, recon-
mended to Governor Bellamont Captain
Kidd, as man of integrity aud courage,
acquainted with the pirates and their
places of rendezvous, and as one in all re-
spects fitted to be ptrusted with the com.
mand of vessel engaged in such difficult
service. A ship was accordingly procured
and equipped, and placed under the COM
mand of Kidd, who sailed from New York
under regular commission in April, 1896
For time he served faithfully and on
his return from his = first voyage he was
received with public honors and awarded
another grant from the colony of ESQ.
But on his next voyage he stretched away
to the Indian Ocean, and became pirate
himself Selecting the Island of NADIA
gascar as his principal place of rendez.
vous, and burning his own ship after hav-
ing captured one that suited him bet
ter, his depredations upon the commerce
OF all nations are represented to have been
great
/ 1t is beyond doubt true that Long Is
land Sound contained several of his hid
ing places. "Kidd's Rock" is we'll known
at Manhasset upon Long Island to this
day. Here be is supposed to have buried
some of his treasures and many have
been the attempts of the credulous in this
section to find the hidden gold. There is
also no DOUBT that he was wont to hide
himself and his vessels among those curis
Gus rocks in Sachem's Head Harbor, called
the Thimble Island. In addition to the
"Pirate's Cavern" in this vicinity, there
is, upon one of these rocks sheltered from
the view of the Sound, beautiful artif-
cial excavation, of an oval form, holding,
perhaps, the measure of barrel, called
'kidds Punch Bowl. 1t was here, ac-
cording to the traditions of the neighbor-
hood, that he used to carouse with his
crew. tbs a fac beyond controversy, that
he was accustomed to anchor his vessel in
Gardeners Bay On one occasion, in the
night, he Landed upon Gardser's Island,
and requested Mrs. Gardner to provide
supper for himself and bis Attendants
Knowing his desperate character, she
dared not refuse /; and fearing his dis
pleasure, she took great pains, especially
in roasting a pig. The pirate. chief was
SO pleased with her culinary success, that
on going away be presented her with a
cradle blanket of gold cloth. 1t was of
velvet in~rought with gold, and very rich.
A small piece of it yet remains in
the family. On another occasion, also,
when ho landed upon the isl ind, he bu-
ried small casket of gold, silver aud pre-.
cious stones in presence of Mr.. Gardner,
but under the most solemn ipjunctions of
secrecy.
Repairing soon after this occurrence to
Boston, where Lord Bellamopt CHANGED
to be ut the time, he was summoned be-
fore his lordship and ordered to give re-
port of his proceedings since be had sailed
on bis second voyage. Refusing, howev.
er, to comply with this demand, he was
arrested on the Sd of July, 1899, on the
charge Of piracy. He appears to have
disclosed the fact of having buried treas,
ure on Gardner's Island, for the same was
demanded by the Earl of Bellamont and
surrendered by Mr.. Gardner. We have
seen the original receipt for the amount,
with the different items of the deposits
The sum was by no means large, and af-
fords evidence of no such mighty sweep
ings of the seas as have been told of by
tradition. Of gold, in coins, gold dust
and bars, there were $50 ounces of sill
yer 500 ounces, and of" precious stones
l6 ounces.
Meanwhile, Kidd was taken to England,
tried on an indictment for piracy and
murder, and hung in chains with six Of
his crew. In addition to the indictment
for piracy, be was indicted for the murder
of one of his own subordinate officers,
named Moore, whom he killed in quar-.
rel by striking him over the head with a
bucket He was convicted of both char
ges, but protested to the last that he was
the victim of conspiracy and perjury.
Suspicious were entertained by the pub
lie that the execution was sham-that
the government dared not put him to
death, and that, to avoid disclosures,
man of straw was hung in his place. IL
proof of this assertion. IL was generally