Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-01-29

been concerned particularly but for the
loSses the commerce OF England had
sustained. One of the cheapest and
easiest ways of abating the nuisance
was believed to be to fit out vessels to
prey upon the pirates, seize their
plunder and bring them to justice. This
was considered not only a good but a
profitable method of combating the
evil. and so in January, 1896. a syndi-
cate was formed in the city of London
TO lit out vessel to rob the robbers
The members of this syndicate were
the king. the lord chancellor, the Duke
of Shrewsbury, the Earl of Bellomont
Robert Livingston, William Kidd and
various other gentlemen. 1t was Liv-
lngston who suggested Captain Kidd
tde Vouched for him not only as n
man of integrity but as a brave man.
too. He offered to furnish bond for
kidd's portion of the contribution to
the syndicate fund and he told of the
glorious work Kidd had done for Eng
land In two sea fights with the French,
In one OF these his arrival saved a
British ship from capture by six
French vessels that were closing in on
the lone Englishman His conduct In
this engagement had won for him the
highest praise. No one could have he
haved more bravely.
AGAINST HIS WILL.
When the proposition was made to
Kidd in London to take command or
the priVateer 10 go out In pursuit of
the pirates he viewed 1t with disfayor
only Few years before he had mar
ried. His wife had owned an excellent
piece of property in Hanover square.
near where the Cotton Exchange now
stands, and he had sold this and moved
into new house on Liberty street.
NaSSaH O up1c
loving and had thought of giving up
the sea. To go privateering would
mean long absences from home and III
creased dangers. So he declined
But the king and the kings friends
In the syndicate did not intend that he
should have his own way. 1t was in
timated to him that he must accent.
Otherwise he would not be permitted
10 leave the Thames, Hesitatingly
and reluctantly he accepted. Living
ston signed his bond and all the syn
dicators except the king put up their
money to mt out the prVateer In
the language of the turf the king
WEIGHED. So far as IS known he re-
tained his interest. but kept his money.
He had served a purpose. however. He
had been a good decoy duck to get
others to subscribe to the pool. A
stanch SO-gun vessel of 2S7 tons. the
Adventure. was purchased, and in
April. 1886 Kidd sailed in this for New
York to complete his crew and make
ready for business.
On his way over to New York he
captured a French ship off the New
foundland banks. and when he reached
New York he was greeted as a con-
queror, The provincial assembly vot-
ed G25o to him by way of testimonial
IL ever man got q daredevil crow
for boat, Kidd got one for tho Al
venture in New York He signed bIs
men on the contract OF no prize no nav.
and he got as fine collection of war
ship deserters. pirates and rogues as
the Western ocean could supply HIs
plan was TO go TO the East Indies
where pirates were numerous. and in
September. 1906, he sailed out of Nov
York bay with the good wishes OF tho
people and the blessings OF the Earl
of Bellomont. who had been apDointod
governor of New York and Massachu-
setts.
HIS COMMISSIONS
The good captain had two commis
sions from his gracious mnjesty the
king. One was to seize pirates The
second was To 'apprehend, seize and
take ships, vessels and goods belong
Ing TO the French king and his sub
tects and such other ships, vessels and |
goods as are or shall be liable TO con-
hscation." This gave great latitude to |
Capt. Kidd. but there was clause |
that may be considered somewhat like !
a joker. in which IL was specified that |
he should do nothing contrary to the |
true meaning Of his instructions. AS !
the undertaking was one OF profit pure 1