That about the 15th June, the Moca Frigate went away, being manned with about 130 Men, and Forty Guns, bound out to take all Nations: Then it was that the Narrator was left with only Thirteen men; so that the Moors he had to pump and keep the Adventure Galley above Water, being carried away, she sunk in the Harbour; and the Narrator, with the said Thirteen men, went on board the Adventure Prize; where he was forced to stay Five Months for a Fair Wind; In the meantime, some Passengers presented, that were bound for these Parts; which he took on board, to help to bring the said Adventure Prize home.
That, about the beginning of April, 1699, the Narrator arrived at Anguilla in the West Indies, and sent his Boat on Shore; where his Men had the News That he and his People were proclaimed Pirates, which put them into such Consternation, That they sought all Opportunity to run the Ship on Shore upon some Reef or Shoal, fearing the Narrator should carry them into some English Port.
From Anguilla they came to St. Thomas’; where his Brother-in-law Samuel Bradley was put on shore, being sick; and Five more went away, and deserted him: Where he heard the same News, That the Narrator, and his Company, were proclaimed Pirates, which incensed the People more and more.
From St. Thomas set sail for Moona, an Island between Hispaniola and Porto Rico; where they met with a Sloop called the St. Anthony, bound for Antega from Curaso, Mr. Wm. Boulton Merchant, and Samuel Wood, Master: The men on board then swore, they would bring the Ship no further. The Narrator then sent the said Sloop St. Anthony for Curaso, for Canvas to make Sails for the Prize, she not being able to proceed; and she returned in Ten Days; and after the Canvas came, he could not persuade the Men to carry her for New England; but Six of them went and carried their Chests and Things on board of Two Dutch Sloops; bound for Curaso; and would not so much as heel the Vessel, or do anything, the Remainder of the men not being able to bring the Adventure Prize to Boston, the Narrator secured her in a good Harbour in some Part of Hispaniola and left in the Possession of Mr. Henry Boulton of Antegua, Merchant, the Maker, Three of the old Men, and Fifteen or Sixteen of the men that belonged to the said Sloop St. Anthony, and a Brigantine belonging to one Mr. Burt of Curaso.
That the Narrator bought the said Sloop St. Anthony of Mr. Boulton, for the Owner’s Account; and after, he had given Directions to the said Boulton to be careful of the said Ship and Lading, and persuaded him to stay Three Months till he returned; and then made the best of his Way to New York; where he heard the Earl of Bellamont was, who was principally concerned in the Adventure Galley; and hearing his Lordship was at Boston, came thither; and has now been 45 Days from the said Ship.
Wm. Kidd.
Boston. 7th July, 1699.
Further the Narrator saith, That the said Ship was left at St. Katharina, on the South East Part of Hispaniola, about Three Leagues to Leeward of the Westerly End of Savona: Whilst he lay at Hispaniola, he traded with Mr. Henry Boulton of Antegua, and Mr. Wm. Burt of Curaso, Merchants, to the Value of 11,200 Pieces of Eight; whereof he received the Sloop Antonio at 3000 Pieces of Eight, and 4200 Pieces of Eight by Bills of Exchange, drawn by Boulton and Burt upon Messieurs Gabriel and Lemont, Merchants in Curaso, made payable to Mr. Burt, who went himself to Curaso; and the Value of 4,000 Pieces of Eight more in Dust and Bar Gold; which Gold, with some more traded for at Madagascar, being Fifty Pounds Weight, or upwards, in Quantity, the Narrator left in Custody of Mr. Gardner of Gardner’s Island, near the Eastern End of Long Island, fearing to bring it about by Sea: It is made up in a Bag put into a little Box, locked, nailed, corded about, and sealed: Saith he took no Receipt for it of Mr. Gardner.
The Gold that was seized at Mr. Campbell’s, the Narrator, traded for at Madagascar, with what came out of Galley.