, committing several Robberies with the rest of
the Pyrates in that Ship, and was brought home by Shelly of New York.

"I asked Gov. Cranston how he could answer taking bail for him, when he
had received so strict Orders from Mr. Secretary Vernon to seize and
secure Kidd and his associates with their effects. I desired Col.
Sanford to examine Palmer on oath. I enclose his Examination where
your Lordships may please to observe that he accuses Kidd of murdering
his Gunner, which I never heard before."

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[Illustration: Statement of Edward Davis, who sailed home with Kidd,
concerning the landing of the treasure and goods.]

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It may be that the "old Pyrate," Thomas Paine buried a bag of Kidd's
gold but it is much more likely that whatever had been stored with him
was turned over to that astute helpmeet, Mrs. William Kidd, for whom it
has been left in his keeping. As for that "most impudent, hardened
Villain," James Gillam, it is unreasonable to suppose that his sea
chest was buried by the friends who took it off his hands in Delaware
Bay. Indeed, there was no motive for putting booty underground when it
could be readily disposed of in the open market. Bellomont complained
in one of his letters of this same eventful summer:

"There are about thirty Pyrates come lately into the East end of Nassau
Island and have a great deal of Money with them, but so cherished are
they by the Inhabitants that not a man among them is taken up. Several
of them I hear, came with Shelly from Madagascar. Mr. Hackshaw, one of
the Merchants in London that plotted against me, is one of the owners
of Shelley's Sloop, and Mr. De Lancey, a Frenchman at New York is
another. I hear that Capt. Kidd dropped some Pyrates in that Island
(Madagascar). Till there be a good Judge or two, and an honest, active
Attorney General to prosecute for the King, all my Labour to suppress
Pyracy will signify even just nothing. When Fred Phillip's ship and
the other two come from Madagascar, which are expected every day, New
York will abound with Gold. 'Tis the most beneficial Trade, that to
Madagascar with the Pyrates, that ever was heard of, and I believe
there's more got that way than by turning Pirates and robbing. I am
told this Shelley sold rum, which cost but 2 s. per Gallon in New York
for 50 s. at Madagas