r
General to pay to Captain William Kidd, One Hundred and Fifty Pounds
current money of this Province, as a suitable reward for the many good
services done to this Province."

In June, only a month after this, Captain Kidd was asked by the Colony
of Massachusetts to punish the pirates who were pestering the shipping
of Boston and Salem. The negotiations were conducted in this wise:

_By the Governor and Council._

Proposals offered to Captain Kidd and Captain Walkington to encourage
their going forth in their Majesties' Service to suppress an Enemy
Privateer now upon this Coast.

That they have liberty to beat up drums for forty men apiece to go
forth on this present Expedition, not taking any Children or Servants
without their Parents' or Masters' Consent. A list of the names of
such as go in the said Vessels to be presented to the Governor before
their departure.

That they cruise upon the Coast for the space of ten or fifteen days in
search of the said Privateer, and then come in again and land the men
supplied them from hence.

That what Provisions shall be expended within the said time, for so
many men as are in both the said Vessels, be made good to them on their
return, in case they take no purchase;[2] but if they shall take the
Privateer, or any other Vessels, then only a proportion of Provisions
for so many men as they take in here.

If any of our men happen to be wounded in the engagement with the
Privateer, that they be cured at the public charge.

That the men supplied from hence be proportionable sharers with the
other men belonging to said Vessels, of all purchase that shall be
taken.

Besides the promise of a Gratuity to the Captains, Twenty Pounds apiece
in money.

Boston, June 8th, 1691.

To this thrifty set of terms, Captain Kidd made reply:

"_Imprimis_, To have forty men, with their arms, provisions, and
ammunition.

"_2dly_. All the men that shall be wounded, which have been put in by
the Country, shall be put on shore, and the Country to take care of
them. And if so fortunate as to take the Pirate and her prizes, then
to bring them to Boston.

"_3rdly_. For myself, to have One Hundred Pounds in money; Thirty
Pounds thereof to be paid down, the rest upon my return to Boston; and
if we bring in said Ship and her Prizes, then the same to be divided
amongst our men.

"_4thly_. The Provisions put on board must be ten barrels Pork and
Beef, ten barrels of Flour, two hogsh