address of thanks, according to the usual
custom, they presented a sullen remonstrance, complaining that a
jealousy and distrust had been raised of their duty and affection; and
desiring he would show marks of his high displeasure towards all persons
who had presumed to misrepresent their proceedings to his majesty. He
declared, in his answer, that no person had ever dared to misrepresent
their proceedings, and that if any should presume to impose upon him by
such calumnies, he would treat them as his worst enemies.

* Villers, earl of Jersey, who had been sent ambassador to
France, was appointed secretary of state in the room of the
duke of Shrewsbury. This nobleman was created lord
chamberlain; the earl of Manchester was sent ambassador
extraordinary to France; the earl of Pembroke was declared
lord-president of the council; and lord viscount Lonsdale
keeper of the privy-seal.

{WILLIAM, 1688--1701.}

INQUIRY INTO THE EXPEDITION Of CAPTAIN KIDD.

The house was not in a humour to be appeased with soothing promises
and protestations; they determined to distress him by prosecuting his
ministers. During the war the colonies of North America had grown rich
by piracy. One Kidd, the master of a sloop, undertook to suppress the
pirates, provided the government would furnish him with a ship of thirty
guns well manned. The board of admiralty declaring that such a number of
seamen could not be spared from the public service, Kidd was equipped by
the private subscription of the lord Chancellor, the duke of Shrewsbury,
the earls of Romney, Orford, and Bellamont, sir Edward Harrison,
and colonel Livingstone of New York. The king promised to contribute
one-half of the expense, and reserved to himself one-tenth of the
profits; but he never advanced the money. Kidd being thus equipped, and
provided with a commission to act against the French, as well as to
make war on certain pirates therein mentioned by name, set sail from
Plymouth; but instead of cruising on the coast of America, he directed
his course to the East Indies, where he himself turned pirate, and took
a rich ship belonging to the Moors. Having divided his booty with his
crew, ninety of whom left him in order to join other adventurers, he
burned his own ship and sailed with his prize to the West Indies. There
he purchased a sloop in which he steered for North America, leaving part
of his men in the prize, to remain in one of th