(Kidd, Captain William) — [John Mitchell] | The Greenhill copy of Kidd's account

(Kidd, Captain William) — [John Mitchell]

A Full Account of the Proceedings, in relation to Capt. Kidd. In two letters. Written by a person of Quality to a Kinsman of the Earl of Bellomont in Ireland. London: Printed and sold by the Booksellers of London and Westminster, 1701

Small 4to (205 x 160 mm). A fine copy. Modern calf gilt to style. Brown morocco case.    

The Greenhill copy.

First edition. Kidd was executed on 23 May 1701 having been tried and found guilty of murder and piracy while in the employ of the Earl of Bellomont, Governor of Massachusetts, under whom he held a commission empowering him to seize and bring in such pirates that he should encounter off the North American coast. It happened that Kidd, instead of capturing and destroying such pirates, was himself an active pirate, plundering vessels of friendly powers. Accordingly, Kidd was arrested on his return to Boston in 1699, and sent to England the following year to stand trial.

REFERENCES:

Church 797, Howes M677, Sabin 37703

PROVENANCE:

Harold Greenhill (bookplate) — Christie's New York, 14 June, 2006, lot 320