ABSTRACT
WilliamKiddwasprobablyofScottishoriginandwasborninorabout 1645.Hewenttoseawhenhewasayoungman,andservedwith distinctionintheWestIndiesduringthe1680s;hehadobviouslygained thetrustoftheirLordshipsoftheAdmiralty,andinthewinterof169596twocommissionswereissuedtohimbytheCrown.1Onewasa letterofmarque,authorizinghimtoattackandcaptureFrenchshipping;theotherauthorizedhimtocrushpirates.Thefulltextofthese commissionswillbefoundinAppendicesIIIandIV.
