and one of his crew were escap'd out of the gaol
in this town. We have since found that the Gaoler was Bradish's
kinsman, and the Gaoler confessed they went out at the prison door and
that he found it wide open. We had all the reason in the world to
believe the Gaoler was consenting to the escape. By much ado I could
get the Council to resent the Gaoler's behavior, and by my Importunity
I had the fellow before us. We examin'd him, and by his own story and
account given us of his suffering other prisoners formerly to escape, I
prevailed to have him turn'd out and a prosecution order'd against him
to the Attorney Gen'l. I have also with some difficulty this last
session of Assembly here, got a bill to pass that the Gaol be committed
to the care of the High Sheriff of the County, as in England with a
salary of 30 pounds paid to the said Sheriff.

"I am forced to allow the Sheriff 40 Shillings per week for keeping
Kidd safe. Otherwise I should be in some doubt about him. He has
without doubt a great deal of gold, which is apt to corrupt men that
have not principles of honour. I have therefore, to try the power of
Iron against Gold, put him into irons that weigh 16 pounds. I thought
it moderate enough, for I remember poor Dr. Gates[9] had a 100 weight
of Iron on him while he was a prisoner in the late reign.

"There never was a greater liar or thief in the world than this Kidd;
notwithstanding he assured the Council and me every time we examined
him that the great Ship and her cargo awaited his return to bring her
hither, and now your Lordships will see by the several informations of
Masters of Ships from Curacoa that the cargo has been sold there, and
in one of them 'tis said they have burnt that noble ship. And without
doubt, it was by Kidd's order, that the ship might not be an evidence
against him, for he would not own to us that her name was the _Quedah
Merchant_, tho' his men did.

"Andres ...[10] eyne and two more brought the first news to New York of
the sale of that cargo at Curacoa, nor was ever such pennyworths heard
for cheapness. Captain Evertz is he who has brought the news of the
ship's being burnt. She was about 500 tons, and Kidd told us at
Council that never was there a stronger or stauncher ship seen. His
lying had like to have involved me in a contract that would have been
very chargeable and to no manner of purpose. I was advised by the
Council to dispatch a Ship of good condition to go a