And the said _Kidd_ further told me, That his Men having left him, and his Design frustrated, he thought it his best Way to preserve the said Ship then in his Possession, and the Goods on board her, for his Employers, or the proper Owners thereof; And accordingly, with the few Men he had then left, which would not join with the other Ninety in their aforesaid Design, being about Twenty in Number, and with a few other men, that he procured at _Madagascar_, to assist him in navigating the said Ship, he intended to have brought the same to _Boston_, according to his Orders; but, touching in his Way at the Island of _St. Thomas_, and other Places in the _West Indies_, he there heard, That great Complaints were preferred against him, and he proclaimed a Pirate; which occasioned him to sail to a Place called _Mona_, near _Hispaniola_: from whence he sent to _Curaso_, and brought there the Sloop on which he is now on board, and took into her to the Value of about 8 or 10,000_l_ in Goods, Gold, and Plate: for which Gold and Plate he traded at _Madagascar_, and was produced by the Sale of sundry Goods and Stores, that he took out of the _Adventure Galley_, formerly commanded by him; and hath left the Ship taken by his Company, and carried to _Madagascar_, as aforesaid, at or near _Mona_ abovesaid, in the Custody of about Six Men of his own Company, and Eighteen others that he got from _Curaso_; the Merchant of whom he bought the said Sloop, being intrusted therewith; unto which he had promised to return again in Three Months; the said _Kidd_ resolving to come into _Boston_ or _New York_, to deliver up unto, your Excellency what Goods and Treasure he hath on board; and to pray your Excellency’s Assistance, to enable him to bring the said Ship left by him at _Mona_ aforesaid, from thence; the said Ship being disabled from coming for want of Furniture. But the said Captain _Kidd_ further informed me, That by reason of what his Men had heard in the _West Indies_, as aforesaid, of their being proclaimed Pirates, they would not consent to his coming into any Port without some Assurance from your Excellency, That they should not be imprisoned nor molested: And the said Captain _Kidd_ did several times protest solemnly, That he had not done anything since his going out in the said Galley contrary to his Commission or Orders, more than what he was necessitated unto, being overpowered by his Men that deserted him, as aforesaid; who evil-intreated him several times for his not consenting to, or joining with them in, their Actions: And all the men on board the Sloop now with him did, in like manner, solemnly protest their Innocence; and declared, That they had used their utmost Endeavours in preserving the aforesaid Ship and Goods for the Owners or Employers. The said _Kidd_ also saith, That, if your Lordship should see Cause so to direct, he would carry the said Ship for _England_, there to render an Account of his Proceedings.