A complete collection of state-trials, and proceedings upon high-treason, and other Crimes and Misdemeanours; from the reign of King Richard II. To The End of the Reign of King George I. The Fifth Volume only. Pirate trials of Capt.s Kidd, Kirkby & Green.
London: 1742. Third edition, with additions. Hardcover. Trials of noted sea captains, including of pirate Captain Kidd, Captain Richard Kirkby and pirate Captain Thomas Green.
Captain William Kidd (c.1654 – 1701) was a Scottish sailor who was tried and executed for piracy, although some modern historians note that relegating him to the role of pirate and putting him on trial was a maneuver used by politicians of the day to deflect attention from their own questionable roles in privateering.
Here Kidd testifies that he has French passes, which would have provided proof that he worked as a privateer and not a pirate: "I beg your Lordship's Patience till I can procure my Papers. I had a Couple of French Passes, which I must make use of in order to my Justification" (p287). Kidd was not allowed to retrieve his papers; he was found guilty on all charges (murder and piracy) and sentenced to death. (pp 287-338)
Captain Richard Kirkby (1658 – 16 April 1703) was an officer of the Royal Navy who was tried at a court martial for his conduct during the Action of August 1702, a naval battle in the War of the Spanish Succession, in which a British squadron fought the French off the coast of present day Colombia, South America. Kirkby, who wrote to the Admiralty and claimed that the defeat was in fact caused by Vice Admiral Benbow's errors in judgment, was convicted of cowardice and disobedience and sentenced to be shot. (pp 445-448).
Captain Thomas Green (1679?-1705) was an English sailor and alleged pirate, who was accused of having boarded a ship off the coast of India, seized its goods, killed the crew and sold the ship. The evidence against Capt. Green was insufficient, however he was found guilty and hanged in Scotland along with 2 crew members. (pp 592-608)
Volume 5 of a 6 volume set. Folio, 852pp. Deaccessed by the NY Association of the Bar Library, with their stamp on the title page. Pale green library cloth binding with leather gilt spine labels, and paper label. Spine sunned, cloth marked at spine; upper corner front board bumped. OCLC: 221743636 for the 6 volume set, (1 copy) Monash University. Very good condition. Item #23981
Price: $600.00