I have been sworn against by perjured and wicked people.
— William Kidd
This ship was a league from us, and some of the men would have taken her, and I would not consent to it, and this Moore said I always hindered them making their fortunes. Was that not the reason I struck him? Was there a mutiny on board?
My lord, I have some matter of law relating to the indictment, and I desire counsel to speak to it.
My lord, I will tell you what the case was. I was coming up within a league of the Dutchman, and some of my men were making a mutiny about taking her, and my gunner told the people he could put the captain in a way to take the ship, and be safe.
I had no money nor friends to prepare for the trial till last night.
I would rather my soul broil in hell than I do you any harm.
I do not care so much for the death of my gunner, as for other passages of my voyage, for I have good friends in England that will bring me off for that.
I desire to put off my trial as long as I can till I can get my evidence ready.
If you will take her, you may take her, but if you go from aboard, you shall never come aboard again.
