Page "William Kidd" Paragraph 7

On 11 December 1695, Bellomont, who was now governing New York, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, asked the " trusty and well beloved Captain Kidd " to attack Thomas Tew, John Ireland, Thomas Wake, William Maze, and all others who associated themselves with pirates, along with any enemy French ships.

This request, however, if turned down, would have been viewed as disloyalty to the crown, the perception of which carried much social stigma, making it difficult for Kidd to have done so.

The request preceded the voyage which established Kidd's reputation as a pirate, and marked his image in history and folklore.