J. Allan Dunn

“ The dope about Kidd is authentic. For the Camp-Fire I am enclosing an actual copy of Kidd’s commission from the king, taken from this old book I told you I discovered in the attic of this house. When I come up to town I’ll bring the little volume with me.
What I tried to do in “On the account” was to make an action yarn that would give a the picture of pirate life around 1650-1750. While there were many turtlers who were used by, of use to, abused by and abusing the pirates, Todd is, of course, pure fiction. ”

“ F. Francis Begley, his handwrite dated this 22th (sic) day of January 1823.
The Grass is green the leaves are red this will Be Here when I am Dead. When I am Dead and in my Grave and all my Bones are Rotten Perchance this Book will Still be Read when I am Fair Forgotten. ”

“ At New York, on the warrant of his patron, Lord Bellamont, he was arrested. Many of his crew had left him at Madagascar but later surrendered themselves, hoping for amnesty under the King’s proclamation of pardon to pirates. They were admitted at first to bail but finally taken to England with Kidd. ”