Pardon Captain William Kidd

Over 300 years ago, Captain William Kidd was hanged for piracy and became one of history's most notorious villains. During his trial, the key paperwork he requested to show before his jury - the evidence that would have disputed his guilt of piracy - conveniently disappeared.

This evidence was the French passes that he took from his captured ships, making his prizes legal captures under his privateering commission.

Many centuries later, these passes were discovered to be misfiled in the Public Record Office in London, and prove that Captain Kidd should not have been sentenced for piracy.

This movement is to help bring this evidence to the Crown and request that Captain Kidd be granted a royal pardon - and help rewrite history that he was a privateer to the very end, honoring his commission. Every donation will go towards the purchase of letters, postage, and paperwork needed to make this possible.