GOVERNOR CODRINGTON.
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but finding the coast of North America would afford him a better harvest, he did not remain long. In 1699, the gallant Admiral Benbow arrived at Antigua with a squadron of men-of-war, having on board Colonel Collingwood's regiment, (or, more probably, Col. Whetham's regiment, known as the " Enniskillen," or 27th regiment of the line ;) part of which was intended to be stationed upon the island, and the remainder to be sent to the other colonies within the government.
CHAPTER VI.
Governor Colonel Christopher Codrington—Establishment of the first market—Accession of Queen Anne—Arrival of Admiral Benbow— Attack upon the island of Guadaloupe, in conjunction with the Antiguan troops—Bravery of Colonel Edward Byam—Arrival of Captain Hovenden Walker—Second attack upon Guadaloupe — Colonel Codrington quits the government—His death—Sir William Mathew—Hon. John Johnson.
the period of his father's death, Christopher Codrington, Esq., the eldest son of the preceding governor, was in Holland, with his sovereign and his army ; but upon the news arriving of General Codrington's demise, William III. immediately AT
name of Kidd, the owner of a small sloop, and who had been early inured to a maritime life, proposed, that if a vessel of thirty guns, well manned, was placed under his command, he would agree to suppress the pirates, and effectually clear those seas from such dangerous frequenters. After some delay, a vessel was equipped by private subscription, and Kidd appointed to the command ; but instead of proceeding upon his mission to the American seas, he sailed for the East Indies, where he engaged in the unlawful traffic himself, captured some traders, and, after burning his own vessel, sailed in the largest of his prize ships for the Leeward Islands. After remaining there for a short period, he proceeded in his piratical career to the coast of North America, where, in his search after wealth, he perpetrated those revolting cruelties which have rendered his name infamous, and long caused the inhabitants of those colonies to chat around their winter's hearth of the deeds and fate of the redoubted Captain Kidd, the lawless rover of the seas.