Kidd was an old privateers-man who had gained some reputation in the West Indies during the war.

Lord Bellamont had been appointed Governor of New York, though he did not proceed there till two years later.

The king had charged him to use his utmost endeavours to put a check on the pirates who sailed from New England, and nothing better occurred to him than to obtain a commission for Kidd to act against the rovers.

A general reward of L50 was offered for the apprehension of each pirate, and L100 for Every, increased in the following year to L500.
In December, a commission under the Admiralty Seal was issued to Kidd, authorizing him to proceed against French shipping.

He was to keep a journal of his proceedings, and any ship captured was to be carried into the nearest port and legally adjudged by a competent court.