That Kidd had captured some ships under French passes, and that the passes were in Bellamont's hands, is extremely probable; but it is incredible that a French pass for the _Quedah Merchant_ was in Bellamont's hands, and that he held it back.
He had been accused of complicity in Kidd's piracies, and threatened with impeachment.

Every consideration of private and political interest alike prompted him to clear himself of the charge, and confound those who accused the leading men of his party as well as himself.
Kidd tried to get the witnesses, some of them favourable to him, to say they had seen the French pass, but all they could say was that they had heard him declare there was one.

The adverse witnesses deposed that he had feigned to believe that the French gunner of the _Quedah Merchant_ was the captain, though they all knew he was not.

When asked, "Captain Kidd, can you make it appear there was a French pass aboard the _Quedah Merchant_ ?" he replied, "My lord, these men say they heard several say so." One of the Armenian owners was in court, but he did not examine him; nor could he say why he had not had the ship properly condemned, like the French ship taken between Plymouth and New York.

His only reply was that he was not at the sharing of the goods, and knew nothing of it.