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1802 William Bainbridge Autograph Letter Signed to the Father of a Midshipman Killed in a Duel on the USS Essex

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WILLIAM BAINBRIDGE (1774-1833). Naval Officer. In Command of the USS Philadelphia during the First Barbary War when she ran aground off of Tripoli in 1803, resulting in his capture and imprisonment for 19 months; During the War of 1812, he was appointed to command the 44-gun Frigate USS Constitution (Old Ironsides), and defeated HMS Java off the coast of Brazil on Dec. 29, 1812, for which he was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal.

July 25, 1802-Dated Autograph Letter Signed, "Wm. Brainbridge", 2 large folio pages, measuring 8" x 12-3/4", New York City, as Captain of the U.S. Frigate

"Essex", Very Fine. Written in bold brown ink on laid period paper with Integral Transmittal Cover to Col. Barnardus Swartwout. Some short fold splits and a minor corner chip at lower left, overall easily readable and clean in appearance. This interesting Navy Letter is written shortly after his return to the U.S. from a cruise in the Mediterranean protecting American trade and seamen from the Barbary Pirates (young Lt. Stephen Decatur served as a Lt. on the "Essex" on this same cruise).

Here, Bainbridge writes in response to a letter received from Col. Barnardus Swartwout, the father Thomas Swartwout, a Midshipman on board of the "Essex” who was killed in a duel with another Midshipman at Algeciras, Spain. Bainbridge writes that he tried to have the body interred at Gibraltar, thinking that "it would be more gratifying to the feelings of his relatives to have him buried in an English place", but could not obtain permission, so had him buried at Algeciras, Spain, in Fort St. Jago (Fuerto de Santiago). Thomas Swartwout had been appointed to the Navy as a Midshipman at age 15 by President John Adams in 1800. This Letter reads, in full:

"New York, 25th July 1802 --- Sir, --- I have received your letter respecting the wages of your unfortunate Son, Mr. Thomas Swartwout, who unknown to me, and contrary to the expressed discipline of the Ship under my command, at Algeciras on the 30th of March, met and fought with Mr. Higginbottom, Midshipman, on board the same Ship, and unfortunately fell. I endeavored to have him interred at Gibraltar, supposing it would be more gratifying to the feelings of his relatives to have him buried in an English place, but I could not obtain permission. He was laid at Algeciras in Fort St. Jago; his clothes was taken charge of by a Midshipman by his particular request. --- I shall instruct Mr. Winn the Purser to settle his Acct. with you. --- I am very Respectfully Sir / Your Most Obdt. Servt. - (Signed) Wm. Bainbridge"

On the Integral second page is a copy of Barnardus Swartwout's letter to Bainbridge, dated at New York, July 24, 1802, which reads, in full:

"Capt. Bainbridge --- Sir, --- Not having the honor of your acquaintance - permit me to address you thus. Being the father of that very unfortunate young man, Mr. Thos. Swartwout, late midshipman under your orders who while engaged in an honorable pursuit, that of serving his Country, fell a victim to the (false) laws of honor, to the great affliction of his relatives. Understanding that he had Wages &c due from the United States for his services in the Navy, & considering, as I hear the Essex will leave this in a few days for Washington & that it will be easier & more agreeable to receive it here, I therefore take the liberty Sir, to ask the favor that you will direct the Purser to exhibit his Acct. with the Deceased, & to pay me whatever may be due, or to instruct me where to apply for it. --- New York, July 24th, 1802".

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