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Autographs
U.S. Navy Commodore William Bainbridge Describes Medical Treatment Of His Daughter & His New Command
WILLIAM BAINBRIDGE (1774 - 1833). Commodore in the United States Navy, Commanded the USS Constitution during the War of 1812, notable for his victory over HMS Java during the War of 1812.
April 30, 1832-Dated, Personal Family Content Autograph Letter Signed, “Wm. Bainbridge” with 3 written pages, measuring 10” x 7.75” with integral leaf addressed to The Honorable Henry A. S. Dearborn, U.S. Senator, Washington City, Choice Very Fine. Written from Philadelphia, this Letter reads, in part:

“How have you been my dear General since I parted with you at Washington? Myself and daughter had a most delightful visit to my highly valued friend Col. Contee .... the forest lands of Prince Georges (Maryland) ... no part of our Country can exhibit greater hospitality ... my dear Daughter Mary ... (was) dangerously ill. She was Bled, cuped and blistered all within 10 hours .... a raging fever tending to the Brains, this will give you a small idea, how mildly our Phila Physicians treat their Patients .... The Secretary of the Navy (Levi Woodbury) ... requests me to hold myself in readiness to take the command of the Boston yard ....”

His bold, 3” long signature graces this letter, which describes his daughter’s illness and treatment at length, but only adds in passing, near the end, his appointment to his new Naval command.
William Bainbridge (1774-1833), Early American naval hero who commanded the doomed frigate Philadelphia at Tripoli. During the War of 1812 Bainbridge captained the USS Constitution to a celebrated victory over Britain's HMS Java. Bainbridge was honored on an official U.S. Mint medal and his portrait appears on an obsolete note issued by the Lehigh Bridge Company of Northampton, Pennsylvania.