1826 Commodore William Bainbridge Autograph Letter Signed to Captain George C. Read Aboard U.S. Brig Brandywine
William Bainbridge (1774–1833). Autograph Letter Signed, "W. Bainbridge," Washington City, May 14, 1826, four manuscript pages on a folded integral letter sheet, addressed to "Geo. Read Esq., U.S. Brig Brandywine, New York." An exceptional and highly personal letter exchanged between two of the United States Navy's most distinguished officers during the formative years of the post-War of 1812 Navy.
Written while Bainbridge was serving on the Board of Navy Commissioners, the letter is remarkable for its candid, conversational tone. Bainbridge humorously teases Captain Read about his "very scrawled letter," joking that he had "learnt one thing by going to sea—that is, the art of scrawling." He discusses Navy Department affairs, command appointments, mutual acquaintances, European travel, letters received from France and the Cape, and comments on the political realities surrounding appointments to naval commands.
The letter's most important passage congratulates Read on his appointment to command what Bainbridge proudly calls "the finest frigate in the world," almost certainly referring to the newly commissioned U.S. Brig Brandywine, and remarks upon Read's good fortune in accompanying the American minister to France before returning to command one of the Navy's finest vessels. Bainbridge closes with warm personal regards and his large, bold signature, "W. Bainbridge."
The recipient is Captain George C. Read (1788–1862), one of the leading officers of the early United States Navy. A veteran of the War of 1812, Read later rose to the rank of commodore and enjoyed a distinguished naval career spanning more than four decades. The integral address panel, directed to "Geo. Read Esq., U.S. Brig Brandywine, New York," firmly establishes the naval association and significantly enhances the historical importance of the letter.
William Bainbridge remains one of the most celebrated figures in American naval history. Hero of the Barbary Wars and commander of USS Constitution during her decisive victory over HMS Java in December 1812, he became one of the original members of the Board of Navy Commissioners following the War of 1812. Correspondence from this period offers a rare glimpse into the administration of the early U.S. Navy and Bainbridge's influence over officer assignments and fleet development.
Unlike routine official naval correspondence, this letter is rich in personality and humor, revealing Bainbridge's close friendship with Read. Such informal correspondence between senior naval officers is considerably scarcer than official orders or endorsements and is especially desirable to collectors of American naval history.
Condition
Very good for an 1826 folded letter.
Complete with all four manuscript pages and original integral address panel. Bold, dark Bainbridge signature. Original mailing folds, scattered age toning and staining, a few old archival tape repairs, minor edge chips and small losses at fold intersections, but entirely legible and highly displayable. Overall an attractive example with excellent eye appeal.
Historical Significance
- Written by one of the greatest heroes of the War of 1812.
- Addressed to future Commodore George C. Read.
- Discusses Navy Department appointments and command assignments.
- References diplomatic travel to France.
- Mentions the newly commissioned Brandywine, one of the Navy's most celebrated early warships.
- Displays Bainbridge's uncommon wit and personal friendship with Read.
- Complete with original address panel.
The combination of a famous author, an equally distinguished naval recipient, substantive content relating to naval administration, and an identified warship elevates this well above the typical Bainbridge autograph letter.
Here is a transcript of the letter:
Washington City
14 May 1826
Dear Read,
My dear, I had the pleasure to receive your very scrawled letter. I perceive, my good fellow, that you have learnt one thing by going to sea—that is, the art of scrawling, as I have such a horrible aversion to long letter writing (and if that is not the fault, is, I have not leisure for it), the following will produce the effect for many reasons. "I have nothing to communicate;" but what the devil possesses you if you really know but I do not advise you to do so, for it is not always so—you avoid apparent [difficulties?] in certain things that could not fail to give you a [great?] deal of [trouble?].
He is not in the secrets of a certain Department to know who is to be appointed to the command of a certain frigate which a particular friend of mine has received, not hence, from a tour through or round France, and where I imagine the President would not permit him to decline the command—if he could, and if it would, I don't believe the Government [would].
Your Cape letter I received, and also two from France. They were interesting and well written, and for which I most sincerely thank you. The present inquiry I returned it, but he held, and will take it on with me to Philadelphia sometime next week.
You are a lucky dog, in accompanying the Minister [Secret?] to France, in making the tour of France, making acquaintance with many distinguished persons, both as ladies (that our —— never [knew?]) and then to return to America appointed to the command of the finest frigate in the world, with joyful permission to bring her home. And all these worthy favors without expense of any of your friends.
Here we decline to write; therefore must conclude this brief scroll, with assurances of my affectionate regard.
W. Bainbridge
William Bainbridge (1774–1833). Autograph Letter Signed, "W. Bainbridge," Washington City, May 14, 1826, four manuscript pages on a folded integral letter sheet, addressed to "Geo. Read Esq., U.S. Brig Brandywine, New York." An exceptional and highly personal letter exchanged between two of the United States Navy's most distinguished officers during the formative years of the post-War of 1812 Navy.
Written while Bainbridge was serving on the Board of Navy Commissioners, the letter is remarkable for its candid, conversational tone. Bainbridge humorously teases Captain Read about his "very scrawled letter," joking that he had "learnt one thing by going to sea—that is, the art of scrawling." He discusses Navy Department affairs, command appointments, mutual acquaintances, European travel, letters received from France and the Cape, and comments on the political realities surrounding appointments to naval commands.
The letter's most important passage congratulates Read on his appointment to command what Bainbridge proudly calls "the finest frigate in the world," almost certainly referring to the newly commissioned U.S. Brig Brandywine, and remarks upon Read's good fortune in accompanying the American minister to France before returning to command one of the Navy's finest vessels. Bainbridge closes with warm personal regards and his large, bold signature, "W. Bainbridge."
The recipient is Captain George C. Read (1788–1862), one of the leading officers of the early United States Navy. A veteran of the War of 1812, Read later rose to the rank of commodore and enjoyed a distinguished naval career spanning more than four decades. The integral address panel, directed to "Geo. Read Esq., U.S. Brig Brandywine, New York," firmly establishes the naval association and significantly enhances the historical importance of the letter.
William Bainbridge remains one of the most celebrated figures in American naval history. Hero of the Barbary Wars and commander of USS Constitution during her decisive victory over HMS Java in December 1812, he became one of the original members of the Board of Navy Commissioners following the War of 1812. Correspondence from this period offers a rare glimpse into the administration of the early U.S. Navy and Bainbridge's influence over officer assignments and fleet development.
Unlike routine official naval correspondence, this letter is rich in personality and humor, revealing Bainbridge's close friendship with Read. Such informal correspondence between senior naval officers is considerably scarcer than official orders or endorsements and is especially desirable to collectors of American naval history.
Condition
Very good for an 1826 folded letter.
Complete with all four manuscript pages and original integral address panel. Bold, dark Bainbridge signature. Original mailing folds, scattered age toning and staining, a few old archival tape repairs, minor edge chips and small losses at fold intersections, but entirely legible and highly displayable. Overall an attractive example with excellent eye appeal.
Historical Significance
- Written by one of the greatest heroes of the War of 1812.
- Addressed to future Commodore George C. Read.
- Discusses Navy Department appointments and command assignments.
- References diplomatic travel to France.
- Mentions the newly commissioned Brandywine, one of the Navy's most celebrated early warships.
- Displays Bainbridge's uncommon wit and personal friendship with Read.
- Complete with original address panel.
The combination of a famous author, an equally distinguished naval recipient, substantive content relating to naval administration, and an identified warship elevates this well above the typical Bainbridge autograph letter.
Here is a transcript of the letter:
Washington City
14 May 1826
Dear Read,
My dear, I had the pleasure to receive your very scrawled letter. I perceive, my good fellow, that you have learnt one thing by going to sea—that is, the art of scrawling, as I have such a horrible aversion to long letter writing (and if that is not the fault, is, I have not leisure for it), the following will produce the effect for many reasons. "I have nothing to communicate;" but what the devil possesses you if you really know but I do not advise you to do so, for it is not always so—you avoid apparent [difficulties?] in certain things that could not fail to give you a [great?] deal of [trouble?].
He is not in the secrets of a certain Department to know who is to be appointed to the command of a certain frigate which a particular friend of mine has received, not hence, from a tour through or round France, and where I imagine the President would not permit him to decline the command—if he could, and if it would, I don't believe the Government [would].
Your Cape letter I received, and also two from France. They were interesting and well written, and for which I most sincerely thank you. The present inquiry I returned it, but he held, and will take it on with me to Philadelphia sometime next week.
You are a lucky dog, in accompanying the Minister [Secret?] to France, in making the tour of France, making acquaintance with many distinguished persons, both as ladies (that our —— never [knew?]) and then to return to America appointed to the command of the finest frigate in the world, with joyful permission to bring her home. And all these worthy favors without expense of any of your friends.
Here we decline to write; therefore must conclude this brief scroll, with assurances of my affectionate regard.
W. Bainbridge
