I was 11 and already a confirmed sea story sap when my godfather Jim Lincoln brought the letter below to my attention.

232     PAPERS OF CAPTAIN RUFUS LINCOLN

     THE Gamaliel Bradford who wrote these letters was a lieutenant in Captain Rufus Lincoln's Company, in the 7th Mass. Regiment of the Line, Colonel J. Brooks, commanding. His father, Gamaliel Bradford, Senior, was colonel of the 14th Mass. Regiment of the Line. Rufus Lincoln was a captain in this regiment also. [Cpt Lincoln would live on into the 1840s. Bradford's son Gamaliel became a notable success.]

     BOSTON Jany 30. 1819

Dear Sir
     I lately received a letter from you, otherways I should not have known you was in the land of the living, but this informed me that you was living and in the land of Wareham- where I shall direct this letter with the sincere hope it may find you well and happy and enjoying all the good things of this life and the consolations which are derived from the hopes of a better. It is a pleasure to me to hear there are so many of our old revolutionary associates still on this side the grave, although none of us can be far from this rendezvous of clay. I believe I am the youngest of the whole band, and I am far descended down the vale of years - I am fifty five and this is late in the afternoon of life - The last time you saw me I was not over twenty, a mere boy -We should therefore hardly remember each other if we were to meet; yet I think I should recognize my old captain, so well are his former looks imprest on my mind and memory. And it would give me great pleasure to meet you and talk over old events, and live over old scenes. What changes have taken place in the world, since our seperation as well as in ourselves-perhaps my life has been more checkered, and more marked with adventures than any of my old fellow soldiers. Very soon after I quit the army I adopted the profession of a Seaman. This was a new and to me a hard life - but I had no trade, and no fortune, and something must be done to gain a living - I was young and could endure hardships for I was used to them - two years perseverance in the miserable life of a common sailor, qualified me for promotion, and so I gradually rose to the command of a ship - I followed the sea from twenty one till I was forty five years old, and in course of these twenty four years I have seen much of the world, learned much of men and manners, and passed through scenes which it is my principal pleasure now to reflect that I shall pass through them no more. If however I have suffered, I have also enjoyed much; and it would be ungrateful perhaps for me to say that in the distribution of good and evil to me. I have not shared a due proportion of the former - I had a great desire and curiosity to visit distant parts of the world, and to see the customs and manners and habits of other nations - this desire has been amply gratified and I have received no small pleasure and happines in satisfying in so large a degree this curiosity. In my voyages I have successively visited the four quarters of the globe, Europe, Asia, Africa & America. - I have been in almost all the different countries of Europe viz. England, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Denmark & Russia, and in most of the capital cities of each to say London, Lisbon, Naples, Copenhagen, St Petersburg - also in Liverpool, Bordeaux Cadiz, Malaga, Leghorn, Venice; in Sicily, Malta, Madeira & other Islands in the Atlantic ocean and in many of the West Indies together with many other places and parts of this great world which I shall not now fatigue you by enumerating. Among the strange things I have seen, I have seen Bonepart, and the old friend to America Lewis the Sixteenth, who has since had his head cut off and other kingly personages. You say you heard I had lost a leg - this is true but it was so long ago I have almost forgotten it, and perhaps should not now remember it at all if I was not too forcably and fatally reminded of it every time I want to ride or dance or even walk - You seem to desire to know how this happened I will endeavour to give you a short history of it I have had a good deal of fighting to do since army times - I commanded an armed ship, a letter of marque two voyages during a short halfway war with the french in 1799 and 1800 -and in these two voyages was called to defend my colours four times - the first time I was attacked by four privateers who were more than five times my force, but I fairly beat them off, and bro't my ship safely into port in spite of them - after engaging them from ten oC. in the morning until after sunset - The second & third times the enemy was but small force and were easily defeated -The fourth & last time was 8th July 1800 - I was attacked by three privateers of much superior force, which after an action of four hours we beat them off as usual; but in this action I recieved a grape shot in my thigh which obliged me to have my leg taken off and thus I became a cripple for life. I have however generally enjoyed good health and have not led an inactive life since notwithstanding the misfortune and have commanded a ship several voyages since so you see I don't give up for trifles - I quit the Sea about ten years ago, and for the last five have been in the command of a ship fast moored on terra firma - that is to say the State Prison. This station gives me fifteen hundred dollars a year - I have a family of seven children - but the greatest affliction with which I have been visited is the loss of a most amiable and beloved wife - she died about 18 months ago, and I am left a solitary and mournful man - my children are sources of comfort for me, but happiness if fled with my dearest and best friend

     I have thus my old friend and messmate given you a long sketch of my past life and adventures, and present state and circumstances I feel obliged to you for your remembrance of me and my father - he lived to a good old age, and departed in Feby. 1807

     I hope you get the pension, altho' I should be sorry to know that by reason of reduced circumstances you recd the assistance of the country - These are the degrading terms upon which this pension is to be granted - There would have been more of justice as well as gratitude in the government to have said we give you this because you deserve, rather than because you need the assistance of your country - Our old brethren in this neighbourhood are not satisfied with the terms and conditions nor with the rate of this late pension law and we have petitioned Congress again upon the subject of half pay, but with what success time and the liberal sentiments of the goverment will determine

     I remain my old friend
          Yours Sincerely
          Gaml Bradford

Captain Rufus Lincoln
Wareham