Later Life
In 1820, Bainbridge served as second for Stephen Decatur in a duel with James Barron that cost Decatur his life. Decatur's wife, along with many historians, believe that Bainbridge had actually harbored a long-standing resentment of the younger more famous Decatur and arranged the duel that made the likely wounding or killing of one or more duelists very likely.
Between 1824 and 1827, he served on the Board of Navy Commissioners. He died in Philadelphia and was buried there at the Christ Church Burial Ground.
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