1450.Agnes Soreldied. She was the mistress of Charles VII, of France, distinguished for her beauty, strength of mind, and the influence she possessed over the king, whom she incited to deeds of glory.
1547.Henry VIIIwas succeeded on the throne of England by his only son, Edward VI, in the ninth year of his age, who was crowned with great state at Westminster.
1555.John Hooperbishop of Gloucester, burnt. He was a dissenter in the time of Mary, and refusing to recant his opinions, was burnt in the city of Gloucester, and suffered death with admirable constancy.
1555.Rowland Taylorburnt at Hadleigh, in England, for resisting the establishment of papal worship in his church. Great efforts were made to induce him to recant, which he firmly rejected, and proceeded on his way to the stake with great courage and apparent unconcern. During the burning he stood without crying or moving, till one of the executioners struck him on the head with a halberd, when his corpse fell down into the fire.
1577.Philibert de Lorme, an eminent French architect and antiquary, died. He left several works on architecture greatly esteemed.
1636.Philemon Hollanddied at Coventry, England. He was a laborious translator of the Greek and Latin authors.
1660. The gates and portcullis, of London destroyed by Monk, who soon discovered his error.
1670.Frederick III, of Denmark, died. He succeeded his father, Christian IV, and improved the condition of his people by making them more independent of the nobles; the crown he also made hereditary.
1671. A speech on the enormous subsidies granted to Charles II, by Lord Lucas; though delivered in the king's presence, it was published, and burned by the common hangman.
1674. The city of New York surrendered to the British by the Dutch governor, Anthony Colve.
1674. Treaty of peace between England and the States General.
1675. The French fleet, under the duke of Vivonne, of 9 men-of-war and several fire ships, defeated the Spanish blockading fleet at Messina, and entered that port in triumph.
1680.J. Claude Dablon, a Jesuit missionary in Canada, died. He contributed the two last volumes of theRelacions, which were sent to Europe; valuable for the geographical information they contain.
1734.Peter Polinieredied at Coulonces in France. He was a mathematician, philosopher and chemist, and the first who read lectures on those sciences at Paris.
1751.Henry Francis d'Aguesseau, a French statesman, died. At the early age of 21 he was appointed to the office of advocate-general, ten years after solicitor general, and finally, in 1717, succeeded to the chancellorship. He retired from this office 1750, at the age of 82, when an annuity of about $25,000 was settled upon him. Voltaire pronounced him the most learned magistrate that France ever produced. His published speeches and pleadings form 13 quarto volumes.
1752.Frederick Hasselquist, a Swedish botanist and natural historian, died at Smyrna.
1765. The peruke makers, distressed that people wore their own hair, and that foreigners were employed, petitioned the king for redress. But the populace, not seeing the consistency of being compelled to takeoff their hair while the peruke makers wore their own, rose upon them, and cut it off.
1767.Hubert Drouaisdied; a painter of Normandy, who by pencil raised himself from obscurity to fame and opulence.
1773.John Gregory, an eminent physician of Edinburgh, died. He taught that the medical art, to be generally admired and respected, needed only to be better known; and that the affectation of concealment retarded its progress, rendered it a suspicious art, and tended to draw ridicule and disgrace on its profession. His writings are spirited and elegant; among themA Father's Legacy to his Daughteris well known and appreciated.
1778. Two clergymen having preached in a chapel in Clerkenwell street, London, without leave of the bishop, were prosecuted, and the chapel shut by a writ of monition.
1779.William Boycedied; an eminent English musician and composer, chiefly of sacred pieces.
1782.Benjamin Martindied in London; one of the most celebrated mathematicians and opticians of the age in which he lived.
1795.Ferdinand IIIof Austria recognized the French republic, and made peace with it. This was the first power that acknowledged the new dynasty.
1795. The first parliament opened in Corsica, then subject to England.
1795. Treaty of peace signed between France and Tuscany.
1799. A naval action between the United States frigate Constellation, 36 guns, Capt. Truxton, and the French frigate Insurgent, 48 guns and 410 men. The engagement resulted in the capture of the Frenchman in one hour and a quarter. French loss, 29 killed, 44 wounded; American, 1 killed, 2 wounded. This was the first opportunity offered to an American frigate to engage an enemy of superior force.
1799. British ship Dedalus, captured the French frigate La Prudente in 57 minutes. French lost 27 killed, 22 wounded; British had 2 killed, 12 wounded.
1801. Definite treaty of Luneville signed.
1810. The French occupied Zafra in Estramadura.
1811.Nevil Maskelynedied at London, aged 79. This eminent mathematician and astronomer ardently devoted a long life to science, and mariners owe to his discoveries the method of finding the longitude at sea by lunar observations.
1815.Claudius Buchanandied. In scriptural erudition he had very few superiors. Deeply versed in oriental literature, he conceived the plan of giving every man to read the scriptures in his own tongue, and died while superintending an edition of the Bible in the Syriac language.
1834.Benjamin B. Wisner, a distinguished Calvinistic clergyman, of Boston, and for several years secretary to the A. B. C. F. M. died.
1845.Job Palmer, one of the fathers of the city of Charleston, S. C., and a worthy of the revolution, died, aged nearly 98.
1849. On account of revolutionary movements the grand duke of Tuscany fled from Florence. The glorious Roman republic proclaimed.
1024.Abdurrahman IV, sultan of Cordova, dethroned by a relative and put to death. He was a patron of science, which he cultivated with success, and a poet.
1306.John Comynmurdered by Robert Bruce in the convent of the minorite friars. They were rival nobles, who had recently settled their differences, and agreed upon a revolt from the dominion of England. Comyn had treacherously revealed the matter to Edward. Bruce hastened to accuse him of it, and after some altercation struck him with his dagger, and he was immediately despatched by Bruce's attendants.
1402.Walleran, count of St. Pol, issued against Henry IV, of England, his famous cartel of defiance.
1519.Hernando Cortezsailed from Cuba for the conquest of Mexico. His armament consisted of 11 ships, 508 soldiers and 109 mariners. This force was divided into 16 cavalry, 13 musketeers, 10 brass field pieces, 4 falconets, and 32 crossbows. This miniature army was destined to oppose more than 500,000 warriors before it reached the capital of the great Montezuma.
1539.John Stephen Durantikilled. He was the first president of the parliament of Toulouse; and made himself conspicuous by his efforts to preserve that city from the plague of 1538. He was killed by a mob.
1567.Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, murdered, aged 21. The house in which he lay sick was blown up, it is supposed with the privity of his wife, Mary queen of Scots, by her favorite, the earl of Bothwell. Darnley had murdered Rizzio, the queen's musician, before her own eyes, whose blood was thus avenged. Mary perished on the scaffold, and Bothwell was taken by the Norwegians, and died insane after ten years' imprisonment.
1640.De Vriescommenced a plantation about four miles above the fort at New Amsterdam, and complains that the director of the West India company had failed to send him people for his colony on Staten island, as had been agreed upon.
1658.Gerard Langbaine, an Englishwriter, died. He acquired literary celebrity by his edition of Longinus.
1676. Attack on Lancaster, Mass., by the Indians under Pocanoket. The village contained 60 families; most of the houses that were not garrisoned were burnt; and the house of the clergyman, although defended by a competent number of inhabitants, was fired by the Indians, the women and children carried away, and the men either killed on the spot or reserved for further misery. Mrs. Rowlandson and her children, the family of the clergyman, were afterwards redeemed. The town was saved from entire ruin by the appearance of a company of 40 men from Marlborough.
1676.Alexei Michaelowitz, czar of Russia, died. He was father of Peter the Great; distinguished for his wars, his munificence, and his improvements in the state.
1680. A great comet, which had alarmed the inhabitants of New England since the 18th November, disappeared. It was also observed in Europe, and Henault says that it was the largest which had ever been seen, and struck terror into the minds of the people of France. It was by the observation of this comet that Newton ascertained the parabolic form of the trajectory of comets, and demonstrated their orbits. This discovery contributed to the removal of those terrors with which the phenomenon had always been attended, in all ages, and among all nations, who viewed it as the presage of some direful event.
1686.William Dugdale, an eminent English antiquary and historian, died.
1689.Isaac Vossius, a German scholar, died. He is the author of various learned works in German, and edited several Latin and Greek works. In 1670 he visited England, was admitted to the degree ofLL. D., and presented to a canonry at Windsor by Charles II, who afterwards took occasion to say that he was a strange divine, for he believed every thing but the Bible.
1711.Richard Dukedied. He was a poet of some credit in the last century, and by Dr. Johnson included among the classics.
1743. British sloop Squirrel captured the Spanish ship Pierre Joseph, with 195,000 pieces of eight on board and a valuable cargo of cochineal, indigo, &c.
1747.Thomas Chubbdied. He was bred a glover, but when he arrived at the age of manhood, devoted great attention to the sciences and divinity, and gained great celebrity by a work on the latter subject.
1755.Charles de Secondat, Baron Montesquieu, an illustrious Frenchman, died. HisSpirit of Lawshas immortalized his name.
1763. Treaty of peace signed at Paris between France, Spain and Great Britain, by which the latter retained possession of Canada and Florida, besides many important islands in the West Indias, and along the coast, which had been recently captured by the British.
1773.James Forthondied at Grenada, one of the West India islands, aged 127.
1775. LordNorth, the prime minister, introduced a bill to restrain the trade and commerce of the New England states, which finally passed by a large majority on the 30th.
1783.James Nares, a celebrated English musical composer, died. His anthems manifest great power of genius, and with his other works will perpetuate his name, and ever rank him with the first of his profession.
1786.John Cadwallader, an officer of the revolution, died, aged 44. He commanded the Pennsylvania troops, and was in several important engagements as a volunteer; he enjoyed the confidence and esteem of Washington.
1786. CardinalDe Solisdied, aged 110. He was a native of Andalusia in Spain, and at the time of his death was in the enjoyment of every faculty but strength and quickness of hearing.
1787.Charles Chauncey, a Boston divine, died. He was eminent for learning, independence and attachment to the civil and religious liberty of his country. His productions are numerous.
1790. The celebrated chess-playerPhillodorwon two games which he played with skilled players while he was blind folded. The moves being made by his directions.
1794. The British under Admiral Jarvis took Pigeon island, Martinique.
1795. The English garrison at Bergen-op-Zoom disarmed and sent prisoners to France. The French also took Groningen the same day.
1795. The tower of Martello in Corsica taken by the British under Admiral Hood.
1797. The French pillaged Loretto, a fortified town in Italy. The soldiers entered the cathedral which contains theholy house, in which it is said the Virgin Mary lived at Nazareth, and laid their republican hands upon the madonna, the famousLady of Loretto, which they found standing upon an altar, in a niche of silver, surrounded by numerous gold and silver lamps, and adorned with jewels. She was sent to Paris.
1799.Bonaparteset out from Cairo on his disastrous expedition to Syria.
1802. Port au Paix in Hayti taken by the French. The blacks set it on fire and blew up two forts.
1803.Jean Francois de la Harpe, an eminent French orator, critic, poet and dramatic writer, died.
1804. His catholic majesty,Charles IV, renounced his protest against the alienation by France of Louisiana to the United States.
1807. Bill for abolishing the British slave trade passed the house of lords.
1808. Russia declared war against Sweden.
1809. Portugal invaded by the French under Soult.
1809.George Zoega, a celebrated Danish antiquary, died.
1818.Thomas Morris, a British officer, died, aged 74. He fought by the side of Montgomery in Canada during the French war, was taken by the Indians, and narrowly escaped burning at the stake. On quitting the army he published an account of his captivity, and in the retirement of a small cottage passed some years in the pursuits of literature.
1841. Union of Upper and Lower Canada; Lord Sydenham taking the oath of office as governor of the united provinces.
1852. Gold medal presented to Henry Clay at Washington by New York friends.
1854. Gen.Herrera, ex-president of the republic of Mexico, died. He was one of the veterans of the war of independence, and as a statesman, had given proofs of the loftiest patriotism and disinterestedness.
1856. PresidentRivasdecreed the annexation of the whole Mosquito territory to Nicaragua.
641.Heraclius, emperor of the East, died. He was the son of a governor of Africa, conspired against Phocas, whom he beheaded, and ascended the throne of Constantinople.
1225.Henry IIIsubscribed the great charter of English liberties, which was witnessed by 13 bishops, 20 abbots, and 32 earls and barons.
1451.Amurath II, emperor of the Ottomans, died. He was the first Turk who used cannon in battle.
1502.Elizabethof York, queen of Henry VII, died in childbirth, in the tower of London, on her birth day, aged 36. She married Henry in 1486, by which the antagonist houses of York and Lancaster were united.
1503.James Tyrellsupposed to be one of the murderers of Edward V, executed as a traitor. He is said to have confessed his agency in the death of both the young princes.
1543. An alliance was formed between Henry VIII of England, and the emperor Charles V.
1573.Drakethe navigator was conducted by the Symerons to a tree notched with steps, which served them for a watch tower, and from the summit of which he had a view of the two oceans, one of which no English vessel had ever yet navigated.
1650.Rene Descartes, a celebrated French philosopher and mathematician, died, aged 54. His superior intellect early manifested itself. He embraced the military profession, and served in various countries, the better to make observations and form satisfactory conclusions on scientific subjects. He finally settled in Holland, where during the last 20 years of his life, the greater part of his works were written. It is said of him that he extended the limits of geometry as far beyond the place where he found them, as Sir Isaac Newton did after him.
1659.Francis Osbornedied; an English writer of great abilities.
1733.John Perry, a celebrated English engineer, died. He was patronized by czar Peter of Russia, of which country he wrote a history.
1761. A usurer fined at Guildhall, London, £300 for having exacted six guineas to discount £100 for six weeks.
1763.Peter Carlet de Mariveaux, a French romancer, died. The great characteristic of his works, is to convey a useful moral under the veil of wit and sentiment.
1763.William Shenstonedied, aged 50. His father was a gentleman farmer, who cultivated a moderate estate, called theLeasowes, which were rendered celebrated by the taste of the son. Having finished his studies, and come into possession of the paternal property, he gave himself up to rural embellishments and the cultivation of poetry. He wrote for fame, which was not awarded him by his cotemporaries and he died broken hearted. "He was a lamp that spent its oil in blazing." His principal poem isThe Schoolmistress.
1771.Jean de Beauraindied; a French negotiator and geographer. He was made geographer to Louis XV at the age of 25.
1771.John Burton, a learned English divine, died, leaving some ingenious writings, collected under the title ofOpuscula Miscellanea.
1780. The British under Sir Henry Clinton landed in St. John's Island, about 30 miles from Charleston, S. C.
1793. Great Britain issued letters of marque and reprisal against France.
1797.Francis Lightfoot Lee, one of the signers of the declaration of independence, and a brave officer in the American revolution, died at Richmond, Va., aged 63.
1807. Revolution in St. Domingo, in which a profusion of blood was shed.
1810. The spire and part of the tower of St. Nicholas' church at Liverpool, fell through the roof and killed several in the church.
1811. Battle of Laffesat, in which the Prussians defeated the Turks, after a sanguinary contest.
1814. Battle of Montmirail between the French under Bonaparte, and the Russians under D'Yorck.
1815. Fort Boyer, Mobile, with a garrison of 375, surrendered to 5,000 British under Lambert, with a fleet of 13 ships of the line and 25 smaller vessels. Col. Lawrence received a wound, and seeing that it was useless to contend against such odds, struck his flag. British loss 31; American 10.
1821.Adam Walkerdied. He was apprenticed to a weaver; but ultimately became a lecturer on philosophy, which he adopted as a profession, and traveled in England for the purpose of lecturing on that science.
1827.Jose Maria Abrantes, a Portuguese nobleman died in exile. He was the friend of Don Miguel, of infamous memory.
1828.De Witt Clintondied at his residence in Albany, aged 59. He was born in the town of Little Britain, Orange county, N. Y., 1769, and educated for the bar. He was at an early age elected to a seat in the legislature, and continued to hold offices of honor and emolument until the day of his death, at which time he was governor of the state of New York. It is to his perseverance in a great measure, that we owe the construction of the Erie canal. As a public character he is entitled to durable renown, and no one was ever more ambitious of a reputation for science and literature.
1837.John Latham, an eminent English naturalist and ornithologist, died, aged 97. He was one of the founders of the Linnean society, and commenced the publication of his last work at the age of 82.
1844.Henry Kifer, a soldier of the revolution, died at North Woodbury, Pa., aged 110½ years.
1856.Caroline Lee Hentz, a well known American novelist, died.
590.Pelagius II, pope of Rome, died. In his time a plague raged at Rome of so strange a nature, that persons seized with it died sneezing and gaping.
1401.William Sawtry, a Lollard, condemned and burned to death at London for heresy.
1448. A general poll tax of 6d. with 6s. 8d. on every merchant stranger, and 20d. on their clerks, granted by parliament to Henry VI.
1542.Catharine Howard, fifth wife of Henry VIII, beheaded. The execution of this ungrateful woman excited no commiseration, as she had been the principal instrument in the accusations against Anne Boleyn, her predecessor.
1554.Jane Greybeheaded, at the age of 17. She was the daughter of Mary, youngest sister of Henry VIII, and a woman of uncommon beauty, talents and learning, for her years, to which she added great amiability of disposition, and fortitude of mind. Her disastrous fate created an extraordinary interest in her favor, which has continued unabated. "Good Christian people, you come here to see me die; not for any thing I have offended, for I will deliver to my God a soul as pure from trespass, as innocence from injustice."
1589.Blanche Perrydied, chief gentlewoman to Queen Elizabeth, and a great lover of antiquities, besides a very tasteful writer.
1640.William Alexander, Lord Stirling, died; a dramatic poet and statesman in the time of James and Charles I. His poetry, for purity and elegance, is far beyond the generality of the productions of the age in which he lived.
1660. GeneralMonk, now reconciled to the citizens of London, drew up his forces in Finsbury fields, makes an apology which is the signal of rejoicing. Burning lamps the principal pastime.
1689. The parliament of England chose William and Mary king and queen.
1706. Battle of Fraustadt, in Prussia, in which the Saxons and Muscovites under Gen. Schullemberg, were defeated by the Swedes under Marshall Renschild.
1733. The colony of Savannah commenced, under Gen. Oglethorpe. This was the first settlement in Georgia.
1744. The elector of Bavaria chosen emperor of Germany under the title of Charles VII.
1746. Birthday ofThaddeus Kosciusko, the Polish warrior.
1757. Peace concluded between the English and Sourajah Dowlah.
1771.Adolphus Frederick II, king of Denmark, died. He was the founder of the academy ofbelles-lettresat Torneo.
1782. The British surrendered the island of St. Christophers to the French, under the marquis de Bouille.
1787.Joseph Roger Boscovich, an Italian mathematician, died at Milan. He was also an elegant poet.
1789.Gabriel Brotierdied at Paris; an illustrious and amiable Frenchman, and one of the most distinguished ornaments of thebelles-lettresin that country.
1792. Battle on the plain of Morocco, between Yezid and Ishem, two brothers, contesting for the throne. The forces of the latter, about 30,000, were defeated by about half the number under the former. Both commanders were badly wounded. Ishem lost 1,300 killed, and 800 prisoners, who were all put to death by being nailed to the walls and floors and left without food.
1793.John Manleydied, aged 60. He was appointed by Washington a captain in the navy, was very successful in his captures, but was finally taken prisoner by the British and confined in the Mill prison.
1797.Anthony d'Auvergnedied at Lyons. He was director of the opera at Paris, and an eminent composer.
1799.Lazarus Spallanzani, an Italian writer, died. He is considered as one of the greatest naturalists of that age.
1802. A messenger from England to lord Cornwallis was attacked by two wolves near Boulogne, which tore off the lips of his horses.
1804.Immanuel Kant, a Prussian metaphysician, died. He was the son of a harness maker in the suburbs of Koningsberg. He continued by persevering industry to obtain a good education, and at the age of 22 successfully attacked the doctrines of the most eminent metaphysicians of the day. He was an original and profound thinker, as his numerous works attest: and his philosophy has been taught in all the German universities except some Catholic ones.
1807. Battle of Marienwerder, in Polish Prussia, in which the Prussians were defeated by the French under Lefebre.
1808. Remarkable duel at Bonnau, in Austria, between the Bavarian general Von Wrede, and a former Swedish minister, Von Duben. It was occasioned by the latter having cast reflections upon the Bavarian troops in 1805, in his dispatches to the Swedish government, and was fought in presence of a vast number of people.
1810. Badajos in Spain summoned to surrender by the French marshal, Mortier. The governor returned the summons unopened.
1814. Battle of Chateau Thierry, between the French and Russians, in which the general of the latter, Fredenrich, was taken prisoner.
1814. GeneralWilkinsonburned his barracks at French Mills.
1817. Battle of Chacabuco, in Chili, in which the patriots under San Martin and O'Higgins, gained a decisive victory over the Spaniards under Maroto. This, with the victory of Maypu, which occurred afterwards, achieved the independence of the country.
1826.Deodatus Bye, died. He editedCruden's Concordance,Diversions of Purley, &c. Some fugitive pieces in theGentleman's Magazinebear his signature.
1831. Great solar eclipse (annular), visible in most parts of the United States.
1832. The cholera made its appearance in London.
1834.Frederick Schliermacher, a celebrated Prussian divine, died. He was professor of theology at Halle, and distinguished for the energy of his character and the extent of his acquirements.
1837.Edward Turner, professor of chemistry, London, died, aged 40. He was an eminent chemist, a popular and much esteemed professor, and a very exemplary and benevolent character.
1840.Astley Paston Cooper, a highly distinguished English surgeon, died at London, aged 72. He was one of the first operators of his time, and carried on a practice unexampled for extent and emolument in the annals of surgery. His income from his practice was nearly one hundred thousand dollars per annum. In one instance he received a fee of one thousand guineas for an operation for the stone.
1855. The island of Cuba declared by the captain-general to be in a state of siege, and the coasts and circumjacent waters in blockade.
This day was kept by the Jews as a fast, instituted by Esther in memorial of the day appointed by Haman for the extirpation of her countrymen. The same day was afterwards decreed as a feast for the death of Nicanor, the Syrian captain, who was slain at Bethhoron,B. C.161.
1098. London bridge carried away by a flood and tax imposed to erect another.
1570.Benvenuto Cellini, a Florentine sculptor, engraver and goldsmith, died. His works in gold and silver are sold now at immense prices. In his autobiography, which has been translated, he claims to have aimed the balls which killed the constable of Bourbon, and the prince of Orange, at the siege of Rome.
1579.John Fowler, an eminent English printer, died at Louvain, in Belgium, where he had a press and issued various controversial treatises, leveled at protestantism.He was well skilled in languages, a tolerable poet and orator, a theologist not to be contemned, and well versed in criticism, and polite literature.
1585.Alphonsus Salmeron, of Toledo, died. He wrote commentaries on the scriptures, was a zealous follower of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits and distinguished for his learning.
1602.Alexander Nowell, an English divine, died. HisCatechism, published 1572, was in extensive use and much admired.
1662.Elizabeth, queen of Bohemia, and eldest daughter of James I, of England, died and was buried in Henry VII's chapel.
1689. Revolution in England; William, prince of Orange, and the princess Mary, a daughter of the abdicating monarch, were proclaimed, by the lords and commons, sovereigns of England. (Holmes says 16th.)
1694. The highland massacre at Glencoe, in Scotland.
1699. The government of England sent an order to the play-houses that nothing should be enacted contrary to religion or good manners.
1726.William Wattondied; an English divine, critic, historian, and miscellaneous writer of great learning.
1727. The British under Col. Campbell precipitately evacuated Augusta, Georgia, in the night.
1727. The Spaniards under the marquis de la Torras, commenced the siege of Gibraltar. This was the twelfth siege, and proved unsuccessful.
1727.Cotton Matherdied at Boston, aged 65. He was the most learned man in America, and one of the most superstitious. His achievements in one year were 72 sermons, 60 fasts, 20 vigils and 14 books. His publications amounted to 382, some of them being of large dimensions. TheMagnaliais his chef d'œuvre. He lived in the age of witchcraft, and fell in with the delusion, hand, heart and pen.
1752.Samuel Croxall, an English author and translator of good repute, died.
1781. A troop of Tarleton's dragoons, under Capt. Miller, were cut to pieces by Lieut. Col. Lee: the captain and all were taken, except two; 18 were killed. Lee had ordered his Lieut. Lewis, to give no quarters, on account of Miller's having refused quarter to Lee's bugler, an unarmed boy, whom they had overtaken and sabred. Lee halted his men at a farm, was suddenly come upon by the advance of Cornwallis, but escaped by a sudden and bold movement.
1784.Jeremiah Milesdied; an eminent English divine and antiquary. He was ardently engaged in the Chattertonian controversy, and the author of the supposed Rowley's poems.
1787.Charles Gravier, count de Vergennes, a French statesman, died. As secretary of state for foreign affairs to Louis XVI, he assisted the Americans in their struggle for independence.
1789.Ethan Allen, an officer in the revolutionary army, died. He took Ticonderoga and Crown-Point; was himself captured near Montreal, sent to England, and after experiencing much cruelty, exchanged. He sustained the character of an infidel, and in his writings ridiculed the scriptures.
1790. The French convention abolished monastic establishments, and confiscated their lands. (SeeJan. 16.)
1794. The French convention ratified the treaty of peace with the grand duke of Tuscany.
1794. The canal of Merthyr Tydvil, in Wales, opened, another great improvement.
1798.Christian Fredrick Schwartz, an eminent German missionary to Hindostan, died. His labors were of nearly half a century's duration, and had a great influence over the affairs of the country.
1801. British frigate Success, 40 guns, captured by a French squadron.
1805. Action between the British ship St. Fiorenza and the French frigate Psyche, 36 guns, and the prize ship Thetis, which resulted in the capture of the two latter. French loss 57 killed and 70 wounded; British 12 k., 36 w.
1814. GeneralWilkinsonburned his boats in Salmon river, and broke up cantonment at French mills; Gen. Brown went to Sacketts harbor, and Gen. Macomb to Plattsburg; the snow being 2 feet 10 inches deep.
1817.George Rogers Clarkedied; an officer in the service of Virginia against the Indians in the revolutionary war, where he distinguished himself greatly, and was for some time the protector of the people of the frontiers of Virginia and Pennsylvania against the inroads of the tribes.
1817. The elegant sword voted by the state of New York to Com. McDonough, was presented to him at Hartford.
1820.Charles Ferdinandduc de Berri, assassinated. He was the youngest son of Charles X., a man of talents and intrepidity, and popular with the army. His assassin was actuated to the deed by a desire to exterminate the Bourbon family, which he had vowed to accomplish, and had begun with the duke, in whom the line was to be perpetuated. (SeeJuly 7, Louvel.)
1833.Stanislaus Poniatowskidied atFlorence. He was a nephew of Stanislaus Augustus, the last king of Poland. Having defended the interests of his country with manly eloquence in the diet of Poland, he retired to Florence, and was noted as a liberated patron of the arts and literature. This prince was the first who set the example of a useful and glorious reform by emancipating the serfs of his extensive domains.
1840.Wilhelm Willink, a friend of Washington and of the United States, died at Amsterdam, aged 91. He furnished the first loan to the colonies after their revolt from the British dominion.
1843. Gen.Robert Porterfielddied at Augusta county, Va., aged 90. He served in the Revolutionary army.
1843.Isaac Hull, a distinguished American commodore, died, aged 68.
1543. The parliament of Paris caused theInstitutiones Religionis Christianæof Calvin, to be publicly burned at Paris.
1554.Brettthe commander of the London train bands with 58 others, hanged for joining with sir Thos. Wyatt and his Kentish men, who tried to resist the Spanish influence.
1623. The floor of Black friars' church broke down while the people were at mass, killing 100.
1668.Louis XIVtook Dole, in Franche Compte.
1696. English assassination plot to favor the interests of James II, discovered by Pendergrass.
1713.Anthony Ashley Cooper, earl of Shaftsbury, and author of theCharacteristics, died. He was grandson of the earl who figured so conspicuously in the reign of Charles II; and possessed a spirit of liberty which displayed itself in his political character throughout his life, and by which he uniformly directed his conduct on all occasions.
1713.William Harrison, an elegant English poet, died.
1737.Charles Talbot, an eminent English statesman and chancellor, died.
1756. Three hundred recruits sailed from New York for the army, under the command of Gov. Shirley, quartered at Albany; the river being free of ice.
1760.Isaac Hawkins Brownedied. One of the most popular productions of this ingenious poet, is hisPipe of Tobacco, in imitation of Cibber, Ambrose, Philips, Thompson, Young, Pope and Swift, who were all living.
1762. Martinique and the other Caribee islands delivered up to the British under Monkton and Rodney, by the French governor, M. de la Touche. The entire reduction of Martinique was effected with the loss of 107 killed and 150 wounded. The French lost 1000 of their best men. Before its reduction the island could raise 10,000 white inhabitants fit to bear arms and 40,000 negroes.
1764.Peter Restautdied; an advocate at Paris, distinguished for his learning and integrity.
1764. Mr.Williamsa printer was put in the pillory for republishing the North Briton, No. 45, at London. But the spectators made a contribution for him of over 200 guineas.
1779.James Cook, the English navigator, killed by the natives of Owhyhee. He was born 1728, of indigent parentage; entered the royal navy in 1755; had the command of a vessel sent against Quebec 1759, after the capture of which he assisted at the taking of Newfoundland. After making several voyages for scientific purposes, he sailed in 1776 on his grand enterprise for the discovery of a northwest passage, during which he met his fate.
1779. Battle of Cherokee Ford, in which Col. Pickens attacked and defeated a body of tories, killed 39 of them and their leader, Col. Boyd, and took about 70 prisoners. Of the last 5 only were executed. Pickens lost 9 killed.
1780.William Blackstonedied. He was born in London, 1723, and was called to the bar 1746. In 1765 he published the first volume of hisCommentaries on the laws of England, a production by which his name will descend to all posterity. His private character is said to have been exceedingly mild and amiable, and he was throughout life assiduously addicted to business.
1780. A Russian manifesto announced the coalition called the "armed neutrality," formed on the basis that free trade makes free goods.
1781. The American army under Gen. Greene, which had continued to retreat since the battle of the Cowpens, crossed the Dan, leaving the whole of North Carolina in the hands of the enemy. So close was the pursuit, that the van of the British reached the river, as the rear of the continentals had crossed, after a march of 40 miles that day.
1782. The island of Nevis surrendered to the French, under count de Grasse.
1785.Kienlong, emperor of China, made a feast for the ancients of his kingdom. Those who had attained 100 years, received 50 bushels of rice and 2 pieces of silk; those who had reached 90 years, received 30 bushels rice and 2 pieces of inferior silk, and others in the same proportion,down to 50 years. Presents, to a large amount, were also made to the poor throughout the empire. He likewise exempted all the people from taxes that year, which was the 50th of his reign. On the occasion of the feast, 3000 aged men of quality sat down to it, and the emperor sat at the head of the table to do the honors.
1793.Brass Crosbydied. He rose from a humble attorney to be lord mayor of London. Being implicated in some difficulties with the printers, in 1771, and stoutly avowing his partialities, he was sent to the tower, notwithstanding the dignity of his office; but his liberation was attended with great marks of respect and attention from the citizens.
1797. Action between the Spanish fleet of 27 sail and 12 frigates, admiral Langara, off St. Vincent, and the British under Admiral Jervis, 15 ships and 6 frigates. Four of the Spanish ships were captured, (two of 112 guns each) and the remainder completely defeated. British loss, 300 killed and wounded; Spanish loss 603.
1808.John Dickinson, an American political writer, died. He practiced law in Philadelphia until 1765; was deputed to attend the first congress at New York, and prepared the draft of the bold resolutions of that congress. He opposed the Declaration of Independence, believing that compromise was still practicable; but soon after entered into it with ardor. His public services were eminent.
1814. Battle of Vauchamp, between the French and Russians, in which the latter were defeated. At 8 in the evening Marmont attacked and defeated the Russians at Etoges, who lost 9 cannon and 1300 men killed.
1831. Insurrection at Paris in consequence of an attempt by the priests to celebrate a funeral mass for the duke de Berri. Several churches were destroyed or injured.
1831.Guerrero, ex-president of Mexico, shot.
1834.John Shore, Lord Teignmouth, died, aged 82. He went to India in his youth, in the service of the East India company and succeeded Lord Cornwallis as governor, there. He returned to England 1798; and on the formation of the British and Foreign Bible society, he was chosen the first president, and held the office during life.
1843. Mr.John Martin, aged 105, died at Augusta, Georgia. He came with a company of salt buyers to Georgia, under the direction of Oglethorpe.
1852. Dr.Rae, the arctic explorer, arrived at St. Paul, Minnesota, having returned from a search for Sir John Franklin, without discovering any trace of that ill-fated adventurer.
Feast of Supercalia at Rome, in honor of the god Pan, the defender from wolves.
1564. Birthday ofGalileo Galilei, at Pisa, in Italy.
1600.Joseph d'Acosta, the Spanish historian, died. He was born in Leon, 1539, and became remarkably efficient in literature and science at an early age. In 1571 he was despatched as a missionary to South America, where he remained till 1588. During his residence at Peru he wrote theHistoria Natural y Moral de las Indias, which has been translated into nearly all the European languages, and is valuable for its information on the early condition of the continent.
1632.Dudley Carleton, an English statesman and political writer, died.
1664.John Twynnewas convicted of high treason and executed. His offence was printing the matter called libelous written by Milton and others.
1682.Claude de la Colombiere, a famous Jesuit, died. He became very popular as a preacher before James II, of England, and was the inventor of "The Solemnity of the Heart of Jesus."
1694.Bradfordpaid for printing the first book in the city of New York.
1708.John Phillips, an elegant English poet, died, aged 32.
1730.Thomas Bray, an English divine, died. He made himself eminent by his unwearied attention to the practice of benevolence; many charitable societies and good designs in London are formed on plans which he projected.
1732.Francis Atterburydied. He was the son of a parish rector, educated for the ministry, and made himself conspicuous by his eloquence as a preacher. His ambition was gratified by preferments, honors and emoluments, till, in the reign of Anne, 1713, he reached the seat of the bishop of Rochester, the acme of his greatness. On the accession of George I, his prospects began to wane; and being suspected of some treasonable acts, he was condemned to perpetual exile. He settled in Paris, and died there. His literary fame rests on his sermons, and his correspondence with Pope.
1763. Peace of Hubertsburg concluded at the electoral palace of that name, which concluded the seven years' war between Austria, Prussia and Poland.
1765.Charles Andrew Vanloo, a highly distinguished French painter, died.
1766.John Hellot, a French philosophical writer, and distinguished chemist, died.
1781.Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, one of the most distinguished German authors,died. He contributed more than any other individual to the regeneration of German literature, and was remarkable for the versatility of his genius.
1782. Battle off Fort St. George, East Indies, between the British under Admiral Hughes, and the French under Admiral Suffrein.
1784.Scipio Bexondied at Paris. He assisted Buffon in his natural history, and was also an author in his own name.
1788.George Ann Bellamy, an English actress of the time of Garrick, died at Edinburgh, aged 55. She drew the attention of the town for a number of seasons, particularly when she played Juliet with Garrick at Drury-Lane, against Mrs. Cibber and Barry at Covent Garden. She published her own memoirs in 6 vols.
1794.John Fenn, a learned antiquary, died. He greatly distinguished himself by his application to the study of natural history and antiquities; and made a large collection of curious original letters, written during the fifteenth century, which were published in 4 vols. quarto.
1796. The British under Admiral Elphinstone, captured Colombo in the East Indies, which is at present the seat of the British government in the island of Ceylon.
1798. Rome declared a republic.
1801. Concordat between Bonaparte and Pius VII, for the reestablishment of religion in France, signed at Paris.
1804. A squadron of the East India company ships under Capt. Dance, convoying the China fleet, beat off in the China seas, the French ship Marengo, 80 guns, Admiral Linois, 2 heavy frigates, a corvette of 28 guns, and a Dutch brig of 18 guns.
1806.Joseph Bonaparteentered Naples, upon the capitulation of the garrison, and was soon after chosen king.
1808. The king of Prussia renounced all connection, political and commercial, with Great Britain, in compliance with the treaty of Tilsit.
1810. Birthday ofLouis XV, of France, under whose reign the corruption of morals and principles spread to an alarming extent among all classes, and were followed by a general poverty, national humiliation, and ruined finances, which prepared the way for the explosion that took place under his unfortunate successor.
1813. Battle of Pietra Nera, on the coast of Calabria, between the French and the Sicilians.
1814. Battle of Montmirail in France, between the French under Bonaparte and the Russians under Blucher, in which the former gained a small advantage after a hard contest.
1815. British sloop of war Barbados, captured the United States letter of marque brigantine Vidette, 3 guns, 30 men.
1817. Cold day throughout the United States; thermometer 8° below zero in Philadelphia, and 20° at Salem, Mass. Heavily laden teams crossed from Boston to Fort Independence.
1817. A wagon loaded with specie for the bank of Pennsylvania, overturned near Pittsburgh, and Thomas Wilson was killed by a box of coin falling upon him.
1818.Frederick Louis, prince of Hohenlohe-Ingelfingen, a general in the Prussian service, died. He acquired distinction in the almost constant scene of war in Europe, from 1793 to 1806, and contributed greatly by his superior skill and valor to several important victories.
1820.William Ellery, one of the signers, expired in his chair while reading Cicero, aged 92. He was born at Newport, R. I.; graduated at Harvard in his 20th year; and practiced law at Newport until he was sent to the first congress. His house at Newport was burnt by the British. He had filled the office of collector of the customs since the term of Washington.
1826.Scipione Breislak, an Italian geologist, died at Milan, universally regretted, both for his scientific merit and his personal qualities. His rich collection of minerals passed into the hands of the Borromeo family.
1832. The legislature of Maryland appropriated $200,000 for the removal of free blacks over the age of 18; and enacted penalties against the settlement of colored persons in that state.
1835.Nathan Danedied at Beverly, Mass., aged 82. He was the framer of the celebrated ordinance of congress of 1787, for the government of the territory of the United States northwest of the Ohio river, an admirable code of constitutional law, by which the principles of free government, to the exclusion of slavery, were extended to an immense region, and its political and moral interests secured on a permanent basis.
1836.John Gillies, historiographer to the king for Scotland, died, aged 90; author of a popular history of Greece, besides many other valuable works.
1836.Margaret Burgeoisdied, on Prince Edward Island, aged 110.
1836.Fieschiand his accomplices, Pepin and Moray, who attempted to take the life of the French king by the explosion of an infernal machine, executed at Paris.
1840.Harriett Campbell, a Scottish author of distinguished talents, died at Montrieux in Switzerland, aged 34.
1843.Nathaniel Chipman, some time justice of the supreme court of Massachusetts and a senator of the United States, died in the 91st year of his age. He was a vigorous writer.
309.Pamphilius, presbyter of Cæsarea, died. He was of an eminent family, of great wealth and extensive learning, and ardently devoted to the scriptures. He collected a library of 30,000 volumes, solely for the promotion of religion. Traces of this library still remain at Paris and elsewhere.
1009.Abdurrahman, hajib, or chamberlain, of Hisham, king of Cordova, beheaded. He was entrusted with the civil and military powers of government, but aspiring to the throne itself, was destroyed by the people.
1279.Alonzo IIIof Portugal, died. From an exile in poverty he was raised to the throne by the pope, who had deposed his brother for attacking the immunities of the church.
1497. Birthday ofPhilip Melancthon, at Britten, in the palatinate of the Rhine His proper name was Schwartzerd (black-earth), but according to the custom of the learned of that time, he changed it into the Greek term for the same word,melancthon.
1510. The Portuguese under Alphonso Albuquerque entered Goa in Hindostan.
1532.Richard Rouse, the bishop of Rochester's cook, poisoned the soup and caused the death of several persons. An act was immediately passed making poisoning treason, and the punishment boiling to death. Rouse was boiled.
1560.John Du Bellay, bishop of Paris, died. He was engaged as a negotiator between Henry VIII and the pope, with respect to the divorce of the former.
1639.Teixeirahaving ascended the Amazon and arrived at Quito, reembarked on his return this day, in a fleet of 45 canoes, with 70 soldiers, and 1200 native rowers.
1656. Spain declared war against England.
1736. Owing to an unprecedented tide, the council at Westminster hall, London, were carried out in boats to their coaches.
1741.George Raphael Donner, an Austrian sculptor, died. His works, to be seen in many Austrian churches and palaces, are masterpieces.
1749. Great riot at the Hay Market, London, occasioned by the failure of a conjurer to leap, as he promised, into a quart bottle.
1754.Richard Meaddied, aged 81. He studied at the German universities at the same time its Bœrhaave, with whom he was intimate, and distinguished himself as a practitioner on his return to England. He introduced inoculation for small pox about the year 1720; his preliminary experiments were made upon condemned criminals. He did not live to see the great improvement by vaccination, introduced by Jenner.
1760. The Cherokees under Ocunnastota attacked Fort Prince George in Virginia, garrisoned by the British and Americans. The Indians were repulsed, and 20 hostages residing in the fort, and who attempted to rise on the garrison, were put to death.
1770.Bruce, the traveler, entered Gondar, the capital of Abyssinia, and was introduced into the palace of the emperor.
1784.Peter Macquer, a physician and chemist of great reputation, died at Paris.
1791. Herkimer and Otsego counties, N. Y., erected.
1792.Muley Yezid, emperor of Morocco, died of wounds received in battle on the 12th; when an end was put to a scene of slaughter which had continued since the 6th, such as the city had seldom known. It was computed that 20,000 of every age and sex, were destroyed.
1794. Tioga county in New York erected.
1795. The stadtholdership abolished in Holland. The stadtholder, Prince William of Orange, was then in England.
1796.John Romillydied at Paris. He was an ingenious mechanic and clockmaker at Geneva, and author of the articles on clockmaking in theEncyclopedie.
1796.Amboyna, the Dutch metropolis of the Moluccas, taken by the British under Admiral Rainer.
1798.Stephen Charles Lomenie de Brienne, archbishop and minister of state of France under Louie XVI, died. He early associated himself with the instigators of the revolution; but while he attempted to reduce the power and wealth of the monasteries, he was liberal in assisting those who were in need. Failing to keep pace with the ultra party, he was thrown into prison, where he died of ill treatment.
1802.Toussaint L'OvertureandChristophe, black generals of St. Domingo, declared rebels by the French general, Le Clerc.
1804. United States frigate Philadelphia burnt in the harbor of Tripoli. This splendid action was achieved in 15 minutes by 70 volunteers under Lieut. Stephen Decatur, in the ketch Intrepid, with the loss of 1 killed. Decatur was promoted, and a sword and thanks voted him.
1807. Battles of Rossega and Ostrolenka, between the French and Russians, in which the former were victorious in both instances.
1810. St. Martins surrendered to the British.
1812. Battle of Cartama in Spain; the French under Gen. Maransin defeated by the Spaniards, under Ballasteros.
1813. An elegant sword and thanks voted to Decatur and Biddle, by the legislature of Pennsylvania, for their distinguished gallantry and skill. They were presented to those officers at New London, on board their respective ships.
1826.Lindley Murray, the grammarian, died in England, aged 81. He was born in Pennsylvania, of quaker parentage, and studied law; but during the revolutionary war he turned merchant, and before its close acquired sufficient property to retire upon. He visited England for the benefit of his health, where he finally settled, about a mile from the city of York, and employed his leisure in the production of those works of education, which acquired such popularity as to have maintained their places more than forty years.
1826. TheLiberia Heraldappeared at Monrovia, the first paper printed in Africa. It was edited by Charles L. Force, from Boston, and like the early newspapers of New England, was printed on one side only.
1829.Francis Joseph Gossec, an eminent music composer, died, aged 96. He was first attached to the cathedral at Antwerp; but in 1751 went to Paris, where he passed the remainder of his life, and acquired a reputation seldom surpassed.
1839.James Boaden, an English dramatic author and biographer, died, aged 70.
1843. Great land slide at Troy, N. Y.; 18 persons killed.
1852. Homeopathic college at Cleveland, Ohio, mobbed, and the windows and interior of the building destroyed, in consequence of the discovery of the remains of subjects which had been taken from the burial ground there.
1852. State lunatic asylum at Lexington, Ky., destroyed by fire, in which one of the inmates perished.
1853.George Mannersdied, aged 75; many years British consul at Boston, and author of several dramas of merit, and other poetical works.
1853.William Gibbs McNeildied, aged 51; a military officer, who, during the Dorr excitement in Rhode Island, commanded the state troops, acting throughout with great prudence and judgment.
1853. The steamer Independence from San Juan del Sud to San Francisco, wrecked on Margaretta island, and also took fire, by which 140 lives were lost.
1854. The boiler of the Kate Kearney bursted at Louisville, Ky., killing and wounding a great number of people.
1856.John Stoddard, an English author, died, aged 84. He for many years contributed leading articles toThe Timesnewspaper, and was some time chief-justice of Malta.
1857.Elisha K. Kane, the arctic explorer, died at Havana, Cuba.
364.Flavius Claud Jovianus, the Roman emperor, died at Dadastana, aged 33. He was elected by the army, on the death of Julian, and accepted the throne upon the assurance that the soldiers would embrace Christianity. He was suffocated in his bed by the fumes of a fire which had been made to dry the chamber, after a reign of only eight months.
1461. Battle of St. Albans, 21 miles from London, between the Lancastrians headed by the queen, Margaret, and the Yorkists under the earl of Warwick. The latter were defeated.
1564.Michael Angelo Buonarotti, the painter and architect, died at Rome, aged 89. He was of an illustrious family; studied painting and sculpture; and for a great number of years was employed by the popes in decorating the most superb edifices of Rome. At the age of 60 he was induced to attempt theLast Judgment, which is his master-piece. In architecture, St. Peter's and the Capitol are monuments of his ability. As a sculptor and poet also he is entitled to no mean place in the niche of fame. He was one of those favorites of nature, who combine in their single persons the excellence of many highly gifted men.
1571. An earthquake in Herefordshire, England, removed a hill containing 26 acres to a considerable distance, overturning every thing before it and continuing in motion several days.
1600.Giordano Bruno, an Italian philosopher, burnt at Rome. He entered the order of the Dominicans, but his satires upon the lives of the monks drew upon him their persecutions, and he fled to the Calvinists. These in turn were excited against him by his paradoxes. After visiting Paris, London and Wurtemberg, he returned again to Italy, and fell into the hands of the inquisition, by whom he was condemned to be burnt, and suffered death, which he might have averted by a recantation, with the greatest fortitude. His philosophical writings, which have become very rare, display a classical cultivation of mind, a deep insight into the spirit of ancient philosophy, wit and satire, as well as a profound knowledge of mathematics and natural philosophy. With all his talent and erudition he was a pantheist.
1621. The Plymouth colonists met for the purpose of settling military affairs, and chose Miles Standish their captain.
1673.Jean Baptiste Poquelin de Molieredied. At Narbonne, where the French theatre at that time began to flourish, through the talents of the great Corneille, he imbibed a strong passion for the stage. He became a distinguished comedian and dramatic writer, and died within four hours after personating a character in his play of theHypochondriac.
1680.Denzil, Lord Hollis, an eminent English patriot, died. He nobly maintained and defended the rights and privileges of the house of commons, of which he was a member, against the arbitrary measures of Charles I and his favorites. He was also a political writer.
1710.George Bull, an eminent English writer and preacher, died.
1720.John Hughes, an English poet and dramatist, died. He was a contributor to theTatler,SpectatorandGuardian. His last production, theSiege of Damascus, was performed with splendid success on the very night the author died suddenly. He was eulogized by Pope.
1735.Nicolo Fortiguerradied, an Italian prelate, and one of their best poets of the early part of the last century.
1739.George Whitfield, the celebrated Methodist, preached from a field pulpit to coalliers in Kingswood, near Bristol.
1758.John Watkinsdied at Bristol, England, aged 78. He was heir to a considerable estate, which being denied possession of, he made a vow never to shave till he enjoyed it; and kept his promise to the day of his death. He went by the name of Black John; after his death there was found upwards of 200 weight of half pence and silver, besides a quantity of gold, which he had amassed as a public beggar.
1759.Thomas Siddal, a gardener at Chester, England, dug up a potatoe weighing 17 lbs. 4 oz., measuring 38 inches in circumference, and 47½ in length.
1772. Convention between Frederick II of Prussia and Catharine II of Russia signed, for the partition of Poland. This was afterwards acceded to by Austria, and ratified by the Polish diet.
1773. An appearance similar to the aurora borealis first witnessed in the southern hemisphere, by Mr. Forster, who accompanied Capt. Cook.
1782. Action between the British fleet, Admiral Hughes, and the French fleet, M. de Suffrein, in which the British suffered severely.
1794. Fornelli in Corsica attacked and carried by the British under Lord Hood.
1796.James Macpherson, the Scottish poet, died; distinguished for his translations and imitations of Gaelic poems, the principal of which is Fingal.
1797. The Spanish AdmiralApodacacompelled to burn several large battle ships in the gulf of Paria, to prevent their falling into the hands of the British fleet under Harvey.
1804. Gen.Moreauarrested at Paris, on an accusation of being concerned in the conspiracy of Pichegru and Georges.
1805. Action between the British frigate Cleopatra, 32 guns, and the French frigate Ville de Milan, pierced for 52 but mounting 26 guns. The Cleopatra was captured, with the loss of 20 killed and 38 wounded.
1810. Amboyna, the capital of the Moluccas, surrendered to the British, together with 49 merchant vessels in the harbor. It was not the first time it had fallen into the hands of the British.
1810. Rome annexed to France; the city to rank as the second in the French empire.
1814. Battle of Nangis, between Napoleon and the Russians under Count Witgenstein; same day, the Russians under Pahlen attacked the French at Marmont under Georges.
1814. The castle of Jaca in Arragon capitulated to the Spanish chief Francisco Espoz y Mina, who took 84 brass cannon.
1818.Henry Obookiah, a Sandwich islander, died at Cornwall, Ct., aged 26. He was a member of the foreign mission school and has been made the subject of a memoir.
1827.John Henry Pestalozzi, one of the most distinguished men of modern times for his efforts in the cause of education, died at Brugg. He was born at Zurich, in Switzerland; and devoted his life and property to the education of poor children. His system is not the best in use.
1828.Henry Gottlob Tschirnerdied, aged 50; an eminent German theologian.
1835. Five volcanoes burst forth simultaneously in Central-America, attended with tremendous earthquakes, which sunk three large towns, besides many villages. The air was so obscure with smoke, that the inhabitants were obliged to grope their way with torches for eight days. The lava in some places ran the distance of 60 leagues, destroying every thing in its course. In Alancho they thought the day of judgment had come, and more than 300 marriages took place among people who had previously lived in a state of concubinage.
1836.Cornplanter, (Garyan-wah-gah,) a celebrated Indian chief, died at the Seneca Reservation, aged about 100. At an early period of the revolutionary war hetook an active part on the side of the Americans, and ever after manifested great friendship for the whites. He and his associate Red-Jacket, were for many years the counsellors and protectors of the interests of their nation.
1839.William Adam, a Scottish statesman, died. As member of parliament he opposed conciliatory measures with the refractory American colonies.
1840.Joseph Chitty, a very eminent special pleader and author of many laborious and learned works in the profession of the law, died in London, aged 65.
1843. In British India 2,800 British troops defeated 22,000 Beloochees.
1862.William Thompson, a distinguished naturalist, died, aged 46. He published theBirds of Ireland, and had undertaken to write the natural history of that country.
1852. Eruption of Mount Loa, Sandwich islands, which continued a long time undiminished.
1855. The Russians under Osten Sacken attacked Eupatoria, defended by the Turks under Omar Pasha, and were repulsed with loss.
1856.John Braham, a celebrated English vocalist, died, aged 82. He was the son of a German Jew, and his proper name was Abraham. He made his first appearance at Covent garden in 1787.