432B. C.The estival solstice of Meton, the Athenian, corresponds with this day, in the 87th Olympiad. From the time of Solon the Attic months were lunar, composed alternately of 30 and 29 days.
1137. The city of Bath in England destroyed by fire.
1299. PopeBoniface VIIIissued an authoritative rescript, directed to Edward I, claiming the feudal sovereignty over Scotland. Edward received it in his camp, and in reply formally deduced his claim to the superiority, fromBrute the Trojan. His holiness rejoined that the Scots cared not for Brute the Trojan, as they were derived fromScota, the daughter of Pharaoh, who landed in Ireland, and whose descendants became kings of Albany by conquest.
1506.Ferdinandof Arragon resigned the government of Castile, and Philip and Joanna were enthroned.
1534. The University of Oxford unanimously determined that the jurisdiction of the pope of Rome did not exceed the ministry of any other English bishop.
1627.Villiers, duke of Buckingham, sailed from England on his expedition against the French coast, from which he returned in disgrace, with the loss of the flower of his army.
1627.John Hayward, an English historian, died. He wrote also biographies of some of the kings, and several religious works.
1630.Frederick Morel, a learned French printer, died. Some of his predecessors had been directors of the king's printing house, and his descendants were also distinguished for their learning, and as elegant printers.
1651. "Milton's book" burnt at Toulouse by anarrêtof the parliament. The famousDefence of the People of England, was twelve days later burnt by the common executioner, at Paris, under a judicial sentence.
1689. Dover, N. H., attacked by the Indians. The houses were garrisoned, but some squaws got permission to sleep by the fire in two of them, who gave the Indians admission in the night. Several houses were burnt, 23 persons killed, and 29 captivated.
1694. The French under Du Casse, attacked the island of Jamaica, and laid it waste.
1699.Sebastian Joseph de Pontchasteau, a French author, died; remarkable for the singularity of his acts of devotion and charity.
1709. Battle of Pultowa in Russia, between the Russians under Peter the Great and the Swedes under Charles XII, in which the latter were totally defeated, after a desperate conflict of two hours.
1720. TheMississippi bubbleburst in France; amount about $450,000,000.
1724. A party of 13 Indians, called French Mohawks, attacked the house of John Hanson, a quaker, in Dover, N. H., killed and scalped two small children, and carried off his wife, three children and the nurse. The quakers could not be persuaded to use any means for their defence though equally exposed with their neighbors to an enemy who made no distinction between them.
1725.Christian Henry Heinecken, an extraordinary German boy, died. He spoke his maternal tongue fluently at ten months; at one year old he knew the principal events of the Pentateuch; in two months more he was master of the entire histories of the Old and New Testament; at two years and a half he answered the principal questions in geography, and in ancient and modern history. He spoke Latin and French, German and Low Dutch, with great facility, before the commencement of his fourth year, 1725, in which he died. His constitution was so delicate that he was not weaned till a few months before his death.
1742.Nathan Bailey, the English lexicographer, died. Besides his well known dictionary, he was the editor of school editions and translations of several of the ancient classic poets and historians.
1774.Nicholas Tindal, an English historian, died; known as the translator of Rapin's history.
1777.William Dodd, an English divine, hanged for forgery.
1780.I. H. Waser, a Swiss ecclesiastic, executed at Zurich, for some strictures in a newspaper on the administration of justice in that city.
1785.Samuel Mather, a learned New England divine, died, aged 79. He wrote the life of his father, Cotton Mather.
1788. Virginia adopted the constitution of the United States, recommending amendments; tenth state which ratified that document.
1789. Union of all the orders in the national assembly of France.
1794.Simon Nicholas Henry Linguet, a French writer, guillotined. The freedom of his writings drove him from one countryto another to escape prosecution, till he finally came under the revolutionary axe at Paris. The number of his works is thirty-five.
1794. The populace of Warsaw put eight of their principal noblemen to death as traitors to their country.
1800.William Cumberland Cruikshank, an eminent Scottish anatomist, died in London, where he distinguished himself as a surgeon and medical writer.
1801. Cairo surrendered by the French to the Anglo-Turkish army; conditioned to be sent to France. The army consisted of 13,754 men, of whom 600 were Greeks and Copts, and 100 Mamelukes.
1806. The British took possession of Montevideo only to be made prisoners of war.
1817. Fort Bizoton, Port-au-Prince, blown up by its commandant, in revenge of some supposed injuries received from his superiors. He was the only one killed.
1819. The commune of Grignoncourt, in the arrondissement of Neufchateau in France was desolated by a hail storm. M. Jacoutot, the mayor, collected and melted several weighing upwards of a pound each and having a transparent stone in the centre, flat, round and polished, and perforated in the centre. Wherever the hail had fallen, there were found, when it had melted, many similar stones, hitherto unknown in Grignoncourt.
1820.Joseph Von Hager, an eminent Chinese scholar, died. He was born in Italy, studied in Germany, and resided some time in London. He published several works on Chinese literature, and detected the historical fraud of Vella, a Sicilian monk.
1826.Peter Edward Lemontey, a French dramatist, died. He was also an able statesman, and censor of the theatre.
1828.Abiel Abbot, an American clergyman, died; author ofLetters written in the Interior of Cuba, and various pamphlets.
1829. Erzeroum, in Turkey, captured by the Russians. Among the prisoners were the seraskier and 4 pashas, 150 cannon.
1832. Cholera appeared in New York.
1840.Lucien Bonaparte, younger brother of Napoleon, died at Viterbo, in Italy, aged 66, of a cancer in the breast, the same disease of which Napoleon died.
1843.John Murray, a distinguished London publisher, died. He not only maintained an eminent position in his profession for a long series of years, but was much esteemed in private life.
1849. The steamer Europa came in collision with the American bark Charles Bartlett, on the ocean; the latter was sunk with the loss of 134 persons.
1857. ——Mitchell, a North Carolina geologist, was killed by a fall into the Caney river, while engaged alone in scientific explorations.
1059.Abdullah, founder of the dynasty of the Almoravides, which ruled Africa and Spain during a century, died of a wound received in battle.
1598.Abraham Ortelius, a Dutch geographer, died. He traveled over a considerable portion of Europe, and for his knowledge was styled the Ptolemy of his age.
1632. The original charter of Maryland granted to Cecil, lord Baltimore. The draft being in Latin, the country was calledTerra Mariæ, in honor of the queen.
1650.John de Rotron, a distinguished French poet, dramatic writer and magistrate, died. He lost his life by administering to the necessities of the poor at a time of plague.
1675. An attack on the head quarters of king Philip, the celebrated sachem, by a body of the Plymouth colonists, who succeeded in routing the savages.
1681. First general yearly meeting of the quakers in America, held at Burlington, New Jersey.
1700.Thomas Creech, an eminent English translator, died by his own hand.
1734. GeneralOglethorpearrived in London from the colony of Georgia, with several Indian chiefs, among whom was Tomo Chichi.
1748.Joseph de Mailla, a French missionary, died at Pekin. His great knowledge of Chinese led to his employment at Pekin, where he became a great favorite with the emperor, at whose request he constructed a map of China and Chinese Tartary, and had it engraved in France.
1776. British under Clinton and admiral Parker made an unsuccessful attempt upon Sullivan's island. The American force was 344 regulars and a few volunteers. The British made the attack in 10 ships, one of which was abandoned and burnt. After the action was over 7,000 balls were picked up.
1778. Battle of Monmouth, between the British under Cornwallis, and the Americans under Washington. Owing to some mistakes on both sides, the action was delayed and the day far spent without much fighting. The Americans were prepared to renew the engagement in the morning, but the British had retreated during the night in great silence. British loss 246 killed, 59 died of fatigue; American loss 142 killed, 160 wounded. The day was excessively hot, and many died of fatigue on both sides.
1785. Treaty of fort Herkimer, between the Oneidas, Tuscaroras and the state of New York.
1794. Battle of Fleurus and capture of chateau de Namur, by the French. The allies lost more than 7000 men killed, and 1500 prisoners. The conquest of the Netherlands was greatly influenced by the result of this battle.
1794. The Poles under Kosciusko, armed with scythes rose upon the Russians at Cracow and defeated the regular troops.
1796. Battle of Renchen; Moreau victorious over the Austrians.
1797.George Keatsdied; author ofAncient and Modern Rome, a poem, and an account of the Pelew islands.
1802.Thomas Garnetdied; an English physician and chemist, and an author on chemistry, &c.
1802.M. Garnerinascended in a balloon from Chelsea, England, and made an ærial voyage of more than 50 miles at the rate of 70 miles an hour. This was the most memorable ascent in England from the time of Leonardi.
1808. Valencia, in Spain, assaulted by the French under Moncey; they were repulsed with the loss of 1000 men.
1809. First steam boat on lake Champlain, arrived at St. Johns, Canada, from Burlington, Vt. She was 120 feet long, 10 wide, and drew 3½ feet water.
1811. Battle of Tarragona, in Spain; the city carried by the French under Suchet, with horrible slaughter; 10,000 prisoners taken, 384 cannon, 40,000 balls, and 500,000 quintals powder, &c.
1814. United States sloop of war Wasp, 20 guns, Capt. Blakeley, captured in 19 minutes British sloop of war Reindeer, 19 guns, 118 men. British loss Capt. Manners and 24 killed, 42 wounded; American loss 9 killed, 17 wounded.
1815. CommodoreDecaturarrived off Algiers with the American squadron.
1815. Russians under Blucher defeated the French at Villers Coterets, took 1500 prisoners and six cannon.
1815. Allies under Colloredo engaged the French near Befort; allies lost 300.
1815. French 8000 strong driven through Chevannes at the point of the bayonet.
1815. GeneralCrenevilleattacked Carouge, crossed the Arve near Geneva, which was also taken.
1815. Troops of Gen. Bubna passed mount Cenis, one of the loftiest peaks of the Alps, in Savoy.
1815. The head of the bridge of Arly in Savoy carried by assault by the allied Sardinians, Piedmontese and Austrians, with the loss of 1000 men.
1835.Charles Matthews, an eminent English comedian, died, aged 79; author of a monodramatic entertainment calledMatthews at Home, which was extremely popular in England and America.
1836.James Madison, 4th president of the United States, died, aged 86. He was distinguished for his great talents and acquirements, for the important offices which he filled, and for his virtues in private life.
1838. Coronation of Victoria celebrated in London with great splendor and parade.
1839. Indian battle in Arkansas between the Ross and Ridge parties of Cherokees; about 50 were killed on both sides, and among them John Ross, head of the Ross party; John Ridge the leader of the other party, having been previously killed. (SeeJune 10.)
1847.Alexander Hill Everettdied at Canton, China. He was some time editor and principal proprietor of theNorth American Review, and at his death commissioner of the United States to China.
1848. The revolution in Wallachia ended in the flight of the prince and the establishment of a provincial government.
1854. A military insurrection broke out in Spain.
1855. Battle of Rivas, in Central America. Col. Walker arrived in brig Vista and landed his forces and those of Gen. Castillon; but was forced to retire.
1855.Fitzroy James Henry Somerset, baron Raglan, commander of the British forces in the Crimea, died of cholera at Sebastopol, aged 66. He served with Wellington on the Peninsula, and lost his right arm at the battle of Waterloo. During the arduous duties of the campaign in Turkey, he won the confidence of the army by his calmness, quick perception and fortitude, and performed great and brilliant services. He was succeeded by Maj. Gen. James Simpson.
65.Peter, the apostle, crucified at Rome, in the reign of Nero. On the evening of this day, St. Peter's church at Rome is splendidly illuminated.
455. The sack of Rome under Genseric, the Vandal, terminated. It had continued 14 days. The spoils of Jerusalem were removed to Carthage.
794.Offa, a powerful English king, died. He corresponded on flattering terms with Charlemagne, and fixed a seal to his charters.
1033. A great eclipse of the sun was observed. In France it caused almost midnight darkness at noon.
1215. KingJohnsigned magna charta,or the great charter of liberties, which is esteemed the basis and palladium of British freedom, on this day, at Runemede, a meadow on the banks of the Thames, between Staines and Windsor, now occupied as a race course. Of 26 barons who subscribed this document, only 3 could write their own names. (This event is attributed to various days.)
1450.William Ascough, bishop of Sarum, murdered at the altar by Jack Cade and his followers.
1502.Columbusarrived at Hispaniola on his fourth voyage.
1509.Margaret of Lancaster, mother of Henry VII, died. She was a munificent patron of learning, and the founder of St. John's and Christ's colleges at Cambridge. She sustained an excellent character.
1519.Charles Vdeclared emperor by the electoral voices.
1559.Henry IIof France wounded in the eye with a spear, at a famous tournament, by the English count de Montgomery, of which he died. (SeeJuly 10.)
1573.Gaspard Sanly de Tavannes, a distinguished French general, died. He was an honor to the military profession, and by his exertions the king of Navarre and the prince of Conde escaped the massacre of St. Bartholomews.
1586.Primus Truber, a Lutheran minister, who gave the first edition of the Vandalie scriptures, died.
1612. A lottery drawn in London for the benefit of the Virginia plantations, the profits of which amounted to nearly £30,000.
1644. Battle of Cropredy bridge; the parliament forces under Waller, defeated by the royalists.
1667. The French, Dutch and Danes concluded a peace with England at Breda.
1674.Charles IIgranted to his brother, the duke of York, the territory of the state of Delaware, then a part of New Netherland.
1678. Grenadiers introduced into England.
1716.Ernestus Augustus, duke of Brunswick, Lunenburg, and bishop of Osnabruck, brother to George I, created duke of York and Albany, in Great Britain, and earl of Ulster in Ireland.
1734. Battle of Parma, in Italy; the imperialists defeated by the French, and their general and 5,000 men killed.
1754. Lieutenant-governorDelanceyopened at Albany a treaty with the Indians, who had been tardy in assembling at the convention of the provinces. A preconcerted speech was delivered, and the presents were distributed in the name of all the colonies.
1779.Anthony Raphael Mengs, an eminent Bohemian painter and author, died at Rome.
1793.Francis Charles Vivot de Sombreuil, a French general, guillotined at Paris, together with his eldest son, for their attachment to the king.
1794.Moreauentered Bruges—British quitted Ostend—French defeated at Guadaloupe.
1810. British ships Amphion, Cerberus and Active, burnt 26 vessels in the harbor of Grao, Spain, and brought off 26 with their cargos.
1811. French took fort Olivo by stratagem, and captured 900 Spaniards without firing a gun.
1813. British sloop of war Persian, wrecked on the Silver keys, in chasing the American privateer Saucy Jack.
1813.Valentine Green, an English mezzotinto engraver, died. Besides his great merit as an artist, he is also known as the author of a valuable work on antiquities.
1816. PopePius VIIissued his bull against Bible societies, and prohibited the circulation of Bibles published by heretics, as eminently dangerous to souls.
1816.David Williams, an English miscellaneous writer, died. He founded the literary fund.
1836.Edward Smedley, prebendary of Lincoln, died; author of several poems, a history of the reformed religion in France, and editor of theEncyclopedia Metropolitana.
1837.Hofrath Aloysius Hirtdied at Berlin, Prussia, aged 78; an eminent archæologist, distinguished for his attainments in literature and the fine arts, one of whose chief works was on the architecture of the ancients.
1840.Thomas Simpson, companion of Mr. Dean in the discovery of the north-west passage, died by his own hand at Turtle river, aged 32. He was a native of Scotland, and for four years had been actively engaged in the prosecution of the discoveries which will immortalize his name, and for which he is represented to have possessed uncommon qualifications.
1848. Croton aqueduct bridge over the Harlem completed; 1,400 feet long, resting on 15 arches, 8 of them 80 feet span; a work of surpassing skill and magnitude.
1850. Part of the Table rock at Niagara falls gave way.
1852.Henry Clay, an eminent American statesman, died, aged 75. Having received a common school education, he commenced the study of the law at the age of 19, and became one of the most distinguished orators of his day. He was an earnest supporter of the colonization society, and twice an unsuccessful candidate for the office of president of the United States.
1513.Henry VIIIembarked with his forces at Dover for the invasion of France, appointing his "most dear consort, queen Catharine, rectrix and governor of the realm."
1520.Montezuma, the Mexican monarch, died. The situation of the Spaniards becoming desperate, Cortez persuaded the captive monarch to address his people from a terrace, and request them to desist from their attacks and allow the Spaniards to evacuate the city. The Indians were silent while he spoke, but answered that they had promised their gods never to stop till the Spaniards were totally destroyed. A shower of stones and arrows then fell about the spot where he stood, which were warded off by the shields of the soldiers. At the moment they removed their shields, that the king might renew his address, three stones and an arrow struck him to the ground. He died, less of his wounds than of sorrow and indignation, at the age of 54.
1543. Battle of Atherton moor, in England; lord Fairfax defeated by the royalists, and totally routed.
1607.Cæsar Baronius, an Italian cardinal, died. His works are numerous and valuable, especially theEcclesiastical Annals, 12 vols. folio.
1666.Alexander de Brome, an English poet, died; author of innumerable odes and sonnets written during the English revolution, in which the round heads are treated with great keenness and severity.
1670.Henrietta, duchess of Orleans, and sister to king Charles II, died in her 26th year. Suspicions were entertained that she had been poisoned by her husband for infidelity.
1685.Archibald Campbell, duke of Argyle, beheaded at Edinburgh for seditious measures. His father was also beheaded there 24 years before, as a traitor.
1690. Battle of Fleurus, in the Netherlands; the allies defeated by the French under Luxembourg, with the loss of 6,000 killed, 8,000 prisoners, and all their artillery and baggage.
1690. The Dutch and English fleets under Torrington, engaged the French fleet off Beachey head, and were defeated. English loss 2 ships, 400 men; Dutch loss 2 admirals, 6 ships; the king, William, was wounded by a cannon ball.
1694.Adam Littleton, an excellent English philologist and grammarian, died.
1697.Thomas Pope Blountdied; an eminent English writer and a man of great learning and research.
1703. Battle of Eeckeren, between the French and confederated armies of the English and Dutch, in which the slaughter on both sides was very great.
1733. Twenty sail of merchant ships destroyed by a hurricane at St. Christophers.
1734. Dantzic, in Prussia, surrendered to the Russians.
1777. British evacuated Amboy, N. J., and encamped opposite, on Staten island.
1785.James Oglethorpe, the first governor of Georgia, died in England, aged 97. He took an active part in the settlement of Georgia, and founded the town of Savannah. He displayed great courage and address in protecting the colony from incursions of the Spaniards.
1797.Richard Parkerhanged; author of the noted rebellion in the English fleet at the Nore.
1797. The chief officers of the Cisalpine republic installed by Bonaparte. This like the French republic, was but of short continuance.
1802. Treaty of Buffalo creek, when the Senecas sold their land west of Genesee river to the state.
1803. Two British ships captured off St. Domingo the French frigate Creole, 44 guns, having on board 100 blood hounds for the French army against the blacks.
1815. Action in the strait of Sunda, between United States sloop of war Peacock, and British king's ship Nautilus. The latter was captured in 15 minutes, but was given up next day, as hostilities had ceased twelve days before between the two countries.
1815. Treaty of peace concluded between the United States and Algiers, in which the dey relinquished the payment of tribute to the Algerines, released the prisoners, and made restitution for American property captured by his cruisers.
1815. Allied army from the heights of Belleville, commenced their attacks on Paris.
1817. The Prussian government prohibited the further use of the termprotestantin the country, as being obsolete and unmeaning, since the protestants did not any longer protest, and ordered the wordevangelicalto be substituted for it.
1817.Christopher Daniel Ebeling, a German geographer, died. His great work, theGeography and History of North America, was completed and published at Hamburg 1799, in 5 vols. His collection of books in relation to America, nearly 4,000 in number, were purchased by Israel Thorndike of Boston, and presented to Harvard college.
1821.Jose Fernandez Abascaldied, aged 78; long engaged in the military service of Spain, and viceroy of Peru duringthe early part of the war of independence in South America.
1831.William Roscoe, an English biographer and miscellaneous writer, died. He was of humble parentage, but his lives of Lorenzo the Magnificent, and Leo X, give him an exalted and enduring reputation.
1832. Silistria, in Bulgaria, surrendered to the Russians. The trophies were 8,000 prisoners, 2 three-tailed pashas, 250 cannon, &c.
1835.Benjamin Pritchard, the Kentucky giant, died. His disease was dropsy; his weight 525 pounds.
1840. The sub-treasury, or independent treasury bill passed the house of representatives in congress, by a vote of 124 to 105.
1855. The yellow fever became epidemic in New Orleans.
1452B. C.Aaron, the Jewish high priest, died on the first day of the month Ab, at the age of 123.
1190. The crusaders under Richard Plantagenet and Philip de Valois, amounting to 100,000 warriors and pilgrims, assembled in the plains of Vezelai.
1270.Louis IXof France sailed from Aigues Mortes, on his fatal crusade against the infidels of Tunis.
1413.Pierre des Essars, a French nobleman, executed. He served in the Scottish army against England, 1402, and was taken prisoner. On his return to France he became a statesman, but was suspected of some political heresies, which forfeited his life.
1450.Jack Cadetook possession of Southwark, and two days after entered London, cutting the ropes of the draw bridge with his sword.
1520.Cortezsecretly evacuated the city of Mexico with the remains of his army. The Spaniards commenced their retreat a little before midnight, which was soon discovered by the Mexicans, who assailed them on all sides, so that it was with the utmost hazard of entire destruction that they effected their escape, with the loss of 600 Spaniards and 4,000 allies. All their artillery, all the riches they had amassed, the manuscripts of Cortez, were lost; together with 40 horses, most of their prisoners, and the men and women in the service of the Spaniards, were killed. It was one of the most horrible and disastrous scenes on record, and acquired the name among the Spaniards of thenoche triste.
1555.John Bradford, an English martyr in the reign of queen Mary, and an eloquent preacher, burnt at Smithfield for heresy.
1582.James Crichton(the admirable) assassinated at Mantua. He was a native of Scotland, and altogether a most extraordinary character, about whom authors differ also most extraordinarily, some even treating his existence as fabulous. Urquhart places his death on the 27th February, at the carnival.
1614.Isaac Casaubon, a celebrated Swiss critic and theologian, died at London. Nearly all the ancient classics are indebted to his valuable researches.
1626. Chaplains first appointed to each ship in the British navy.
1627. KingCharles Iof England dismissed his queen's French servants, which occasioned a war with France.
1643. The great assembly of divines met at Westminster in the Jerusalem chamber; 118 preachers and 26 laymen.
1676. New Jersey divided into East and West Jersey; the former granted to George Carteret, the latter to William Penn and others.
1681.Oliver Plunket, primate of Ireland, executed at Tyburn. It was afterwards discovered that he was guiltless of the crimes imputed to him, and that he fell a sacrifice to the intrigues of some of his priesthood.
1690. Battle of the Boyne, in Ireland, which decided the fate of James II and the Stuart dynasty, and established William III on the British throne. The duke of Schomberg, one of the ablest generals of the time, was killed, at the age of 82. Also the Irish rector, George Walker, famous for his heroism. The forces of James were but 27,000, opposed to 36,000 strong.
1709.Edward Lhuyddied; a celebrated antiquary and linguist, and keeper of the Ashmolean museum.
1731.John Montgomery, governor of New York, died. He possessed a kind and human disposition, and his death was much lamented.
1743. Action between the British ship Centurion, 60 guns, 400 men, Com. Anson, and Spanish ship Acapulco, 64 guns, 550 men. The latter was captured, with above a million and a half of dollars on board. Spanish loss 67 killed, 84 wounded; British loss 2 killed, 17 wounded. (SeeJune 15, 1744.)
1762.John Baptist Nolin, a French geographer, died at Paris.
1766.John Francis Lefevre de Labarre,a young French nobleman, executed. A wooden crucifix had been defaced on a public bridge, at which the bishop of Amiens was greatly enraged, and demanded a disclosure of the perpetrators. Labarre was arraigned on the false accusation of his enemy, Duval de Saucourt, and the indictment also charged him with having passed a procession of monks without taking off his hat. He was sentenced to have his tongue cut out, his right hand cut off, and to be burnt alive. This sentence the parliament of Paris commuted, by a small majority, into decapitation before burning. Labarre was scarcely nineteen years old, and was one of the latest victims of that religious fanaticism in France which led to the revolution. Voltaire exerted himself as warmly against this infamous act, as he had against the execution of Calas.
1780. Action off cape Finisterre between British ship Romney, 50 guns, and French frigate Artois, 40 guns, 460 men. The Artois was captured in 45 minutes, 20 killed, 40 wounded; British 2 wounded.
1780.John Bell, a celebrated Scottish traveler, died, aged 91. He commenced his travels about the year 1714, in the employ of Peter the Great of Russia, with whom he was on terms of great intimacy; and extended his travels into many different countries; was afterwards for several years a merchant at Constantinople, and finally in 1747 returned to his native country to spend the remainder of his life in ease and affluence on his estates of Antermony.
1781. Battle of Porto Novo, in Hindostan; 7,000 British under sir Eyre Coote defeated Hyder Ally and 150,000 men. English loss about 400 killed and wounded; Hyder lost many of his best officers and 4,000 killed.
1782. The marquis ofRockingham, first lord of the English treasury, died. His merit was his patriotism, and his patronizing such men as Burke, and bringing them into influence.
1798. Alexandria, in Egypt, taken by the French under Bonaparte, who issued a proclamation, stating that he venerated God, the prophet, and the koran, and more than the Mamelukes did.
1800.Jean Claude d'Arcon, a French general and engineer, died. He invented the floating batteries, which were intended to reduce Gibraltar.
1810.Louis Bonaparteabdicated the throne of Holland, and retired to Austria as a private individual.
1814. Peresque Isle surprised by the United States troops under lieutenant Gregory.
1818.Thomas Bernard, founder of the British gallery, died. He was eminent as a philanthropist.
1820. Toll first demanded and received on the Erie canal.
1832. Rite of suttee abolished in Hindostan by the British authorities.
1835.James Gibbon, the hero of Stony point, died at Richmond, where for several years he had been collector of customs.
1839.Mahmoud II, sultan of Turkey, died in the 54th year of his age and 31st of his reign.
1839. About 150 Chippewa Indians treacherously massacred at the falls of St. Anthony, and 20 on the St. Croix, by the Sioux, who had invited the Chippewas to meet for the purpose of forming a treaty of peace. About 50 of the Sioux were killed.
1850.Sergeant S. Prentiss, a distinguished American lawyer, died, aged 40.
1853.Arthur Livermore, a New Hampshire jurist, died at Campton, N. H., aged 87.
1854.Waldo J. Burnettdied at Boston, aged 25; a distinguished physician and naturalist, and author of several tracts on medical subjects.
1855. There was a second Sunday demonstration in Hyde park, London, by a large and excited mob, against sir Robert Grosvenor's Sunday bill.
1856. A heavy gale on the coast of Labrador, when of a fleet of 30 vessels, 29 were driven on shore and lost.
928.John X, pope of Rome, suffocated in prison. Better fitted for heading an army than governing the church, he was victorious over the Turks in battle.
936.Henry I(the fowler), of Germany, died. He was successful in his wars, strengthened his empire, and promoted harmony and union among the German princes.
1296.John Baliolsubscribed his abdication at Kincardin. For three years he had the tower of London and a circuit round the walls for twenty miles for his possession; and in 1299 was permitted to retire into Normandy, where he died forgotten six years afterwards.
1491. Madeira, an island in the Atlantic, covered with wood (whence its name), discovered by John Gonzales Zarco, in the service of Portugal. It was the next year colonized, and planted with the Cyprian vine and sugar cane of Sicily.
1492.Adolphus, emperor of Germany, killed. He was a poor count, elected partly through intrigue, and his reign was a series of intrigues to maintain himself inpower. The throne was finally given to Albert of Austria, and when the two emperors met in battle, they fought hand to hand, and Adolphus was killed by the lance of his rival. His abilities were inadequate to his station.
1566.Michael Nostrodamusdied; an able French physician and celebrated astrologer.
1609.Hudsonon his first voyage, after various vicissitudes, through storm and ice, loss of foremast and sails, arrived off the banks of Newfoundland, and refreshed his men by a heavycatchof cod.
1644. Battle of Marston Moor; the parliament army under Cromwell and Fairfax, defeated the royalists under prince Rupert, who lost the whole of his artillery and left the northern counties in the hands of the confederates.
1692.Adrian de Valois(or Valesius) died; a learned French historian and critic.
1704. Battle of Donauworth, in Bavaria; the French and Bavarians defeated by the duke of Marlborough. Loss about 6,000 on each side.
1730.Laurence Corsiniwas elected pope by the conclave, after it had sat four months. He took the name of Clement XII.
1740.Thomas Baker, a learned and ingenious English antiquary, died. He wrote with great purity of style.
1741.Thomas Morecroftdied; the person who figures in theSpectatorasWill Wimble.
1775.Washingtonarrived at Cambridge, and took command of the American army, then consisting of 14,500 men.
1776. The memorable resolution, declaring the North American colonies independent, passed by congress, without one dissenting colony. It was proclaimed on the 4th, and hence that day is celebrated, instead of this, which is, perhaps, better entitled to the honor.
1778. A fanatic calling herself queen Beck, assaulted king George III as he was alighting from his carriage.
1778.Jean Jacques Rousseaudied at Paris. He was the son of a watchmaker at Geneva, and strayed to Paris while young, where he became one of the most celebrated authors of the day. His works are collected in 33 vols.
1782.Dionysius Diderot, a noted French philosopher, died. He was the son of a cutler, educated by the Jesuits. Rejecting the ecclesiastical profession for literature, he became an author, and conceived the stupendous design of theDictionnaire Encyclopédique, on which he labored 20 years. He was a Jacobin, and contributed his full share to the revolution.
1800. Bill for the union of Great Britain and Ireland signed by order of the king, George III.
1802. ColonelBarre, so noted in the British parliament as an opponent to the American war, died. He had been blind for many years.
1805.Patrick Russell, a British physician, died at London; author of a valuable treatise on the plague, and several estimable works on natural history.
1807.Jeffersonissued his proclamation forbidding all intercourse with British ships of war, and ordering all those within the American waters to withdraw therefrom. (SeeJune 22.)
1812. American embargo expired by its own limitation. On the same day the frigate Essex, captain Porter, sailed from New York on a cruise against the British, on which occasion he hoisted a white flag, bearing the motto, "Free trade and sailor's rights."
1812.Peter Gansevoort, a distinguished American officer, died at Albany, aged 63.
1816.Benjamin Thompsondied; formerly a timber merchant, translator of theGerman Theatre, and author of several other productions. His death was caused by extreme sensitiveness at the manner in which his play ofOberon's Oathwas received. It was hissed on the first representation, at which he was extremely dejected; at its second representation it was received with universal applause, which elated him so much that he died of the excitement.
1830. Battle near Milliduse between the Turks and Russians. The Turks were defeated with considerable loss, and their general, Hadki pasha, taken prisoner.
1840. The port of Canton, in China, blockaded by the British under commodore Bremer.
1849. The city of Rome surrendered to the French.
1851.Caroline Amelia Halsted, an English authoress, died. Of three or four works which she published the principal one is aLife of Richard III, in 2 volumes, octavo.
1851.William Berry, an English author, died at Bristol, aged 77; author of various works on genealogy and heraldry.
1853. The Russian troops under prince Gortschakoff crossed the Pruth and invaded Turkey.
1853. A controversy having arisen between the consuls of Austria and America at Smyrna about Martin Koszta, an Austrian refugee, captain Ingraham of the American sloop of war St. Louis, hearing of a design to convey him to Trieste, demanded the surrender of Koszta before 4 o'clock,and brought his guns to bear on the Austrian brig. An engagement was prevented by the compromise that Koszta be delivered to the French consul at Smyrna for safe keeping.
1855. The legislature of Kansas met at Pawnee and organized; Thomas Johnson, president of the council, and John H. Stringfellow, speaker of the house.
1855.Thomas Weaver, an eminent English geologist, died at Pimlico, aged 82.
1855.Charles Elkins, a British admiral of the red, died, aged 87. He published a review of the naval battles from 1744 to 1814.
1856.Rowland Stephenson, for many years a London banker, and also a member of parliament, died at Bristol, Pa., aged 83. He had resided in this country about thirty years.
237.Antonius Africanus Gordian, killed near Carthage by a general of Maximinus, during whose reign he had been elected emperor, much against his will.
323. Battle of Adrianople and overthrow of Lucinius, when Constantine took possession of Byzantium, which he afterwards made the seat of his empire, and named it Constantinopolis.
987. Inauguration at Rheims of Hugh Capet, son of Hugo, duke of Burgundy, and founder of the third race in the French monarchy—the Capetan.
1437. The sacred play ofThe Passionrepresented in the park of Vexmeil, attended by the French nobility.
1521.Cortezattempted to retake the city of Mexico by storm, but was repulsed with the loss of 60 Spaniards, 1000 allies, 7 horses and 1 cannon. The Mexicans made prisoners of 40 Spaniards, who were immediately sacrificed in their great temple to the war god.
1608.Champlain, who took the charge of conducting the French colony in Arcadie, after examining all the eligible places on the St. Lawrence, selected a spot at the confluence of that river and the St. Charles, about 320 miles from the sea, where he erected barracks, cleared the ground for tillage, and on this day laid the foundation of Quebec.
1642.Mary de Medicis, of France, died; the promoter of the massacre of St. Bartholomews.
1672.Francis Willoughby, an English naturalist, died. To rank and fortune he added great application, and had traversed the principal countries of Europe in pursuit of his favorite study, the history of animals, when he was cut off at the early age of 37.
1676. Indian battle near Narraganset; the main body of the Indians were surprised at a large cedar swamp, and attacked so suddenly that a considerable number were killed or taken on the spot, and those who fled into the thicket were surrounded. They lost 171 on this occasion.
1743.Gabriel Romanovitch Dershavin, a celebrated Russian poet, died.
1769. The first theatrical performance enacted in Albany, by a company from New York, having gained permission "for one month only" from "his excellency the governor." The play wasVenice Preserved; the place, the hospital.
1776. Three towns in Turkey, containing 10,000 inhabitants, destroyed by an earthquake.
1779. Grenada, in the West Indies, taken by the French under count d'Estaing.
1789.James Bernouilli II, a learned German mathematician, died of apoplexy while bathing in the Neva at St. Petersburg.
1794. Earthquake in Natolia, Asia Minor, destroyed several large and populous towns and villages, one of which was Amasia, the birth place of Strabo.
1795. British squadron off St. Maloes captured a French brig and six merchantmen.
1797. AdmiralNelson, in his barge, captured a Spanish launch, after a severe engagement, in the course of which he narrowly escaped death, by the assistance of his coxswain.
1807. British Capt.Douglasthreatened to capture all vessels from Norfolk, unless the magistrates permitted him to have communication with the British consul at that place; they refused.
1811. American government resolved to occupy West Florida; the British government remonstrated against it.
1814. United States troops under Gen. Brown, effected a landing on the Canadian frontier, between Chippewa and Fort Erie, which latter surrendered.
1815. Commercial treaty between England and America signed at London.
1833. Naval battle between the fleet of Don Pedro, under the command of admiral Napier, and that of Don Miguel, in which the latter was defeated with the loss of 6 vessels.
1838.Samuel Thornton, an English gentleman, distinguished for his benevolence and usefulness, died, aged 83. He was 53 years a director of the bank of England, and 40 years a member of parliament.
1849. The French republican army, commanded by Gen. Oudinot, entered Rome.
1851.Edward Quillinan, a British author, died. He married a daughter of the poet Wadsworth, and was particularly accomplished in Portuguese literature.
1853.Samuel Putnam, a Massachusetts judge and senator, died at Somerville, aged 85.
1853. The American expedition under commodore Perry, left Loo Choo for Japan.
1854. Princessde la Moskwa, widow of marshal Ney, died in Paris.
1854.Thomas Ritchiedied, aged 75; celebrated as the editor of theRichmond Inquirerand theWashington Union. He wielded great political influence in Virginia, his native state.
1855. The Cunard steamer Persia was launched at Glasgow.
1097. Battle of Dorylæum, in Phrygia, and rout of the Moslems under Soliman.
1450. LordSayandSelebeheaded by order of Jack Cade, at Cheapside, London.
1533.John Fryth, an English preacher, burnt at Smithfield for the heresy of Lutheranism.
1563. Leeds bridge school was founded in the time of Henry VIII.
1584.AmidasandBarlow, two experienced commodores sent out by sir Walter Raleigh for the purpose of discovering and taking possession of the American continent north of Florida, arrived at the coast on this day. Sailing along the shore 120 miles, they entered the mouth of a river and took formal possession of the country for the queen of England, delivering it over to the use of sir Walter. (SeeJune 10, 1584.)
1623.William Bird, a celebrated English musical composer, died, aged 80. His music outlived his history, few particulars of his life being known.
1653. The parliament, commonly calledBarebone's, from a zealot of that name who was one of the 120 members, assembled at Whitehall, and Cromwell delegated to them their chairs for fifteen months.
1663.Charles IIof England, reviewed his 4000 guards, then the whole regular force of the kingdom, yet deemed dangerous to liberty. The king and his brother imputed the misfortune of their father, Charles I, to the want of a regular army.
1669.Anthony Escoba de Mendoza, a Spanish Jesuit, died. He was for many years a popular preacher, and bequeathed to posterity 40 vols. folio of his own writings.
1670.George, duke of Albemarle, captain-general of his majesty's forces, died at the cockpit. Possibly some lessons of ferocity might be learned there.
1671.Meric Casaubon, a Swissliterateurand critic, died in London. Considerable offers were made him by Cromwell to write the history of the civil war, which he refused.
1744. Thirty-two wagons, variously decorated, loaded with the treasure brought home by Anson, guarded by his seamen, passed St. James's in London to the Tower.
1749.Joseph Vanaken, a celebrated Dutch painter, died.
1754. The commissioners of the American colonies met at Albany for the purpose of holding a conference with the Indians, (seeJune 19,) proposed a plan for the union of the colonies, which was agreed to this day, exactly 22 years before the declaration of independence. Its fate was singular. It was rejected in America because it was supposed to put too much power into the hands of the king; and it was rejected in England, because it was supposed to give too much power to the assemblies of the colonies.
1757.John Joseph Vade, an excellent French poet, died. His youth was spent in dissipation, for which he made some amends in the brief space allowed him by his impaired constitution.
1761.Samuel Richardson, an English printer, died; known as the author of a series of moral romances, among whichPamelaandSir Charles Grandisonare the most noted. The former suggested to Fielding his famousTom Jones.
1776. Declaration of American independence adopted by congress. It was 39 times before that body previous to its adoption. It may be added that this event took place 264 years after the discovery of America by Columbus, 160 from the first effectual settlement of Virginia, and 150 from the settlement of Plymouth.
1777. Boonesborough attacked by 200 Indians, who killed and wounded 2 of the pioneer's men. All the settlements were attacked at the same time.
1778.Francesco Manoel, the most celebrated lyric poet of modern Portuguese literature, escaped the inquisition by disarming the officer sent to arrest him, and fled to Paris. He became obnoxious to the holy office by some expressions concerning toleration and monks, in his translation of Moliere'sTartuffe.
1780. British admiralGearycaptured 12 French merchantmen from Port-au-Prince.
1781. Williamsburg, Va., evacuated by the British under Cornwallis.
1789.Gosen Van Schaick, a brigadier general in the United States continental army, died at Albany.
1790. Action between the Swedish and Russian fleets, in which the former under the king, Charles XII, were defeated with great loss.
1793. Action off the capes of Virginia, between the French privateer, Citizen Genet, and two armed English vessels with a convoy. The convoy was captured and the two vessels much damaged. The Genet had 30 men, not one of whom was wounded by the enemy.
1800. A Mr.Rusbywas found guilty of reselling grain (technically regrading) in the market of Mark Lane. The judge, lord Kenyon, remarking to the jury, "You have conferred by your verdict almost the greatest benefit on your country that ever was conferred by any jury!"
1803. A remarkable ball of fire fell upon a public house at Wapping, England. It was accompanied with thunder.
1804. Mail stage commenced running once a week from Pittsburg and Philadelphia.
1806. Battle of Maida, in Italy; the French defeated by the British and Sicilians, with the loss of 800 killed and 1000 taken prisoners; British loss 45 killed 282 wounded.
1808.Fisher Ames, an American orator and statesman, died, aged 50. He possessed a mind of great and extraordinary character.
1813. United States smack Yankee captured by boarding, without any loss, British sloop Eagle.
1814. A part of the United States forces under Gen. W. Scott, advanced from fort Erie towards the British works at Chippewa. A smart action was had with the British at Street's creek. The division which crossed under Capt. Turner was attacked by a very superior force; but they gallantly cut their way through to a house, where they made a stand until relieved.
1816.Richard Watson, bishop of Landaff, died; known by hisApology for the Bible, in answer to Paine'sAge of Reason.
1817. The construction of the Erie canal commenced, in the neighborhood of Rome, Oneida county, New York.
1826.Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States, and author of theDeclaration of Independence, died, just 50 years from the date of that document, aged 83.
1826.John Adams, second president of the United States, died, aged 91. He was one of those patriots who most warmly advocated the declaration of independence in congress, and was an able statesman.
1831.James Monroe, fifth president of the United States, died, aged 73. He joined the revolutionary army in 1778, and after the close of the war was constantly in the service of his country, as a statesman, till the close of his life.
1845. Texas finally annexed to the United States, by a convention of its citizens ratifying the action of the United States senate.
1845. An Englishman by the name ofSpeer, accompanied by three chamois hunters, set out from Interlachen to ascend the Wetterhorn, or peak of tempests, one of the highest of the Oberland Alps, which had never been trodden by the foot of man. They reached the summit on the 8th, after a tedious and dangerous effort. The height of the peak ascended is 12,000 feet and upwards.
1848.De Chateaubriand, a distinguished French savan, died at Paris, aged 80.
1848. Treaty of peace with Mexico proclaimed at Washington.
1848. Ceremony of laying the corner stone of the Washington monument at Washington, conducted with great pomp.
1849. Two thousand and seventy-four immigrants arrived in the steerage at New York.
1850.Kirby, an eminent entomologist, died at Suffolk, England, aged 91. His work on the bees of England described upwards of 200 wild species in that country.
1853. The first Norwegian rail road opened.
1854. A collision on the Susquehanna rail road, near Baltimore, by which 30 persons were killed, and a large number badly wounded.
1854.James Murray, mayor of Alexandria, La., was killed while attempting to suppress a disturbance at a barbecue.
1855.William Terrell, an accomplished and useful citizen of Georgia, died at Sparta in that state. He took great interest in the promotion of agricultural science, and bestowed $20,000 for the establishment of an agricultural professorship in the University of Georgia.
1855. A convention of cotton planters assembled at Cooper's Well, Miss., to hear the report of a committee upon the subject of a direct trade between the southern states and Europe. They adjourned to meet at Jackson, in January.
1855. Svartholm, a fort of great strength, commanding the approach to Lovisa, on the gulf of Finland, which had been deserted by its garrison, was destroyed by the allies.
1856. The members of what was termed the Kansas free state legislature, assembled at Topeka, but were dispersed by the U. S. troops, by direction of Col. Sumner.
1856. The statue of Washington, in Union square, New York, was inaugurated.
1857.Anton Schmidt, a German literary celebrity, died at Salzburg, aged 71. He was custos of the imperial library at Vienna, and was a popular author.
1857.William L. Marcy, an American statesman, died, aged 71. He filled the offices of comptroller and governor of New York with ability; but distinguished himself as secretary of war under president Polk, and secretary of state under president Pierce.
394B. C.Agesilauscrossed the Hellespont, on his recal from the Persian satrapy, a march of thirty days, which had occupied Xerxes twelve months.—The great battle fought by the Spartans against their countrymen happened about the same day.
965.Benedict V, pope, died. He was elected in opposition to Leo VIII. His short reign was stormy, and he was carried to Hamburg by Otho, who favored the cause of his rival.
1044.Aba, king of Hungary, defeated by his own subjects and killed in battle.
1100. Jerusalem taken by the Crusaders, after a siege of five weeks, and given up to massacre and pillage. Every inhumanity was practiced; those who had surrendered upon terms of safety, were butchered in cold blood to the number of 10,000; and among the inhabitants, also, neither age nor sex escaped the merciless fury of the Christian swords.
1529.Paulus Æmilius, a Veronese historian, died at Paris. He had begun a Latin history of the kings of France, and although he spent many years at it, was able only to reach the reign of Charles VIII. (May 5?)
1535.Thomas More, a celebrated English statesman, beheaded. He was doomed, for his adherence to the papal supremacy, to descend from the highest office under the king to an apartment in the tower, and suffered death rather than yield his opinions. He wrote several works, the most noted of which is theUtopia.
1566.Robert Carnegie, a Scottish statesman, died. He was a lord of session, and often sent on important embassies to France and England.
1582. At Rockhausen, not far from Erfurth, in Prussia, there fell a great quantity of a fibrous matter resembling human hair. It was at the close of a great tempest, such as usually precede an earthquake.
1614.Peter de Bourdeilles(orBrantome), a French abbot and courtier, died. His memoirs are printed in 15 vols.
1623.William Bride, an English music composer, died. The gracenon nobis Domini, composed by him, was first sung on the second anniversary of the gunpowder plot, 1607.
1641.Simon Baskerville, a learned and wealthy English physician, died. He obtained great distinction, honors and a large fortune, by his success in the practice of medicine.
1641. Battle of Lansdowne, between the parliamentary and king's forces; a sanguinary action.
1644. York taken by the armies of the parliament.
1685. Battle of Sedgemoore; the duke of Monmouth's rebel army defeated. The misguided nobleman was takennappingin a dry ditch, with the George and 200 guineas in his pocket.
1715.Charles Ancillon, an eminent French lawyer, died. He was made inspector of the French courts of justice in Berlin, and historiographer to the king.
1758. The English and provincials under Abercrombie embarked on lake George against Ticonderoga and Crown point, on board 125 whaleboats and 900 batteaux. The army consisted of nearly 16,000 effective men, of whom about 9,000 were provincials, and was attended by a formidable train of artillery.
1758. General lordHowewas killed in a skirmish before Ticonderoga. With him it is said "the soul of the army expired."
1767.John Key, said to have been the first person born in Philadelphia, died at Kennet, Pa., aged 85.
1770. A naval action between the Turks and Russians took place, and while two of the leading ships of each party were grappled together, they took fire and blew up, carrying destruction and death to all around.
1775. Birthday ofWilliam Crotch, a musical prodigy, who excited universal astonishment at London by his performances on the organ, at the age of three years.
1779. New Haven, Conn., entered by the British under sir George Collier, and subjected to almost indiscriminate ravage and plunder till night.
1780. Action off cape Ortegal between British ships Prudent and Licorne, and French ship Capricieuse 32 guns. The latter was captured, but so much damaged that they were obliged to burn her.
1782. Fifth action between the British fleet, admiral Hughes, and the French, admiral Suffrein, in the East Indies.
1788.Mather Byles, a Boston divine, died; a man of talent and wit, who corresponded with Pope, Lansdowne and Watts. He was suspected of tory principlesduring the revolution, and frequently, on complaint, sentenced to be confined to his own house, with a sentinel over him; on one of these occasions he induced the sentinel to go on an errand for him, promising to take his place, and was seen very gravely marching before his own door, the musket on his shoulder, keeping guard over himself.
1792.Robert Strangedied; styled the father of historical engraving in England. He studied in France, and had the first knowledge of the dry needle, an instrument which his genius improved and used with great success.
1797. Second bombardment of Cadiz by the British.
1807. Buenos Ayres assaulted by the British under general Whitelocke. They were forced to retire with the loss of 2,000 men, and soon after compelled to withdraw the armament.
1808. Cuenca, Spain, taken by the French under Caulincourt, and given up to pillage.
1809. Battle near Enzersdorff and Wagram. Massena having crossed the Danube during the night, which was stormy and tempestuous, compelled the Austrians under the archduke Charles to give Bonaparte battle. The action continued the whole day, but neither party gained any decided advantage.
1811. The seven provinces of Venezuela made declaration of independence.
1814. Battle of Chippewa; the United States troops under general Brown, defeated the British, and compelled them to retire within their works. British loss 198 killed, 100 wounded, and 137 taken prisoners—435; American loss 60 killed, 257 wounded, and 20 missing—337.
1816.Dorothea Jordan, an eminent English actress, died. Notwithstanding her popularity and patronage, she died in France in great obscurity and penury.
1817. The golden sovereign of England first put in circulation.
1830. Algiers surrendered to the French under general Bourmont, after a siege of six days. A rich booty fell into the hands of the conquerors, of gold and silver, besides 1,500 cannon, and 12 ships of war lying in the harbor. Loss of the French previous to effecting this conquest, 2,400 men; that of the Algerines 10,000.
1836.Daniel Cole, a native of Long island, N. Y., died in Canada, aged 106.
1839. The third centennary of the protestant reformation was celebrated with great parade and splendor at Dresden, in Saxony.
1848. The negroes at St. Croix revolted and compelled the governor to proclaim their freedom. The whites thereupon formed a provisional government, deposed the governor, attacked the negroes, and having captured 300, shot them immediately.
1852. The British minister at Washington, gave notice that to prevent encroachments of fishing vessels belonging to the United States and France, upon grounds reserved by the convention of 1818, directions had been given for stationing a force of vessels and steamers off New Brunswick, Prince Edward's island, and in the gulf of St. Lawrence, as would be deemed sufficient to prevent the infraction of the treaty.
1852. The steam boat St. James exploded her boilers on lake Ponchartrain, and burnt to the water's edge. About 20 persons were killed and 19 wounded.
1852. The convention for revising the constitution of Louisiana met at Baton Rouge; Duncan F. Kenner president.
1852.Isaac T. Preston, a distinguished jurist, died near New Orleans, aged 59. He was a native of Virginia; graduated at Yale college in 1812, and suspended his legal studies to serve as captain of a company in the war with Great Britain. He rose to high distinction in the legal profession, and was elected judge of the supreme court of Louisiana, which office he held at the time of his death. He was killed by the explosion of a steam boiler on lake Ponchartrain.
1854. A fire at Philadelphia consumed the National theatre, Chinese museum, and other edifices.