1140. A remarkable eclipse of the sun in England, which caused total darkness.
1491. The new epoch and sacred year of the Jews established, corresponding with the first day of Abib, (Nisan) the day of Pharaoh's overthrow.
1512.Juan Ponce de Leonlanded in Florida, and claimed the honor of the discovery; although Sebastian Cabot sailed along the coast in 1497. He was led to undertake the expedition by the Indian tradition in Cuba, that in the interior of the country was a spring which made those who drank it young and perpetuated their youth. At a great loss of his menin the swamps and marshes, he penetrated into the interior, but was driven back by the Indians without discovering the miraculous fountain.
1556.Thomas Cranmer, archbishop of Canterbury, burnt for heresy at Oxford. He was born 1489, and educated for the ministry. His first promotion arose from his remarking that the meditated divorce of Henry VIII from his first wife, Catharine of Arragon, might be decided by learned divines without an appeal to the pope. The king, on hearing of it exclaimed "by G—d, the man has got the sow by the right ear!" He was sent for to court, and immediately preferred. On the accession of Mary, he was tried before commissioners, sent from Rome on charges of blasphemy, perjury, incontinence and heresy, and sentenced to be degraded and deprived of office, and finally burnt for the confessions he was induced to make with the hope of pardon. He contributed far more than any other individual to the establishment of the independence of the English church, and was a great patron of learning and the universities.
1604.Peter Ernest, count de Mansfield, died at Luxembourg. He was an able statesman in the service of the emperor of Germany. His conduct was considered so meritorious that he was appointed governor of Brabant.
1639.Thomas Campanelli, an Italian philosopher of great eminence, died at Paris. So great was his learning and eloquence, that his rivals and enemies procured the interference of the inquisition on an accusation of sorcery and magic. He was afterwards put to the rack and condemned to perpetual imprisonment, but found means to escape to France, where he was protected.
1644.Prince Rupertdefeated the parliament forces in England, and relieved Newark.
1656.James Usher, archbishop of Armagh, died. He enjoyed a reputation seldom acquired, in every department of knowledge, and received pressing invitations to France and Germany, at a time when his own country was in a state of anarchy, and his property falling a prey to the fortunes of war.
1663.Charlotte Tremouille, countess of Derby, died. She was the wife of the earl of Derby who was treacherously beheaded during the civil war of England, and imitated his heroic conduct by defying the attacks of the parliament forces, and was the last person who submitted to them.
1673. The castle formerly standing at the entrance of Boston harbor, accidentally destroyed by fire. It was constructed of timber, since replaced by a new one of stone.
1676. A hissing, detonating meteor passed over Italy two hours after sunset. Its apparent diameter was greater than that of the moon; its real diameter about three quarters of a mile; and the velocity was calculated at 160 miles a minute.
1684.Nathaniel Highmore, an eminent English anatomist, died. He is the author of the first systematic treatise on the structure of the human body, in the English language, and was indefatigable in the pursuit and improvement of anatomical science.
1733.Stanislaus, king of Poland, sent his abdication by express, to Warsaw.
1766.Richard Dawes, an English scholar, died; celebrated as the author of theMiscellanea Critica.
1772.James Nicholas Bellin, a learned and laborious geographical engineer of Paris, died.
1776. The duke of Bridgewater's canal from Manchester to Liverpool completed, a great achievement for the time.
1778. The American ministers, Franklin, Dean and Lee, were publicly received at the French court.
1788. A fire occurred at New Orleans, by which seven-eighths of the city was laid in ashes.
1797.John Parkhurst, an English divine, died aged 69; well known as a lexicographer.
1797. The French entered Goritz in Austria, where they found 1500 sick, and a great quantity of provisions and stores.
1799. Battle of Asterach, between the French under Jourdan, and the Austrians under the archduke, in which the latter were defeated. Austrian loss 2160.
1800. The Ionian republic, formed under the protection of the porte. Corfu, Zante and other Venitian isles formed the confederation.
1801. Battle of Aboukir, or Alexandria, in Egypt, between the French under Menou, and the British and Turks under Abercrombie. The French were defeated with the loss of 3000 killed, and the standard of the invincible regiment taken, the officer bearing this famous banner being killed, and nearly the whole of those celebrated soldiers annihilated. British loss 1376, and their commander, Abercrombie, mortally wounded.
1803.Edward Marcus Despard, an Irish officer, executed for treason. He was appointed superintendent of the English colonies in the West Indies, where his conduct led to a recall; out of his subsequent treatment grew a desire for revenge, which led him on to his fate.
1804.Duke d'Enghien, shot at Vincennes by torch light. (Seep. 104.)
1806. Madison county, New York, was formed.
1815.Bonaparteentered Paris, the Bourbons having previously evacuated it, on the news of his landing from Elba.
1821.Michael Bryan, an eminent connoisseur in the fine arts, died. He is the author of a biographical and critical dictionary of painters and engravers.
1829. Duel at London between the duke of Wellington and the earl of Winchelsea.
1829. Great earthquake in the provinces of Murcia and Oriheula, in Spain. Upwards of 20 churches and 4,000 houses destroyed, and great numbers of the inhabitants killed. A considerable portion of the former province was converted into a barren waste.
1839.Louisa, the last surviving daughter of Linnæus the naturalist, died at Upsala, aged 90.
1843.Herard, the successful general of the insurgents in Hayti, made a triumphal entry into Port au Prince.
1843.Robert Southey, an eminent English poet, died, aged 68, in a state of mental darkness, from an excess of labor.
1845.Benjamin Bushedied at Greensboro, Vt., aged 115.
1849.Benj. F. Thompson, the historian of Long island, died, aged 64. He was distinguished by an ardent love for historical research, and left a large collection of materials for the illustration of the local history of New York state.
1852.Armand Marrast, one of the leading and ablest journalists of France, died. His name was conspicuous in the revolution of February, 1848, which made him mayor of Paris, and a member of the provisional government. He was the author of the French constitution of 1848.
1856. The fortieth asteroid, named Lætitia, discovered by Mr. Goldschmidt, at Paris.
387.Theodosiusdegraded Antioch, the metropolis of the east, from the rank of a city, and subjected it to the jurisdiction of Laodicea, on account of a sedition.
1270.Louis IX, king of France, died. He displayed the magnanimity of the hero, the integrity of the patriot, and the humanity of the philosopher. By his order a translation of the whole Bible was made into French.
1312. The order of Knights Templars suppressed by a papal decree.
1520.Leo Xgave permission for the publication of theComplutensian Polyglott, a magnificent edition of the Bible, prepared and printed at the expense of Cardinal Ximenes of Toledo. The work was commenced in 1502, and prosecuted without interruption fifteen years, at an expense of more than 50,000 crowns of gold.
1530. Diet of Augsburg, in Germany, at which Melanchton drew up a creed known by the name of theAugsburg Confession.
1595.Walter Raleigh, in search of the fabulous golden city of Manoa del Dorado, arrived at Trinidad. He had fitted out a fleet at great expense; leaving his ships at Trinidad he proceeded with 100 men in boats 400 miles up the Oronoque; but the river beginning dangerously to swell, he returned without effecting the great discovery.
1621. The colonists at Plymouth received a visit from Masassoit, the greatest king of the neighboring Indians. A league of friendship was agreed upon which was inviolably observed more than fifty years.
1646. Battle of Stowe, in which the royalists under Lord Astley, 3000 in number, were defeated by Col. Morgan. This was the last body of men that appeared on the field for King Charles.
1687.Jean Baptiste Lully, an Italian musician, died at Paris. He was born of obscure parentage, and at the age of ten was sent by the Chevalier Guise to France as a page to Mad'lle de Montpensier. The lady, however was so little pleased with him, that she sent him into the kitchen, where he officiated as under-scullion, till his musical talent became accidentally known. From this time he rose rapidly, and contributed much to the improvement of the science of music in France. He is said to have been the inventor of the overture.
1717.Matthew Hubert, an eloquent French preacher, died. His sermons are published in 6 vols. and highly esteemed.
1740. Porto Bello, on the isthmus of Darien, taken by the English under Admiral Vernon.
1758.Jonathan Edwards, the most celebrated of American metaphysicians and theologians, died of small pox, aged 55. There have been three great editions of his works published, one in England and two in this country.
1765. Stamp act passed by the British parliament, the first attempt to tax America without allowing her a representation in the parliament.
1772.John Canton, an English natural philosopher, died. He was a cloth-weaver, and first devoted his leisure moments to mathematics. He became a member of the royal society, and obtained their gold medal by his experiments on the Leyden phial.
1797. Battle of La Chinse, in Austria.The French under Guieux drove the imperialists before them until they fell in with Massena at Tarwis and were defeated. The French took 5000 prisoners, 400 wagons and 30 cannon.
1797. The French under Joubert crossed the Adige at Newmark, in Saxony, defeated Gen. Laudohn, entered Botzen, and matched directly for Claufen. The French took 1500 prisoners.
1806.Muratproclaimed at Dusseldorf, "Prince Joachim, duke of Cleves and Berg."
1821.Stephen Decatur, a distinguished American commodore, died at Washington, aged 41.
1828.Louis Choris, an eminent Russian painter and draftsman to Kotzebue's circumnavigating expedition, was killed in company with his traveling companion, near Vera Cruz in Mexico.
1832. The bill banishing the families of Napoleon and Charles X, passed the chamber of peers by a vote of 80 to 30.
1832.John Wolfgang von Gœthe, "the patriarch of German literature," died, aged 83. He early gave indications of genius and a taste for the fine arts; acquired several languages, and made some proficiency in drawing, engraving, &c.; and first attracted attention as an author by the drama ofGœtzin 1773, and theSorrows of Wertherthe next year. The activity and versatility of his genius were prodigious, and his productions amounting to 50 vols., embrace every branch of literature and science. He died at Weimar, quietly seated in his armchair, and apparently without suffering.
1842.Condy Raguet, author of theFree Trade Advocate, and many other political productions, died at Philadelphia.
1851.Mordecai Manasseh Noah, for over forty years connected with the press of New York and prominent as a writer and politician, died.
1851.Isaac Hill, one of the most influential political writers in America and for many years editor of theNew Hampshire Patriot, died.
1851.John Stuart Skinner, editor of thePlow, the Loom and the Anvil, died at Baltimore, aged 63. He was the pioneer in the establishment of American agricultural journals, although he had been educated for the law.
1855.Ramon Pinto, an eminent Cuban lawyer, suffered death by the garotte, at Havana, for conspiring to take Concha's life and overthrow the existing government.
1855. The Russians, in a night sortie upon the French lines at Sebastopol, were driven back after a contest of two and a half hours.
1208. The pope laid the churches of England under an interdict. King John in retaliation banished the bishops that obeyed.
1534.Clement VIIIissued his bull rescinding Cranmer's sentence, and confirming Henry VIII's marriage with Catharine; in consequence of which the pope's authority was abolished in England, and the king declared the supreme head of the church.
1556.Julius III(John Marie du Mont), pope of Rome, died. He is notorious for having dissolved the council of Trent, and is characterized as a weak and narrow-minded pontiff, little calculated to uphold the dignity and power of his office.
1606.Justus Lipsiusdied; a most acute and learned Flemish critic and commentator on ancient authors. His works were published in 6 vols. folio.
1621.John Carver, first governor of Plymouth colony, died. He was among the English emigrants to Leyden; and when a removal to America was contemplated, he was sent over to negotiate for a suitable territory. He conducted the affairs of the colony with great prudence, and discovered great address in the management of the natives.
1650. The English army commanded by Oliver Cromwell, laid siege to the town of Kilkenny in Ireland. The defence was obstinate, but the garrison surrendered in a few days.
1776.Robert James, an English physician, died; known as the inventor of James' Fever Powders, a preparation which has acquired great celebrity and proved an inexhaustible source of opulence to his family, and benefit to the public.
1776. Congress issued letters of marque and reprisal against England.
1777. The British under Bird landed at Peekskill on the Hudson river for the purpose of seizing the military stores; but on the news of his approach the guard stationed there under Gen. McDougal, fired the principal store houses and retired.
1793. Spain declared war against England.
1797. The French underDuguaentered Trieste, the most important seaport town of Austria; at the same time another French army took possession of the mines of Ydria.
1801.Petrowitz Paul, emperor of Russia, assassinated. He was the son of Catharine II, who treated him with great rigor, during her life. In 1780 he traveled with his wife through the southern part of Europe under the title ofCount of the North. In 1796 he ascended the throne, and amongthe first of his acts were the discontinuance of the Persian war, and the liberation of the Poles confined in Russia. But his conduct was suddenly reversed, and his indiscretions and tyranny finally produced a conspiracy among the nobles, by which it is supposed his sons were accessory to his death. In the official publication of his death, it was ascribed to apoplexy.
1806. The exploring party under Captains Clarke and Lewis, left fort Clatsop on their return up the Columbia river to the United States.
1808.Murat, at the head of 40,000 French soldiers, taking advantage of a faction among the populace, entered Madrid and took possession of it.
1809.Thomas Holcroft, an English dramatic writer, died. His father was a shoemaker in low circumstances, which occupation the son also followed till he resolved to try his fortune on the stage. Besides his dramas he produced several novels and translations from the German and French. He suffered imprisonment for republicanism, with Tooke and others.
1815. Action off the island of Tristran d'Acunha, between the United States brig Hornet, 16 guns, Capt. Biddle, and the British brig Penguin, 18 guns and a 12 pound carronade, 132 men, Capt. Dickinson. Capt. Dickinson was killed and the Penguin captured in 22 minutes; she was so much injured that it was found necessary to sink her. Penguin had 14 killed, 28 wounded; Hornet 1 killed, 11 wounded. After the surrender a British soldier wounded Capt. Biddle in the neck with a musket ball; he was immediately shot by two of the marines.
1819.August Frederick von Kotzebue, a celebrated German dramatist, assassinated at Manheim.The StrangerandPizarroare translated and popular at our theatres. His works are numerous. He was assassinated by a fanatical student named Sandt, who at the same time stabbed himself; but recovered and was beheaded.
1840.William Maclure, a distinguished naturalist, formerly of Philadelphia, and twenty years president of the academy of natural sciences in that city, died near the city of Mexico. He wrote on the geology of the United States and the West Indies.
1849.Benjamin Simpsondied at Saco, Maine, aged 94; one of the party engaged in throwing the tea overboard in Boston harbor, at the opening of the revolution.
1849.Charles Albert, king of Sardinia, in consequence of his defeat by the Austrians, abdicated his crown in favor of his eldest son, the duke of Savoy.
1849.Elizabeth Hughes, well known in England as a fortune-teller and familiar with angels, died at Fowdon in her 89th year.
1850.John W. Webster, professor of chemistry in Cambridge university, found guilty of the murder of his friend Benjamin Parkman; a case which excited community for a long time.
1854. A treaty of commerce concluded between Commodore Perry of the United States squadron, and the emperor of Japan.
1426B. C.The 24th Nisan is marked as a feast in the Jews' calendar for the death of Joshua. He was buried, full of honor, on the border of his capital in Mount Ephraim.
1455.Pope Nicholas V, the friend of ancient literature and the protector of the learned exiles of Greece, died.
1495.Columbuswith an army of 200 men, 20 horses and 20 dogs! commenced a campaign against the natives of Hispaniola, who in consequence of the excesses of the Spaniards had raised an army of 100,000 men to destroy the colony at Isabella. The admiral spent a year in ranging the island; and reduced it to such obedience that every inhabitant was subjected to a quarterly tribute to the king of Spain in gold dust or cotton.
1545. Diet at Worms assembled. The protestants disclaimed all connection with the council of Trent.
1564.Pius IVissued a bull denouncing the perusal of certain books, and establishing new rules by which to judge books.
1581.James Dyer, an eminent English judge, died. He was distinguished for his learning and excellence; a volume of law reports which he left in manuscript and were not published till 20 years after his death, have been often reprinted.
1588 (1580?). Bombs first used at the siege of Wachtendonk in Holland. The invention of bombs is disputed among several countries, and there are good reasons for believing that some contrivance of the kind had been made use of long before this event. Galen, bishop of Munster, is said to have been the inventor of bombs; while Strada in his account of the wars of the Low Countries, attributes the invention a few days before this siege to an inhabitant of the town of Venloo, and that the people of the city, wishing to exhibit it in presence of the duke of Cleves, discharged a bomb, which falling on one of the houses, set fire to it, and three-fourths of the town were destroyed before the flames could be extinguished.
1603.Elizabeth, queen of England,died, aged 70. She was the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. On the death of Mary, 1558, she was proclaimed queen, at the age of twenty-five, and held the sceptre forty-five years with uncommon ability. Her reign was a period of great prosperity for England. Her treatment of the queen of Scots can never be defended, and some other foibles tarnish her fame; but the splendor of her reign and the strength of mind displayed in the conduct of the government overbalance those weaknesses which few crowned heads are devoid of.
1638.CanonicusandMiantonimohgave Roger Williams a deed of Providence.
1645. The parliament voted that the clause for the preservation of his majesty's person should be left out of Sir Thos. Fairfax's commission. This was a bad omen for King Charles.
1674.Jonathan Goddard, an English physician and chemist, died. He was a favorite with Cromwell; but on the restoration his abilities were not in sufficient estimation to preserve him from being disgraced. He was an able writer and a liberal patron of learned men, and one of the promoters of the royal society.
1698.John Evelyn, distinguished as a poet and translator, died, aged 45. At the age of 15 he wrote the elegant Greek poem which accompanies the second edition of theSylva, written by his father.
1718. On the island of Lithy, India, there fell a ball of fire, containing gelatinous matter.
1720.John Peringskioll, a Swedish antiquary and historian, died. He was professor of antiquities at Upsala, and secretary and councilor to the king. His works amount to 17 vols. folio.
1726.Daniel Whitby, an English prelate, died. He was, like many of his profession, totally unqualified for the common pursuits of business; but was engrossed with matters of religion and learning. His publications are more than 40 in number; one of which gave offence to the clergy and was publicly burnt.
1730. The British parliament passed an act prohibiting any subject lending money to a foreigner or other nation.
1740. The English Capt.Knowlestook from the Spaniards the castle of St. Lorenzo in South America; a large amount of spoil fell into the hands of the conquerors.
1742.Peter Sabbathier, a French Benedictine, died. He was engaged 23 years in making a collection of the Latin versions of the Bible, which was published 1743 in 3 vols. folio.
1744. War between France and Great Britain declared.
1751.Fredrick, prince of Wales, died.
1754.John James Wetstein, a learned Swiss divine, died. He traveled through several countries of Europe to examine the various manuscripts of the Greek Testament, and on his return to Basel published hisPrologomena; he was immediately persecuted as a Socinian, and compelled to flee his country. He found protection at Amsterdam, where he died.
1764.Thomas Slackcommenced theNew Castle Chronicle, a paper still well sustained in England.
1773.Philip Dormer Stanhope, earl of Chesterfield, died, aged 79. He was one of the most celebrated wits of his age, an eminent statesman, political, epistolatory and miscellaneous writer. HisLetters, containing advice to his son, prove him to have been an excellent scholar; but the critical reader will find that they insidiously inculcate the loosest principles.
1773.Stephen Leake, an ingenious writer on coins and heraldry, died at Thorp, England.
1776.John Harrison, an eminent English mechanic, died. He was the son of an obscure mechanic, but made himself famous by the invention of a time-keeper, in the form of a watch, for ascertaining the longitude at sea, for which he received from parliament about $90,000.
1782. Spain acknowledged the Independence of the United States.
1782. A blockhouse situated on Toms' river, New Jersey, attacked by a body of royalists. Capt. Huddy defended the place while his ammunition lasted, and on surrendering was executed without a trial.
1783.Robert Saunders, a self created LL. D., died. HisNotes on the Bibleprofited him very little, though in a pecuniary point of view they profited others.
1794. Insurrection of the Poles. The Russian troops evacuated Cracow, and the patriot Kosciusko took possession.
1794.Charles Philip Ronsin, with a number of hisconfreres, guillotined at Paris. The revolution brought him out from obscurity only to display the natural deformity of his character. He was promoted to the office of minister of war, and then to the command of an army. He met his fate at the hands of Danton and Marat, who had raised him up.
1797. Battle in the passes of Eisach in Saxony, between the Austrians under Gen. Laudohn, and the French, who captured 8 cannon and 1500 soldiers.
1801.Paul, emperor of Russia, assassinated. His reign was remarkable for its caprice and eccentricity.
1804. The county of Seneca, in Western New York, formed.
1838.Thomas Attwood, an eminent English musical composer, died, aged 73.
1409. The schism of the church was ended by the council of Pisa.
1519. First regular battle of the Spaniards under Cortez with the Indians, on the plains of Ceutla, near Tabasco. The Spaniards were victorious, with the loss of 1 killed and more than 60 wounded. The loss of the Indians was very great; 800 were left dead on the field; the Indians being unable to carry off all their dead, as was their custom.
1595. Snow fell at Rome. There is no other record of such an event occurring there till 1834—exhibiting the curious phenomenon of a space of 240 years without snow.
1609.Henry Hudsonsailed from Amsterdam on the voyage in which he discovered the North or Hudson river, and explored it as far as Albany.
1661. The Savoy conference, concerning the liturgy, between 12 bishops with 9 assistants, and a like number of presbyterians appointed by King Charles II.
1678. Ypres, in Belgium, surrendered to the French after a siege of 7 days.
1688. First establishment of charity schools in England.
1693. Printing ordered to be introduced into New York.
1711.Nehemiah Grew, a London physician, died. His merits and skill procured him a very extensive practice; he was also author on subjects connected with his profession.
1741. The British under Admiral Vernon took the castle of Bocca Chicca, in Carthagena, by assault.
1751. The commencement of the year in England was altered from this day to the first of January, to conform with the custom of other European countries, which had long before adopted the Gregorian calendar. For this purpose there was passed an act of parliament, directing that the year should commence on the first of January, and that eleven days, from the 2d to the 14th September, 1752, should be omitted, so that the 3d of September should be dated the 14th. This occasioned great perplexity and confusion of dates, arising from the computations by the old and new styles.
1754.William Hamilton, an ingenious Scottish poet, died. His pieces are distinguished for liveliness of imagination and delicacy of sentiment.
1761. The first tree cut towards clearing land for cultivation in the town of Bennington, Vt. The honor of the act belongs to Samuel Robinson, who on that day began the settlement of the town. In 1790 it contained 4,000 inhabitants, and by actual return their industry produced 26,000 yards of linen cloth, made in private families from flax of their own raising.
1763.Elias Farneworth, an English prelate, died; distinguished as the translator of Machiavelli and several other European authors.
1792. Lake Harantoreen, in the county of Kerry, Ireland, sunk into the earth.
1792. The British under Gen.Campbellcarried by storm the batteries at Port Royal in Grenada.
1793.Hebert,Anacharsis Clootsand 18 others, chiefs of theCordelier Club, executed at Paris.
1799. Florence and Leghorn in Italy, fell into the hands of the French.
1799. Battle of Stockach in Germany. The princes of Furstenberg and Anhalt-Bernburg killed.
1800. The county of Greene, in New York, erected.
1801. The British army in Egypt reinforced by the Turks.
1808.Charles IVof Spain wrote to Bonaparte protesting against his abdication in favor of Ferdinand VII, as having been extorted from him by force, at the same time offering to place himself and the royal family in Bonaparte's power.
1809.Anna Seward, an English poetess, died. She exhibited an early taste for poetry, and her poems were popular in their day, and often republished. She held a correspondence with the literati of her time, and her letters were published in six volumes, octavo.
1810.Bonaparteissued a decree giving liberty to all state prisoners in France, and a free pardon to all deserters.
1811. Battle of Campo Major in Portugal, in which the British under Gen. Beresford defeated the French, took 600 prisoners, and drove them to Badajos.
1811. British frigate Amazon destroyed off cape Barfleur by part of the Cherbourg squadron.
1811. Every printing press in Paris obnoxious to Bonaparte, suppressed by the police.
1812.George Frederick Cooke, an eminent English actor, died. He was first engaged as a printer, and afterwards in the navy; but left these for the stage, and acquired a reputation seldom attained, in the highest walks of the drama.
1815. Confirmatory pact signed at Vienna, by which the allied powers solemnly united their forces to maintain the treaty of Paris against Bonaparte.
1815.Richard Dowell, the famed organist at Dulwich college, died.
1820.Alexanderof Russia banished all Jesuits from his dominions, because theyinterfered with the government and the peace of families.
1836.Henry Roscoedied, near Liverpool, England. He was distinguished for his legal and various abilities and learning, and was the author of several professional and other works.
1843. Ceremony of opening the Thames tunnel. Its length is 1200 feet, its cost about two and a half millions of dollars, and it was 18 years in building, under Brunel. The number of persons who visited it during the two following days was about 50,000, at a revenue of one penny each is nearly $1000.
1849.George Cooke, an artist of some note in the south, died of Cholera at New Orleans.
1852.Jane Westdied, aged 93; a very fruitful authoress, in the beginning of the present century, of poems, tales and novels, long since forgotten, though much in vogue for a time.
1855. An unsuccessful attempt at revolution made in San Domingo with the intent to recall ex-president Paez.
1546.Thomas Elyot, an eminent English scholar, died. He published the firstLatin and English Dictionaryin that country.
1602.Bartholomew Gosnoldsailed from England in a shallop with 32 persons to effect a colony in the northern part of Virginia. He was the first Englishman who came in a direct course to this part of America, instead of making the circuit by the Canaries and the West Indies. After a passage of 7 weeks they made land in 43 degrees.
1630.Charles Irenewed the patent granted by his father to Ben Jonson, as poet laureate. The pension was augmented from 100 marks to 100 pounds, with the grace cup of "one tierce of Canary Spanish wine," to be delivered annually from the royal cellars at Whitehall.
1644. The English parliament made an ordinance to enjoin every family one meal per week, and to contribute the value thereof to the kingdom.
1649.John Winthrop, first governor of Massachusetts colony, died at Boston, aged 63. He came out to America 1630, as governor of the colony; to which he continued to be re-elected, with a few years intermission, till his death. He kept an accurate journal of the events of the early colony from its foundation to the time of his death, two volumes of which were published at Hartford 1790; and the third, which had been a long time lost, appeared in 1826.
1662.Brian Duppa, an English bishop, died. He was distinguished for his learning and virtues, and the firmness of his adherence to the cause of the Stuarts during their misfortunes.
1676. Marlborough, Mass., destroyed by the Indians. So completely did the enemy finish their horrid purposes here, that the inhabitants deserted their dwellings and sought shelter elsewhere. On the following evening a party of about forty men went out in search of the Indians; and coming upon them towards morning lying around their fires to the number of about three hundred, fired in upon them. Although it was so dark at a short distance from the fires that "an Indian could not be discerned from a better man," yet they discharged several volleys upon them, and came off without the loss of one of the band. The few houses which escaped the brand on this occasion were razed by the enemy soon after.
1688.Winston Churchill, an English historian, died; better known as the father of the great duke of Marlborough.
1699. "After an extraordinary storm," says Evelyn, "there came up the Thames a whale which was 56 feet long. Such and a larger of the spout kind, was killed there 40 years ago.That year died Cromwell." The reverend antiquary probably considered this aprodigiousomen of the usurper's dissolution.
1702.William Courtendied; a collector of whatever was curious and important in medallic and antiquarian history. He left 38 vols. folio, and 8 quarto, which together with his collection were purchased for the British museum at £20,000; scarcely the value of the coins and precious stones.
1707. Theregaliaof Scotland deposited in an oaken chest, at the Edinburgh castle.
1711. Engagement between the British ship Lion, 60 guns, Capt. Walpole, and 4 French ships, in which the latter were beaten off. Walpole had his right arm shot off; and it may be mentioned that Lord Nelson had the same sword in his hand when his right arm was shot off, 1797.
1719. A Spanish fleet under the duke of Ormond, intended for the invasion of England in favor of the pretender, was dispersed by a storm.
1726.John Vanbrugh, an English dramatist and architect, died. He was knighted by Queen Anne, and held several lucrative offices; but a want of economy in the management of his income kept him in indigence, and his dramas were produced in rapid succession to retrieve his credit.Few of his pieces, although popular at the time, still keep the stage.
1729.Robert Moss, a popular London preacher, died. His sermons have been published in 8 vols.; and he is the author of some poems, and small tracts.
1730. The landgrave of Hesse Cassel, father of the king of Sweden, died. The Swedish monarch was declared successor.
1756.Gilbert West, an English poet, died. He was a man of polished manners and great erudition.
1772.Charles Dineau Duclos, historiographer of France, died. He was also a distinguished member of the French academy, and was engaged in theDictionaryandHistory of the Society.
1784.Thomas Bond, a distinguished American physician, died. After spending considerable time in preparatory study at Paris, he returned and commenced practice in Philadelphia, where he acquired a great reputation in his profession, and as a man of letters.
1794. Congress passed an embargo law.
1799. Battle of Verona, between the French and Austrians. The battle continued from morning till night, and the loss on both sides was so great, that each army found it necessary to retreat.
1806. Broome county, in New York, erected.
1812. Earthquake in Venezuela, South America; the town of St. Philip with a population of 1,200 souls was entirely swallowed up, and it is supposed that about 20,000 persons perished in the whole province. Caraccas, with a population of 40,000, was destroyed, and from 10,000 to 40,000 persons perished, authorities differ.
1813. The American batteries at Black Rock opened their fire on the British, and silenced their lower battery.
1814. Gen.Hull, tried at Albany by court martial for surrendering Detroit, was found guilty and sentenced to be shot. His punishment was remitted by the president.
1814. Battle of St. Dizier in France, in which Bonaparte defeated Winzingerode.
1814. Engagement in the bay of La Hogue, between the British ship Hebrus and French frigate L'Etoile. French loss, 40 killed, 71 wounded; British 13 killed, 25 wounded.
1832. The Asiatic cholera appeared in Paris. During its prevalence 1 in 33 of the population died. In the whole of France 229,534 persons were attacked, and 94,665 died.
1838.William H. Ashleydied near Boonville, Missouri. He was the first lieut. governor of that state, and a man highly respected for his great enterprise, talents, integrity and principle. He emigrated from Virginia at the age of 30, and settled near the lead mines. In 1822 he projected the scheme of uniting the Indian trade of the Rocky mountains with the hunting and trapping business; and having enlisted about 300 hardy men, they, after various successes and reverses, realized handsome fortunes.
1839.Power Le Poer Trench, archbishop of Tuam and primate of Connaught, in Ireland, died. He was distinguished for his talents, eloquence and learning, and greatly revered for his benevolence and piety.
1850.Samuel T. Armstrong, a distinguished American bookseller, died in Boston.
1852. While the engineer Maillefert and his assistants were engaged in submarine blastings at Hellgate, New York harbor, by accident a charge exploded and instantly killed Capt. Southard and 2 others. Maillefert and others were raised several feet, and fell into the water; but were rescued with few injuries.
1854.Jonathan Harringtondied, aged 85; a fifer for the minute men who assembled on Lexington Green on the morning of the 19th of April, 1775, and the last survivor of the gallant band who were engaged in that first conflict of the American revolution.
47B. C.Ptolemy Dionysius, king of Egypt, drowned in the Nile. His name is rendered execrable to the latest posterity for the murder of Pompey, his benefactor.
1306.Robert Brucecrowned king of Scotland at Scone. Edward had carried off the national diadem, so that one was manufactured for the occasion, which was placed upon the head of the liberator by Isabella, countess of Buchan, a descendant of Macduff.
1350.Alphonso IIof Castile died at Gibraltar. He is famous for his wars with the Moors, in which 200,000 of them were slain.
1546.John Diaz, a Spaniard, murdered at Neuberg, Germany. He embraced the doctrines of the reformers, and while on a visit to Calvin was met by his brother, who, being unable to reconvert him, hired an assassin to dash out his brains with an axe while in bed at night.
1563. A bill brought into the house of commons, permitting the Bible and church service to be translated into the Welsh or British tongue and used in the church of Wales. The New Testament in Welsh appeared in 1567, in quarto, 339 pages in black letter.
1614. An octroy passed the States General of the United Netherlands, for regulating voyages to America, under which Adrian Block, Hendrick Corstiaensen, and Cornelis Jacobsen Mey, distinguished themselves by their adventures.
1617.Francis Baconmade lord chancellor of England, in place of Ellesmere, who died within a fortnight of his resignation. The new chancellor soon disgusted the public by his vanity, love of show, meanness and corruption.
1622. The Indians, by a preconcerted conspiracy, fell upon the Virginia colony, 347 of whom, unresisting and defenceless, were massacred with indiscriminate barbarity. This massacre was plotted by Opecancanough, and was followed by an exterminating war between the parties.
1625.James VIof Scotland (I of England) died, aged 59. He was the son of Mary and Lord Darnley, and succeeded to the throne at an early age. In 1603 he succeeded to the crown of England, on the death of Elizabeth. It was during his reign that the famous plot was concerted for blowing up the king and parliament. It was also during his reign, and through his weakness, that Walter Raleigh lost his life. He was an encourager of learning, though a pedant himself. The translation of the Bible in present use bears his sanction and authority.
1634.Leonard Calvert, having been appointed governor of Maryland by his brother Lord Baltimore, arrived with two hundred settlers, and settled the town of St. Marys, establishing religious liberty and granting lots of fifty acres to each emigrant.
1654. MonsieurBourdeaux, ambassador extraordinary from the king of France to Cromwell, arrived in London, and on obtaining an audience, recognized the principle that God shows his love to men by giving them wise rulers.
1660.Tobias Venner, an English physician, died. His medical works were popular, and for talent are above mediocrity.
1669. Mount Trumento formed of an indurated mass of lava by the great eruption of mount Etna.
1676. Battle of Patuxet, between fifty English and twenty friendly Indians under Capt. Pierce, and six hundred of Philip's Indians. The English were drawn into an ambush, or deceived in the force of their enemies, and making an error in drawing down by the side of the river to prevent being surrounded, the Indians crossed over, and galled them from the opposite side, so that they were constrained to fight it out to the last.
1699.Edward Stillingfleet, an eminent English prelate, died. His first work was entitledWeapon Salve for the Church's Wounds, which was ably written, notwithstanding the quaintness of the title. His works were principally polemical, and were published in 6 vols. folio.
1710.Sacheverell'stwo sermons burnt before the Royal Exchange in the presence of the lord mayor of London, and he himself forbid to preach for 3 years.
1718.Mary Beatrix Eleonora d'Este, queen dowager to King James II of England, died at St. Germain en Laye.
1729.Leopold, duke of Lorrain, died. He was noted for his military abilities, by which he recovered his country, and governed his subjects with wisdom and justice. He was also a liberal patron of the arts and sciences.
1756. French burnt fort Bull, Oneida county, New York.
1771.A. McDougaldischarged by the supreme court of New York, after having been subjected to imprisonment as the author of a newspaper article signedA Son of Liberty.
1778.Nicholas Sebastian Adam, a French sculptor, died. He was the second of three brothers who enjoyed some reputation as sculptors in France in the early part of the last century. His principal works are the tomb for the wife of Stanislaus of Poland, and Prometheus chained.
1782.Caraccioli, the viceroy of Sicily, abolished the inquisition there, and destroyed the archives.
1793. The French Gen.Dumourier, in a conference with Austrian Col. Mack, at Ath, resolved to march back on Paris and establish the constitutional monarchy of 1791.
1794.Jacob Nicholas Moreau, historiographer of France, guillotined at the age of 77. He was also librarian to the queen, an able writer, and attached to the royal cause.
1794. Convention between Denmark and Sweden, for the mutual defence of their rights.
1802. Treaty of Amiens signed between England, Spain, France and the Batavian republic.
1805. The county of Lewis, in northern New York, erected.
1809. Sullivan county, New York, erected.
1809. An eruption of mount Etna.
1811. Battle of Anhalt in the Cattegat strait. The island was attacked by 4000 Danes, who were repulsed by 350 British, with the loss of 6 cannon and 500 prisoners.
1814. Battle of Horse-Shoe, at the bend of the Tallepoosie river, between the United States troops under Gen. Jackson, andthe Creek Indians. The latter were defeated with the loss of about 800 killed; U. S. loss 91 killed, 268 wounded.
1829. The zoological society of London in Bruton street incorporated.
1839. All the opium belonging to British subjects in China, amounting to 20,283 chests, valued at about $9,000,000, was surrendered up to Capt. Elliot, superintendent of the British trade, for the purpose of being destroyed, in obedience to the orders of the Chinese government.
1847.Methuselah Baldwindied at Scotchtown, New York, aged 84; he was licensed to preach in 1791 by the presbytery of Newark.
1854.William Henry Cavendish Scott Bentinck, duke of Portland, a British statesman, died, aged 84.
1856.N. S. Prime, a New York divine, died, aged 70; known as the author of a history of Long Island.
1857.Charles III, duke of Parma, aged 31, died at Turin of a wound given by an assassin in the streets the night previous.
168B. C.The Roman senate assembled at eight o'clock in the morning, a few days after Paulus Emilius had assumed the immortal consulate. The English house of commons usually sat at the same hour five centuries ago.
193.Publius Helvius Pertinax, emperor of Rome, assassinated. He was of obscure origin, and was elected on the death of Commodus. His virtues were too great for the time in which he lived, and he was destroyed by the same hands which had raised him up; and the imperial diadem was offered at public auction.
1134.Stephen Harding, an Englishman, and one of the founders of the Cistercians, died. In the year 1098, he retired with twenty companions to Citeaux, a marshy wilderness in France, where they founded a monastery. A valuable manuscript copy of the Bible in four volumes, still preserved, attests the assiduity of the monk.
1318. The town and castle of Berwick taken by the generals of Bruce.
1380. Gunpowder is said to have been first used in Europe on this day, by the Venetians against the Genoese. The discovery of the power of powder is attributed to Berthold Schwartz, a monk of Mayence, about 1300, though it is said to have been known in India very early, and obtained from them by the Arabians, who employed it in a battle near Mecca in 690. The use of gunpowder at the battles of Cressy and Poitiers in 1346 is questioned. Rabelais says that the art of printing was invented about the same time by divine inspiration, as a match for the devil's suggestion of artillery.
1480.William Caxton, the first English printer, finished theCordialin folio. The fact is thus set forth in his own words: "The Book named Cordyale: or Memorare Novissima: which treateth of The foure last Thinges. Began on the morn after the Purification of our blessid Lady (2d Feb. 1478), &c. And finisshed on the even of thannciacion of our said blessid Lady, fallying on the Wednesdaye the xxiiij daye of Marche In the xix yere of Kyng Edwarde the fourthe."
1520.Sanzio Raphael, an illustrious Italian painter and architect, died. He is by general consent called the prince of modern painters, and was probably the best painter the world ever produced.
1636.James Callot, an eminent French engraver, died. He carried the art to a greater state of perfection than any other before him, and attained all that it then seemed possible for human industry to reach.
1638.William Kieftarrived at New Amsterdam as governor of the colony.
1663. At Laucha, near Naumburg, in Prussia, there fell a great quantity of a fibrous substance, represented as resembling blue silk.
1676. The Indians attacked Rehoboth, Mass., and burnt 40 houses and about 30 barns.
1677.Wentzel Hollar, a Bohemian engraver, died. His talents were noticed by Arundel, the English ambassador, by whom he was induced to visit England, where he executed a great number of portraits and views; but though his graver gave celebrity to so many, he was himself the victim of want, and was barely permitted by his creditors to die on his own bed.
1678.James Dixwell, one of the regicides, died at New Haven, Conn.
1678.Claudius Francis Milliet Dechales, a French mathematician, died. His works, published in 3 vols. folio, are a complete course of mathematics.
1741. The British Capt.Knowlesdestroyed the batteries at Passa Cavallo, Carthagena.
1745. Ventilators, invented by the Rev. Dr. Hales, ordered by the council of England to be introduced into Newgate.
1757.Robert Francis Damiensexecuted at Paris for an attempt to assassinate Louis XV. He was the son of a poor farmer, and from his vicious inclinations acquired the title ofRobert le Diable. As the king was getting into his carriage at Versailles, surrounded by his train, Damiens stabbed him in the right side with a knife. He was seized, tried and condemnedto a death of torture. Being drawn on a sledge to the Place de Greve, he there had the flesh of his thighs and arms torn off with red hot pincers, and the hand which held the knife cut off. Afterwards his body was drawn and quartered by four horses, his members and corpse burnt and the ashes thrown into the air.
1758. Action in the North Sea between 2 French and 2 British frigates; one of the former escaped, the other was captured with 40 guns and 340 men.
1760.Margaret Woffington, an eminent Irish actress, died. Her talents and good sense were greatly aided by extraordinary beauty of features and form.
1778.Louis XVIissued letters of marque and reprisal against England.
1783. A hill 500 feet in height was carried four miles from its site by the great Calabrian earthquake.
1791.Honore Gabriel Riquetti, countde Mirabeau, the distinguished French revolutionist but debauched man, died. The French directory decreed a public mourning of eight days; and all the places of amusement in Paris were shut on the day of his death.
1794.J. B. V. Guillotinewas beheaded at Lyons. There is some mistake about this event; the authority from which it is derived stating that he was the inventor of the guillotine. (SeeMarch 20, andApril 25, 1792; alsoMay 26, 1814.)
1794.John Anthony Nicholas Caritat, marquis de Condorcet, died. His mathematical essays at an early age procured him a seat in the academy of sciences, of which he was afterwards elected secretary. He published the lives of several eminent men of his day, and was an active contributor to the famousEncyclopedie. He unfortunately took part in the revolution, and failing to keep pace with the ultra views of the Robespierre party, was proscribed, and died in prison either from want or by his own hand.
1801.Ralph Abercrombydied. He rose from a common soldier, through all the gradations, to the highest rank in the army; was appointed commander in chief of the expedition to Egypt, and landed after a severe contest at Aboukir bay. He was wounded and unhorsed at the battle of Alexandria, notwithstanding which he disarmed his antagonist, and kept the field during the day and was victorious. He was conveyed on board the admiral's ship where he lingered a few days, and died. He was buried beneath the castle of St. Elmo, in Malta.
1802. The planet Pallas discovered by Dr. Olbers, at Bremen. Its revolution round the sun occupies 4 years, 7 months and 11 days.
1805. The county of Jefferson, in northern New York, erected.
1811. A hereditary monarchy established in Hayti, and Christophe declared king, by the title of Henry I.
1814. Action in the neutral port of Valparaiso between the United States frigate Essex, Capt. Porter, 52 guns, 255 men, and the British ship Phebe and sloop of war Cherub, in all 81 guns and 500 men. After a most sanguinary conflict of more than 2 hours, the Essex was captured, with the loss of 58 killed.
1818.Alexander Sabes Petion, president of Hayti, died. He joined the revolution at the age of 20, and when the blacks had succeeded in gaining their independence, he was appointed governor of the western province, and in 1807 elected president.
1836.Richard Valpy, an eminent Greek and Latin scholar, died, aged 82, at Kensington, England.
1838.Thomas Morton, one of the most successful of modern dramatists, died at London, aged 74.
1849. The king of Prussia elected emperor by the German parliament at Frankfort. He did not accept.
1852.John Haviland, an eminent architect, died at Washington, aged 60. He was born in England, and commenced his career in Russia. He came to this country highly recommended by J. Q. Adams, and constructed many public works. He paid especial attention to the construction of jails and prisons.
1853. A peace address signed by 4000 English merchants, bankers and traders, presented to Napoleon III at the Tuilleries.
1854. War formally declared against Russia by Great Britain and France.
1855. The United States marshal at Philadelphia arrested 12 men who had enlisted in that city for a foreign legion.
403. Battle of Pollentia and defeat of the Huns under Alaric their leader.
1069.Abba'd abu' Amru, surnamed the ornament of the state, died; a Moorish king of Seville, who made extensive conquests of the neighboring states, and was an extraordinary character in his day.
1208. Notwithstanding the pope's interdict, King John gave a receipt to the sacrist of Reading, for books which had been in the custody of the abbot of that monastery.
1315.Raymond Lullystoned to death by the natives of Mauritania, in Africa, whither he had gone to convert the Mohammedans, at the age of 80. He wasborn at Majorca, 1235, and became attached to the gay court of James I of Arragon. He afterwards became the most celebrated chemist and alchymist of his time. At the age of 30 he commenced the study of theology for the purpose of converting infidels. He went over to Africa to convert the Mohammedan doctors to Christianity, from whence he narrowly escaped with his life. He made a second attempt several years after, which resulted in his banishment from that region; but he returned a third time, and was stoned to death.
1405. PrinceJamesof Scotland, on his passage to France, was seized by an English corsair at Flamborough head, and conducted to the English court.
1461. Battle of Towton, which decided the fate of the houses of York and Lancaster. The battle commenced at break of day in a snow storm, and was maintained with deadly obstinacy till three in the afternoon. It is said 38,000 bodies were left dead on the field, of whom the herald appointed to number the slain, returned that 28,000 were Lancastrians. The duke of York, who won the day, made a triumphal entry into York, where he ordered the death of several prisoners, while Henry who lost his crown, escaped with difficulty to the borders.
1562.Philip IIof Spain and the Netherlands to prevent the circulation of the scriptures and books favorable to the reformation, issued a placard ordering the officers not only to visit the houses of booksellers, but diligently to watch that no pedler went about with books for sale.
1629.Tobias Matthews, an able divine in the reign of James I, died. His talents and worth raised him to the office of archbishop of York.
1644. Battle of Cherington, where the forces of Charles I, 14,000 strong, under Hopeton, were defeated by the parliament forces under Waller.
1672. The test act of England passed, which required all officers of government to receive the sacrament according to the church of England.
1675. A large body of Indians attacked the town of Providence, R. I., and burnt 29 houses. The records of the town were partially saved by being concealed in a mill pond. The town did not recover from this disaster in more than sixty years.
1689.Theophilus Bonet, a noted Swiss physician, died. He spent several years at the best universities of Europe, in the study of his profession, and became eminently successful. He published several medical treatises in his old age, valuable in their day, for the facts and observations which they contained.
1710.Henry Basnage, a French lawyer, died at the Hague. He was a member of the parliament of Rouen, who upon the proscription of the protestants fled to Holland.
1726.James Pierce, an eminent English divine, died. He was attached to a congregation of presbyterians; but becoming an Arian was expelled from the desk.
1730.Vincent Houdry, a French Jesuit, died, aged 99. He was an eloquent preacher, and his writings comprise about 30 vols. His last moments were embittered by the reflection that he could not be permitted to reach his 100th year!
1751.Thomas Coram, projector of the foundling hospital, died. He was captain of a colonial trading vessel, and was prompted to this charitable project, by frequently seeing children exposed in the streets of London by the cruelty of their parents. He persevered in this humane design 17 years, and at last obtained a charter by his sole application. He was accustomed to spend so much of his time and money in charitable services, that in his old age he was dependent upon the charities of others, when his principal benefactor was the prince of Wales.
1772.Emanuel Swedenborg, founder of the New-Jerusalem church, died in London, aged 84. His father was a Swedish Lutheran bishop, and the son received a scientific education, and became eminent as a mathematical and philosophical writer, was ennobled, and shared the favor of the king. From the pursuit of philosophy he subsequently turned his attention to heavenly things, and became equally celebrated for his mystical reveries. His followers have multiplied in Europe and America since his death.
1792.Gustavus III, king of Sweden, died. He succeeded to the throne 1771. His reign was a turbulent one, in which all the arts and stratagems to which he was obliged to resort, scarcely secured him in power. He formed a plan for uniting Sweden, Russia, Prussia and Austria, with himself at the head of the confederacy. While he was maturing his plans, a plot was formed among his nobility for assassinating him. A masquerade at Stockholm was chosen for the perpetration of the deed. He was shot in the back by Ankerstroom, a disbanded officer.
1796.La Cherettewas executed; this closed the Vendean or civil war at the commencement of the French revolution.
1797. The Mohawks relinquished all their claims to land in the state of New York.
1799. The legislature of the state of New York passed a law for the gradual abolition of slavery in that state, providing that every child born of a slave after the fourth of July in this year, should be freeat the age of 28 if a male, and 25 if a female.
1807. The planet Vesta discovered by Dr. Olbers. Its revolution is completed in 3 years, 66 days and 4 hours.
1809. Oporto, in Portugal, taken by the French under Soult, and pillaged in spite of that general's endeavors to prevent it.
1814.Bonapartehad his head quarters at Troyes, from whence he moved by forced marches to Paris, by the road of Sens.
1815.Bonaparteabolished the slave trade in the French dominions.
1829. The castle of Rumelia in Turkey surrendered to the Greek army under Capo d'Istria.
1837. TheAkhbar Vekai, (News and Events) the first Persian newspaper, made its appearance at Teheran. It consisted of two closely written, and lithographed pages, one devoted to oriental, the other to foreign intelligence. Its conductor had been an envoy to London, whence he carried home with him and executed the idea of a newspaper—the most efficient missionary for the spread of civilization and intelligence the world has ever known.
1844.E. Pendleton Kennedy, of the United States navy and commander of the battle ship Pennsylvania, died at Norfolk, Va.
1848.John Jacob Astor, founder of the Astor library, died in New York, aged 80. He was a native of Germany, and during a residence of nearly 60 years in America, amassed a fortune of about twenty millions of dollars. He landed in this country with a trifling sum in his pocket, and early commenced business as a trader in fur, and when the state of New York was a wilderness, made frequent voyages up the Mohawk, to trade with the Indians. As his wealth increased, he enlarged his business until by the formation of the American Fur Company, he was a competitor with the great capitalists of Europe, the proprietor of the North Western and Canadian fur companies. Such was his enterprise, that he extended his business to the mouth of the Columbia river and formed the first fur establishment there, known as Astoria. Several expensive expeditions were fitted out by him, of overland journeys, to the Pacific, some of which were executed by individuals with great suffering. For many years previous to the war of 1812, and subsequently, Mr. Astor was extensively engaged in the Canton trade, and during the war was so fortunate that several of his ships arrived here with valuable cargoes in safety. The profits on those ships were enormous. Mr. Astor made large investments in American stocks, which he purchased during the war with Great Britain, at sixty to seventy cents on the dollar, and which after the peace, went up to twenty per cent. above par. His great estate, however, accumulated more from the purchase of real estate, than from any other source.
1849. The Lahore war being finished, the Punjaub was formally annexed to the British crown.
1849.Louriana Throwerdied in Georgia, aged 137. Her sight had failed, 20 years before her death, but returned, so that she could read the finest print, and her faculties remained almost unimpaired.
1853. The Jail at Chesterfield, S. C., destroyed by fire, and 8 prisoners burned.
1853. A democratic conspiracy discovered at Berlin, in Prussia, and 86 persons arrested.