1543. The parliament of Paris caused the _Institutiones Religionis
Christianæ_ of Calvin, to be publicly burned at Paris.
1554. BRETT the commander of the London train bands with 58 others,
hanged for joining with sir Thos. Wyatt and his Kentish men, who tried
to resist the Spanish influence.
1623. The floor of Black friars' church broke down while the people were
at mass, killing 100.
1668. LOUIS XIV took Dole, in Franche Compte.
1696. English assassination plot to favor the interests of James II,
discovered by Pendergrass.
1713. ANTHONY ASHLEY COOPER, earl of Shaftsbury, and author of the
_Characteristics_, died. He was grandson of the earl who figured so
conspicuously in the reign of Charles II; and possessed a spirit of
liberty which displayed itself in his political character throughout his
life, and by which he uniformly directed his conduct on all occasions.
1713. WILLIAM HARRISON, an elegant English poet, died.
1737. CHARLES TALBOT, an eminent English statesman and chancellor, died.
1756. Three hundred recruits sailed from New York for the army, under
the command of Gov. Shirley, quartered at Albany; the river being free
of ice.
1760. ISAAC HAWKINS BROWNE died. One of the most popular productions of
this ingenious poet, is his _Pipe of Tobacco_, in imitation of Cibber,
Ambrose, Philips, Thompson, Young, Pope and Swift, who were all living.
1762. Martinique and the other Caribee islands delivered up to the
British under Monkton and Rodney, by the French governor, M. de la
Touche. The entire reduction of Martinique was effected with the loss of
107 killed and 150 wounded. The French lost 1000 of their best men.
Before its reduction the island could raise 10,000 white inhabitants fit
to bear arms and 40,000 negroes.
1764. PETER RESTAUT died; an advocate at Paris, distinguished for his
learning and integrity.
1764. Mr. WILLIAMS a printer was put in the pillory for republishing the
North Briton, No. 45, at London. But the spectators made a contribution
for him of over 200 guineas.
1779. JAMES COOK, the English navigator, killed by the natives of
Owhyhee. He was born 1728, of indigent parentage; entered the royal navy
in 1755; had the command of a vessel sent against Quebec 1759, after the
capture of which he assisted at the taking of Newfoundland. After making
several voyages for scientific purposes, he sailed in 1776 on his grand
enterprise for the discovery of a northwest passage, during which he met
his fate.
1779. Battle of Cherokee Ford, in which Col. Pickens attacked and
defeated a body of tories, killed 39 of them and their leader, Col.
Boyd, and took about 70 prisoners. Of the last 5 only were executed.
Pickens lost 9 killed.
1780. WILLIAM BLACKSTONE died. He was born in London, 1723, and was
called to the bar 1746. In 1765 he published the first volume of his
_Commentaries on the laws of England_, a production by which his name
will descend to all posterity. His private character is said to have
been exceedingly mild and amiable, and he was throughout life
assiduously addicted to business.
1780. A Russian manifesto announced the coalition called the "armed
neutrality," formed on the basis that free trade makes free goods.
1781. The American army under Gen. Greene, which had continued to
retreat since the battle of the Cowpens, crossed the Dan, leaving the
whole of North Carolina in the hands of the enemy. So close was the
pursuit, that the van of the British reached the river, as the rear of
the continentals had crossed, after a march of 40 miles that day.
1782. The island of Nevis surrendered to the French, under count de
Grasse.
1785. KIENLONG, emperor of China, made a feast for the ancients of his
kingdom. Those who had attained 100 years, received 50 bushels of rice
and 2 pieces of silk; those who had reached 90 years, received 30
bushels rice and 2 pieces of inferior silk, and others in the same
proportion, down to 50 years. Presents, to a large amount, were also
made to the poor throughout the empire. He likewise exempted all the
people from taxes that year, which was the 50th of his reign. On the
occasion of the feast, 3000 aged men of quality sat down to it, and the
emperor sat at the head of the table to do the honors.
1793. BRASS CROSBY died. He rose from a humble attorney to be lord mayor
of London. Being implicated in some difficulties with the printers, in
1771, and stoutly avowing his partialities, he was sent to the tower,
notwithstanding the dignity of his office; but his liberation was
attended with great marks of respect and attention from the citizens.
1797. Action between the Spanish fleet of 27 sail and 12 frigates,
admiral Langara, off St. Vincent, and the British under Admiral Jervis,
15 ships and 6 frigates. Four of the Spanish ships were captured, (two
of 112 guns each) and the remainder completely defeated. British loss,
300 killed and wounded; Spanish loss 603.
1808. JOHN DICKINSON, an American political writer, died. He practiced
law in Philadelphia until 1765; was deputed to attend the first congress
at New York, and prepared the draft of the bold resolutions of that
congress. He opposed the Declaration of Independence, believing that
compromise was still practicable; but soon after entered into it with
ardor. His public services were eminent.
1814. Battle of Vauchamp, between the French and Russians, in which the
latter were defeated. At 8 in the evening Marmont attacked and defeated
the Russians at Etoges, who lost 9 cannon and 1300 men killed.
1831. Insurrection at Paris in consequence of an attempt by the priests
to celebrate a funeral mass for the duke de Berri. Several churches were
destroyed or injured.
1831. GUERRERO, ex-president of Mexico, shot.
1834. JOHN SHORE, Lord Teignmouth, died, aged 82. He went to India in
his youth, in the service of the East India company and succeeded Lord
Cornwallis as governor, there. He returned to England 1798; and on the
formation of the British and Foreign Bible society, he was chosen the
first president, and held the office during life.
1843. Mr. JOHN MARTIN, aged 105, died at Augusta, Georgia. He came with
a company of salt buyers to Georgia, under the direction of Oglethorpe.
1852. Dr. RAE, the arctic explorer, arrived at St. Paul, Minnesota,
having returned from a search for Sir John Franklin, without discovering
any trace of that ill-fated adventurer.