1756 A. M. The ark of Noah grounded on the 17th of 2d month, Marchesvan
(corresponding with this date), after the waters had prevailed upon the
earth 150 days, (_See Nov. 2._)
317 B. C. PHOCION, the Athenian general, executed by poison. He was of
an obscure family, and rose by his own merits. He was placed at the head
of the Athenian armies 45 times, and on all occasions displayed great
ability; nor was he less illustrious for his virtues. Yet neither his
virtues nor his services could shield him from the malice of his
enemies, and he was condemned on a false accusation of treason.
1280. HUGH BALSAM, bishop of Ely, endowed his foundation of Peterhouse,
the first college in the University of Cambridge.
1282. Massacre of 8,000 French by the people of Sicily. It began at
Palermo as the bell was tolling for evening service, and hence it has
taken the quaint title of the _Sicilian Vespers_.
1296. Berwick, on the borders of Scotland, taken by assault by the
English under Edward I, and about 17,000 of the inhabitants put to the
sword.
1323. A truce for 13 years concluded at Thorpe, between Edward II, who
had been recently defeated at Biland Abbey, and Robert Bruce.
1327. EDWARD III, then newly inaugurated, in his fifteenth year,
convoked his splendid and gallant rendezvous at York, of 60,000 men at
arms, including 500 belted knights, animated by the presence of the
queen mother, and fifty ladies of the highest rank, to revenge the
breach of the treaty made by the Scots with his father.
1363. EDWARD III first distributed the Maunday for the purification of
the poor.
1587. RALPH SADLER, an English statesman, died. He filled some of the
highest offices of state under Henry VIII and Elizabeth, with ability.
1601. HENRY CUFFEE, celebrated for his wit, learning and misfortunes,
was executed at Tyburn. An epigram alluding to his Greek, says:
Thy alpha was crowned with hope,
Thy omega proved but a rope.
1612. JOHN WOWER, a distinguished German politician and literary
character, died at Gottorp.
1621. JOHN KING, an English prelate, died. He was chaplain to Queen
Elizabeth, and so popular a preacher, as to acquire the title of "the
king of preachers." Coke declares him "the best speaker in the star
chamber of his time."
1638. JOHN DAVENPORT, a celebrated preacher of Coleman street, London,
and several of his followers, having purchased of the natives all the
lands lying between the rivers Connecticut and Hudson, sailed from
Boston for Quinnipiack, now New Haven. The colony was organized under a
tree, and they agreed to be governed in civil matters by the laws of God
until they could make better!
1647. Mutiny in the parliamentary army on account of arrearages of pay
due to the soldiery, many of them having twelve months' pay due.
1669. WILLIAM SOMNER, an English antiquary, died. He was indefatigable
in his researches, and acquired the old Gaelic, Irish, Scotch, Danish,
Gothic, Saxon, and other northern dialects, that he might with greater
accuracy and success develop the records of ancient times. He published
a Saxon dictionary and some other works.
1707. SEBASTIAN LE PRESTRE, seigneur de Vauban, a celebrated French
engineer, died. He was taken prisoner in the service of Spain, and
persuaded to enter the French army, in which he distinguished himself by
a most unexampled career. During his life he had been engaged in 140
actions, conducted 53 sieges, assisted in repairing 300 ancient
citadels, and erected 33 new ones. His publications were principally on
fortifications, and he left 12 large volumes in manuscript, containing
observations, thoughts, &c., which he called his _oisivétés_
(idlenesses).
1756. STEPHEN DUCK, an English poet, committed suicide. He was a
persevering character, entirely self taught, and his poems were above
mediocrity. The queen bestowed upon him a pension, which enabled him to
take orders, and he obtained "a living;" in which office he sustained
himself with credit. Notwithstanding his good fortune, his spirits
became depressed, and he was led to cut short his existence by throwing
himself into the Thames.
1761. At Tregony, in Cornwall, was discovered a coffin 11 feet 3 inches
long, 3 feet 9 inches deep, inclosing a skeleton of gigantic size.
1781. Mutiny disclosed on board U. S. frigate Alliance, Capt. Barry, on
return from France to Boston. The plot was disclosed by an Indian named
Mahomman, on the eve of its being carried into effect. It was intended
to murder the officers and take the ship to England or Ireland. This was
the second mutiny in the service, the first having occurred on the same
vessel, two years before (see Feb. 3d). The third was seasonably
disclosed on board the Somers in 1842.
1783. WILLIAM HUNTER, an eminent British anatomist, died. He was
educated at the University of Glasgow, and in 1746 established himself
in London as a teacher of anatomy, where he distinguished himself; and
his works on medical subjects, which appeared at short intervals, added
to his reputation. He built an anatomical theatre and museum, and
ultimately collected there a library of Greek and Roman classics, and a
valuable cabinet of medals, now deposited in the university of Glasgow.
1793. The English under General McBride took possession of Ostend in
France.
1796. The French army under Beaulieu entered the Genoese territory.
1798. Ireland declared in a state of rebellion, and orders issued for
disarming the United Irishmen, and all disaffected persons, by the most
summary and effectual measures.
1799. Second battle of Verona (March 26). The French under Moreau were
again successful, but the division under Scherer having been beaten
again by the imperialists were obliged to halt to cover the main body of
the army.
1800. Action between the French ship Guilleaume Tell, Admiral Dacres, 84
guns, 1000 men, and three British ships of 180 guns, Capt. Berry. The
Frenchman was the last ship of the Nile fleet that remained uncaptured,
and was taken after a most determined resistance, with the loss of 200
killed. British loss, 101; among the wounded was Capt. Berry.
1801. Jail liberties for the first time established in the state of New
York, and prisoners entitled to the benefit of them, on giving a bond
and sufficient sureties to the sheriff, that they would remain true and
faithful prisoners, and not at any time or in anywise escape.
1806. JOSEPH BONAPARTE proclaimed king of Naples.
1810. LUIGI LANZI, a modern Italian archæologist and writer on art, died
of apoplexy.
1813. The prince regent of England notified to foreign ministers in
London, that efficient measures had been pursued to place New York,
Delaware, Port Royal, Charleston, Savannah, and the river Mississippi in
a state of blockade.
1814. Battle of La Cole Mills, Canada; Gen. Wilkinson was repulsed with
the loss of 13 killed and 123 wounded; British loss, 13 killed, 45
wounded.
1814. The allied army after a sanguinary resistance from Marmont, and
Mortier, advanced to the gates of Paris, and offered terms of
capitulation, which were agreed to.
1834. RUDOLPH ACKERMAN died; the originator of the British annuals, and
the first to introduce the lithographic art into England, and lighting
by gas into London.
1844. THORWALDSEN, the sculptor, buried at Copenhagen with regal honors;
the king and princes and chief officers of state acting as mourners,
followed by troops and processions of the different guilds and orders of
citizens, and a concourse of thousands. The streets were lined with
soldiers as at a royal funeral; and the queen and princesses attended
the service in the church. At the end of the ceremony, the king headed a
subscription for a monument on a magnificent scale by the regal donation
of $25,000.
1849. General HAYNAU assaulted Brescia, which, after great slaughter,
was taken and sacked.
1854. A fight took place 12 miles from Loar, between a company of 60
dragoons under Lieut. J. W. Davidson, and a party of nearly 300 Apache
and Utah Indians. The dragoons lost 21 killed and 18 wounded; the Indian
loss unknown.
1856. Treaty of peace between the French, English, and Turks on one
side, and the Russians on the other, signed at Paris.