Aug. 23—Com. Perry, the hero of Lake Erie, died in the West Indies.
The 4th census was taken in this year.
1821.
Mar. 4—James Monroe inaugurated on his second term.
” 22—Com. Decatur died at Washington.
Aug. 22—Gen. Jackson takes possession of Florida as its Governor. The U. S. government paid $5,000,000 for Florida. The Spanish officers were reluctant and dilatory in giving up their places, and Gen. Jackson had occasion for his remarkably decisive action in dealing with them. The governor, Don Cavalla, refusing to give up certain papers according to the treaty, he sent him to prison until all the papers were produced, and banished six other Spanish officers who interfered with him.
1822.
June—A commercial treaty is negotiated with France. Capt. Allen, of the U. S. schooner Alligator, engages a band of pirates in the West Indies, captures one of their schooners, and recaptures five American vessels. Capt. Allen is killed.
The ports of the West India islands are opened to American commerce by the English government.