1813. Battle of the Thames; the combined British and Indian forces under Proctor and Tecumseh, defeated by the Americans under general Harrison. On this occasion the celebrated Tecumseh was slain, as was believed in a personal rencounter with colonel R. M. Johnson; the latter received five wounds in this battle. American loss 7 killed, 22 wounded.
1813. Action on lake Ontario between the American fleet under commodore Chauncey, and the British squadron; five schooners of the latter were captured, and one sloop burnt.
1821. Claudius John Rich, a learned English orientalist, died at Shiraz, in Persia, a victim to his ardor in the pursuit of science. He wrote Memoirs of Ancient Babylon, whose ruins he explored with indefatigable industry. His manuscripts, coins and gems were purchased by government, and are deposited in the British Museum.
1825. Bernard Germain Stephen de Lacepede, a French naturalist, died. He was unmolested during the reign of terror, and Bonaparte heaped honors upon him. He holds a high station among modern naturalists.
1835. Hortense Eugenie, duchess of St. Leu and ex-queen of Holland, died. She was the daughter of Josephine by her first husband, and married Louis Bonaparte.
1839. Destructive fire in Philadelphia,
destroyed 52 buildings; said to have been the greatest fire ever known in Philadelphia.
1839. A fire at Aikin, S. C., destroyed 36 houses and stores, forming the whole business portion of the village.
1847. The first election of officers in Liberia, under the new constitution, took place. Gov. Roberts was chosen president of the republic.
1853. Mahlon Dickerson, a New Jersey statesman, died, aged 83. He filled a great variety of public offices with distinguished ability.