1767. Burchard Christopher de Munich died; a German who learned the art of war under Eugene and Marlborough, and distinguished himself in the service of Peter I of Russia.
1774. Congress resolved to support Massachusetts, if the acts of parliament were attempted to be carried into execution by force. The general court of Massachusetts met at Salem on the same day, although general Gage had ordered them not to assemble, resolved themselves into a provincial congress, and chose John Hancock president.
1785. L'Evesque de Burigny, a French author, died, aged 94. He wrote a work on the authority of the pope, a learned history of pagan philosophy, and several other works, historical and biographical.
1785. The Lounger appeared at Edinburgh, conducted principally by Henry Mackenzie.
1791. A jury at Sudberry, England, not being able to agree, oppressed by hunger, broke open the doors and went home.
1792. Pietro Antonio Crevenna, an Italian bibliographer, died. He collected a choice library, which he sold by auction in 1790. The learned catalogues of his books, prepared by himself and others, have given to the works which belonged to him, great value, in the eyes of amateurs, and the catalogues themselves have bibliographical authority.
1793. John Hancock, the master spirit of the American revolution, died. He was president of the congress which issued the declaration of independence, and his name stands out in bold relief on that document.
1793. Lyons, in France, surrendered to the republicans, and a most terrible massacre of the inhabitants ensued. The convention decreed that the walls should be razed, and Lyons called La ville affranchie.
1795. Andrew Kippis, a very celebrated English biographer, died. His connection with the publication of the Biographia Britannica, will carry down his name with distinguished reputation to posterity.
1809. James Elphinstone, a Scottish grammarian, died. He undertook the reformation of English orthography by spelling words as they are pronounced.