1616. Richard Field died; an English divine, eminent for his learning, benevolence and piety.
1638. A general assembly of the Scottish church met at Glasgow. It is said that not a few of the 260 commissioners of whom it was composed could neither read nor write.
1640. John, duke of Braganza, proclaimed king of Portugal. He recovered the independence of that kingdom, which had been annexed to Spain by Philip II in 1580.
1692. Thomas Shadwell died; an English dramatic writer, historiographer and poet laureate.
1695. Henry Purcell died; a very eminent English musician and composer.
1736. Battle of Porto Bello. A squadron was fitted out in England for the purpose of destroying the Spanish settlements in the West Indies, and placed under admiral Vernon. The attack was made on Porto Bello by the English, and after a
furious engagement on both sides, the town surrendered.
1763. Public notice given in London that East and West Florida should be laid out into townships, and granted to those who would actually settle there.
1775. John Hill, an English apothecary and writer, died. He published a system of botany, and was engaged in a great number of literary labors at the same time. He was also famous for several medicines which he prepared.
1777. Congress recalled Silas Deane from Paris, and appointed John Adams to succeed him.