1780. At the bank of England 471,000 three per cent stock was transferred to Mr. Van Otten on account of the landgrave of Hesse, so much being due on Hessian soldiers lost in the American war, at 30l. per man. The number of men lost was 15,700.
1781. Jean Frederick Phellipeaux de Maurepas died; a French statesman, eminent for his genius, activity and profound sagacity.
1782. James de Vaucanson, a celebrated mechanician, died. He constructed with wonderful ingenuity various automata, and improved and simplified the machinery of silk mills, and advanced the interests of commerce and science by many other curious and useful inventions.
1783. The marquis d'Arlandes and Pilatre Rosier made an aerial voyage in a machine called a Montgolfier, in honor of the inventors, it being the first balloon raised by rarefied air.
1803. John Buckler (Schinderhannes), the famous German robber, executed, with 19 of his band. He was the son of indigent parents, and entered into the service of an executioner. His first crime was a petty theft, which grew into the most extensive and expert robberies. He never committed murder, and expected pardon on that account, to the last moment.
1806. Bonaparte's famous Berlin decree, declaring the British ports in a state of blockade.
1807. Abraham Newland died at Highburg, in England; he was 60 years cashier of the bank of England.
1812. Battle of Borisoff; the French and Poles defeated by the Russians with great loss.
1812. Fort Niagara bombarded by the British from fort George and five other batteries. Above 2000 red hot shot and 180 shells were fired; which was returned with so much spirit, that the British had the worst of the battle. American loss 4 killed, 7 wounded.
1832. The emperor of Russia issued orders for the transportation of 5000 families of Polish gentlemen from the province of Podolia to the Steppes, on the line of the Caucasus. The university of Warsaw was abolished, except the faculties of divinity and medicine, and the library and collection of medals transported to St. Petersburg.