1783. Washington took leave of the officers of the American army in New York.
1789. The city and suburbs of London, overspread with a dense fog, so that the stages traveling between the city and the surrounding villages, were at five in the afternoon, obliged to be preceded by men with lanterns, a thing unprecedented in the memory of any one living.
1792. William Fordyce, an eminent Scottish physician and philanthropist, died in London where he enjoyed an extraordinary reputation.
1798. Minister Pitt's bill, establishing the ten per cent income tax, was introduced into the British parliament.
1808. Charles Louis Fernow died; a distinguished German writer on the fine arts. His father was a common laborer, and his early years were those of a talented youth struggling with poverty and other difficulties. After finishing an apprenticeship as an apothecary, he maintained himself by portrait painting and teaching drawing; and finally devoted his attention to
the history of the fine arts and Italian literature. His productions are valuable.
1808. Madrid, being invested by Bonaparte, surrendered. The Spaniards were disarmed, and the town filled with the French army. The pavement had been taken up; the streets barricadoed; the houses on the outskirts loopholed; but in a few days tranquility seemed completely re-established; the French soldiery observed excellent discipline; the shops were re-opened, and the theatres frequented as usual. Such is in most cases the enthusiasm of a great city.
1808. The inquisition abolished by Bonaparte this day.
1815. Christian Godfrey Gruner, a celebrated German physician, died. He was one of the most prolific writers on medical science; having written 50 large works, and as many essays.
1819. Alabama admitted into the union.