1799. John Francis Marmontel, a French novelist, died. He was admired for the vigor and delicacy of his writings, but was allowed to pass his last days in a state of retirement bordering on want.
1811. Tariffa, near Gibraltar, attacked by the French, who were repulsed with great loss by the British under colonel Skerritt.
1812. United States frigates President and Congress returned to Boston after an active cruise of three months, during which they passed over a space of about 8000 miles without meeting an adventure to test the courage and discipline of their crews. They, however, captured two British vessels, one laden with $300,000 specie and gold dust, the other with oil.
1816. Deaths in Boston this year, 904; in Paris, 19,992.
1820. Joseph Lathrop, an American clergyman, died. His publications were more numerous and highly esteemed than those of any contemporary theologian in America.
1826. William Gifford, an English poet and reviewer, died. He rose from a shoemaker's bench to an editor's stool where he acquired fame and fortune. He was a very good poet and critic, but a poor shoemaker.
1832. Insurrection of the slaves in Jamaica. More than 150 plantations were
destroyed, and the loss of property was estimated at more than four millions of dollars. About 2000 negroes are supposed to have been killed.
1835. Battle of Withlacoochie; about 250 United States troops and militia engaged 300 Seminole Indians. Of the latter 40 were killed; of the former, 4 killed, 59 wounded.
1839. Hyacinthe Louis de Quelen, archbishop of Paris, died. At the revolution of 1830 his adherence to the Bourbons incensed the mob to level the archiepiscopal palace to the ground, by which he was reduced to poverty. He was a man of distinguished talents and learning.