1814. The British army took the city of Washington by surprise, and burnt the public buildings. The library of congress consisting of 3000 volumes of rare books was destroyed.
1824. Richard Payne, died at London; an eminent Greek scholar and antiquary.
1841. George Baxter, one of the most eminent of Presbyterian ministers, died at his residence in Virginia, aged 77.
1856. The sheriff of Kansas, who had been engaged in arresting some Free State men, as they were termed, was shot while sitting in his tent.
APRIL 25.
68. Saint Mark, the evangelist, died at Alexandria.
1199. John, the 6th son of Henry II of England, seized the treasures of his late father, preparatory to taking possession of his throne and dukedom.
1284. Edward II born at Caernarvon, and styled the prince of Wales, the first who received that appellation.
1342. Benedict XII (James de Nouveau, the baker), died. When elected, unanimously, by the cardinals, pope of Rome, he had so little confidence in himself that he told them they had chosen an ass. His conduct, however, was firm and dignified, and gained him universal respect.
1513. Edward Howard, an English admiral, celebrated for his bravery, killed in an action with a French ship.