1679. James Sharp, archbishop of St. Andrews, assassinated for his zeal in the cause of the episcopacy in Scotland.
1691. George Mackenzie, a Scottish lawyer, died. He figured conspicuously in trials of witchcraft, which puzzled the best heads in those days, and it is probable that he dealt with that sin most thoroughly, for he received the appellation of "the blood thirsty advocate." He was a literary character, however, of no small note, and was among the first Scotchmen who wrote the English language in a style approaching to purity.
1711. Lawrence Hyde, earl of Rochester, died; deservedly respected as an able statesman.
1753. Leonor Jean Christine Soulas d'Allainval died; a native of Chartres, in France, and author of several comedies of merit.
1774. Permission was given to the society of antiquaries to open the stone coffin of Edward I, and it was found that the body was in a perfect state of preservation, and measured 6 feet 2 inches. It had been placed in wax.
1777. David Wooster, a revolutionary officer, died of a wound received in pursuing the British from Danbury (April 27). He graduated at Yale college, and at the commencement of hostilities was appointed to the chief command of the Connecticut troops.
1785. John Lewis Moreau de Beaumont, a French political author, died. His works are much and deservedly admired.
1795. The number of prisoners confined in the 12 prisons of Paris amounted to 2338.
1802. Bonaparte constituted first consul for a second term of ten years.
1808. Embargo laid on American shipping in France.