1749. Catharine Cockburn, an English poetress, died. She produced the tragedy of Agnes de Castro in her 17th year, which was followed by several others. She possessed also a great and philosophic mind, and wrote an able defence of Locke.
1776. At an action near Charleston, S. C., between count Pulaski and the British, Major Huger of the American army was killed by mistake.
1778. William Pitt, earl of Chatham, a most illustrious English statesman, died. He was the friend of liberty and justice, and eloquent in their cause.
1781. Orangeburgh surrendered to the American Gen. Sumpter; prisoners taken, 82.
1782. Richard Wilson died; an English landscape painter of great merit.
1799. Philip Nicholas Pia, a French chemist, died. He was sheriff of Paris, 1770, and employed his leisure in objects of benevolence, till the revolution overwhelmed him.
1807. Action in the Dardanelles, between the Russian and Turkish fleets; 3 of the latter stranded.
1810. Hastalrick, in Catalonia, evacuated for want of provisions; the garrison cut their way through the French troops.
1813. Spencer Perceval, prime minister of Great Britain, shot in the lobby of the house of commons.
1814. Robert Treat Paine, one of the signers, died. He was a distinguished lawyer, of learning and integrity, member of the first congress, and judge of the supreme court of Massachusetts.