1782. Daniel Charles Solander, a celebrated Swedish naturalist, died. He was the pupil of Linnæus; visited England, and went with Cook on his voyage round the world.
1793. Edmund C. Genet, the French minister, arrived at Philadelphia. He was received with much enthusiasm by the citizens. (See [July 14].)
1795. The Batavian republic formed, by the aid of the French, in imitation of France; being governed by a legislature and a directory of five.
1796. Earthquake in Syria; Lataka, the ancient Laodicea, was laid in ruins, and more than 3,000 persons buried under the fallen mass. The village of Gibel was totally destroyed, and many houses in Tripoli were tumbled down.
1801. Battle of Heliopolis; the French under Belliard defeated by the Turks under the grand vizier.
1806. Blockade of the Elbe and of Brest, a coast of 1000 miles, with no place invested by land, and before many of the ports no blockading ships.
1809. The rear guard of the French army attacked at Salamonde in Portugal, and compelled to retreat before superior forces, with the loss of their artillery and baggage; having lost about 8,000 men, 2,000 of whom were slaughtered by the Portuguese. The army was a fortnight without clothing, shoes, provisions, &c., excepting those procured by marauding, and they must all have been destroyed but for the great military talents of Soult.
1811. Battle of Albuera, in Spain; the allies defeated by the French under Soult; about 20,000 men fell in this battle.
1811. Action between the United States frigate President, Rogers, and British ship Little-Belt, which was captured.
1813. Battle of Mignano, Italy, and defeat of the French.