1815. Com. Decatur, sailed from New York in the frigate President.
1822. The Grand Duke Constantine declined, by letter to his brother Alexander, the succession to the throne of all the Russias.
1831. Henry Mackenzie, the novelist, died, aged 86. He studied the law, at the same time cultivating elegant literature. His first effort was a tragedy, which was favorably received; his first novel appeared in 1771, in which he was eminently successful. Scott entitles him the Scottish Addison.
1834. William Polk, a revolutionary officer, died. He held the rank of colonel at the close of the war, and was the last surviving field officer of the North Carolina line. He was among the small band of patriots who declared independence in Mecklenburg county, N. C., May 20th, 1775.
1838. Navy island evacuated by the Canadians, &c., under Mackenzie and Van Rensselaer, 510 in number. The arms belonging to the United States were surrendered, as also the cannon belonging to the state of New York.
1852. T. Hudson Turner died, aged 37; one of the ablest of the British archæologists.
1854. Joshua Bates, a distinguished New England clergyman, died, aged 77. He was twenty-three years president of Middlebury college.
JANUARY 15.
69. Sergius Galba, the Roman emperor, assassinated, at the age of 72. He was the successor of Nero, and reigned but three months.
936. Rodolph, king of France, died, in the 14th year of his reign, and was succeeded by Lewis the Stranger.