1753. Archibald Cameron, brother of Lochiel, executed; recently the estates of this attainted family have been restored. The execution of this gentleman has always been held as a specimen of ministerial cruelty.
1761. Belleisle, on the coast of Brittany, surrendered to the British. Its reduction cost an immense sum, besides the loss of 2000 choice troops, who perished in the expedition. British had 313 killed and 494 wounded.
1769. Anthony Alexander Henry Poinsinet, died; a French dramatic writer.
1775. The general court of Massachusetts met at Salem, and chose delegates to the first congress.
1779. William Warburton, bishop of Gloucester, died; an English prelate of great abilities.
1780. London riots continued. King's bench, Fleet prison, New Bridewell, and the toll gates on Blackfriar's bridge, &c., burnt. The military fired on the rioters, killed 210 and wounded 258.
1780. Unsuccessful attempt of the Spaniards with 10 fire ships to burn 3 British ships in the new mole, Gibraltar bay.
1780. About 5000 British under Knyphausen, Tryon and Stirling, left Staten Island and entered Elizabethtown, N. J.; continuing their march five miles farther to Connecticut farms, they shot the minister's wife in the midst of her children, burnt the house and church, and had much other pastime of the like character.
1786. A small manuscript volume of prayers composed and written by queen Elizabeth, sold at auction for 100 guineas.
1794. Battle of Chelm; the Poles defeated by the Russians.