1732. Rip Van Dam, upon whom the government of the province of New York devolved, finished his administration, on the arrival of William Cosby, with a commission over New York and New Jersey.
1748. Attack on fort Massachusetts by 300 French and Indians. Captain Williams sallied with 30 men and drove the enemy before him, when an ambuscade arose and attempted to cut off his retreat to the fort. By a quick movement he regained the place, and returned their fire with so much spirit that the enemy withdrew, carrying off their dead and wounded.
1763. Battle of Nuncas Nullus; the English defeated the troops of Mir Cossim, 28,000, took all their artillery and 150 boats laden with grain and stores.
1770. The Russians under Romanzow, defeated the Turks with great slaughter on the Pruth.
1776. Matthew Maty, an English writer, died. He published at the Hague, during six years, the Journal Britannique, containing an account of the productions of the English press, in French.
1786. Margaret Nicholson, supposing herself to be queen of England, made an attempt to assassinate George III. She was afterwards confined as a lunatic.
1788. Thomas Gainsborough died; one of the most celebrated English landscape painters of the last century.
1793. Marie Antoinette, queen of France and daughter of an emperor, taken from the temple prison in the night, and removed to a cell in the Conciergerie, 8 feet square, and partly under ground. As a matter of favor she was permitted to take under her arm a small bundle of clothing.
1798. John Palmer, a popular English actor, died on the stage during a performance, immediately on uttering the words, "There is an other and a better world."
1802. Bonaparte declared consul of France for life.