1745. The English and their allies, under the duke of Cumberland, were defeated at Fontenoy, in Belgium (May 11). Cape Breton taken from the French. REBELLION IN SCOTLAND in behalf of the Pretender; his son, Charles Edward, landed, and defeated the royalists at Preston Pans, near Edinburgh (Sept. 21). He invaded England, and proceeded as far as Derby, but retreated on the advance of the royalists.
1746. The rebels were again victorious at Falkirk (Jan. 17), but were completely defeated at Culloden, in Inverness-shire (April 16). Charles escaped to the Continent.
1748. Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, between England, France, Holland, Spain, and the emperor (Oct. 7).
The principal articles that concerned England were, that there should be a mutual restitution of all conquests in every part of the world, and that the Asiento treaty (or right to supply Spanish America with slaves) should be renewed for four years. “Not a single point was gained for which England had been fighting with France and Spain for eight years.”
1752. Alteration of the calendar, and adoption of the new style.
1754. Death of Pelham, who was succeeded by his brother, the duke of Newcastle.
1756. The French captured Minorca. War declared against France. COMMENCEMENT OF THE SEVEN YEARS’ WAR, in which Prussia was the ally of England, and Austria of France. Calcutta seized by Surajah Dowiah, and 146 persons confined in a dungeon, known as the Black Hole of Calcutta. William Pitt appointed premier.
1757. Recapture of Calcutta by the English. Admiral Byng shot for not attempting to relieve Minorca. Pitt and his colleagues dismissed, but the duke of Newcastle and he coalesced (June), and thus began what may be strictly called Pitt’s Administration, though Newcastle was the nominal head. Clive gained the battle of Plassey (June 23), and thus laid the FOUNDATION OF OUR INDIAN EMPIRE.
1758. The English captured Fort Louis and the island of Goree, in Africa; and Cape Breton, Prince Edward’s Island, and Fort Duquesne (afterwards called Pittsburgh), in America.