1759. The most glorious year, perhaps, that England had ever seen. Guadaloupe captured. The French defeated at the battle of Minden, in Prussia (Aug. 1). Admiral Boscawen defeated the French fleet off Lagos, in Portugal (Aug. 18). General Wolfe gained a decisive victory at QUEBEC, but was mortally wounded (Sept. 13). Sir Edward Hawke almost annihilated the French fleet in Quiberon Bay (Nov. 20).
1760. Colonel Coote defeated the French at Wandewash, in the Carnatic (Jan. 22). Surrender of Montreal and complete conquest of Canada.
George III.
D. He was the son of Frederick, prince of Wales (who died in 1751), and grandson of George II. B. in London, 1738. M. Charlotte, of Mecklenburg Strelitz. D. at Windsor, Jan. 29, 1820. R. 59¼ years (1760 to 1820).
1761. Capture of Pondicherry, Dominica, and Belle Isle. Pitt resigned office because the government declined to declare war against Spain.
1762. War declared against Spain for forming an alliance with France. Capture of Martinique, Grenada, and other isles. Bute became premier. Havannah, the capital of Cuba, and Manilla, the capital of the Philippines, taken from Spain.
1763. Treaty of Paris, between England, France, and Spain (Feb. 10). Grenville appointed premier. John Wilkes prosecuted for a libel in the “North Briton,” and expelled from parliament the next year. General warrants declared illegal.
By this treaty England recovered, in Europe, Minorca, and restored Belle Isle; in America, she restored Martinique and Guadaloupe, but kept her other conquests; Spain gave up Florida for Havannah, and recovered the Philippines without compensation. This war raised the national debt to about £138,000,000.
1764. Restraints placed by England on the American trade with the Spanish and French colonies.
1765. American Stamp Act passed, imposing a duty on stamps. The marquess of Rockingham became premier.