1779. Spain joined in the war against England, and blockaded Gibraltar.
1780. Rodney defeated the Spaniards off Cape St. Vincent, and temporarily relieved Gibraltar (Jan. 16). Charleston, the capital of South Carolina, capitulated to the English (May 12); and later in the year they gained a decisive victory at Camden (Aug. 16). Gordon Riots in London, directed against the Catholics. Major André executed by the Americans as a spy. COMMENCEMENT OF THE WAR IN THE CARNATIC WITH HYDER ALI.
1781. Sir Eyre Coote gained a brilliant victory over Hyder Ali at Porto Novo (July 1). Capitulation of York Town; Lord Cornwallis’s army surrendered to the Americans—virtual close of the war (Oct. 19). Negapatam, in the Carnatic, taken from the Dutch.
1782. Minorca taken by the Spaniards. The marquess of Rockingham became premier, and on his death Lord Shelburne. Sir George Rodney gained a splendid victory over the French fleet in the West Indies (April 12). Unsuccessful bombardment of Gibraltar. Independence of the United States recognized (Nov.).
1783. Coalition ministry of Lord North and Charles James Fox. This ministry dismissed, and William Pitt (son of the earl of Chatham) appointed premier. Treaty of Versailles, between England, France, Spain, and America (Sept. 3).
By this treaty, the preliminaries of which were signed during the Shelburne administration, England recovered from France, Grenada, St. Vincent, Dominica, St. Christopher’s, Nevis, and Montserrat, and ceded St. Lucia and Tobago. France recovered some possessions in Africa and the East Indies; and Minorca and the Floridas were ceded to Spain. The independence of the United States, acknowledged the year before, was formally recognized by this treaty. At the close of this war the national debt was about £240,000,000.
1787. Warren Hastings, who had been governor-general for several years, impeached on account of some of his proceedings in India. His trial began in 1788, and was not concluded till 1795, when he was acquitted.
1789. COMMENCEMENT OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION.
1793. Execution of Louis XVI. France declared war against England. Napoleon Buonaparte first distinguished himself at the siege of Toulon.