The Every Day Book of History and Chronology. Joel Munsell
Wheeler, an English traveler and antiquary died. He visited Greece and Asia, for the purpose of copying inscriptions and to describe antiquities, in company with Dr. Spon, an account of which was published in 6 vols. folio. The work is highly valued for its authenticity and antiquities.
1730. Charles Beckingham, an English dramatic writer, died. His pieces were received with much applause.
1750. George Bernard Bilfinger, professor of philosophy at Petersburg, and afterwards at Tubingen, died at Stutgard. He was eminent as an author.
1758. Joseph Isaac Berruyer, a French Jesuit, died; author of some theological works.
1772. John Hartwig Ernst, count Bernstorff, died at Hamburg. He settled in Denmark, where he became prime minister, and in this office devoted the whole energies of his powerful mind to the improvement of his adopted country. He set the example of manumitting the peasantry, who were in a state of bondage and gave the fourth part of his income to the poor. He is represented as a model of intelligence, wisdom and benevolence.
1777. Col. Nielson of New Jersey, with a party of American militia, defeated the British Major Stockton, killed 4 and took him and 59 of his men prisoners.
1778. Joseph Marie Terray, minister of state of France, died. He was a man of great integrity and patriotism; and on retiring from office, carried with him the gratitude of his country.
1791. Vermont admitted into the Union. (see March 4).
1793. Action between British ship Juno, Capt. Hood, and the French privateer schooner, L'Entreprenant, Capt. Vaniere. The latter was taken, together with a prize which she had captured. Vaniere shot himself.
1795. British squadron under Warren captured near the isle of Aix, 8 French vessels, and destroyed 10 brigs and a lugger, laden with provisions and clothing for the French fleet and army.
1797. Trinidad, another of the West India isles, surrendered to the English under Sir R. Abercromby.
1800. Action off Malta, between the British squadron under Nelson, and Le Genereux, a French 74, and a frigate which resulted in the capture of the two latter.
1800. Louis Le Frotte, the Vendean chief, with 7 of his officers, shot by order of the French convention. They all refused to have their eyes covered.
1808. Austrian declaration of non-intercourse with England.
1811. French port of Tametivi, in Madagascar, surrendered to a British force.
1812. The prince regent of England, afterwards George IV, invested with full legal powers.
1814. Battle of Montereau, in France; Chateau, who commanded the French, was repulsed and mortally wounded; but Gen. Gerard, the second in command, sustained the combat until 2 P. M., when being reinforced by Bonaparte, the Russians were in turn discomfited.
1815. The king of Candy, in Ceylon, surrendered to the British under Gen. Brownrigg.
1815. Treaty of peace between the United States and Great Britain ratified by President Madison.
1834. William Wirt died, aged 62. He early became acquainted with Jefferson, Madison and Monroe, and filled several important offices under them with distinguished reputation. As a public and professional man, he was ranked among the first of his time.
1843. The Ameers of the punjaf in India wholly defeated by the British troops under Sir Charles Napier.
1851. Victor Falck, a distinguished French ornithologist, died at Stockholm.
1852. Christopher Anderson died, aged 73; known by his Annals of the English Bible.
1853. An attempt made to assassinate the emperor of Austria by a Hungarian named Lebenyi, who was executed.
1856. Heinrich Heine, the celebrated German poet, died at Paris.
FEBRUARY 19.
198. Decius Claudius Albinus, a Roman who assumed the imperial purple in opposition to Severus, was slain in battle on the river Rhone.
1401. William Sautre, an English clergyman, was burned for heresy, by the clergy, with the permission of Henry IV. This is said to have been the first execution in England on account of religion. (Timperley says March 10.)
1549. A bill passed the English parliament allowing clergymen to marry, on the ground that it was a less evil than compulsory chastity.
1553. Erasmus Reinhold died; an eminent German astronomer and mathematician, and professor at Wittemberg.
1567. Miles Coverdale, bishop of Exeter, buried. He was ejected from his see by queen Mary, and thrown into prison, from which he was liberated by Elizabeth. He assisted Tindal in the English version of the Bible, 1537.
1592. Edward Coke chosen speaker of parliament.
1597. Thomas Bentham, an English bishop, died; celebrated for his knowledge of the Chaldee and Hebrew tongues.
1619. Lucilio Vanini, a learned Italian, burnt. He early devoted himself with ardor to letters, studying philosophy, law, theology and astrology, at Rome and Padua. He traveled throughout every country of Europe, occupying himself with instruction; but wherever he appeared, he became obnoxious to suspicion on account of his religious views. In 1617 he went to Toulouse, where he was accused of atheism and sorcery, and condemned to the flames. He was drawn to the place of execution, when after his tongue was torn out, he was strangled, and burnt at the age of 34. His punishment appears to have been entirely undeserved, and has given him more celebrity than his writings.
1622. Henry Savile died, a learned English divine, historian and critic; Greek tutor to Queen Elizabeth.
1638. Insurrection of the Edinburgh presbyterians, who threw off their allegiance, and entered into a covenant or association against the government, which they compelled all people to subscribe; several Scotch bishops were forced to fly to England.
1644. The Scots, consisting of 18,000 foot, 2,000 horse, and above 500 dragoons, passed the Tweed at Berwick in behalf of the parliament.
1671. Charles Chauncey, president of Harvard college, died, aged 80. He was a nonconformist divine, who emigrated to America; a learned and venerated man.
1697. Francis Bernard, an English physician, died; eminent for his learning, and his valuable collection of books.
1717. Peter Anthony Motteux, died in London on his birthday (supposed to have been murdered). He was a French refugee, settled in England, where he became an eminent dramatic writer, and translated Don Quixotte.
1734. Battle of Gaustalla between the French and the imperialists under count Konigsegg; the latter of whom were defeated with the loss of 5,000 men including the prince of Wirtemberg.
1743. La Guaira, in South America, attacked by the British under Knowles. He captured one ship, and blew up a magazine but did not succeed in his principal object, which was the total destruction of the shipping. Spanish loss 700.
1767. Francis Boissier de Sauvages, a French physician and botanist, died. His reputation was so great that he was called the Boerhaave of Languedoc.
1778. Capt. James Willing took possession of Natches in the name of the U. S.
1788. Thomas Cushing, of Massachusetts died. He was early engaged in political life, and in 1763 appointed speaker of the council where, by his moderate