1554. BRETT the commander of the London train bands with 58 others, hanged for joining with sir Thos. Wyatt and his Kentish men, who tried to resist the Spanish influence. 1623. The floor of Black friars' church broke down while the people were at mass, killing 100. 1668. LOUIS XIV took Dole, in Franche Compte. 1696. English assassination plot to favor the interests of James II, discovered by Pendergrass. 1713. ANTHONY ASHLEY COOPER, earl of Shaftsbury, and author of the _Characteristics_, died. He was grandson of the earl who figured so conspicuously in the reign of Charles II; and possessed a spirit of liberty which displayed itself in his political character throughout his life, and by which he uniformly directed his conduct on all occasions. 1713. WILLIAM HARRISON, an elegant English poet, died. 1737. CHARLES TALBOT, an eminent English statesman and chancellor, died. 1756. Three hundred recruits sailed from New York for the army, under the command of Gov. Shirley, quartered at Albany; the river being free of ice. 1760. ISAAC HAWKINS BROWNE died. One of the most popular productions of this ingenious poet, is his _Pipe of Tobacco_, in imitation of Cibber, Ambrose, Philips, Thompson, Young, Pope and Swift, who were all living. 1762. Martinique and the other Caribee islands delivered up to the British under Monkton and Rodney, by the French governor, M. de la Touche. The entire reduction of Martinique was effected with the loss of 107 killed and 150 wounded. The French lost 1000 of their best men. Before its reduction the island could raise 10,000 white inhabitants fit to bear arms and 40,000 negroes. 1764. PETER RESTAUT died; an advocate at Paris, distinguished for his learning and integrity. 1764. Mr. WILLIAMS a printer was put in the pillory for republishing the North Briton, No. 45, at London. But the spectators made a contribution for him of over 200 guineas. 1779. JAMES COOK, the English navigator, killed by the natives of Owhyhee. He was born 1728, of indigent parentage; entered the royal navy in 1755; had the command of a vessel sent against Quebec 1759, after the capture of which he assisted at the taking of Newfoundland. After making several voyages for scientific purposes, he sailed in 1776 on his grand enterprise for the discovery of a northwest passage, during which he met his fate. 1779. Battle of Cherokee Ford, in which Col. Pickens attacked and defeated a body of tories, killed 39 of them and their leader, Col. Boyd, and took about 70 prisoners. Of the last 5 only were executed. Pickens lost 9 killed. 1780. WILLIAM BLACKSTONE died. He was born in London, 1723, and was called to the bar 1746. In 1765 he published the first volume of his _Commentaries on the laws of England_, a production by which his name will descend to all posterity. His private character is said to have been exceedingly mild and amiable, and he was throughout life assiduously addicted to business.