CHRONICLE OF EVENTS.

1845.

Sept. 24.-An attempt at a revolution was made in the Roman States in Italy. The insurrection began at Rimini; and the insurgents, having taken the fort and liberated the prisoners therein confined, were forced to retire to the mountains, and soon afterwards were entirely dispersed.

Oct. Great alarm was excited in Ireland and in some of the Continental States of Europe, by the prevalence of what is called the "potato disease," which threatened the almost total destruction of the potato crop, and caused serious apprehensions of a famine.

Oct. 4.A fire broke out in Griffin Town, a suburb of Montreal, Canada, which destroyed nearly one hundred houses, and was arrested at last by blowing up several buildings with gunpowder.

Oct. 24. England and France, having engaged by a public armed intervention to put a stop to the war between Buenos Ayres and Montevideo, declared a strict blockade of the port of Buenos Ayres.

Oct. 26. - Disturbances and civil war continue in Hayti. The Dominicans surprised the Haytian garrison at Laxaron, the chief frontier town on the cape side of the island, and after killing 128 men, took the fort, which they soon afterwards evacuated.

Nov. 5.- -The steamer Hibernia, on her passage from Boston to Liverpool, struck on Point Race, Newfoundland, and was so much injured that she was obliged to put in to St. John's for repairs.

Nov. 13. A most disastrous fire occurred in Sag Harbor, N. Y., extending to more than 100 houses, which were entirely consumed. The loss in building and merchandise was estimated at half a million of dollars.

Nov.-Two of the leading Whig statesmen in England, Lord John Russell and Lord Morpeth, in published letters, avowed a change of their opinion respecting the system of the British corn laws, and that they were now in favor of the importation of bread stuffs without any duty.

Nov. 20.- The combined English and French forces, which had been blockading Buenos Ayres, came to an action with the troops of Gen. Rosas, stationed in certain batteries on the river Parana, in which the latter were entirely defeated, with the loss of several hundred men.

Dec. A revolution took place in Mexico, the army under Gen. Paredes revolting against the established government under Gen. Herrera, because it had not acted with sufficient vigor against the United States in the affair of Texas. The insurgents were completely successful without bloodshed, and a provisional government was established with Paredes as its head.

Dec. 1.-The 29th Congress assembled at Washington, an unusually large number of senators and representatives being present on the first day of the session. Vice President Dallas took the chair in the Senate; and John W. Davis, of Indiana, was chosen Speaker of the House.

Dec. 11.-The English ministry, under Sir Robert Peel, resigned their places in consequence, as was supposed, of a difference of opinion between the Duke of Wellington and the Premier in respect to the expediency of abolishing the corn laws. Lord John Russell received the Queen's commands to form a new ministry.

Dec. 15.-Considerable excitement was produced throughout the country by the introduction of certain resolves into the Senate of the United States, and a speech by their introducer, Mr. Cass, which seemed to portend a war with England respecting Oregon.

Dec. 22.-The 225th anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth was celebrated by the Pilgrim Society at Plymouth by a public dinner, at which Judge C. H. Warren presided. Governor Everett, President Quincy, Mr. Choate, and about 500 other persons, were present.

Dec. 22.-The joint resolution for the admission of Texas as a State into the Union, which passed the House of Representatives in Congress by a large majority a few days before, passed the Senate also by a vote of 31

to 13.

Dec. 19.- The steamer Belle Zane, while about 500 miles above New Orleans, on her way down the Mississippi, struck a snag, filled, and almost instantly turned on her side. About 15 or 20 persons were drowned in her, and two or three others were frozen to death, as the accident occurred on one of the coldest nights ever known on the lower part of the river.

Dec. 20.- Lord John Russell, finding himself unable to form a Whig ministry of sufficient strength, retired, and Sir Robert Peel resumed office with most of his former colleagues.

Dec. 21. A battle was fought in the Punjaub between the English forces and the Sikh army, numbering 30,000 men, which had crossed the Sutlej. The loss was great on both sides; but the Sikhs were defeated with the loss of 30 pieces of cannon, and the probable consequence is the annexation of a considerable part of the Sikh territory to British India.

1846.

Jan. 1.-The Legislative Assembly of the province of Yucatan declared itself independent of Mexico, on the ground that the central government had broken its faith, and the province was no longer bound to pay it allegiance.

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Jan. 22. The British Parliament was opened by the Queen in person, and allusion was made in her speech to a contemplated great reduction of protective duties, and an ultimate repeal of the corn laws.

Jan. 12. A distressing accident occurred at Carbondale, Pa., the roof of a part of the coal mines caving in and burying 50 or 60 persons, of whom about 15 were killed.

Feb. 2.A duel was fought at Bladensburg between Thomas F. Jones and Dr. Daniel Johnson, both of Elizabeth City, N. C., on the ground of an alleged insult by the latter to the wife of the former. Dr. Johnson was shot dead at the first fire.

Feb. 9.-The resolutions for giving notice to Great Britain, that the conventions of 1818 and 1827 for the joint occupation of Oregon should be terminated at the expiration of twelve months from the time of giving the notice, passed the House of Representatives in Congress by a vote of 163 to 54.

Feb. 10.-The English forces in British India, under Sir H. Gough, numbering 20,000 men, fought a great battle with the army of the Sikhs, estimated at 36,000. The latter were entirely defeated, and driven across the Sutlej, with the loss of 10,000 killed and wounded. The loss of the British was 2,383, including Maj. Gen. Sir R. Dick.

Feb. 13.-The steamboat Saladin, passing down the Mississippi river, came in collision with the steamer Congress, by which accident the latter boat was destroyed, and 15 persons were drowned.

Feb. 15.-A severe snow-storm, attended by a violent gale of wind, prevailed all along the Atlantic coast of the United States. Several vessels bound into New York were wrecked on Squam Beach, among which was

the packet ship John Minturn, from New Orleans, in which 30 persons were drowned.

Feb. 23.-An extensive and well-organized insurrection broke out in the ancient kingdom of Poland. The insurgents, reported to be 40,000 strong, obtained possession of a great part of Gallicia, and marched on Cracow, where the Russians were making great preparations to meet them. The rebellion, in the course of a few days, was entirely put down.

Feb. 25.-A fatal duel was fought near Richmond, Va., between John H. Pleasants, Esq. and Thomas Ritchie, Jr., two newspaper editors in that city. They were armed with swords and several pistols to each, and advanced on each other, firing several shots, and finally drawing swords. Mr. Pleasants received four pistol shots in his body, and one gash from a sword, and died of his wounds two days afterwards. Ritchie was slightly wounded.

Feb. 28.-The great measure of Sir Robert Peel for reforming the corn laws and the general system of trade was sanctioned in the House of Commons by a majority of 97.

March 15.-A heavy fall of rain broke up the ice in the large rivers of the Northern States on the Atlantic, and the flood did much damage. The rise of the Merrimac, Hudson, and Susquehanna, was very great; bridges were carried away, rail roads on the banks were flooded or broken up, and travelling was much impeded.

March 30. A great freshet on the Penobscot river did more damage at Bangor and its vicinity than had been caused by any rise of water on that stream during the present century. The bridges were carried away, a considerable part of the city was overflowed, and property was destroyed to the amount of half a million.

March 28.-The American army of occupation under Gen. Taylor, 3,500 strong, arrived at the Rio Grande, and took post opposite Matamoras without any serious opposition from the Mexicans.

April 4.-The Spanish ministry under Gen. Narvaez was dissolved, by the influence of Queen Christina as was supposed, and a new administration instituted under M. Isturitz.

April 16.-The Resolution authorizing the President, but leaving it to his discretion, to give notice to Great Britain for terminating the joint occupation of Oregon, passed the U. S. Senate by a vote of 40 to 14. The House of Representatives acceded to the language of the Resolution, as modified by the Senate, on the 23d, when the Resolution was finally passed by both Houses by a large majority.

April 16.-Louis Philippe, King of the French, when returning from Fontainebleau in a carriage with several members of the royal family, was shot at by a man from the side of the road. No one was hurt, though the ball cut the fringes of one of the curtains. The assassin was arrested; his name was said to be Lecompte. April 24. Hostilities took place between the Mexican and the American armies on the Rio Grande. The American commander, Col. Taylor, sent out a detachment of cavalry, consisting of 70 or 80 men under Capt. Thornton, to observe a portion of the Mexican troops who had passed round into his rear. This detachment came unexpectedly into the presence of the Mexicans, were surrounded, fired upon, and were all killed or taken pris

oners.

April 30.-The Hon. Edward Everett was inaugurated at Cambridge with appropriate ceremonies as President of Harvard University. An oration was delivered by him before a large concourse of the alumni, who subsequently dined together, and attended an illumination of the college buildings in the evening.

May 2. -The British mail steamer Cambria, on her passage from Liverpool to Boston, in a thick fog, ran aground at Truro on Cape Cod. After a detention of two days, she was got off without injury.

May 8, 9.-Gen. Taylor, on his way back from Point Isabel to the American camp opposite Metamoras, with about 2,000 American troops, was attacked by the Mexicans, who were about 5,000 in number. The Americans

fought their way through, entirely dispersing the enemy, capturing their baggage and artillery, and several of their superior officers. Gen. Taylor's loss was 48 killed, and 126 wounded; that of the Mexicans, 262 killed, 355 wounded, and 182 dispersed or taken prisoners. A cannonade, beginning on the 4th, was kept up for several days between the American camp and the Mexican batteries near Metamoras, without much injury being done on either side.

May 7.-The town of Grenada, Miss., was almost swept away by a great tornado which passed over it. Many houses were prostrated, about 20 persons were killed, and as many others were wounded.

May 12.-A bill passed both houses of Congress by a very large majority, declaring that war with Mexico already existed by the act of that power, and authorizing 50,000 volunteers to be enlisted, and ten millions of dollars to be appropriated for the prosecution of the war.

May 25.-Queen Victoria gave birth to a princess, subsequently named Helena Augusta. Victoria, the fifth child of herself and Prince Albert.

May 26.- Prince Louis Bonaparte escaped, in the disguise of a workman, from the fortress of Ham, in France, where he had been confined for many years.

May 29.-Sir Robert Peel's bill for the repeal of the corn laws having succeeded in the Commons, passed to its second reading in the House of -Lords by a majority of 47.

June 1.-Pope Gregory XVI. died at Rome, after having filled the Pontifical chair for more than fifteen years.

June 4. The steamer Queen City, Capt. Dugan, on her way from New Orleans to Cincinnati, burst her connection pipe while shoving out from Natchez. Ten persons were instantly killed, and about thirty scalded, but few of whom were expected to recover.

June 5.- Ibrahim Pacha, having made a visit to Paris, arrived in England, on a tour of pleasure and observation.

June 8.-Lecompte, who attempted to shoot the king of the French on the 16th of April, was executed by the guillotine at Paris. The Court had sentenced him to die the death of a parricide.

June 12. A most disastrous fire occurred at St. John's, Newfoundland, by which nearly the whole town was destroyed. All the public buildings were consumed, and nearly 6,000 persons had to pass the succeeding night in the open air. Three lives were lost through the blowing up of a house with gunpowder. The loss of property was estimated at a million sterling. June 14.-A terrible accident took place in Quebec, Canada, by the burning of the Theatre Royal in St. Lewis street, when the building was crowded with spectators. The flames spread with great rapidity, and, the audience from the boxes becoming jammed together in a narrow staircase, forty-seven persons were burned to death.

June 18.-The U. S. Senate, by a vote of 41 to 14, advised the ratification of the partition treaty, concluded two days before by the President with the British government, for the division of the territory of Oregon between the two powers on the basis of the 49th parallel of latitude.

June 21.-Cardinal Mastai Ferreti, having been chosen Pope by the college of Cardinals, was this day inaugurated at Rome under the title of Pope Pius IX. He is 54 years old.

June 25.-The English ministry were defeated in the House of Commons, their "Irish Coercion" bill being rejected by a majority of 73 votes. On the next day, Sir Robert Peel with his colleagues resigned, and Lord John Russell was commissioned by her Majesty to form a new ministry.

June 27.-The Nova Scotia brig Sutlej, on her way from Pictou, N. S., to Fall River, Mass., with about 70 persons on board, was wrecked in the Vineyard Sound, by striking on the rocks called the "Sow and Pigs," and foundering immediately afterwards. The passengers were miners, on their way to Maryland for employment; about 30 of them were drowned.

July 3.-The bill for reducing the duty on imports, repealing the tariff of 1842, passed the House of Representatives in Congress by a vote of 114

to 95.

It abolishes all specific duties and all minimums. The clause imposing a duty on tea and coffee was stricken out; salt is taxed 20 per cent. ad valorem.

July 6. -Com. Sloat, of the U. S. Pacific squadron, took possession, without resistance, of the Mexican town and harbor of Monterey, on the coast of California, and issued a proclamation that the whole of that country was annexed to the United States.

July 8. A dreadful accident occurred on the great North of France railway, between Paris and Brussels. While crossing a bridge, the locomotive ran off the track, and threw two passenger cars into deep water; fourteen persons were drowned or killed, and 20 or 30 others wounded.

July 13.A very destructive fire occurred in Nantucket, Mass. The central part of the town, where most of the stores and public buildings were situated, was entirely laid waste by the flames. About 300 buildings were destroyed, and the property lost was estimated at more than $800,000; about one third of it was insured.

July 17.-The ratifications of the Oregon treaty between Great Britain and the United States were exchanged at the Foreign Office in London, and the fact was announced in Parliament the same evening.

July 24.Louis Bonaparte, Count of St. Leu, ex-king of Holland, a younger brother of Napoleon, the husband of Hortense Beauharnois, who had been living in retirement at Florence for many years, died in that city, aged 67. Jerome, ex-king of Westphalia, is now the only surviving brother of Napoleon. July 28. The new tariff bill, repealing that of 1842, passed to a third reading in the U. S. Senate by the casting vote of the Vice President, and was then finally passed by a vote of 28 to 27; all the Whig members voting against it, except Mr. Jarnagin of Tennessee, who acted under instructions from his legislature in opposition to his own opinion. The Democratic members from Pennsylvania and Connecticut, also Messrs. Sturgeon, Cameron, and Niles, voted against it. Mr. Haywood, a Democratic member from North Carolina, resigned his seat the day before, in order to avoid voting in favor of the bill, or displeasing his party by voting against it.

July 29. Another attempt was made to assassinate Louis Philippe, king of the French. Joseph Henri, a bankrupt merchant, formerly in good circumstances, fired two pistol shots at him, as he was standing on the balcony of the Tuilleries in the midst of his family. Neither shot took effect, and the man was instantly arrested.

Aug. 3.-President Polk returned to Congress the River and Harbor bill with his veto, on the ground that some of the appropriations were unconstitutional, and that the money was wanted for the Mexican war,

Aug. 5. - A great fire took place at Laprarie, Canada, opposite Montreal, by which nearly the whole town was destroyed. About three hundred buildings were consumed.

Aug. 6. Another revolution took place in Mexico in favor of the exiled Gen. Santa Anna. The troops in Vera Cruz and its vicinity first declared in his favor, and were soon followed by those at the capital, who deposed and imprisoned Gen. Paredes, the President of the Republic, and proclaimed Santa Anna and the constitution of 1824.

Aug. 8. - A bill which had passed both houses of Congress, appropriating $5,000,000 in land scrip to remunerate the sufferers under the French spoliations prior to 1801, was returned to the Senate by President Polk with his veto, on the ground that the subject, which had been forty years before Congress, had not been sufficiently considered, and that so much money could not be spared when the country was at war.

Aug. 10.-Congress adjourned after the longest session ever held since the formation of the government, except that of 1841-2, under the administration of John Tyler.

Sept. 7.-The steamer New York, on her way from Galveston to New Orleans, encountered a heavy gale, and foundered at sea; about 20 lives were lost, and as many escaped.