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Les diagrammes suivants iilustrent la mithcda. 1 2 3 4 5 6 f^^^mm^ mam i 1 m .'Milt^M'.^.. THE ^ AMERICAN ORiACLfe^ COMFREHEN'DING fl » AN ACCOUNT OF RECENT 'DISCOVERIES IN TlIE ARTS AND SCIENCES, ■ f ., ■ WITH A VARIETY OF RELIGIOUS, POLITICAL, PHYSICAL, AND PHILOSOPHICAL SUBJECTS, Neceffary to be known in all families, for the Promotion of their prefent felicity and future happiness. BY THE HONOURABLE SAMUEL STEARNS, LL. D. AND DOCTOR OT PHYSIC; ASTRONOMER TO HIS MAJESTy's PROVINCES OF qUEBEC, AND NEW BRUN6WIC; ALfO TO THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, AND THE STATE OF VERMONT, IN AMERICA. Quam ampla funt Opera tua, O Jehova \ Quam ca omnia fapienter fe;ifti ! LONDON: Printed for, and fold by, J. Lackington, No. 46 and 47, Chifwell-Street, Moorfields; and J. Parsons, No. 21, Pater-Nofler.Row, London. 1791. [Price 8s. 6d. in Boaids.] [Entered at Stationers Hall.] "mmm/mmm-mi^m^ •• • •• <:> •••• •••• ••• '^P^OUllU' ^« V .'^ /- ■ / - J ^ ^^/3 ■ r I* — . ... . I •*6*"%^-ir:^-iife*Ay4^ "f. 1 P R E F A C E. . 4/v 1 1 .. i . J : . KIND READER, THE mifcellaneous Work coiitainefl in the fubfcqutnt Pages, and prelented to the Public, is intended to inform and im- prove thofb who may think their time not unprofitably fpent in its perulal, and who ftand in need of information. ^'.It wis not the Author's defign to have made thofe things pubhc at fo early a period ; but to gratify a number oi his private friends' who conceived his Productions in a light per- haps beyond their intrinfic value, Ind re- queued they might be immediately pub- lifhed for the baieht of Mankind, he is in- duced to abandon his original intention, and thus prefent them to the impartial Public. A few >> VI PREFACE, A few things in Profe are extracted from various Authors ; but the Poetry, with the exception of a few Hnes, was compofed by the Author himfelf. As the fubje^s are nu- merous, brevity has neeeffarily been attended to, and every endeavour ufed to comprehend niultum in parvo^ and preferve accuracy and correanefs. But as errors may have cfcaped his obfervation, fhould any be difcovered by the Readers, he will thankfully receive their communications of the fame, and carefully endeavour to attend to their corredlion in # future edition. Philofophy, and the Liberal Arts and Sci^ ences which have been nurtured by its pro, grefs and improvements, and has fhone out with fuch remarkable fplendor in thefe mp- dern ages, have been the objedls of his early and unremitting ftudy. The pradice of Phy. ic, and the making of Aftronomical Calcu- lations, engaged his attention for upwards of twenty years, and in the courfe of his travels in England, Scotland, Ireland, France, and many parts of America, he has attended Leaures upon Phyfiology, Chymiftry, Ma^- "f ^' ^\^^i-^^ Optics, Aflronomy, and other Branches of Natural and Experimental Philofophy, A 'j^figp^r. < '•# PREFACE. VII ra<5led from i, with the ompofed by e,:iV» vt^S THE AMERICAN ORACLE. din i;82,read veenGrelit-Bri^ m. ■■■ . CHAPTER I. 0/* Chronology— •!£;///> Tables of remarkabu Mroi and Events^ from the Creation to theTear 1790. he hH" hrch ii, .. r. hoige, 'V*-' A S ajlronomers begin their compntations at cer- ^ -*• tain fixed points in the heavens, called sepo- chas, or radical places ; io hijiorians begin their reckonings from certain fixed points of time, called seras, or radixes of time ; as that of the Creation, Noah*s Flood, &c. as in the fubf::'quent Tables. Anno Mundi O 1656 1948 2107 The creation of the world Noah's flood - . - ' The birth of Abraham Sodom and Gomorrah deftroyed The departure of the Ifraelites out of Egypt 2452 Their entrance into Canaan - - 2492 Saul, the firft King of Ifrael, began to reign 2909 Solomon's temple began - - 2932 The deftruftion of Samaria - - 3226 An angel deftroys 1 84,000 of the AlTyrians 3294 Babylonifli captivity - - 3349 B Solomon's mam^j i THE AMERICAN ORACLE. SolomonVs temple deftroyed The beginning of Daniel's 70 weeks Death of Alexander the Great Reiloration of the Jews Corredion of the Calendar by Julius Cccfar Herod began to reig.i in Judea The reputed sera of the birth of Chrifl: He difputes with the dodors in the temple Is baptifed by John in the Wildernefs And crucified by the Jews Stephen is ftoned to deati) - » St. Paul is converted - , St. Matthew writes his Gofpel The followers of Chrifl: fiWl called Chriflians Claudius Caifar's expedition into Britain St. Mark writes his Gofpel London founded by the Romans Th 2 council of the apoflles at Jerufalem St. Luke writes his Gofpel St. Paul fent in bonds to Rome, preacheth, and Anno ArnnJi 3492 3626 J784 39<^S 3949 Anno Domini O 12 33 34 36 39 40 43 44 49 52 5S writes his epiftles The afts of the apoftles written The Chriftians perftcuted at Rome St. Peter and St. Paul put to death Titus takes Jerufalem; r,too,ooo Jews perirn : 97>ooo taken prifoners A plague kills 10,000 perfons at Rome " .» 1 he Philofophers expelled Rome by Domitian 8 . 'Sill^^^^^^^^^ 96 The Jews murder 200,000 Greeks and Ro- ^^ mans 115 ^ Th^ 6z 64 67 78 ■i#*7A- people die of a plague in England Windfor Caftle built A terrible plague and famine in England ; and cards invented in France for the King's amufement Wcflminfter Abbey re-built Guild-hall, in London, built The univerfity 01 St. Andrews, In Scotland, founded - Pumps firft invented Printing invented in Holland 100,000 people deftroyed by an inunda- tion in Holland The univerfity at Glafgow, in Scotland, founded . . _ Engraving and etching on copper invented Ihe umverfity of Aberdeen, in Scotland, founds • Firft ftanding army in England eftablilhed Maps and fea-charts firft brought into England Theftudy of the Greek language introduced m England The Spanilh inquifition ;^ 15,000' Jews driven out of Spain America dilcovered by Columbus Algebra firft known in Europe Anno Domini 1359 1361 1362 1386 1391 '399 1410 1411 1425 1440 1446 1454 1460 1477 1483 t 1489 1491 1492 1492 1494 South Uomini 1359 1361 1362 1386 1391 '399 1410 1411 1425 1440 CHRONOLOGY. J Anno Domini South America difcovered by Americus Vefpufius - - ^ 1497 North America difcovered by Sebaftian Cabot, about - - 1498 Thirty thoufund perfons 'le of a plague in London . - - 1499 Shillings firfl: coined in England - 1505 Columbus died, aged 59 - 1506 Gardening introduced into England, from the Netherlands j and half of the peo- ple die of a plaguci in Britain ^5^9 Martin Luther began the Reformation 1 5 1 7 The Pope gives the title of Defender of the Faith to the King of England ' 1520 Cannon began to be ufed in Ihips - 1539 Pins firfl ufed in England, in the room of fkev/ers ; and filk ftockings firfl worn by the King of France - '543 Council of Trent begins - 1 545 Firfl law in England eflablifhing the inte- reft of money - - '54^ Books of aflronomy and geography de- ftroyed, as infefted with magic, in England - - 1552 The Reformation compleated in Scotland by John Knox ; and filk ftockings firfl worn in England by (^Elizabeth 1561 Knives firfl made in England - i ^6'^ The Royal Exchange in London built 1 569 Thirty thouiand necromancers in France ; and a great maffacre of the Proteflants at Paris - ;^ 1572 B4 The THE AMERICAN ORACLE. The Dutch in Holland revolt from the Spa nifh government Eaft India company incorporated Sir Francis Drake, thefirft Englifh circum- navigator, returns from his voyage round the world New Style introduced in Italy by Pope Gre- gory Tobacco frrfl: brought from Virginia into England; and Newfoundland fettled by the Englifh . . (^ Elizabeth beheads Mary Q^ of Scots, after i8 years imprifonment j Coaches introduced into England A band of penfioners infiituted in England Trinity College, in Dublin, founded Watches firfl brought into England from Germany Theory of the Tides firfl given by Keplar Decimal arithmetic invented at Burges England and Scotland unite under the name of Great Britain Anno Domini ^579 1579 is8o 1582 ^5^ 1589 1590 1591 K197 1598 1602 1603 30,578 perfons died of the plague in London 1604 Powder plot difcovered at Wefhninfler Oaths of allegiance firfl adminiflered in England j and Canada fettled by the French Virginia fettled New York, the Jerfies, and Pennfylvam'a, fettled by the Dutch and Swedes ; and Galileo difcovers four of the fatellites 01 baturn 1605 1606 1607 160H \nno Domini '^ CHRONOLOGY. ^ Anno Domini Six hundred wizards condemned, and moft of them burnt, in France Jupiter*s moons fird dil'covered by Galileo Baronets firll created in England ; and 200,000 perfons die of the plague in Conflantinople Logarithms invented by Napier, a Scotch- man ; and Sir Hugh Middleton brings the New River to London, from Ware Harvey confirms the circulation of the blood The broad filk manufafture from raw filk, introduced into England ; and negroes firft imported into Virginia Nova Scotia fettled by the Scotch ; and New Plymouth, in New England, fet- tled by Puritans Firfl: neat cattle imported to America Theiiland of Barbadoes fettled by the Eng- lifli; and 35,417 people die of the plague in London MafTachufetis fettled New Hampfliire fettled Bofton built - - . Maryland fettled Diedof aplague at Lions in France, 60,000 people ; and Maryland given to Lord Baltimore Huygens difcovers Saturn's ring ; and Pro- vidence, in Rhode Ifland, built Connecticut fettled ; and regular polls efta- bliQied from London to Scotland, Ire- land, kc. i6og 1610 161X 1614 1619 1620 1621 1624 1625 1628 1629 1630 1631 163^ Rhode lO THE AMERICAN ORACLE. ii ■ Rhode Ifland fettled Newport built Forty thoufand Englifii Protellants inaflii- cred by the Irifh Sir Ilaac Newton born ' Eledricity, the firil idea of it, given by Ottogiiericke K. Charlecj 1. beheaded, aged 49 Cromwell afTumes the protedlorfliip Huygens difcovers the fifth moon of Sa- turn; and Admiral Penn takes Jamaica from the Spaniards Cromwell dies K. Charles II. reflored The (loyal Society eftablifhed at London Carolinas planted The Dutch and Swedifti fettlements in North America conquered by the Englifh 68,000 perfons die of a plague in London Great fire in London 5 and tea fijft ufed m England Peace of Breda Peace of Aixla-Chapelle Peace of Ninceguen; and Habeas Corpus adlpafTed 49,487 people die of a plague in Vienna A great comet appeared from Nov. 3, tb March 9 ; and the true orbits of comets demonflrated by Doetfel Philadelphia founded Anno Dcniini - 1638 1639 1640 i<^43 1647 1649 1654 ^^55 1658 1660 1662 1663 1664 1665 1666 1667 1668 ' 1672 1679 16S0 1683 Bavonet$ "^m^ 1 CHRONOLOGY. II Ar.no Dcniiiii - 1638 1639 l- 1640 ' i<^43 y 1647 1649 1654 ^^55 1658 1660 1662 1663 1664 1665 1666 1667 1668 th 16S0 1683 lyonetij Anno Domini Bayonets firft ufed by the French — Bank of England eftablifhed — and, the firfl public lottery drawn ^1 Stamp duties inftituted in England Peace of I yfvick ... Darien, in America, fettled by the Scotch PrulTia erefted into a kingdom ; and, Soci- ety eftabliihed for the propagation of the gofpel in foreign parts Gibraltar taken from the Spaniards ; and Court of the Exchequer inftituted in I England - - . Dr. Benj. Franklin born Feb. ; and a treaty of union between England and Scotland A new mountain rifes out of the fea in Tur- key, in Europe called Tbera / and the firft Britifh parliament , Minorca taken from the Spaniards ; and Sardinia erected into a kingdom St. Paul's church re-built by Sir Chriftoph. Wren, in 37 years The peace of Utrecht, whereby Newfound- land, Nova Scotia, New Britain, and Hudfon's Bay, were yielded to Great Britain, and Gibraltar and Minorca were alfo confirmed to the Britifh crown Aurora Borealis firft feen A rebellion in Scotland in favour of the Pretender An aft pafled for feptennial parliaments Lombes, at Darby, ereds a filk throwing machine, containino- 26-^86 wheels all 1693 1694 1695 J 699 1701 1704 1706 1707 1708 1710 ^7^5 1716 7J of i 12 THE AMERICAN ORACLE. I719 1720 1727 1732 '743 1744 £.,.,, . , , „ AnnoDonuui ot which take up ons-eighth of a mile, and are moved by one water wheel : In 24 hours it works 318,504,960 yards of Organzine filk thread Died of a plague, at Marfeilles, 18,000 perfons Inoculation firft tried on criminals, with fuccefs ; and Sir Ifaac Newton dies, aged 84 nearly Georgia, in North America, fettled j and Gen. Wafhington born Feb. 1 1. Died of a plague at MefTma, in Sicily, 50,000 perfons Commod. Anfon returns from his voyage round the world A rebellion in Scotland, projeded by the French ; and 6000 Americans, with alliflance from England, take Cape Breton from the French Elearic fhock difcovered at Leyden, bv Cuneus - , _ The peace of Aix-la-Chapelle Weftminfter bridge, after 12 years labour, fmiihed : (it coft 389,000!.) The Antiquarian Society at London incor- porated 3ea water made frefli by experiment Old ftyle ceafes, Sep. 3. The BritifhMufeum ereded; and a Society of Arts, Manufaftures, and Commerce, inftituted in London . . j^^. A. D. 1754, 1745 1746 1748 1750 1752 1752 •T%: AnnoDonuui nile, I: In ards CHRONOLOGY. A. D. 1754. '3 lOOO I7I9 1720 i^'ith lies, and 1727 %, 1732 '743 ge the 1744 ath ape by 1745 1746 1748 Lir, 1750 3r- '75^ 1752 1752 ty 6, ^7S^ .D. ] '754' The Britlfli colonies in North America being ahnoft furrounded by French, Spaniards, and Sa- vages ; and the French having augmented their armies, and made encroachments upon the Britifh fettlements, by erecting forts on the banks of the rivr Ohio, to which place Col. Wafhington, at theheadof 4000 men, marches; builds a fort, which, on being demanded by a fmall party of French, they are taken pri- foners. The Governor of Canada attacks the fort; and Walhington, on being overpowered with numbers, capitulates, furrenders, and marches towards Virginia. Many of the Fnglifh are plundered and murdered by the In- dians. From hence a war broke out between England and France. ^755' The Englifh take from the French two fhips, 6oq foldiers, with their officers, and 5000 crowns, off the banks of Newfoundland. Two thoufand men from New England take Nova Scotia, and difarm 15,000 neutral French and Indians. Gen. Braddock defeated by the French and Indi- ans, near Fort du Quefne Gen. Johnfon defeats the French at Fort Edward, and takes their commander, Baron de Diefkau, prifoner Gen. Johnfon is created a Baronet, and the parli- ment gives him 5000 1. for his good fervices. Gerith, near Bombay, taken by the En'rllfh. A. D. 1755. 14 THE y\MERlCAN ORACLE* A. D. 1756, The French lanci 18,000 troops on the illand of Minorca. Admiral Byng's cowardice. Fort St. Philip, and Fort St. Ofvvego, taken by the French. Marine Sociery ellabhfhed in Lon- don. ParHament relolves to augment the iand army from 35,000 to 49,740 efFeftive men; and the feamen to 55,000, including 11,419 marines j and to raife 8,350,325!. to defray the charges of the war, &c. That the electric fluid would emit fparks, difco- vered -Admiral Byng fhot. I'he Duke of Cumberland goes to Hanover ; has fundry battles with the French : Refigns, and Prince Ferdinand fuc- f ceeds him— who obtains feveral victories over the Gallic troops, and recovers a number of places that had been in their pofTeffion. The Ifle of K\yi taken from the French. The French take and demolifh Fort William Henry. Bufbudgia, in Bengal, with fundry other places are taken by the Englifh. The Nabob's army IS defeated : he is imprifoned, and put to death. Admiral Watfon dies. Parliament fettles the fup- plies, which amount to 10,486,452!. 1758. Several French veiTels are taken by the Eiuriifh near Carthagena. The Prince George, of 80 guns, commanded by Rear-Admiral Brode- nek, on a pafllige to the Mediterranean, acci- dentally takes fire, and burns till fl,e finks : tae uumirai, ^vuh .bout 300 men, make their efcape CHRONOLOGY. 'i :he illand of rdicci Fort :aken by the led in Lon- lent the iand 2ftiv€ men; dirg 11,419 o defray the arks, difco- Ilumberland les with the dinand fuc- Elories over number of [Tion. The ich. The iam Henry, thcr places, bob's army Lit to death. 'es the fup- I. he Eiigllfh rge, of 80 al Brode- lean, acci- Hie fmks : nake their efcape A. D. 1758. efcape to land ; and 500 perifli. Lord Anfon and Sir Edward Hawke fail to St. Malo. The Britifl) troops, under the command of the Duke of Marlborough, take poflelTion, and burn a French fleet, confiding of 2 men of war, 3 3 privateers, and above 70 fail of merchant fhips. The Englidi fleet and army leave St. Malo, and take poflfefllon of Cherburgh, where they de- ftroy the famous bafon, harbour and fluice, in that place. They leave Cherburgh, go to St. Briac, near St. Malo, and deftroy about 15 fmall veflels. On re-embarking, the French fall on them, and kill and take about looo men. Gen. Drury and Sir John Armitage were among the flain. Fort Louis and the town of Senegal taken by the Englifli. Goree taken from the French by Commodore Keppel. Fifty thoufand Englifh troops in America. Gen. Amherfl: and Admiral Bofcawen take Cape Breton. The Ifland of St. John, in the Gulph of St. Lawrence, taken from the French by the Er-Hfli, under the command of Lieutenant- Colonel Lord Rollo. Gen. Abercrombie re- pulfed at Ticonderoga-T-where Lord Howe is ilain. Fort Frontinac taken from the French and Indians, by Col. Bradftreet : Ke deftroys nine armed veflels belonging to the enemy. Britradier- General Fnrhpc faL-00 i?^-*. j.. r\...r. from the French. The i6 THE AMERICAN ORACf.E. ^Hli! M A. D. I75S. The Englifh demoHfh a fort in Grand Ana Bay, in Martinico, and tal'e four piivateers from the French. Prince Ferdinand, with the allied armv, obtains great vidorics over the French in ih Hanove- rian dominions. The Dul^eof Marlborough dies. Parliament grants 12,761,310!. 196. 5d. to fupport the war. 1759- The French and the Pretender meditate to invade England. Admiral Rodney bombards Havre, and burns the florcs intended for the in vail on. The French abandon the town. Admiral Bofcawen cannonades the French at Tou- lon. Afterwards he takes two French men of war, and deftroys two more, near Gibraltar. Sir Edward Hawke blocks up the French fleet in the harbour of Breft, but is driven from thence by a llorm. The French purfue, and are de- feated by having a number of their fhips de- firoyed by Sir Edward, which renders tlieir intention of invading England abortive. Guadaloupe taken by the Englifh, commanded by Gene Hopfon and Barrington, with the iflands Defeada, Los Santos, and Marigalante, in tlic Weil Indies. The French in Canada induce the favages to commit the moft horrid barbari- ties upon the fubjeds of New England. The Englifh make peace with fifteen Indian nations, vwii. .timuciit tukcs liconuciago and Crown Point. CHRONOLOGY, '7 P^B A. D. 1759. Point. Sir William Johnfon takes Niagara Gen. Wolfe killed, Sept. 12. qiicbec taken] Sept. 18. Col. Ford obtained a complete vie! tory over the French near MafuHpatam. Col. Maitland takes the town and caftle of Suart.* Vice-Admiral Pocock lights with a French fleet, and becomes mafler of the Indian coaft A Du^.h Commodore refufing to let Captain Wili a pafs, the Captain reinforces Col. Coote on the coaft of Coromandel, defeats the French ^ and takes four of the Com,nodore\s (hips ; and Mun/ter taken by Gen. ImhofF. Many more flur m,fl.es happened in that country that year .Jch^ the E^^^^^^ Parliament raifes 16,130,561!. g,, gd. for de fraymg the charges of the war. The Fre.ch take Carrickfergu 1 in Ireland \' u t' It '-''''''' ^^^^^^^^^ ^ Ifle of Man, by Capt. Elliot, Capt. Log e and Capt. Clement. A fmar- .r, ^ ' i" which the Frentht IdrofCaTer'^H' the,r Commander, M.de Thuro l rt "' "' The Cherokee Indians on the baclc ofN^nhC.r t^ 'r«'?«^'l •^y^'^eFrench) break *S r -^unuerandmaflacremanyofth;S The i8 THE AMERICAN ORACLil* -r i A. D. 1760. The Governor of North Carolina makes peace with them J but as foon as he had returned home, they attempted to furprife Fort George, kill- ed all the Englifh traders in their country, and mallacred forty of the defencelefs inhabi- tants. Gen. Amherfl: fends Col. Montgomery with 1200- me«, who chaftifed the Cherokees by deftroy- ing every village and houfc in the lower nation^ putting great numbers to death, and bringing 40 women and children as prifoners to Fort George. Afterwards they made another cx- curiion in the middle f^ttlemencs, deflroying all before them with fire and fword. The In- , dians, in revenge, attacked Fort London ; and, after granting a capitulation, maifacred the greateft part of the garrifon. M. de Levis, with 1 2,000 men, befieges CKiebec, And Gen. Murray, with 3000 men, fAp. 28.} marched out near three miles from the city, loft 1000 men in killed and wounded, and was obliged to retreat back to the city. On the arrival of an Englifli fleet from Halifax, under the command of Lord Colville, the fiege was raifed, and the French fled to Montreal— wh. . e three Engliili armies met afterwards ; and Vau- dreuil, the French Governor, finding himfelf entirely inclofed by the three armies, furren- dered the garrifon, with all Canada, Sept. 8, on condition that the French fliould enjoy their religion and etfeas j and that thofe of the French CHRONOLOGY. .A. D. 1760. French that chofe to return to France, fhould be tranfported thither. In the courfe of the fummer. Captain Byron, with three fhips, deftroyed the French fettlements in the Bay of Chaleur, where he took 3 frigates and 1 9 fmailer vefTels. This year the walls of Cape Breton were demolifh- ed, and the implements of war, artillery and ammunition carried to Halifax, by order of his Britannic Majefty. Arcot, Parmacoil, Alumparva, Carical, and Pon- dicherry, in the Eaft Indies, taken by the Eng- lilh. ^ ^ The French army in Germany ccnfifled of near 130,000 men, and the Englifli of 25,000 : the allied fell very fhort of the French army in numbers, but they exceeded in the quality of the troops. Many heavy battles were fought, and many viaories obtained over the enemy. ' King George II. dies, and King George III. begins to reign. The Commons grant upwards of ^9,000,0001. for the fervice of the current year. A. D. 1761. Prince Ferdinand, with the allied army, obtains a ' yiaory over the French, who lofe 5000 men m battle. In another battle Prince Henry, brother to the hereditary Prince, is mortally wounded. Many fkirmiflies enfue. Major Heaor Monro takes Mahle, in the Eaft In, dies- Sbah A6 THE AMERICAN ORACLE. iMiJ «i A. D. I 761. Shah Zadda, a prince of the Mogul empire, joins the French in the Eaft Indies, but is routed by the Englifh troops, who take all their artillery, part of their baggage, and a number of French officers. Lord Rollo, and Sir James Douglas, take the ifland of Dominique from the French in the Wefl In- dies. Numbers of vefTels are taken from the French this year, in different parts of the world. The ifland of Belleifle taken from the French by Admiral Keppel, and Major-General Hodgfon, June 7th. The Commons fettle thefupplies which amounted to 18,229,1351. iSs. iitd. The Spaniards declare war againft Great Britain. 1762. England declares war againfl Spain. Peter III. Emperor of Ruflia, is depofed, imprifon- ed, and murdered. American Philofophical Society eftabliflied at Phi- ladelphia. The Englifli take Martinico, with all the Caribbee iHands in the Wefl Indies, from the French. Havannah taken from the Spaniards by the Englifh. • Manilla, in the Eafl Indies, taken by the Endifh from the Spaniards. Sundry vidories obtained over the French in Ger- many, by the Englifh and the allied armies. 1763. Peace eftablifhed between Great Britain, France • Spam, and Portugal j and Canada, Nova Sco' tia. CHRONOLOGY. cr ipirc, joins ; routed by ir artillery, ■ of French 2 the ifland e Wefl In- rench this "rench by Hodgfon, amounted Britain. imprifon- d at Phi- Caribbee ench. Englifli. : Englifli in Ger- mies. ce. Fran )va Sco- tiii. A. D. 1763. tia, Eaft and Weft Florida, part of Louifiana, Granada, St. Vincent, Dominica, and Tobago, are confirmed to the Britifh empire. 1764. Parliament grants 1 0,000 1. to Mr. Harrifon for his difcovery of longitude by his time piece. A Society of Artifts incor|x)ratcd in England. Stamp a6l paffed. The Americans oppofe it. The merchants enter into a non-importation agree-, ment. Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, in- ftituted at New York, March 18. Stamp aft repealed. April 2 1 , A fpot^ or macula of the fun, more than thrice as big as this earth, paffes over the cen- tre of his body. . ? 1768. Academy of Painting eftabliflied in London. War declared between the Ruffians and Turks. Great difturbances in America concerning duties laid by Parliament on glafs, fait, &c. The merchants agree, not to import fuperiiuities from England. The Be .nians demolifh the houfes of the cuftom-houfe officers. Two re- giments fent from Ireland, to fupport the civil power at Bofton. The King acquaints the Parliament with the con- duft of the Americans. 96 public edifices, 4048 houfes, and 1000 perfons, dcftroyed by a hurricane at the Havannah. C -^ A, D. i76'9, 22 TilE AMERICAN ORACLE. A. D. 1769. The Boflonians petition Parliament, praying that the revenue acts may be repealed. The prayer of the petition not granted. Mention is made of the riots and tumults in Boflon, &c. and Parliament refolves, that all ads made in the Colonies, which tended towards the throw- ing off the fovereignty of the Britilh Parlia- ment, were illegal and unconftitutional, ancj derogatory to the crown :.nd dignity of his Majefly, &c. A comet appears, with a very long tail. The King acquaints the Parliament with the dif, tradted condition of America. • ■ Some of the merchants in England petition Parlia- ment, praying that the duties might be taken off of fundry articles imported to America : their prayer is in part granted. Mar. 5. Capt. Preflon, of the 29th regiment, with a number of his men, being furrounded and abufed by a mob, the mob is fired upon, and five are killed ; which adion was afterwards called by the Americans, the Bojlon mafacre. The King acquaints the Parliament with the condi- tion of the Colonies in general, and the condu(5l of the Boftonians in particular. 250,000 people die of the plague in Poland. l)r. Solander, Mr. Banks, and Lieut. Cooke, re- turn to England from a voyage round the world. ''f: aying that Mention lofton, &c. s made in the throw- ilh Parlia- ional, ancj ity of his 1 the dif- on Parlia- be taken America : ent, with nded and pen, and . fterwards (facre. he condi- : condiift and. oke, re- fund the world. CHRONOLOGY. A. D. 1771. work!, having made feveral important difcove- lies in thv ,ou:h Seas. 1772. The King of Sweden changes the conllitution from ariftocracy to a limited monarchy. The Emperor of Germany, Emprefs of Ruflia, and King of Pruffia, ftrip the King of Poland of a , great part of his dominions, which they divide among themfelves, in violation of the mod fo- lemn treaties. €apt. Phipps fent to explore the north pole ; but is flopped by the ice at lat. 8 1 deg. N. The Jefuits expelled the Pope's dominions. The Ealt India Company fends their cargoes of tea to ronfignees in America, Parliament having lowered the duty from 12 to 3d. per pound. Dec. 16. A mob at Bofton deftroys 342 cherts, by throwing it into the fea. Died of a plague at Baifora, in Perfia, 80,000 per- fons. 1774. Peace proclaimed between the Ruffians and Turks. The Americans deny that the Britifli Parliament had a right to tax them. Parliament pafTes an ad iox flmtting up the port of Boflon, till fatisfaaion fliould be made to the Eafl India Company, &c. ; and alio another aci, for regulating the government of the Mafla- chufetts Bay, and for fending criminals to Eng- land to be tried, if juflice could not be had in C4 the 24 THE AMERICAN ORACLE* A. D. 1774. the Colonies. Alfo, an nd was pafTed for the future government of qiiebec, in which the Romifli clergy were allowed the free exercife of their religion. Gen. Gage arrives at Boilon with a fleet and army. The port is fhut up. The BoHonians enter into a folemn league and co- venant, not to export or import any commodi- ties to or from Great Britain, nor to have con- nexion or trade with any one fo doing, till all their rights and charters fhould be reftored to them. Sept. 5. A Continental Congrcfs meets at Philadel- _ phia. The people in the Maflachufetts mob the King's counfellors and other friends of Govern- ment, who flee to his MajeRy's army for pro- tedlion. Committees of correfpondence are chofen ; the courts of juflice are flopped ; and many of the military officers refign their commiffion's in the Mi'ffachufetts. Gen. Gage feizes the provincial flores in the I\Iaf- fachufetts, and fortifies the town of Bofton, in confequence of the preparations for war in the colonies by the Americans. The Reprefentatives, without the advice and con- fent of the Governor and Council, proclaim a fafl. And, Some of the clergy, refufnig to obey the procla^ mation, are treated as enemies to the country. The millers not allowed to grind any grain for the friends of Governm.entj nor th( 1 a rvn r-i%* ^\\ ^ -a^ m. ^ _ and mechanics ^ ^ CHRONOLOGY. 25 A. D. 1774. mechanics to have any correfpondence with them. The printers were forbid to print for the tories ; and the people were not allowed to drink tea, nor the clergy to pray for the Kino-. The people conftrained to flgn leagues and cove- nants ; fpend much time in making iniple- ments of war, and in running to trainings, town and committee meetings, county conven! tions, &c. Aproclamation iffued in England to prevent the ex- portation of arms and ammunition to America. The people in Rhode Ifland and New Hampfhire fbize and carry off the cannon and other pro- perty belonging to the crown, which was de- pofited in thofe governments. Minute-men, or men to be ready at a minute^s warnmg to fight againft the King's troops, cholen in the Maffachufetts. A falfe report is fpread, viz. that the King's troops had been from Bofton to Cambridge, and had, %vithout any provocation, killed fix innocent people there. Whereupon the militia was raifed in the Maffachufetts, Connedicut, &c. and marched, in great multitudes, to take Bof- ton ; but, on finding they had been mifinform- ed, returned back to their habitations. ^775* April 15. The battle of Lexington. May ic. ':"iconderago taken from the Britifh bv Col. Ethan Allen. May 14. Crov/n Point taken troops. from the King's May 25. 26 THE AMERICAN ORACLE. id ■4u: A. D. 1775. May 25. Gen. Howe, Clinton, and Biirgoyne, ar- rive at Boflon. June 17. Battle at Bunker's Hill: Charleflown burnt : Gen. Warren flain. Aug. 23. The King iillies a proclamation for the fuppreiTion of fedition and rebdiion. 0 I li::! ^1' iv A 3a THE AMERICAN ORACLE. A. D. 1782. Ceylon, in which a great number of men Were lofl on both fides. May 8. The ifland of Bahama taken by the Spa- niards from the Englifli. Aug. 29. The Royal George, of 1 10 guns, is over- fet, and funk in the Englifli Channel, and about 900 people perifli. Sept. 13. Gen. Elliot defeats the combined fleets of France and Spain at Gibraltar. Od. 6. Peace proclaimed between Great Britain, France, and Spain. r/ doubt, do fhine with fplendid light. And planets roll, adorn'd with day and night. Where beings do perhaps their voices raife, In celebrating their Creator's praife 1 When I've thus view'd the fyftems to and fro, My wand'ring thoughts defcend to objeas low : Froni upper worlds moll rapidly they fall. To view God's works upon this earthly baU, I>3 ' Here 3» THE AMERICAN ORACLE, -f'rll jf.,.|j':!| ■ Here I gaze at the lands, the rocks, the feas, The nurn'rous plants, and diff'rent kinds of tretfc ; The birds, the beafts, the fifties — all tiiat be In air, In earth, and the exten five fca. I view the people all, both great and fmail, 1)1 kingdoms, towns, and cities large and tall ; See their religion, cuftomo, and their laws. Their times of peace, and times of blqody v'ars^ The elements I view of ev'ry kind. And all their qualities do try to find. And whilft Pm thinking of great Nature^s laws, I aflc myfelf, what truly is the came Why clouds arife ? Why ftorms of rain and fnow * Why fogs appear, and boifl'rous winds do blow ? Why tides fpving up, and billows roar aloud ? And the grum thunder rumbles thro' the cloud ? Why flaming lightning often zigj!ag flies ? And the mock funs appear within the fliies ? The metpors why ? and why tlie northern light ? And rainbow comes fo frequent in our fight i Why other things fo often do appear Within the earth's extenfive atmofphere? Why inundations do fo oft arife, And drown the people in a great furprife ? Why mountains burn ? and why the hills do /hake ? What thing it L that caufes an earthquake ? Why cities fink ? and other places fall So low t^it they cannot be feen at all ? Why .uands rife, that ne'er were feen before ? And hills fpring up upon the rocky fliore ? Why fliones fall downwards ? Why the fmokes ariff Towards the regions of the upper ikies ? Why the hot flame the fuel doth confume. And where its gone when turned into fume ? What makes the fprings, in diflf'rent kinds of foil. With a great heat from day to day to boil ? Why water-fpouts and whirlwinds do arife, And raife things up towards the azure /kies ? Why the broad fea, with a fine brilliant light, Doth look fo fiery in the darkeft nie-ht > Why eaf?. if tret* J be tail; V'ars^ laws, fnow I blow ? d? oud? ght ? t? 1 /hake * •c? ces ari'ff ffoil, bt, Why THE author's contemplations. ^9 Why the bright fun upon an axis turns, And, unconfum'd, his body ever burns? Why the Almighty gives its heat fuch force, Orders its motion, and direfts its courfe ? Why planets do in wond'rous order run. From age to age, around the fpleadid fun ? Why this great globe, with unfelt motion, rolls Upon an axis pointing to the poles ? What makes the cold, and what doth make 'le heat ? And the proudi waves againft the mountains beat ? What brings the fpring, the fummer, and the fall. And winter time, upon this earthly ball ? What makes the day ? and what doth make the night ? And what divides the darknefs from the light ? What makes the compafs vary from the poles ? And why the variation weftward rolls ? Why northern lights were n't feen upon the ilage9 Until men liv'd within the prefent age ? When in the morn Pm weary of my bed, I rife and write what came into my head, What I upon great Nature's laws had thought. What in the night had to my mind been brought : But ftill I find my thoughts, without controul. Upon a number of great objefts roll. I go to work, and, with a fteady mind. The planets places in their orbits find. For times not come I find their longitude. And compute their diurnal latitude ; Their right afcenfions, declinations too ; Their rifings, fettings — all point out I do. Eclipfes, tranfits, occultations, I Foretcl how foon they wiU be drawing nigh. In obfcurations of the fhining fun, I find the courfe that the dark moon will run ; Where her penumbra firft will ftrike the globe. And bring thereon a doleful mourning robe ! How far her (hadow really will expand. And obumbrate the fea and folid latad. I always aim to be exceeding furc To tell how long eclipfes will endure : D 4 Wfctti ) ! ! il ■ir Mm 'li '