Browsing named entities in Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing). You can also browse the collection for February 17th or search for February 17th in all documents.

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Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing), Conciliation measures. (search)
July 31, 1775), in which the generally unsatisfactory character and the unsafe vagueness of the ministerial offer were fully exposed. The Congress accepted the report and published it to the world. When Parliament reassembled after the Christmas holidays (January, 1778), the opposition exposed the losses, expenses, and hopelessness of the war with the colonists; and, to the surprise and disgust of some of his most ardent supporters, Lord North presented a second plan for reconciliation (Feb. 17), and declared he had always been in favor of peace, and opposed to taxing the Americans. He introduced two bills: one renouncing, on the part of the British Parliament, any intention to levy taxes in America—conceding, in substance, the whole original ground of dispute; the other authorizing the appointment of five commissioners, the commanders of the naval and military forces to be two, with ample powers to treat for the re-establishment of royal authority. Meanwhile David Hartley, an o
Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing), Erie, Lake, battle on. (search)
he naval supremacy on Lake Erie. The necessity for such an attainment was so obvious before the close of 1812 that the government took vigorous action in the matter. Isaac Chauncey was in command of a little squadron on Lake Ontario late Perry's battle flag. in 1812, and Capt. Oliver Hazard Perry, a zealous young naval officer, of Rhode Island, who was in command of a flotilla of gunboats on the Newport station, offered his services on the Lakes. Chauncey desired his services, and on Feb. 17 Perry received orders from the Secretary of the Navy to report to Chauncey with all possible despatch, and to take with him to Sackett's Harbor all of the best men of the flotilla at Newport. He sent them forward, in companies of fifty, under Sailing-Masters Almy, Champlin, and Taylor. He met Chauncey at Albany, and they journeyed together in a sleigh through the then wilderness to Sackett's Harbor. In March Perry went to Presque Isle (now Erie, Pa.) to hasten the construction and equipm
Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing), Hamilton, Alexander 1757- (search)
sts, as a party, ought to support Aaron Burr for the office of governor of the State of New York. In a bedroom adjoining the closed dining-room in which the caucus was held one or two of Burr's political friends were concealed, and heard every word uttered in the meeting. The characters of men were fully discussed, and Hamilton, in a speech, spoke of Burr as an unsuitable candidate, because no reliance could be placed in him. The spies reported the proceedings to their principal, and on Feb. 17 a correspondent of the Morning chronicle wrote that at a Federal meeting the night before the principal part of Hamilton's speech went to show that no reliance ought to be placed in Mr. Burr. In the election which ensued Burr was defeated, and, though Hamilton had taken no part in the canvass, his influence was such that Burr attributed his defeat to him. Burr, defeated and politically ruined, evidently determined on revenge—a revenge that nothing but the life of Hamilton would satiate. D
Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing), Sherman, William Tecumseh 1820-1829 (search)
Confederates from their position at Orangeburg and began destroying the railway there. On Feb. 18 they began a march directly to Columbia, the capital of South Carolina, driving the Confederates before them wherever they appeared. Sherman's march was so rapid that troops for the defence of the capital could not be gathered in time. He was in front of Columbia before any adequate force for its defence appeared. Beauregard was in command there, and had promised much, but did little. On Feb. 17 the Nationals entered Columbia; and on the same day Charleston, flanked, was evacuated by Hardee (see Charleston). The rear guard of the Confederates, under Wade Hampton, on retiring, set fire to cotton in the streets; and the high wind sent the burning fibre into the air, setting fire to the dwellings, and in the course of a few hours that beautiful city was in ruins (Columbia). Sherman, after destroying the arsenal at Columbia, left the ruined city and pressed on with his forces to Fayett
Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing), Spain, War with (search)
ates Senate discussed intervention in Cuba. Feb. 14. Resolutions requesting the President to transmit information relative to the situation in Cuba were adopted by Congress. Feb. 14. Señor Luis Polo y Bernabe was appointed Spanish minister to the United States to succeed Señor De Lome. Feb. 15. The battle-ship Maine was blown up in the harbor of Havana by a floating mine; 260 American lives were destroyed. Feb. 16. Spain officially expressed regret for the Maine incident. Feb. 17. A naval court of inquiry into the cause of the destruction of the Maine was appointed by the United States government. Feb. 18-25. The Spanish cruiser Vizcaya visited New York Harbor. On the last date she sailed for Havana. Feb. 20. The court of inquiry began its session in Havana. Feb. 22. The cruiser Montgomery proceeded to Havana. March 5. Spain asked for the recall of Consul-General Lee, which was promptly refused by the United States government. March 7. A bill
Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing), Twiggs, David Emanuel 1790-1862 (search)
vid Emanuel Twiggs. 18), relieved him from the command in Texas, and gave it to Col. Charles A. Waite. When Devine and Maverick heard of the arrival of the order in San Antonio, they took measures to prevent its reaching Colonel Waite, who was 60 miles distant; but the vigilant Colonel Nichols, who had watched the movements of the general with the keen eye of suspicion, foiled them. He duplicated the orders, and sent two couriers with them, by different routes. One of them reached Waite Feb. 17; but the dreaded mischief had been accomplished. Twiggs had been cautious. He did not commit himself in writing; he always said, I will give up everything. He was now allowed to temporize no longer. He had to find an excuse for surrendering his troops, consisting of two skeleton corps. It was readily found. Ben McCulloch, the famous Texan ranger, was not far off with 1,000 men. He approached San Antonio at 2 A. M. on Feb. 10. He had been joined by armed Knights of the Golden circle (
Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing), United States of America. (search)
of the Senate, March 4, 1865......Feb. 17, 1865 Columbia, S. C., surrenders to General Sherman......Feb. 17, 1865 Lee takes command of the Confederate armies......Feb. 18, 1865 Charleston, S. C., evacuated and burned by General Hardee, Feb. 17, is occupied by Federal troops......Feb. 18, 1865 Fort Anderson captured by Federals under General Cox......Feb. 18, 1865 Wilmington, N. C., captured by General Schofield......Feb. 22, 1865 Secretary of the Treasury authorized to borrowpassed to establish a bureau for the relief of freedmen and refugees......March 3, 1865 A tax of 10 per cent. imposed on notes of State banks paid out after July 1, 1866......March 3, 1865 Confederate debt disowned by United States Senate, Feb. 17; by House of Representatives......March 3, 1865 Andrew Johnson inaugurated Vice-President; oath administered by H. Hamlin in the Senate chamber......March3, 1865 Thirty-eighth Congress adjourns......March 3, 1865 Senate assembles in spe
Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing), Weyler y Nicolau, Valeriano 1840- (search)
decision and energy to punish rigorously those who in any way help the enemy. Without having in mind any political mission, I would not oppose the government of his Majesty when in its wisdom, having peace in Cuba, it should think it convenient to give this country reforms with the same spirit of love in which a mother gives all things to her children. Inhabitants of the island of Cuba, lend me your help. So you will defend your interests, which are the interests of the country. On Feb. 17, he issued three proclamations, of which the following is the most important: First. Those who invent or circulate by any means whatever news or information, directly or indirectly, favorable to the rebellion will be considered guilty of acts against the security of the country as defined by Article 223 of the military code, as they thereby facilitate the operations of the enemy. Second. Those who destroy or damage railroads, telegraphs, or telephones, or interrupt the operations