for an armistice.

Napoleon met Alexander on a richly carpeted raft on the Niemen, and peace
was arranged; Russia to break with England and annex Finland; Prussia to
be left out of the Federation of the Rhine; the Ionian Isles and
Montenegro to be taken from Turkey, and war to be begun against Sweden,
Denmark, and Portugal, unless they join in the blockade against England.
The British evacuated Egypt. Napoleon began internal reforms at home and
aided manufacturers.

Encounter between the American frigate Chesapeake and the British ship
Leopard; three Americans killed and eight wounded; Commodore Barron, of
the Chesapeake, disgraced; three of the sailors taken from the Chesapeake
received five hundred lashes each, and one was hanged. America threatened
war, but English authorities approved. England seized the Danish fleet to
prevent Napoleon from turning it against her. The slave-trade abolished by
the English Parliament. England forbade American vessels to trade between
any but its own or British ports. The Sultan Selim was deposed by his
followers. Sweden lost Stralsund to the French. Prussia abolished serfdom
and feudal social distinctions. French troops occupied Portugal, driving
the Portuguese court and royal family to Brazil. America laid an embargo
on British goods. The trial of Aaron Burr for treason, and his acquittal,
the growing discussion of slavery in the American Congress, and the
trouble with England harassed Jefferson and made his position almost
unendurable.

In August, Robert Fulton at last succeeded in his experiments on the
Hudson, and his steamship, the Clermont, on September 14, began a trip
from New York to Albany, one hundred and ten miles, taking twenty-four
hours. A great Sanhedrim, or convention, of Jewish rabbis, in Paris passed
upon and modified the interpretation of the Mosaic dispensation.
Artificial aeration of waters discovered. First capitol built at Albany.
Davy separated potassium and sodium. Illuminating-gas first used in
London.

=RULERS--The same as in the previous year.=

1808

France seized strongholds in northern Spain; Murat took command of the
French forces. Spanish Minister Godoy, possessor of immense wealth looted
from the government, resigned power. King Charles of Spain abdicated in
favor of his son Ferdinand. Murat entered Madrid; riots there against the
French. Ferdinand of Spain, decoyed to meet Napoleon, forced to abdicate
and held prisoner. Rome invaded by Na