23rd of September

St Linus, pope and martyr, 1st century. St Thecla, virgin and martyr, 1st century. St Adamnan, abbot, 705.

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Born. – Octavius Cæsar Augustus, first Roman emperor, 63 B.C., Aricia; Karl Theodor Körner, German poet, 1791, Dresden. 

Died. – Herman Boerhaave, distinguished physician, 1738, Leyden; Dr Matthew Baillie, eminent physician, 1823.

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NAVAL ENGAGEMENT OFF FLAMBOROUGH HEAD, SEPTEMBER 23, 1779.

On the 23d September 1779, a serious naval engagement took place on the coast of Yorkshire, H.M.S. Serapis and Countess of Scarborough being the ships on the one side, and a squadron under the command of the celebrated adventurer Paul Jones on the other. It was a time of embarrassment in England. Unexpected difficulties and disasters had been experienced in the attempt to enforce the loyalty of the American colonies. Several of England’s continental neighbours were about to take advantage of her weakness to declare against her. In that crisis it was that Jones came and insulted the coasts of Britain. Driven out of the Firth of Forth by a strong westerly wind [which was just as well since Scotland wasn’t allowed the means to defend herself at this time],^* he came southwards till he reached the neighbourhood of Flamborough Head, where he resolved to await the Baltic and merchant fleet, expected shortly to arrive there on its homeward voyage under the convoy of the two men-of-war above mentioned.

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^*  See why in the Treaty of Union Articles, Scots Request a Militia for Home Defence.

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On this Day in Other Sources.

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On the 23d [September, 1566], she repaired to Edinburgh, at the request of her Privy Council; leaving the aged Le Croc, the French ambassador, with her wayward husband, at Stirling; and on whom he threw away both his wisdom and experience. After the Queen’s departure to Edinburgh, Darnley communicated his secret to Le Croc, that he intended to leave the country, though he did not communicate the whole of his project. 

– Life of Mary, pp.136-151.

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‘All June, July, and August right evil weather… Nae aits shorn in Fortingall the 23 day of September [1576]… All October evil weather; mickle corn unshorn and unled.’ – C. F. 

– Domestic Annals, pp.56-80.

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ALEXANDER CAMPBELL THE LAIRD OF CALDER

HIS PURSMAISTERIS COMPT.

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xxiij day of September [1591] being Fuiresday in the Carrik. 

   Item giffin ther in the Carrik to the portar  

vj s. viij d.

   Item to the men of the boat that came with your servandis to Camsranniche  

vj s. viij d.

– Sketches, Appendix VIII.

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Ardkinglas was present and took instruments of his compearance. Another and another day he offered him “ready to abide the trial.” At length, on 23d September, [1596,] “the Justice, in respect nane of the King’s advocates compeirit to persew him, desertit the dyet and ordanit the cautioner of the said Laird of Ardkinlas to be relevit.” 

– Sketches, Appendix IX.

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Sep. 23 [1629]. – Susanna Chancellor, daughter of the Laird of Shieldhill, was accused before the presbytery of Lanark of consulting with charmers, and ‘burying a child’s clothes betwixt [three] lairds’ lands, for health.’ By penitently presenting herself on her knees before the reverend brethren, she was saved from the due punishment. – R. P. L. 

– Domestic Annals, pp.228-256.