The day after his return from a seven and a half month visit to Europe, Senator W. H. Seward of New York gave speeches and received citizens in the Chamber of the Board of Aldermen in New York City.  Many perceived this, correctly, as the opening of his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. (By John Osborne)  

Senator W. H. Seward arrived in New York City on his return from Europe.  He had left the country to tour and "recruit his health" in May, 1859. The next day he gave speeches and received citizens in the Chamber of the Board of Aldermen in what many perceived as the opening of his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. (By John Osborne)  

President James Buchanan sent his annual message to the Senate of the United States on this day.  The House of Representatives did not receive a copy since it was not yet organized, being embroiled in a heated partisan debate over the election of the Speaker.  (By John Osborne)

Southern medical students at the University of Pennsylvania and the Jefferson Medical School in Philadelphia met to consider quiting their studies en masse and return to the South in protest at Northern anti-slavery support.  They telegraphed Governor Wise who promised them places in Virginia schools should they do so.  The head of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad offered to pay their fares.  The following night 160 students left for Richmond.  (By John Osborne) 

Southern medical students at the University of Pennsylvania and the Jefferson Medical School in Philadelphia voted to quit their studies en masse and return to the South in protest at Northern anti-slavery support.  They were encouraged in this by Governor Wise of Virginia who promised them places in Virginia schools and by the head of the Baltimore and Ohio Railway who offered them free passage.  That night 160 students left for Richmond.  (By John Osborne) 

Governor Wise met with some of the young men from the Philadelphia medical schools just arrived in Richmond after leaving their studies in protest at Northern anti-slavery.  He told them that "With God's help we will drive all the disunionists together back into Canada."  (By John Osborne)

At five o'clock in the morning an alarm went up that a store was burning in Beekman Street in lower New York City.  The fire spread to two paper warehouses and businesses in adjoining streets before it was brought under control.  No fatalities were reported but several firemen were injured when a wall collapsed and more than $500,000 in damages resulted.  (By John Osborne) 

The Blervie Castle, a 600 tons steamship with 34 crew and 22 passengers aboard sailed from London bound for Adelaide in Australia.  The pilot left her off Dover in the evening and soon after a gale struck the vessel and drove her up on the sands in the English Channel.  The ship was completely destroyed and no survivors were found.  (By John Osborne)