The Spanish Government had for several months complained about Moroccan based piracy and perceived insults against Europeans in the Spanish enclave of Cueta on the Moroccan coast.  The ultimatum delivered on October 15, 1859 was two days later answered in the negative. The Spanish had been preparing an expedition against Morocco for some time and were probably already decided upon the six month war that began officially on October 22, 1859. (By John Osborne)

The Spanish Government had for several months complained about Moroccan based piracy and hostility to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on the Moroccan coast.  Two ultimatums had been sent demanding redress and territorial concessions but both had been rejected.  A third was delivered on October 15, 1859 and two days later answered in the negative. The Spanish had been preparing an expedition against Morocco for some time and were probably already decided upon the six month war that began soon after. (By John Osborne)

The All-England Cricket team continued its popular tour of North America with a match against a United States twenty-two man team in Philadelphia.  The visitors were made to feel at home when rain and wet grounds delayed the start of play till the afternoon on the first day.  (By John Osborne) 

South Carolinian Alexander Gregg was consecrated on October 13, 1859 as  the first Episcopal bishop of Texas during the Annual Convention of the Episcopal Church held in Richmond, Virginia.  He moved to Texas in 1860 and later was a strong supporter of the Confederacy and the split between the denomination north and south.  (By John Osborne)

In south Texas, the bandit Juan Nepomucino Cortina, who saw himself as the protector of Mexicans living near the border, occupied the town of Brownsville with a large force, opened the city jail and killed five men.  Mexican military authorities from Matamoras, just across the border, persuaded him to camp outside the town, moved Mexican army troops into the streets of Brownsville, and placed its citizens under their protection till aid could arrive from San Antonio.  (By John Osborne)

Five states held general elections on October  11, 1859.  Only Minnesota was electing a new congressman while Ohio had a contest for a replacement.  All other races were state level.  Ohio, Iowa, and Minnesota ran a full slate of elections while Pennsylvania elected an Auditor-General and Indiana four state representatives.  (By John Osborne)

Two days before, the passenger steamer Quaker City suffered the loss of its engines in an explosion and found itself leaking and adrift about fifty miles due east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.  The small bark Dunbarton appeared and took off most of the passengers, around 100 people, and later transferred them to the steamer Louisiana, which brought them safely to Norfolk, Virginia.  The Quaker City, threatened by heavy seas but still afloat, eventually was taken under tow and reached Norfolk on October 12.  (By John Osborne)

The passenger steamer Quaker City bound for Havana from New York suffered the loss of its engines in an explosion during the early morning hours and found itself leaking and adrift about fifty miles due east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.  The small bark Dunbarton appeared and took off most of the passengers, around 100 people.  The Quaker City, threatened by heavy seas but still afloat, eventually was taken under tow and reached Norfolk on October 12.  (By John Osborne)