26 events the sources record for this year, grouped by region.
What happened
China (2)
In the seventh month Altai reported that the chieftain of Lesser Jinchuan was besieging and attacking Wokeshi, and an order to punish him was issued. (Draft History of Qing (Qingshigao) 清史稿 卷13 乾隆36年七月)
In the ninth month the Torghut chieftain Wapaxi was enfeoffed as Khan Julikeduhan of the old Torghut, Ceboke Dorji as prince, and Sheleng as junior prince. (Draft History of Qing (Qingshigao) 清史稿 卷13 乾隆36年九月)
Korean Peninsula (2)
Obituary of Yi Jeon, Prince Gyeongheung, Deputy Envoy to the Winter Solstice Embassy (Annals of the Joseon Dynasty 英祖實錄 四十七年 · 英祖實錄 78책 116권 23장 A면 · 기사 wua_14704020_003)
Goes to Mohwa Hall to see off the Jinju envoy (Annals of the Joseon Dynasty 英祖實錄 四十七年 · 英祖實錄 78책 116권 33장 B면 · 기사 wua_14705027_001)
Marine corporal John Trusslove died; they blamed the water taken on at Princes Island and put lime into the casks. (Captain Cook's Journal (First Voyage) 원문 19473행 (1771-01-24))
Charles Green, whom the Royal Society had sent to observe the transit of Venus, died at night. (Captain Cook's Journal (First Voyage) 원문 19506행 (1771-01-29))
Four died of dysentery within 24 hours (including the sailor John Thompson); there was also a lack of healthy men to look after the sails. (Captain Cook's Journal (First Voyage) 원문 19522행 (1771-01-31))
Sub-Saharan Africa (10)
Henry Jeffs, Emanuel Parreyra and Peter Morgan died of dysentery (editor's note: seven died at Batavia; 23 had died from departure up to this point). (Captain Cook's Journal (First Voyage) 원문 19706행 (1771-02-27))
Cape Laguillas (editor: L'Agulhas) bore west 3 leagues; a south wind blew, so they turned about. (Captain Cook's Journal (First Voyage) 원문 19866행 (1771-03-12))
A Dutch boat came to direct them to their anchorage; they anchored in 7 fathoms around 10 o'clock. (Captain Cook's Journal (First Voyage) 원문 19919행 (1771-03-15))
Three men died at the Cape; the complement was made up with replacements and they prepared to sail. (Captain Cook's Journal (First Voyage) 원문 20186행 (1771-04-14))
Without waiting for English news, they left the bay on a west-south-west wind and fired a 13-gun salute. (Captain Cook's Journal (First Voyage) 원문 20191행 (1771-04-15))
On 30 April at noon they anchored in 24 fathoms in front of James Fort; the warships Portland and Swallow and 12 Indiamen were there. (Captain Cook's Journal (First Voyage) 원문 20412행 (1771-04-30))
Ascension Island seen NNW 7 leagues; handed over the Admiralty letters and a chest of logs to Captain Elliott. (Captain Cook's Journal (First Voyage) 원문 20473행 (1771-05-10))
From a Boston ship they heard that England had no news of them at all, and there was even a wager that they had sunk. (Captain Cook's Journal (First Voyage) 원문 20850행 (1771-07-07))
Western Europe (2)
Struck bottom at 60 fathoms and judged their position to be level with the Scillies; at noon Land's End came into view. (Captain Cook's Journal (First Voyage) 원문 20876행 (1771-07-10))
Anchored in 18 fathoms south-east of Princes Island to take on firewood, water and fresh stores to recover strength; the crew's health was worse than when they left Batavia. (Captain Cook's Journal (First Voyage) 원문 19389행 (1771-01-06))
The Lizard headland and lighthouse bore NW 5 leagues; two ships that looked like warships. (Captain Cook's Journal (First Voyage) 원문 20884행 (1771-07-11))
Ran up the Channel quickly on a south-west wind and passed the Bill of Portland and Peverell Point. (Captain Cook's Journal (First Voyage) 원문 20895행 (1771-07-12))