Events January–March January 1 The importation of slaves into the United States is banned, as the 1807 Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves takes effect; African slaves continue to be imported into Cuba, and until the island abolishes slavery in 1865, half a million slaves will arrive on the island. Sierra Leone becomes a British Crown Colony. January 12 The organizational meeting leading to the creation of the Wernerian Natural History Society, a Scottish learned society, is held in Edinburgh. John Rennie's scheme to defend St Mary's Church, Reculver in south east England, founded in 669, from coastal erosion is abandoned in favour of demolition, despite the church being an exemplar of Anglo-Saxon architecture and sculpture. January 22 – Transfer of the Portuguese court to Brazil: John (Dom João), Prince Regent, and the Bragança royal family of Portugal arrive in their colony of Brazil in exile from the French occupation of their home kingdom. January 26 – Rum Rebellion: On the 20th anniversary of the foundation of the colony of New South Wales, disgruntled military officers of the New South Wales Corps (the Rum Corps) overthrow and imprison Governor William Bligh and seize control of the colony. February 2 – French troops occupy the Papal States. February 6 – The ship Topaz (from Boston April 5, 1807, hunting seals) rediscovers the Pitcairn Islands; only one HMS Bounty mutineer is still alive, John Adams, who is using the pseudonym Alexander Smith. February 11 – In Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Jesse Fell becomes the first person in the world to burn anthracite coal as residential heating fuel. February 21 The Finnish War begins as Russian troops cross the border into Finland without a declaration of war. Russia issues an ultimatum to Sweden, to join Napoleon's Continental System against the United Kingdom. March 1 – The slave trade is abolished by the United Kingdom in all of its colonies as the Slave Trade Act 1807 takes effect. This year, the British Royal Navy establishes the West Africa Squadron on the coast of West Africa to enforce the abolitionist Blockade of Africa. March 2 Russian troops occupy Helsinki and threaten Sveaborg. The inaugural meeting of the Wernerian Natural History Society, a Scottish learned society, is held in Edinburgh. March 7 – Transfer of the Portuguese court to Brazil: The Portuguese royal court arrives in Rio de Janeiro, making it the centre of the Portuguese Empire. March 11