Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v3p1.djvu/249

 a telegraphic message, – a proof of the opinion entertained by the First Lord, of his abilities and zeal.

After the capture of the enemy’s shipping at Braak, in the duchy of Oldenburgh, by a detachment under Captain M‘Kerlie, of which mention has been made in that officer’s memoir, Captain Devon handsomely volunteered to conduct the two principal vessels down the Weser, and was accordingly placed in charge of a new 20-gun corvette, which he carried by night between Blexen and Bremer-lehe, and then, through a still narrow and intricate navigation, to her destined anchorage at the mouth of the river: – a repetition of this dangerous service was rendered unnecessary, by the sudden arrival of a battalion of Russian infantry and some Cossacks, with which force, being at that time the senior naval officer on the spot, he immediately commenced active co-operation against the above mentioned fortresses. He was subsequently entrusted with the command of the seamen landed by Captain Farquhar to erect batteries and mount sea ordnance for the reduction of those strong works, the Russians having come unprovided with any artillery, – which services were effected under very considerable difficulties and a continual sharp fire.

The operations in the Weser having been completed by the subjugation of Blexen and Bremer-lehe, Captain Devon was despatched from thence, with two gun-vessels under his orders, to support another detachment of the allied army, advancing by Embden towards Delfzyl, into which place the French had thrown a large reinforcement. There were then no less than seventeen armed vessels lying in the haven, all perfectly equipped; notwithstanding which, he anchored the Brevdrageren just out of range of the enemy’s batteries, and immediately established a most rigorous blockade. He also assisted in repelling numerous sorties made by the enemy, who, however, held out until the occupation of Paris by the allies, in April, 1814. On the 28th of the following month, the Secretary of State at the Hague addressed a letter to Captain Devon, of which we shall here give an extract:–

