“The Baron Van der Capellan, commanding the forces by land, has acquainted me with the assistance you have so effectually lent him, and in such a distinguished manner, during the blockade. I fed it incumbent on me to express my sentiments on the occasion, and to assure you of th<t high esteem which you have inspired fur the character of a British naval officer, and of your personal merits in particular.
An unpleasant discussion with the Prussian authorities, occasioned by Captain Devon having prevented them from seizing a quantity of valuable spars, in the charge of an agent employed by the British government, terminated the Brevdrageren’s services in the river Ems; but on this, as on every former occasion, her commander’s conduct met with official approbation. She returned home in July, 1814; and being then found unfit for further service, was soon afterwards put out of commission.
Captain Devon’s next appointment was, Sept. 26, 1814, to the Icarus brig, of 10 guns, which vessel formed part of the squadron sent to escort Napoleon Buonaparte to St. Helena, from whence we find her despatched to the Isle of France and Calcutta; she was paid off, on her return home, in April, 1817. Captain Devon subsequently received an official notification from Count Munster, the Hanoverian Minister, as follows:
“Sir,– It gives me great pleasure to have to acquaint you, that His Majesty, in consideration of the active, gallant, and zealous services you rendered when under the orders of Captain Farquhar, commanding a detached squadron in the rivers Elbe, Weser, and Ems, in the year 1813, has been most graciously pleased to nominate and appoint you a Knight of the Royal Guelphic Order, the decoration of which will be transmitted to you by the first opportunity.
Captain Devon was advanced to the rank he now holds. May 27th, 1825. He married, in April, 1809, Anne, daughter of Mr. Tompson, a respectable medical practitioner in the neighbourhood of Exeter.
Agent.– Messrs. Stilwell.
