by John Marshall

“ Captain Clavell was at Corfu when the Russian governor received instructions to give that island up to France, agreeably to an article in the treaty of Tilsit, but of which the British Minister, Speridion Foresti, Esq. was kept in profound ignorance until the arrival of part of the enemy’s troops intended for its future garrison. The Weazle was then returning thither with some important despatches from the senior officer off Venice, and but for a fortunate calm, at some distance from the harbour, she would in all probability have been captured. ”

“ JOHN CLAVELL, Esq.
Is a branch of one of the oldest and most respectable families in England. His ancestor came over with William the Conqueror; and the Clavells have enjoyed property in Dorsetshire ever since that era.
This officer was a midshipman of Lord Hood’s flag-ship, at the occupation of Toulon, in Aug. 1793; and he served in the land-batteries, during the siege of that place by the French republican forces. ”

“ At this time, there were a Russian line-of-battle ship and two frigates within four miles of the Weazle; and next morning, at day-light. Captain Clavell found himself in the midst of a number of small transports, protected by three gun-boats, the whole of which he captured, although his sloop had not then many more than half her complement of officers and men on board, the remainder being absent in prizes recently captured. The number of French soldiers taken on this occasion amounted to about 400, all armed and fully equipped. ”