Cory to Lyons, March 14, 1864

Mr. Cory to Lord Lyons.

My Lord: I am an Englishman, and was born in Homsen, East Riding, Yorkshire, on the 21st of December, 1832. My father was the Rev. Charles Cory, vicar of Skipsin and Broome, East Riding, Yorkshire. I was captured in the British steamer Don, by the United States steamer Pequot, on the 4th instant, about fifty miles from Wilmington, North Carolina. I joined my ship in London, England, as chief officer, July 20, 1863, and on the 20th of February, 1864, became her commander. All my officers, and nearly the whole of my crew, are British subjects. I have never been in the service of either of the belligerents, and have no interest whatsoever in any way.

My lord, as a subject of her Britannic Majesty, I claim your lordship’s protection for myself, officers, and crew, and beg leave to ask your lordship, on receipt of this, what course to pursue to obtain the much cherished and esteemed boon to all Englishmen, “liberty.”

I have, &c,