JAMES SMITH FERRIES, Late Chief Officer Steamer Don to Lyons, March 12, 1864

Mr. Ferries to Lord Lyons.

My Lord: As a subject of her Britannic Majesty I entreat your lordship’s protection in my present position.

I was chief officer of the British steamer Don, commanded by Captain Cory, owned by British subjects, and sailing under the flag of England.

The Don cleared from Nassau, New Providence, on the 28th February last, and was made a prize on suspicion of being a blockade runner, by the United States steamer-of-war Pequot, on the 4th of this month, the nearest land being distant from forty-five to fifty miles.

No resistance was offered to the prize-masters by myself or any other of the officers or the crew, nor had we other than English colors on board.

The commander of the Don and myself, with three of the crew, were brought to Boston, and we were to-day forwarded to this post as prisoners.

Allow me to add, my lord, that I was born in Scotland, in October, 1839, of Scottish parents, my father being the Rev. P. Ferries, of Edenkillie parish, New Brunswick. I have never held any position in either army or navy of the northern or southern States of America, and I have never been in any port of the American continent south of New York.

Under these circumstances, my lord, I beg for your lordship’s most favorable/ and speedy consideration of my case.

I have, &c,