As well as writing to a member of the Committee, Joe and Bob had the
assurance to write back to the trader and oyster-house keeper. In their
letter they stated that they had arrived safely in Canada, and were
having good times,--in the eating line had an abundance of the
best,--also had very choice wines and brandies, which they supposed that
they (trader and oyster-house keeper) would give a great deal to have a
"smack at." And then they gave them a very cordial invitation to make
them a visit, and suggested that the quickest way they could come, would
be by telegraph, which they admitted was slightly dangerous, and without
first greasing themselves, and then hanging on very fast, the journey
might not prove altogether advantageous to them. This was wormwood and
gall to the trader and oyster-house man. A most remarkable coincidence
was that, about the time this letter was received in Richmond, the
captain who brought away the three passengers, made it his business for
some reason or other, to call at the oyster-house kept by the owner of
Joe, and while there, this letter was read and commented on in torrents
of Billingsgate phrases; and the trader told the captain that he would
give him "two thousand dollars if he would get them;" finally he told
him he would "give every cent they would bring, which would be much over
$2000," as they were "so very likely." How far the captain talked
approvingly, he did not exactly tell the Committee, but they guessed he
talked strong Democratic doctrine to them under the frightful
circumstances. But he was good at concealing his feelings, and obviously
managed to avoid suspicion.
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