Tucker reported that he fled from Major Isaac Roney, of Dinwiddie
Court-House, Virginia, in the Christmas week prior to his arrival; that
he reached Petersburg and then encountered difficulties of the most
trying nature; he next stopped at City Point, and was equally
unfortunate there. From exposure in the cold he was severely
frost-bitten. While suffering from the frost he was kept in the
poor-house. After partial recovery he made his way to Baltimore and
thence to Philadelphia. Once or twice he was captured and carried back.
The Committee suspected that he was a cunning impostor who had learned
how to tell a tale of suffering simply to excite the sympathies of the
benevolent; yet, with the map of Virginia before them, he proved himself
familiar with localities adjacent to the neighborhood in which he was
raised. Although not satisfied with his statement, the Committee decided
to aid him.
Passmore Williamson, who had taken a deep interest in the examination of
his case, in order to ascertain the facts, addressed the following note
to Major Roney, using as his signature the name of his friend, Wm. J.
Canby:
PHILADELPHIA, June 24, 1854.