According to the Shepherdstown Register's account of his imprisonment, Samuel Valskabomann — spelled 'Valekabomann' in the same column — 'came to this country to write a number of sketches for the forth-coming feast of Purim', three weeks before the article was written. He is described there as thirty-eight years old, of magnificent physique, born at Mockomber, 144 miles north of Cairo, Egypt, of Ethiopian parents: 'a full-blooded Ethiopian by birth, a Hebrew in religion, a high degree Mason, a German student, and a poet and scholar', speaking seven languages. The stated purpose of the journey is the most specific account of his business in America in this collection. It is consistent with the parallel report behind hist_event 20122, in which he says he came to compile Hebrew writings for the feast of Purim.