Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1860-02-17
Grlctte0 AlisfrIIunp.
The Romance of Crime-Judge Ma
sons Body Servant Selling Himself.

From the Petersburg va. Express Feb l.
In the Express of Friday we publish
ed, under the caption, Romance of
Crime" an account of the arrest of
celebrated forger, named James Buch-
anan Cross. accompanied by young.
beautifully elegant, and accomplished
female, and a servant man, so nearly
white that the closest scrutiny failed to
detect African blood in his veins. The
negro, whose name is Robert Burnell,
alias Smite, says Pittsburg paper, was
regarded as a white man at the hotel, and
it was only after his arrest that the pro-
prietor discovered that the individual on
whom he had been lavishing attentions
for the past two weeks, was neither more
nor less than a slave. His master treat
ed him at all times as his equal. They
visited restaurants in company, playing
billiards together, and associated at all
times on terms of equality.
1t how appears that the colored man
SO hattteringly alluded to is no other
person than "Bob Burnell ," so we'll known
in Lynchhurg as the former popular bar
tender at the Cabell and Norvell houses.
The Lynchburg Virginian of Saturday
says:
He was purchased from his owner,
William NJ. Burwell, esq, of Bedford
county, by Gross, who sojourned in this
city for short time during the summer
of 1857. He represented himself as
New Orleans broker; said he was affect
ed with fits, and was anxious to purchase
trustworthy and intelligent servant,
who would be with him at all tines
Making the acquaintance of Bob at the
Norvell house, mutual liking very soon
sprung up, and before he left he purchas-
cd the negro, paying 81 600 for him.
A draft, which was duly honored on some
house North, was given for the amount.
Soon after leaving here Bob saws the
party went to Paris, where, after re-
naming some time, he lost his owner,
says he searched for him several days
but without success. He then went to
the American Embassy at Paris, made
a statement Of the facts in the case 10
Judge Mason, our Minister, and finally
prevailed on the Judge to employ him as
servant in his family
He remained with Judge Mason until
the death of that gentleman; was with
him when he died, closed his eyes, and
returned with his remains to this country
A day or two after bis arrival in New
York city, he accidentally met with his
master, the two being mutually pleased
with the meeting. Not long afterwards
Gross sent him to Paris on business he
remained there few weeks and then re-
turned to this country. He was in italy
some time, and in the vicinity Of Solferi-
no when that celebrated battle was fought
On Thursday last Bob very unexpect-
eddy made his appearance in this city.
The object Of his visit at this time is to
raise 81 400, for which he is to be mort
gagged. He brings a power Of attorney
from his owner, authorizing him to make
this arrangement The written instru-
ment also directs that fifty dollars of the
money shall be handed to Bob, and the
remainder sent to Cross, at Philadelphia.
When it was intimated to Bob that
most persons would be afraid to invest
money in a man as white as himself, he
at once remarked that he considered
himself gentleman, and would remain
faithful slave of any one who would pay
the desired sum Of money"
He processes to have the most uu-
bounded confidence in the honor Of his
master, as well as his ability TO extricate
himself from his present difficulties. lie
says there exists no proof to substantiate
the charges on which he was arrested,
and that his innocence will be clearly es-
tablished. We are inclined TO think that
Bob is singular in his belief.
Bob further says that ever since he
left Lynchburg he has passed for a white
man, and has never associated with per-
sons of his own race. Bob is decided
character in bis way, and we hope he may
succeed in securing good master.