Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-01-31
THE ROMANCE OF CRIME-JAMEs BUCHANAN
CROSS FAITHFUL SERVANT NONE OTHER THAN
LYNCHBIJRG DARKEY

lnthe Express Of Friday published under the cap
ton Romance Of Crime" account Of the arrest Of
celebrated forger, named James Buchanan Cross
companed by young, beautiful elegant and accomplish
ed female, and servant man, nearly white that the
closest scruny had failed 10 detect African blood in his
veins. The negro, whose name is Robert Burnel alias
Smith, says Pittsburg paper, regarded white
man at the hotel and it only after his that the
proprietor discovered that the ndvidal whom he had
been avshing such attentions for the past weeks
was neither moro less than a slave. His master
treated him at all times his equal They visited the
restaurants in company playing billiards together and
socated at all times on terms of perfect equality.
1t now appears that the colored gentleman 1atter-
ingy alluded to above, is other person than Bob
BurwellW so well known in Lynchburg the former
popular bartender at the Cabell and Noryel Houses
The Lynchburg VTginidn Of Saturday, says:
He purchased from his owner, William W. Burwell
Esq, of Bedford county, by Cross who sojourned in
this city for short time during the of 81. He
represented himself New Orleans broker said he
was affected with fits, and anxious TO purchase
trustworthy and intelligent servant who would be with
him at all times Making the acquaintance of Bob the
Norvel House. mutual liking very soon sprung up aud
before he left he purchased the negro paying 800 for
HIM. draft which was duly honored, some house
North, was given for the amount Soon after leaving
here, Bob says the party went to Paris where after
naming sometime he lost his owner says he searched
for him several days but without success. He then
to the American embassy at Paris made statement of
the facts in the TO Judge Mason Minister and
finally prevailed the Judge to employ him as a SER
want in his family.
He remained with Judge Mason until the death of that
gentleman, with him when he died closed his ewes
and shrouded him. and returned with his remains to this
country. day two after his arrival in New York
city, he accidentally met with his MASTER the be-
ing mutually plaesed,with the meeting. Not loLg after
wards Cross sent him Paris on business he remained
there few weeks aud then returned this country
Was in Italy tme and in the vicinity of Solferino
when that celebrated battle was fought.
On Thursday last Bob very Unexpectedly made his ap-
pearance in this city The object of his visit this time
is to raise $l40O for which, he is be mortgaged He
brings power Of attorney from his owner authorizing
him 70 make this arrangement The written instrument
also directs that fifty dollars of the money shall be hand
cd TO Bob and the remainder sent to Cross Phil
adelphia
When il ntimated to Bob that most persons would
be afraid to invest money in white himself
he at remarked that he considered himself gentle
man. and would remain the faithful slave of any who
would pay the desired sum of money"
He PROCESSES to have the most unbounded confidence
in the honor Of his MASTER well his ability to e1r
himself from his present difficulties He says there
exists proof to substanate the charges which he
arrested aud that his innocence will be clearly es.
tablished We inclined think tina. Bob singular
in this belief
Bob further says that since he left Lynchburg he
has passed for a white man, and has associated
with persons of his Bob is decided charac-
ter in his way, and hope he may succeed in securing
a good master.