Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-02-02
The Romance of Crime

FROM the petersburg (Va } Express
In the Express Of Friday, we published un
der the caption, Romance of Crime" an ac
count of the arrest of a celebrated forger,
named James Buchanan Cross, accompanied
by young, beautiful, elegant and accom-
plished female, and a servant man, so nearly
white, that the closest scrutiny had 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 proprietor discovered that
the individual on whom he had been lavishing
more attentions for the past two weeks was
neither more more nor less than slave. His
master treated him at all times as his equal.
They visited the restaurants in company, play
ing billiards together, and associated at all
times on terms of perfect equality.
1t now appears that the cOlored man so
fatteringly alluded to. is no other person
than Bob Burnell.' 80 we'll known in Lynch
burg as the former popular bartender at the
Cabell and Norvell Houses. The Lynchburg
Virginian Of Saturday says:
He was purchased from his owner, William
N. Burwell, Esq, of Bedford CO., by Cross,
who SOjOurned in this city for short time du
ring the summer Of 81. He represented him
self rs n New Orleans broker; said he was
affected with fits. and was anxious to purchase
trustworthy and intelligent servant who
would be with him at all times Making the
acquaintance Of Bob at the Norvell House, a
mutual liking very soon sprung up, and be-
fore he left he purchased the negro, paying
$1,000 tor him. A draft, which was duly hon
ored on some house North. was given for the
amount. Soon after leaving here, Bob says
the party went to Paris, where, after remain
ing some time, he lost his owner: says he
searched for him several days, but without sue
cess. He then went to the American embassy
at Paris, made statement Of the facts in the
case to Judge Mason, our Minister, and finally
prevailed on the Judge to employ him as q
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 shrouded him, and
returned with his remains to this country A
day or two after his arrival in New York city,
he accidentally met with his master, the two
being mutually pleased with the meeting.
Not long afterwards Cross sent him to Paris on
business; he remained there few weeks and
then returned to this country. He was in
Italy some time, and in the vicinity Of Sofe-
riD0 when that celebrated battle was fought.
On Thursday last Bob very Unexpectedly y
made his appearance in this city. The object
of his visit at this time is to raise ST. 400, for
which ne is to be mortgaged He brings a
power OF attorney from his owner, authorizing
him to make this arrangement. The written
instrument also directs that fifty dollars of the
money shall be handed to Bob, and the re.
mainder sent to Cross, at Philadelphia.
When it was intimated to Bob that most per-
Sons would be afraid to invest money in q man
as white himself, he ut once remarked that
he considered himself a gentleman, and would
remain the faithful slave Of any one who would
pay the desired sum of money
He processes to have the most unbounded
confidence in the honor Of his master as well
as his ability to extricate himself from his pres.
ent difficulties. He says there exists no proof
to substantiate the charges on which he was
arrested, and that his innocence will be clearly
established. 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 persons of his own
race. Bob IL a decided character in his way
and We hope he may succeed In securing
good master.