Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-06-18

WIS SSHJenceQ IOf iOl8clN dlleE udNlll.
run the gauntlet of the principle cities o
Europe and America. The Philadelphia;
Gazette says that Cross forged a pardon fol
the forger Huntingdon in Sing Sing pris
on, by which the latter would have Is
capped except for the hesitancy Of tn,
Warden. and Subsequently Cross, scntenc
ed to Auburn IN. " prison, forged &;
pardon for himself. and escaped before
the forgery was detected. Subsequently
Col. Cross was committed for forgery IN
Pennsylvania and sentenced to the Peni-
Tertiary of that State.
His last exploit in forging a pardon
though not successful, has all the merit a
boldneSs and talent of any of his other
remarkable performances, and was as fol
lows:
A document from the War Office. reg
ularly ranked. and ''sealing-waxed'' WAS
received by the Marshal of PENNSYLVANIA,
asking him 10 draw up petition to Gov.
Curtain for the pardon of Cross who was
wanted Immediately at the War depart
ment. Having got tie pardon the Mar
shall was to bring Cross to Washington
The Marshal did As requested. and going
to Uarri burg returned by the nexr train
with a pardon signed by Gov. Curtain
The Marshal went with Col. Cross, the re-
leased prisoner. TO Washington and call
ed on Secretary Stanton:
Mr.. Secretary" said the Marshal.
this Is Col. Cross, whom you have sent
for"
Glad to see Col. CroSs-how do You do.
sir - said the aifable Secretary. shaking
Col. Cross hand "but l can't remem-
her SnOdinu for Won sir
This" said the Marshal, sis Col. Gross.
whom | brought down by your orders
from the Eastern Penitentiary at Phila-
delphia."
Sir? " exclaimed the Secretary, in ut
ter surprise.
Col Cross, sir. I said. pardoned by
GOV. Curtin from the Eastern Peniten-
tiary. at your desire. II dbrought here by
me NJ your request
Secretary Stanton looked puzzled, and
rubbed his temples.
THE authority by which | have acted"
said the Marshal. is this" placing in
Secretary StantOn's hand the letter from
Mr.. Watson, bearing his own frank.
Mr.. Stanton took the envelope with a
b~ewildered air. 1t was 4 genuine War De-
partment envelope. The frank was iden-
teal with his own. The enclosure was
an order, written upon the paper used
i'll the War Office. with the imprint of
the Department, in the manifest hand
writing of Mr.. Watson, Assistant Secreta-
~. to the purport as above narrated.
The Secretary declared his entire igno-
rance of the matter. and touched his
bell. A messenger responded. The mes
sen@er was sent for Mr.. Watson. Mr..
Watson entered. Secretary Stanton hand
ed Mr.. Watson tine envelope, and request
ed to know what it all meant.
Mr.. Watson opened the letter, looked
at it, and was astounded. This is my
said he at first, "what does it
lie read the signature, which he
scanned closely. All doubts were how're
moved The crossing of the 1t" betrayed
fraud. This is not my writing"
said Mr.. Watson, lit is a forgery, and the
most wonderful one have ever seem"
You are sure ?" said the Secretary.
Can it be possible :" echoed the aston
Marshal.
1t lsl fOrgery-pure and simple
Here was 4 scene, at the end of which
IN inquiry arose what WAS to be done with
Jolonel Cross.
AAC -AAANllA SCllltu inc llldlttE bN Ill
Col. Cross to come again to the
:lrriage, to be again taken to Philadel-
'hia.
Col. Cross put on the indignant and de-
handed 10y what right he wa taken back.
BY my authority" said the marshal.
because your pardon was procured by
papers"
Then, sir, you are TRANSFORMING your
overs" said Cross. MY pardon is a gen
line one, at anyrate, and YOU have no
ight to go behind it,
Take him back" said Secretary STAN
IN.
by what law" demanded Cross, to
-hom the air of liberty had gained an adj
itional sweetness from the few moments
hat he had enjoyed it.
by military law" replied the Secreta-
and the r~edoubtable Colonel was again
in the carriage. He was brought
ack to his old quarters. and yesterday
ne Governor revoked his pardon.
Here Is the dilemma. 1t is not vet
artain that a pardon can be revoked by
5 author, and ON this point grows an in
sresting question. If it cannot be revok-
the government Will take charge of
ne Colonel and send him to Fort Lafay-
tie. In any case he will serve out his
re years imprisonment, of which only
bout Is months have expired. Cross, as
e have already said, escaped from Au-
Irn Penitcntiary in this very manner,
nd defied the police of France by SIMILAR
Ictics.
There some thingtha remains to be EEK
and HAT is, how communication ,
as had with Cross by outside parties
hat he personally forged the letter of
r. Watson and the frank of Secretary
anton cannot be doubted. With Cross
rgery Is an instinct. We know a certain
of this city, who exhibits a book
autographs as genuine, that were all
ritten by himself. But an expert could
eject the difference almost at a glance.
d. Cross is no such bungler. Show him !
letter. and after a few minutes study :
It's peculiarities he will produce a fac !
mile. The documents in question it is /
doubted, were prepared by himself; 2
how the blanks were obtained, who .
Is his confederate, and how access was
to the convict, are matters be-
md u ability to conjecture.
<0- :
- f'A-EEE Arrrcr III, commonwealth.