Year: 1862

A CRIMINAL OBTAINS A PARDON BY FORGERY.


The reader will no doubt, recollect that Col
j. Buchanan Cross, one of themost accomplish
ed forgers in the country, was convicted OF for
gerry short time since in Philadelphia, and was
sent to the Eastern Penitentiary for five years
The Philadelphia Ledger of Saturday has the
following particulars Of another extraordinary
forgery pcrpetrated by him in prison, by which
he succeeded in obtaining pardon and making a
trip TO Washington:


On Monday last IT, S. Marshal Millward,
of this district, received letter, purporting to
come from MIR. p. III. Watson, Assistant Secre-
tary of War, enclosing petition for the pardon
of j. Buchanan Cross, the forgcr, who was SER
wing a term of five years in the Eastern Peni-
Tertiary The letter set forth that Cross was
wanted to be used on special business by the
War Departments that he was to be sent South;
and that his speedy pardon was very desirable
The Marshal was directed to obtain the sigma
lures of District Attorney Coffey, Postmaster
Walburn, and Collector Thomas to the petition,
and to take it to Harrisburg for the consldera-
tion of Governor Curtin. He was specially
enioined in the letter not to communicate on the
subject with any of the local authorities, nor to
trust the business to a subordinate, but to bring
Cross to Washington himself.


He had knowledge of the handwriting OF
the Assistant Secretary of War, which the let
ter aopeared to be in, and then the envelope and
'fjaper upon which it was written were tho same
as is used in the War Department, and the let
ter itself had come from Washington under the
frank, as supposed, of Watson Marshal lost
a. IL, of
trict Attorney and Collector to the petition as
directed, and he would have applied for that OF
Postmaster, but Mr.Walburn was not IN the
CITY. The same day he set out for Harrisburg
with the letter and the petition, which he laid
before the Governor upon his arrival. lie found
that the Governor had received letter similar
to the one he had with him, purporting to be
from the Assistant Secretary of War, and re-
questing by order of Secretary Stanton, the
pardon of Gross, the forger.-The handwriting
of both letters was identical, and the petition
was in the same Like the Marshal, the Gov
ernor did not entertain doubt of the genuine
ness of the letters and petition, and he directed
the pardon of Cross TO be made out.


The Marshal then telegraphed to Deputy
Marshal jenkins to meet him at the railroad
depot on his return to the city, and to have a
carriage for him, which he did. On his arrival
the Marshal and the Deputy rode TO the Eas-
tern Penitentiary, and the pardon OF Cross was
presented to the warden, much to his surprise
Cross was soon brought from his cell to the war
den's room, where the bag was taken OFT his
head. and he was confronted with the U. States
officials. On the way up the Marshal had te|a
the Deputy where he was going, and what for,
but had abstained from saying anything further
He had remarked, too, that he did not wish to
be asked any questions on the subject, Cross
knew officer jenkins and spoke familiarity to
him. The Marshal then drove the prisoner 10
his house, where he provided him with neces-
sary clothing, to make decent appearance IN,
and then started for the Baltimore depot, the
Deputy accompanying them.-On the way down
the Marshal left them moment to 60 to the
postohice, when Cross inquired with much con-
cern if the Deputy was going saying there was
no necessity for it. He was particular to ask
also. if he had been pardoned. When the train
was near Chester, Gross was anxious to get
something to eat, but the Marshal refused


At Baltimore they partook Of refreshment,
but did not remain long. They arrived IN
Washington in the afternoon, and Cross was
taken directly. to the office of the Secretary OF
War The Assistant Secretary was not there
and Mr. Stanton was summoned. The Mar
shall had telcgraphed to the Secretary that he
would have Cross ut his office in the afternoon,
and Mr.. Stanton had not retired. Upon en-
tering the Marshal introduced the Deputy, and
then informed the Secretary that he had brought
Gross. Mr.. Stanton manifested some surprise
when the Marshal spoke of Cross, and asked
an explanation. The Marshal replied; 81 was
directed by letter from Mr.. Watson, to bring
him here, and understood it tabe by your OF,
der" "Not by my order, ! assure you, sa'd
Mr.. Stanton.


The Marshal then handed him the letter OF
the Assistant, which the Secretary ran over
with evident astonishment. II know nothing
about it," he said, Sand what is more, 1t does
not meet my appreciation. do not want 70
use such man as Cross for any purpose" A
messenger was then despatched for Mr. Watson
who, upon coming in and examining the letter,
pronounced it q forgery. During all this time
Cross seemed to be the least concerned person
in the room After short consultation be-