Extraordinary scheme of a convicted Forger.
Our readers no doubt, recollect Colonel J. Buchanan Cross, who was convicted of forgery about two years since and was sent to the Eastern Penitentiary. A few days ago Marshal Millward received a document from the War. Department franked by Assistant Secretary Watson. This document informed the Marshal that Cross was wanted by the Government, and instructed him to prepare the necessary papers to procure a pardon, to be signed by the United States officials of this city. At the same time Gov. Curtin received a letter purporting to have come from the War Department, requesting the pardon of Cross, and stating that the necessary papers would be sent from Philadelphia. The instructions of Marshal Millward were to conduct the matter as quietly as possible, and were followed implicitly. The petition was prepared and signed by the Collector of the part, District Attorney, and Marshal.The Postmaster was absent, and his signature was not obtained. Mr. Millward took the petition to Harrisburg on Wednesday, and Governor Curtin at once granted the pardon. Mr. Millward then returned to the city, liberated the accomplished Colonel, and proceeded with him to Washington. --There Cross was introduced to Secretary Stanton, but the latter had apparently never heard of him before, and probably mistook him for some military gentleman. Mr. Millward then produced his letter of instructions, but the Secretary professed his entire ignorance of the whole matter. He thought it rather singular that he had not been consulted upon the subject, and sent for Assistant Secretary Watson. Mr. W. soon made his appearance, and was handed the paper. He at first remarked that it was his handwriting, but seemed to know nothing of the contents. He then examined the document critically, and pronounced it a forgery. The whole party were then in a dilemma.
Colonel Cross had a genuine pardon, and nobody appeared to know what course to pursue. Finally, Gen. Wadsworth, the Military Governor of Washington, was sent for. The Colonel was then placed under arrest. He became quite indignant, when about to be handcuffed, and appealed to Marshal Millward, but the latter said that he had nothing to do with it. ‘"By whose authority am I arrested?"’ demanded Cross. ‘"By mine,"’ was the reply of General Wadsworth. ‘"Under what law,"’ inquired the Colonel. ‘"Military law,"’ was the stern answer. Cross was then escorted to the guard-house by a file of soldiers, and passed the night there. The next morning he was brought to this city, and lodged in his old quarters at Cherry Hill. Upon the matter being represented to the Governor, the pardon was immediately revoked. The dodge of the Colonel to obtain a pardon upon forged recommendation of one of the Departments of the United States, is one of the sharpest ever played in this country. Cross, no doubt, intended to give the Marshal the slip somewhere between the Penitentiary and Washington; but Mr. Millward was a little too vigilant for him, and the whole scheme failed.--Philadelphia Inquirer.
