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. 
