Vermont Phœnix

EXTRAORDINARY ABDUCTION.—We learn from the National Aegis that a case of kidnapping of a singular character, has just been discovered in Worcester. On the 12th inst. two men, calling themselves Shearer and Dickenson, and professing to be residents of Palmer in this State, took from his home a colored boy named Sydney O. Francis, with the consent of his parents, to whom they represented that they wished to engage the boy to go to Palmer as a domestic in Shearer's family. The story they told was so plausible, that the parents of the boy readily assented to their proposal ; but a few days after, the father hearing some unfavorable accounts of Shearer's character, went to Palmer to make inquiries, and thence proceeded farther in search of him. He has not yet returned.

The conclusion of the story so far as heard, is thus stated in the Aegis.

On Monday last, a letter was received from the Mayor of Fredericksburg, in Virginia, addressed to the chief civil magistrate of this town, by a title more honorable than any of our municipal officers can claim, and to the postmaster, which threw light on the fate of the boy, and the motives which had influenced those who had enticed him away from his home. This communication states so fully what is known of the incidents abroad, and is so honorable to the justice of our Southern fellow citizens, that it is copied entire.

FREDERICKSBURG, Sept. 19 1839.

To the Mayor of the town of Worcester, Mass.—On the 15th instant, a man calling himself Dickenson Shearer, arrived here, and had with him a negro boy whose name he called Franklin, and whom he called his slave. He parted with this boy last night, and it is feared, sold him to a trader. The circumstances were so suspicious as to lead to inquiries, and to his arrest. On his examination he admitted the boy to be free.— that he came with him from Worcester, where his father and mother resided,—that he did not know their names, and had never seen them before, & then for an hour only.& they permitted this boy to come with him— admitted that he did not tell them he was bringing the boy to Virginia. The story is so absurd as to create a strong impression that he is a kidnapper ; and information is sent to you that proper inquiries may be made and, if possible, evidence sent here to procure the boy's freedom, and to identify him.— This of course must be some white person. and the abolitionists, if there be any among you, have now an opportunity of displaying their humane feelings.

The man says he came from Pelham, Massachusetts, and has a brother, a Doctor Shearer, residing there. Inquiries of the truth of this statement may be material. All that humanity requires will be done here to recover the unfortunate boy. A messenger will be despatched to night in pursuit, and the constituted authorities invoked to aid him. This man [Shearer) is in custody, but cannot be long detained without evidence. You will, therefore, reply by return of mail, and let the statements be made on oath, and let the person to identify be sent immediately.

I am, Sir, respectfully, your obedient serv't,
BENJAMIN CLARK, Mayor.

Two of our townsmen have proceeded to Fredericksburg to identify and reclaim the boy if he shall have been recovered, and to furnish such evidence as may be necessary for the detention of the person arrested, that he may be brought before proper tribunals.
The Kidnapped Boy.—It affords us sincere pleasure (says the N. Y. Com. Adv.) to state that the colored boy whose abduction from Worcester, Massachusetts, we mentioned in our columns yesterday, has been found at Cartersville, Virginia. He had been sold by Shearer to a Mr Wilkinson, of that place, who was arrested and conveyed with the boy to Fredericksburg, The boy was called Franklin by Shearer, but it turns out that he is the Sidney O. Francis who was missed from Worcester. Shearer was remanded on Monday, after the examination of Wilkinson. Before this time, probably, the messenger despatched from Worcester has arrived at Fredericksburg, and obtained possession of the boy.

The Kidnapped Boy—whose rescue from slavery we announced on Saturday—has reached this city, on his way to his home at Worcester. Shearer, the kidnapper, was let in jail at Fredericksburg, awaiting a requisition from the Governor of Massachusetts. He had two or three accomplices, and there is strong reason to believe, from what came out on the examination, that three or four other colored boys have been kidnapped and sold by him and his confederates.— Sydney, the boy now rescued, was sold by Shearer for four hundred and fifty dollars.—
Commercial Adv.