Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-07-03
Fruits of the Fugitive Law.

Kidnapping has received quite an impulse
from the Fugitive Law, especially in Ponnsyl-
vOnla, where the Buchanan influence prevails.
The Pittsburgh Gazette mentions the case of
Charles Wedley, coored man, native OF
Pittsburgh, where he has always resided:
Wedey" says the Gazette, wishing to
visit the Eastern cities, but not having the
means, was about TO become deck hand on
a river steamer, to earn funds, when white
man named Specr and colored man, named
Lindsey Lewis who said that they had plenty OF
money, offered to take him east, free of expense
He accepted their invitation.
"The three set out on foot, and when they
reached Licking Greek, in Bedford County, a
gang of ruffians rushed upon Wedley, and de-
clared that they knew him welI-that he was a
slave and had escaped from Wheeling. 1t is
needless to say that this was falsehood, poor
Wedley having been born in this city, where he
has ever since resided; but, despite his resistance
and prayers, he was ironed, and hurried over the
Maryland line. Lewis and Speer returned tC
Pittsburgh, without gong TO Philadelphia, a;
they now allege for Wedley's free papers but
an aunt of the latter asking Lewis after his ar
rival, where her nephew was, he said that he
had remained in Philadelphia.
ain the mean time, Wedley, closely guarded
and heavily ironed, was taken to the interior o
Maryland, where he was offered for sale to 8
man who fortunately was acquainted with &
number of persons in Pittsburgh. He entered
into conversation with the alleged slave, anC
found him SO intelligent that he declared he
would not uzcSseAim at any price, because
8 he knew too much, and would not only run OH
himself, but cause his other slaves to escape
likewlse.'
After a long conversation, in which Wedley
described the street in which he resided gave
an account of the city ; told the names of the
principal inhabitants, and their business, togeth
er with the names of all the mayors for some
years back, the gentleman became convinced
that he was a freeman. He was, however, taker
away, and chained 10 a bed. post, where he re-
manned for twenty hours but was finally releas-
ed by the gentleman who had interrogated hin
so closely, who likewise pointed out the road
which he must pursue in order to escape from
the kidnappers. He had been three days il
irons.
"This gentleman deserves the highest cred
for his kindness since, otherwise, Wedley nigh
have been doomed to drag out life of hopeless
servitude; and we only regret that we are una
Bile to find out his name. Towards the close o
last week WedIcy arrived in Pittsburgh, safe
and sound after an absence of two weeks, ant
We trust that the rascals who kidnapped him
whoever they may be, may receive that punish
ment which they so well deserve"
The last numbero of the Free Presbyterian, pub
lished at Mercer, Pennsylvania, relates another
case, no less fragrant:
GA colored man, named Frank Jackson, SOL
of Elijah Jackson, of Newcastle, formerly O.
Mercer is now confined in FIncastle Jail, in Vlr
glnla, as fugitive slave. Frank went with
drover, named Charles May, sometime since, t.
Richmond. While there, May sold him as
slave, without his knowledge, to a Shareholder
named Jones. He escaped from the possession
OF Jones, but was arrested in neighboring
county, and committed to jail in Fincastle, Al
attorney OF that place, named w. A. Glass, has
written to Mercer and to Newcastle for certif-
Gates, as evidence that Frank is a free man.
These have been forwarded from this place anC
from Newcastle Jackson is rather deficient il
natural talents, and hence might easily be made
the dupe of scoundrel.
every old citizen of Mercer knows Franz
was born free. But whether he will ever be re-
stored to his birthright again, we suppose is
doubtful. This is another precious illustration
of the blessings of our peculiar institution"
The cases in which the kidnappers are baffled
find their way of course, into the public prints
The cases in which they succeed are not sc
readily brought to light.