THERE IS DEATH IN THE POT - The University of Texas at Arlington

White and other owners of free-labor stores had difficulty obtaining a steady
supply of free-labor goods. Writing in 1831 to Garrison, White apologized that she did
not “have a full supply and a better assortment of domestic cotton goods.” In a letter later
that year, White again lamented the lack of free-labor goods, “it is truly mortifying to
have [to] say that we have not enough of either of the articles [you requested] on hand at
present worth sending.” White suggested a free-labor cotton factory might address
supply problems and convince southern cotton growers to switch to free labor. 78 Samuel
Philbrick complained free-labor cotton “cannot be had in Boston.” He suggested that
abstention might gain favor among Boston consumers if a steady supply of free-labor
goods were made available at a price competitive with slave-labor goods. 79
The AFPA committee appointed to identify supplies of free-labor goods proposed
two plans to address the problem. The first plan was based on voluntary contributions
from individuals; the other plan proposed forming a joint stock association. After the
September meeting, the newly-formed AFPA distributed a circular presenting both plans
requesting supporters indicate their preference and pledge their support. 80 Massachusetts
abolitionist William Bassett was among the first to respond sending a ten dollar
contribution. Bassett also suggested Miller send circulars to Abby Kelley, Maria Weston
78 Lydia White to William Lloyd Garrison, May 9, 1831, MS.A.1.2.1.22, BPL; Lydia White to
William Lloyd Garrison, October 19, 1831, MS.A.1.2.1.39, BPL.
79
Samuel Philbrick to Daniel L. Miller, December 30, 1838, Incoming Correspondence, American
Free Produce Association, AFPA HSP.
80 Pennsylvania Freeman, November 8, 1838. See also Daniel L. Miller, Jr. to Gerrit Smith,
November 3, 1838, Gerrit Smith Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Library.
Miller included a copy of the circular in his letter to Smith announcing Smith’s election as president of the
American Free Produce Association. See also Daniel L. Miller, Jr. to Maria Weston Chapman, November
17, 1838, MS.A.9.2.10.71, Weston Family Papers, BPL.
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