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

Chapman, Samuel Philbrick, and Aaron L. Benedict. 81 In their responses, Philbrick and
Benedict raised doubts about the efficacy of the venture. Both worried that the joint
stock association would render stockholders liable for the financial obligations of the
society. Philbrick also worried about “subscribing for any certain am[oun]t of goods,
without knowing whether the quality & kind of goods wanted, can be obtained.” 82
When the AFPA met in October 1839 for their first annual meeting, the Executive
Committee lamented the lack of progress in the free-produce cause. The response to the
circular was “not sufficiently encouraging to justify us in taking the proposed step.”
While the AFPA had failed to collect funds to establish free-labor stores, the committee
believed the proposal “a measure of the highest importance.” Attributing the failure of
the store venture to a lack of steady supply, the committee suggested instead “the creation
of a fund for the encouragement of the production of cotton by free labour.” Funds raised
could be used to purchase free-labor cotton and to hire agents who could ensure that free-
labor cotton was not “intermixed with that produced by slaves.” The delegates adopted
the measure and appointed a committee to raise the necessary funds. 83
The AFPA raised nearly four hundred dollars and recruited Esther and Phineas
Nixon from Randolph County, North Carolina, to procure free-labor cotton from local
yeoman farmers. In early 1840, the AFPA purchased more thirteen hundred pounds of
81
William Bassett to Daniel L. Miller, November 9, 1838, Incoming Correspondence, American
Free Produce Association, AFPA, HSP.
82 Samuel Philbrick to Daniel L. Miller, December 30, 1838; Aaron L. Benedict to Daniel L.
Miller, January 18, 1839, Incoming Correspondence, AFPA HSP
83 Minutes, October 15, 1839, AFPA, HSP.
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