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Gamaliel Bailey (1807-1859) was born in Mount Holly, New Jersey. He edited various publications including (1836-43) the Cincinnati Philanthropist, the first antislavery paper in the West (Webster 67). Mobs attacked the paper more than once, but publication continued. The name was changed to Daily Harold and Philanthropist in 1843; publication ceased when in 1847 Bailey became editor of the National Era , official weekly of the American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society in Washington, D.C., a position that he retained until 1859 (Merrill III 35). The abolitionist Quaker poet, John Greenleaf Whittier was contributing editor (Ruchames IV 194). In this weekly Uncle Tom's Cabin was serialized in the early 1850s (Webster 67). Works Theodore Parker and other abolitionists also appeared in it (Merrill III 35).

Milo Townsend seems to have written to Gamaliel Bailey about the possibility of opening a free labor store in Cincinnati, Ohio. There was a movement to provide outlets in which nothing produced by slave labor would be sold. In time this was found to be impracticable.

Letter 164

Gamaliel Bailey

Cincinnati Jan. 29 1842

Milo A. Townsend

Dear friend, - In relation to the subject of your letter of the 3rd inst., I have thought not a little; but I really am not prepared to counsel in the matter. That a majority of the Abolitionists in this place would patronize a free labor store, in preference to others, I do not doubt; but we do not muster money in Cincinnati. There is a large body of abolitionists in Clinton and Clark Counties in this state, and in Wayne County Indiana, that would undoubtedly support such a store, but whether their support would be sufficient, I am unable to say. Permit me to suggest that you open correspondence with - W. Donaldson, New Richmond, Clement County; Dr. A Brooke, Oakland, Clinton County; and J. A. Dugdale1, Green Plains, Clark County, Ohio; and Levi Coffin2, New Garden, Wayne County, Indiana, on the subject. They will be able to give you more satisfactory information than I can give, and would cheerfully correspond on the subject.

Yours with respect

G. Bailey Jr.

1See chapter 9 on Joseph A. Dugdale.

2Levi Coffin (1789-1877), a prosperous merchant and nonviolent Quaker abolitionist, was a major midwestern operator of the underground railroad. In his youth Coffin had lived in North Carolina where he taught slaves in his neighborhood to read (Mabee 141). After being threatened by the masters of those he taught, he eventually migrated to Newport near Richmond, Indiana, where he was free from such restrictions (Merrill III 339). Over a twenty year period he sheltered more than a hundred slaves per year in his home. When fugitives arrived, Coffin covered his windows to prevent anyone from seeing into the house; and his wife prepared food for them. The newly arrived escapees were often terrified. Many who had been sleeping in the woods for days were nearly starved and not infrequently ill. Coffin said he would arrest anyone who searched his house, and his threat seems to have deterred any who might have done so (Mabee 280).

In 1843 he and other abolitionists among the Quakers broke ties with the more conservative Quakers and formed their own Indiana Yearly Meeting of Antislavery Friends. One reason for this move was the refusal by conservative groups to admit non-Quaker abolitionists to lecture in their meetinghouses. This move by Coffin and others prodded more Friends to join in antislavery activity (225).

In support of the free-labor movement, Coffin for a time (in Cincinnati, Ohio) ran a wholesale outlet for free-labor goods (Merrill III 339). This may be what led Gamaliel Bailey to suggest Coffin as someone who might be able to help Milo Townsend in opening such a store.

As there are no extant letters to Milo from Levi Coffin, W. Donaldson, or Dr. A. Brooke, it is not known whether he contacted them. He did contact Joseph A. Dugdale.

From 1862 Levi Coffin spent his energies on efforts to help the freedmen, even taking part in the founding of a freedmen's aid society in England (339).