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Articles of Agreement made and concluded this 19th day of   march, 1866, between   , Mathew   , and Belford of wash city  , County of Washington, Dist of Columbia, party of the first part, and   , of   , County of Baltimore, State of   Maryland, party of the second part.

The said    , Mathew   and Belford freed laborers, agree to enter the service of the said      Houser as Farmers, and, also that they will faithfully and diligently apply themselves and perform the duties of Farmers, on the Premises of said   , and answer all the reasonable requirements of the said   , for, and during the space of   ten     , from the 19th day of March, 1866; and they further agree that their employer shall retain one-fourth their monthly wages until the expiration of their term of service.

And the said   , hereby agrees to employ them (the said freed laborers) for the term of ten months or longer, as aforesaid, and to pay for their services the sum set opposite their respective names, per month — (one fourth of which shall be retained each month,) and all stoppages and arrearages promptly paid at the expiration of their respective terms of service, to wit:
     Mathew Cooper and Belford. Each (12$)Twelve dollars per month for our months. and after the   of our Months of all Parties agree   this contract to be in full force for the period of, 9, nine months there after


in equal monthly payments; and the said    Houser, further agrees to furnish said freed laborers above named, quarters, fuel, full substantial and healthy rations, and all necessary medical attendance and supplies in case of sickness, in addition to the compensation above named, and that he will assist and encourage efforts for the education of the children of his employees. And it is further agreed by the said      Houser that in case he at any time fails to perform his part of this agreement, he will pay to the said laborers the full sum of one hundred dollars, as fixed, agreed and liquidated damages.

If it shall be mutually desirable to annul this contract before the expiration of the term agreed upon, it shall be done only in the presence and with the concurrence of such officer of the Freedman's Bureau, (or other authority) as may have immediate jurisdiction in this matter in the district wherein such parties reside.

In testimony whereof, they have herewith set their hands and seals, the day and year first above written.
                                     age
  [L.S.] R  his              [L.S.]  36
  [L.S.]     x               [L.S.]  24
  [L.S.] Mathew his Cooper   [L.S.]  20
  [L.S.]         x           [L.S.]
         Belford his
                  x
SIGNED, SEALED, AND DELIVERED, IN PRESENCE OF
J.V.W. Vandenburgh

Registered at Intelligence Office, the 19th day of march  1866.

J.V.W. Vandenburgh
Asst Supt Superintendent.

[DUPLICATE.]