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AGREEMENT WITH FREEDMEN.

This Agreement, made this 21 day of June A.D, 1865, by and between J.G. Drane of the County of Copiah and State of Mississippi, of the first part, and the person hereinafter named and undersigned, Freedmen of the same place, parties hereto of the second part,
Witnesseth, That for the purpose of [[crossed-out]]cultivating the plantation known as the[[/crossed-out]] working in [[saw]] mill in the county aforesaid, during the year commencing on the 21st day of June A.D. 1865, and terminating on the 1st day of January, 1866. The said Drane party of the first part, in consideration of the promises and conditions hereinafter mentioned on the part of the parties of he second part, agrees to furnish to the said laborers and those rightfully dependent on them, free of charge, clothing and food of good quality and sufficient quantity; good and sufficient quarters; medical attendance when necessary, and kind and humane treatment.

The said Drane is to pay each of the said laborers whose names are undersigned the sum of ten ($10) dollars at the end of each month. With the understanding that the Contract is to be terminated at such times as the parties may agree.

And it is further agreed, That in case the said Drane shall fail, neglect, or refuse to fulfil any of the obligations assumed by him, or shall furnish said parties of the second part with insufficient food or clothing, or be guilty of cruelty to them, he shall, beside the legal recourse left to the party or parties aggrieved, render this contract liable to annulment by the Provost Marshal of Freedmen. And it is agreed on the part of the parties of the second part that they will each well and faithfully perform such labor as the said Drane may require of them for the time aforesaid, not exceeding ten hours per day in summer and nine hours in winter, and in every respect be dutiful and faithful servants; and in case any laborer shall voluntarily absent themselves from, or shall neglect, or refuse to perform the labor herein promised, and the fact shall be proven to the satisfaction of the proper officer, the party so offending shall be punished in such manner as the Provost Marshal of Freedmen shall deem proper.
J G Drane

In Testimony Whereof, The said parties affixed their names to this Agreement at Jackson, State of Mississippi, on the day and date aforesaid.
J G Drane
Amos x age 46 } Freedmen
Dennis x 20 }
Isaac x 21 }
William x Munroe 23 }
George x Washington }

Executed in Presence of 
W.S. Myers

Transcription Notes:
James G Drane of Copiah Co. Miss.