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Agreement with Freedmen.

This Agreement, made this 18 day of Sept A.D., 1865, by and between B M Seale of the Co. of Oktibbeha and State of Missisippi, of the first part, and the person hereinafter named and undersigned, Freedmen of the same place, parts hereto of the second part,______________________

Witnesseth, That for the purpose of cultivating the plantation known as the Seal Plantation in the County aforesaid, during the year commencing on the First day of January A.D., 1865, and terminating on the 1st day of January, 1866. The said B M Seale party of the first part, in consideration of the promises and conditions hereinafter mentioned on the part of the parts of the second part, agrees to furnish to the said laborers and those rightfully dependent upon 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; to allot from the lands of said plantation, for garden purposes, one acre to each family; such allotment to include a reasonable use of tools and animals for the cultivation of the same; to exact only half a day's labor on Saturdays, and none whatever on Sundays.

And to pay thirty six dollars at Christmas to the party of the second part.

And it is further agreed, That in case the said B M Seale shall fail, neglect, or refuse to fulfil any of the obligations assumed by him, or shall furnish said parts of the second part with insufficient food or clothing, or be guilty of cruelty to her, he shall, besides 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 parts of the second part that she will each well and faithfully perform such labor as the said B M Seale may require of them for the time aforesaid, not exceeding ten hours per day in summer and nine hours in winter, and in case any laborer shall voluntarily absent herself 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.

IT IS FURTHER AGREED, That any wages or share of profits due the said laborers under this agreement, shall constitute a first lien upon all crops or parts of crops produced on said plantation or tract of land by their labor. And no shipments of products shall be made until the Provost Marshal of Freedmen shall certify that all dues to said laborers are paid or satisfactorily arranged.

B M Seale