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Agreement with Freedmen.

This Agreement, made this 18 day of Sept A.D., 1865, by and between D Caldwell gar [[guardian]] for Minors of W A Travis of the County of Madison and State of Mississippi, of the first part, and the person hereinafter named and undersigned, Freedmen of the same place, part hereto of the second part, 

Witnesseth, That for the purpose of cultivating the plantation known as the Travis Place in the County aforesaid, during the year commencing on the 18 day of September A.D., 1865, and terminating on the 1st day of January, 1866.  The said D Caldwell gar [[guardian]] party of the first part in consideration of the promises and conditions hereinafter mentioned on the part of the part 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 and sufficient quantity; good and sufficient quarters; the 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 one half a day's labor on Saturdays and none whatever on Sundays.

And it is further agreed, That in case the said  D Caldwell gar [[guardian]] shall fail, neglect, or refuse to fulfil any obligations assumed by him,. or shall furnish said part of the second part with insufficient food or clothing, or be guilty of cruelty to them, he shall, besides the legal resource left to the party of parties aggrieved, render this  contract liable to annulment by the Provost Marshal of Freedom. And it is agreed on the part of the second part they will each well and faithfully perform such labor as the said D Caldwell gar, 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 themselves from, or shall neglect, or refuse to perform the labor herein promised, and the facts shall be proven to the satisfaction of the property officer, the party so offending shall be punished in such manner the Provost Marshall of Freedom 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 Provost Marshal of Freedom shall certify that all dues too said laborers are pain and satisfactorily arranged.
D Caldwell gar [[guardian]]

Transcription Notes:
Edited: changes and corrections Edited to reflect party's identity as guardian of minor sons in first line