Viewing page 189 of 300

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

AGREEMENT WITH FREEDMEN

This Agreement made this 17th day of September A.D. 1865 by and between Henry Luchett of the County of Madison and State of Mississippi, of the first part and the pereon [[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 Luchett [[blocked by page]] in the county aforesaid, during the year commencng on the 17th day of September A.D. 1865, and terminating on the 1st day of [[blocked by page]] uary, 1866. The said Henry Luchett party of the first part, in consideration [[blocked by page]]e promises and conditions hereinafter mentioned on the parties of the second part, agree to furnish to the [[blocked by page]] laborers and those rightfully dependent upon them, free of charge, clothing and food of good quality and sufficient [[blocked by page]]ty; good and sufficient quarter; medical attendance when necesarry, and kind and humane treatment: to exact only [[blocked by page]] lf of a days labor on Saturdays, and none whatever on Sundays.

And it is further Agreed, that in case the said Henry Luchett 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, besides the legal resources 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 Henry Lcehett 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 fact shall be proven to the satisfaction of the proper officer, the party so offending shall be punished in such manner as the Provost Marhsal 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.
Henry Luchett