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Agreement with Freedmen.

This Agreement, made this first day of September A. D., 1865, by and between James O. Reddoch of the County of Covington and State of Mississippi, of the first past, 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 residence of of the party of the first part in the County aforesaid, during the year commencing on the first day of September A. D., 1865, and terminating on the 1st day of January, 1866. The said James O Reddoch party of the first part, in consideration of the promises and conditions hereinafter mentioned on the part of the party of the second part, agrees to furnish to the said laborer 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 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 days labor on Saturdays, and none whatever on Sundays. And the said party of the second part viz Sally hereby agree and promises to remain with and labor for the said party of the first part during the time herein specified for her food and clothing only.

And it is further agreed, That in the case the said James O Reddoch shall fail, neglect, or refuse to fulfil any of the obligations assumed by him, or shall furnish said party of the second part with insufficient food or clothing, or be guilty of cruelty to her, he shall besides the legal recourse left 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 party of the second part that she will [[strikethrough]] each [[strikethrough ends]] well and faithfully perform such labor as the said James O Reddoch may require of [[strikethrough]] them [[/strikethrough]]  her 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.  


[[overwritten text left margin]]
No 33
Head Quarters Post of Raleigh
Raleigh Miss Spt 5" 1865
Approved
H J [[Ellan?]] Lt U.S.C.I.
Sub Comr of Freedmen & [[Re?]]
[[/overwritten text left margin

Transcription Notes:
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