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Approved
L P Woodworth
Lieut & Sub Com.
Yazoo City Miss Jany 20 /66
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These articles of agreement and contract made and conclude this 20th day of January 1866, by and between M. Keyes of the first part, and Aaron Crossley a freed man of the second part, 

Witnesseth: That for and in consideration of the payments hereinafter stated to be made, the said Aaron Crossley freedman agrees and binds himself to work as a plantation laborer for said M Keyes from the 1st day of January 1866, to the 1st day of January, 1867, on the plantation of said M Keyes in Yazoo County, Mississippi. He agrees and binds himself to render to said Keyes during said year, (1866,) respectful, obedient and faithful labor, and to labor from daylight until dark, of each day, under such plantation regulations as the said Keyes or his Agent, shall make. 

In consideration of the faithful performance of this contract by the said Aaron Crossley freedman, the said Keyes hereby obligates and binds himself to pay said Aaron Crossley the sum of $180,00, per year, payable at the end of the year, and to furnish him with 3 1/2 lbs. of meat and one pack of meal per week and with good and comfortable quarters and fuel,

The said Keyes further agrees to keep constantly on hand meat, meal, and salt which he hereby binds himself to furnish said Aaron Crossley in sufficient quantity over and above his ration as stated at current market price.

The said Keyes further agrees to require no labor of the said   from twelve MN Saturdays until the Mondays following, except attention to stock, and except further, that when work and labor may be deemed indispensable by the said Keyes to the successful cultivation and gathering of the crop, and when said Aaron Crossley shall be so required to labor on the afternoons of Saturdays as above stated, the said Keyes agrees either to pay said Aaron Crossley for such extra labor, or to allow said Aaron Crossley an equal amount of time for his own use, out of laboring days when the situation and condition of the crop and plantation will permit.

It is further agreed that in case the said Aaron Crossley, shall absent himself without permission, or shall neglect or refuse to labor, as above stipulated, the said Keyes or his Agent, reserves the right to discharge said Aaron Crossley, from his employ, and the said Aaron Crossley shall forfeit all wages due him, by virtue hereof, at time of his discharge.

It is further understood and agreed that the said Keyes is to furnish all necessary medicines, and attention