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Agreement with Freedmen

This Agreement, made and entered into this 24th day of January A.D. 1866 by and between E.J. Palmer of the County of Lauderdale and State of Mississippi, party of the first part, and the undersigned Freedmen, parties of the second part, WITNESSETH: That, for the purpose of cultivating the plantation known as the Ivy Plantation, situate in the County of Lauderdale and State of Mississippi during a part of the year 1866, commencing on the 24th day of January, 1866, and ending on the 27th day of [[strikethrough]] December [[/strikethrough]]  June, 1866— the said party of the first part, for and in consideration of the covenants and agreements of the said parties of the second part, hereinafter contained, COVENANT AND AGREE to pay the said parties of the second part, the amounts of money, [[strikethrough]] or, in lieu thereof, such proportions of the crop, [[/strikethrough]], as are set opposite their respective names the one third 1/3 thereof, if money, to be paid on the last day of each month of said year; the remainder, on or before the 27th day of [[strikethrough]] December [[/strikethrough]] June, 1866, and before the final disposal of the crop; [[strikethrough]] but if given an interest in the crop, to receive said interest or proportion when the crop is gathered and ready for market[[/strikethrough]]. The said party of of the first part also agree to furnish to said Freedman, parties of the second part, during their continuance to labor, and for the time above specified, free of charge, good and sufficient quarters and fuel; to see that the premises thus furnished are kept in a good sanitary condition; to furnish the Freedmen, parties of the second part, free of charge, full, substantial and healthy rations, all necessary medical attendance and supplies in case of sickness, [[strikethrough]] to supply each hand with one suit of clothing for summer and one for winter wear, to include hats and shoes [[/strikethrough]]; to allot from the lands of said plantation, for garden purposes, to each family, not less than an eighth of an acre, if desired; such allotment to include a reasonable use of tools and animals for the cultivation of said gardens; to exact only usual hours work per day in summer, and usual hours work per day in winter, and no labor whatever on Sunday; [[strikethrough]] to grant one half of each and every Saturday, to enable them to cultivate the portions of land allotted to them for garden purposes [[/strikethrough]]; and if any labor, in excess of the above, per day, is required, and rendered, the same to be paid for as extra labor, at the same rates as agreed upon for the monthly labor; and to co-operate in the establishment of any school for the education of the children of said Freedmen.

And in consideration of the faithful performance, by the said party of the first part, of all the obligations assumed by him, and of the punctual payment by him of all the wages agreed upon, as aforesaid, the said Freedmen, parties of the second part, hereby COVENANT AND AGREE with the said E.J. Palmer party of the first part, his Executors, Administrators, or Assigns, to render, during the period of five months before named, respectful, faithful and obedient labor, in strict conformity with the conditions aforesaid.

It is furthermore agreed, That in the case said E.J. Palmer party of the first part, shall fail, neglect or refuse to fulfill any of the obligations assumed by him or shall be guilty of cruelty to the Freedmen, or any of them, he shall, besides being liable to the legal recourse left to the party or parties aggrieved, render this contract liable to annulment. And in case any of the Freedmen shall voluntarily absent himself or herself from, or shall neglect or refuse to perform, the labor herein contracted for, and the fact shall be satisfactorily proven the two thirds of the wages due to the party so offending, and retained in the hands of E.J. Palmer, the party of the first part shall be forfeited to him, for his own use and benefit; and the party or parties so offending shall be discharged from said employment.

It is furthermore agreed, That any wages due the Freedmen, the parties of the second part, under this agreement, shall constitute a first lien upon all the crops produced on the plantation aforesaid.

It is agreed that any time lost by said laborers shall be charged against them, except time left for rainy days