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[[stamp]] THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [[/stamp]]

RULES AND REGULATIONS
FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF FREEDMEN, AND INSTRUCTIONS TO SUPERINTENDENTS.

For the purpose of protecting the Freedmen employed on plantations, or otherwise, on the one hand, and of giving trustworthiness to labor on the other, the following rules and regulations are to be observed between Freedmen and their employers in the Department of Tennessee and State of Arkansas. Superintendents of Freedmen will carefully observe and execute the orders upon which this supervision is based, steadily and earnestly laboring to secure the interests of the Government by improving the condition, usefulness and character of the freed people, and they will endeavor to render available, as far as possible, all efforts of volunteer laborers, and of charity looking to their good: 

I.... The minimum wages of Freedmen shall be ten dollars per month for males over fifteen years of age, and competent to do a well man's work, and seven dollars per month for females over fifteen years of age, and capable of doing a well woman' work. Of those from twelve to fifteen inclusive, and those too feeble to earn full wages, half price, or a specified amount which may be agreed upon by the employer and employee, and approved by the District Superintendent of Freedmen - in all cases half of the wages earned to be paid monthly, if desired by the Freedmen, and a full settlement to be made on the first days of May and November respectively, witnessed and certified by the Superintendent of Freedmen. Wages may range higher than the above rates, when agreed to between the parties, and approved by the proper Superintendent. The pay of mechanics, and those who are competent for foremen, or having a special skill at any labor required on a plantation, will be subject to special agreement. 

II.... In all cases the agreement shall be made in good faith and be the free act of the parties; when made, it shall be put in form of contract, and signed; and shall be witnessed and approved by the Superintendent of Freedmen, who shall enforce its inviolability upon the respective parties, furnishing each a copy, and retaining a third on file in his office. The copy of the contract in the hands of the employee shall be the only military pass required when in the regular discharge of his or her duty, and shall be respected, the same as a pass in the hands of any white person. A special permit from the Superintendent will be required to pass an employee out of his district. All contracts, at their alteration or expiration, will be taken up by the Superintendent of Freedmen.

III.... The use of the lash, paddle, and all other cruel means of punishment, and any treatment of employees by their employers, inconsistent with their freedom, are prohibited. If either employer or employee considers himself or herself aggrieved, he or she will make complaint to the Superintendent of Freedmen, who is empowered to take testimony, investigate facts, and apply the necessary corrective. If either party shall choose, he or she may appeal to the General Superintendent, whose decision shall be final. In all cases involving life, or when either party shall desire it, or when deemed necessary, the District Superintendent will appoint a Court of Inquiry, of three or more commissioned officers, who shall hear the evidence and render a decision on the facts, subject to the approval of the District or General Superintendent. 

IV.... Laborers will be required to work ten hours each day, and six days in the week; abuses or neglect will be corrected by the Superintendent of Freedmen. In case of the employee's willful neglect to labor, every day lost shall be deducted from his monthly pay; also the cost of subsistence furnished him and those dependent on him during the period of willful idleness. In case of sickness, certified by the accredited physician, the employee will receive his usual supply of subsistence for himself and those dependent on him, but will lose the time if more than three working days in any one month. 

V.... Accurate accounts will be kept by all employers with each employee, subject to the examination of the Superintendent of Freedmen. At the end of each month a card will be given each laborer, or a statement entered in his pass book, showing the time worked and the charges made for goods furnished. A tax of five per cent. annually shall be collected on the wages of each employee, male or female, able to do the work of a well person - one-half at each semi-annual settlement - to be expended in sustaining schools, and for the support of the sick and otherwise dependent of their race. 

VI.... Employers will be required, in addition to the wages paid actual laborers, to provide quarters and subsistence for the family proper of the employee, including children and dependent parents. Employers will furnish good and sufficient quarters for laborers; a separate tenement for each family of four or more persons over the age of fifteen years, except when the District Superintendent shall, for some sufficient reason, allow more to live together temporarily; special regard will be had to sanitary conditions. They will also provide employees and their families, for each person included, except those under ten years of age - and for these half the same - each week, the following provisions, of good subsistence, examined and certified as sound by the District Superintendent, or other officer appointed for the purpose, viz: - Six pounds of pork or bacon, or eight pounds of free or salt beef; ten pounds of corn meal, or eight pounds of flour; two pounds of beans, peas, rice or hominy, and one pint of molasses; and, in addition, to each adult laborer, one pound of green coffee, or one-eighth pound of tea, two pounds of potatoes, and one pound of sugar. They will also provide one-half acre of land to each family, when desired by the employee, and a sufficient supply of wood, without charge; and all goods for wearing apparel and household use, at cost of original bill at St. Louis, Chicago, Cincinnati, Memphis or New Orleans, increased by cost of transportation, certified before the Superintendent of Freedmen. The one-half acre of land for each family will be worked out of the usual hours of labor, or by those who receive no pay. 

VII.... Schools will be provided at convenient locations by the Superintendent of Education of Freedmen, which all between six and twelve years of age will be required to attend; all employers of freedmen will encourage this attendance. No person will teach among freedmen except those accredited by the Superintendent of Education of Freedmen. It is recommended that planters establish schools, at their own expense, on the approval of the Superintendent of Education of Freedmen.

VIII.... The Medical Director of Freedmen will furnish medical supplies and attendance from the fund accruing from the tax upon labor of freed people, and its products. Employers will furnish proper hospital accommodations, including nurses and subsistence. No persons will practice medicine among the Freedmen, except those accredited by the Medical Director of Freedmen. 

IX.... All colored men and women, living together as husband and wife, shall be required to be married at once by an authorized person, a proper certificate of which will be given. All employers and others connected with the freed people will enforce the strict observance of all duties growing out of the marital relation of husband and wife, of parent and child. 

X.... Superintendents will encourage the enlistment of the able-bodied men into the military service, and will required the industry of all others able to work. They will provide employment for all those not laboring for government or private parties, as the General Superintendent may direct, allowing none able to work to be idle. Those disposed, and competent to carry on individual enterprise, will be furnished all necessary permits and protection. 

XI.... Employers will report to the Superintendents all births, deaths and marriages among the people in their employ, and the Superintendents will keep an exact registration of the same, and likewise that of arrivals and removals, and include the same in their monthly reports. 

XII.... Industry, shelter, food, clothing, medical supplies, and attendance, will be furnished to all entirely dependent on "Home" or "Asylum Farms."

XIII.... Each Superintendent will make a monthly report of the people under his charge to the General Superintendent, as well as such other reports as commanding officers may require. All forms used in the business of the Department, including passes, permits, marriage certificates, etc., will be prescribed or approved by the General Superintendent.