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OBLIGATION.

The Undersigned,

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does hereby solemnly promise and engage, that he will secure to the Refugees and Freedmen now resident on his Edisto Estate, the crops of the present season, harvested or unharvested; also, that the said Refugees and Freedmen shall be allowed to remain at their present houses or other homes on the island, so long as the responsible Refugees and Freedmen (embracing parents, guardians, and other natural protectors,) shall [[strikethrough]] make [[/strikethrough]] enter into- contracts by leases or for wages in terms satisfactory to the Supervising board.

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Neither the land owners nor the Refugees and Freedmen will be obligated by this instrument beyond one year from this date unless the instrument be renewed. Also, that the undersigned will take the proper steps to [[strikethrough]] make [[/strikethrough]] enter into contracts with the above described responsible Refugees and Freedmen, the latter being required on their part to [[strikethrough]] make [[/strikethrough]] enter into said contracts within the period of two months from date, or surrender the right to remain on the said estate. 

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But nothing in this instrument shall be so construed as to relieve the above mentioned persons from the ordinary judicial consequences of crime and misdemeanor. 

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Also, that no obstacle shall be interposed by the undersigned, to schools sanctioned by the Supervising Board. 

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Transcription Notes:
Reopened to add omitted strikethroughs. When there are crossed out words in the main body that are still legible they should be included in the transcription using the [[strikethrough]] and [[/strikethrough]] tags.