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and the liabilities of the parties to it - 

I will premise by saying that - thrown for a life time in contact with the colored race of this country - and having been the former owner of them - I believe I fully appreciate their characteristics. know their wants and understand as well as any one can, the best mode, and manner of utilizing their services -

In the execution of the contract every clause was fully explained to the freedman, in language suitable to their comprehension. And although some of the plantation regulations may seem stringent they readily recognised the importance of them and cheerfully subscribed to them.  I propose to explain to you the necessity for some of them - and ask your concurrence in a similar contract for the coming year - provided I can procure the services of a sufficient number of laborers to carry on the plantation - The first four clauses need no explanation I take it - The fifth was to the freedmen the most objectionable feature in it - And to me seemed