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:e^ E IP o i^ T 
 
 RELATIVE TO 
 
 .EASING ABANDONED PLANTATIONS 
 
 AND 
 
 4 
 
 , AFFAIRS OF THE FREED PEOPLE 
 
 n? 
 
 FIRST SPECIAL AGENCY. 
 
 By WILLIAM P. M E L L E N. 
 
 W.\SHiSQTO.v, February 11, 1S04. 
 
 i- 
 
 WASHIXGTOX, D. C. : 
 
 MoGILL & WITHEROW, PRINTERS AND STEREOTTPERS 
 
 1864. 
 
 \.3 
 
 <» 
 
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 , Ur 
 
 /^-7^-37 
 
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 0' 
 09 
 
 REPORT. , 
 
 Washington, February 11, 1S64. 
 
 Sir : In compliance with the instructions of your letter of 
 December 27, 18G3, to assume the performance of the duties 
 contemplated by the orders of the Secretary of War, in 
 leasing abandoned lands, houses, and tenements, I proceeded 
 down the Mississippi river, as far as iS"atchez, and now report 
 my action and the result of my observation. 
 
 At Memphis I prepared rules and regulations concerning 
 the renting of abandoned plantations and the employment 
 of freedmen, which were forwarded to you for approval. 
 These rules provided for radical changes in the system 
 adopted in my agency last year. Instead of uniform rates 
 per acre, for all lands leased, I fixed a minimum price, and 
 provided that such additional rent should be charged as 
 could be obtained, huvino; resjard to the location for com- 
 parative safety from raids, condition of buildings, and im- 
 provements. 
 
 The minimum rate is two cents per pound on all cotton 
 raised, and a proportionate sum on other products. In cases 
 where more than one person made application for the same 
 plantation, the leasing was at [lublic auction at Vicksburg. 
 The honns bid was from (,\,) one-tenth of a cent to eight and 
 a quarter (Sj) cents per pound on cotton raised, and in pro- 
 portion for other crops. Average bonus two and one-third 
 (2J ) cents per pound on cotton raised. Average rent four 
 and one-third (4]) ceuts per pound, equal to seventeen j^^ 
 dollars per bale. 
 
As the lessees of last year had been assured by General 
 Thomas, and the commissioners under him, that they should 
 continue this year at Government rates, it was thought un- 
 just to subject them to competition with new applicants. 
 They, therefore, have been permitted to continue at the 
 minimum rent. 
 
 Of the rent charged, one cent per pound on cotton raised 
 is regarded as a contribution towards the support of the young, 
 aged, intirm, or helpless freed people, and is not considered 
 due to the Government. 
 
 The uniform rate of wages to freedraen, last year, was 
 seven (7) dollars to men, five (5) dollars to women, and half 
 })rice to children, the employer feeding them and they 
 clothing themselves. Lost time was deducted from wages. 
 
 Believing a uniform rate of wages injudicious, and that to 
 secure cheerful labor increased compensation should be paid, 
 1 have divided them into three classes, according to age and 
 condition, giving males $15, $20, and $25, and females $10, 
 $14, and $18 per month. In addition to this, the employers 
 to furnish full one acre of ground for garden purposes, and 
 separate quarters for each family, without charge, all other 
 expenses of living to be paid by the laborers, and all time to 
 be paid for except that voluntarily lost by them. 
 
 Thus the rents are increased from $4 to $8 for each bale 
 of cotton raised, as the minimum rate, and wages per month 
 from $7 and $5 to an average of $20 and $14 ; and instead 
 of the old system of support under slavery, I have adopted 
 that usual in the employment of free labor, endeavoring to 
 fix such rates as would yield a sufiicient profit to planters to 
 induce immigration and planting by owners of lands, and 
 yet such as would render the system self-supporting, and 
 relieve the Government from expense in providing for large 
 numbers now out of employment, and also stimulate them 
 to willing industry. 
 
 All owners of lands who have remained upon them, or 
 who return to them taking the oath contemplated by the 
 President's proclamation, may occupy and cultivate them 
 without rent, but subject to the contribution of one cent 
 
per pound on all cotton raised by them for the support of 
 the helpless freedmen, and also subject to the same rules in 
 the employment of labor as lessees of abandoned planta- 
 tions. 
 
 Provision is made to induce such of the freedmen as are 
 competent, and have means or can obtain them from aid 
 societies, or others, to cultivate small tracts of land on their 
 own account. 
 
 Provision is also made under which planters may contract 
 with freedmen to give them an interest in the crops pro- 
 duced ; these contracts, as well as others for labor, to be 
 subject to the approval of the superintendents of the frecd- 
 men's home farms. 
 
 Wages of laborers to be a first lien upon all crops pro- 
 duced, and no shipment to be made until they are paid or 
 satisfactory arrangement is made for paying them. 
 
 Xotwithstandino; the above-named increase in rentals and 
 wages, over six hundred applications have been tiled for 
 working plantations specially named by the applicants, and 
 hundreds of letters have been sent us from every section of 
 the loyal States, expressing desire to enter the cultivation of 
 southern staples, and requesting information. 
 
 I tind there are in my agency about 30,000 men, women, 
 and children, now mostly unemployed, and drawing rations 
 from the United States for support, and the number is daily 
 
 increasing. 
 
 These must be supported in idleness during this year, or 
 they ma}^ earn more than their support. 
 
 1st. By placing them all in such localities as will rendei- 
 them secure from personal harm, and employing them in 
 labor for the Government, or, 
 
 2d. By sufficiently protecting the lessees and other plant- 
 ers who will employ them. 
 
 I much prefer the latter course as likely to be productive 
 of better efi'ects in all their bearings. 
 
 But in either case immediate action is imperatively neces- 
 sary. Aderpiate military protection to this planting interest 
 must be attbrded at once, or the hundreds of persons now 
 
6 
 
 tliere and of otliers going thei'e will abandon tlieir conte 
 plated work. The military forces were mostly unexpectec 
 withdrawn from the Mississippi by General Sherman to jc 
 in his expedition. This created a panic amongst whites a ■ 
 l)lacks, in which the former withdrew from the operatic 
 which thej^had commenced, or suspended action in commei 
 ing. The latter, filled with terror, came crowding to the ri\ 
 banks imploring protection, and many of them were tei 
 porarily removed to places of safety. 
 
 More than a month has elapsed since work should ha 
 i)een commenced. Another month lost will end all chan 
 of employment by lessees and other planters this year, ai 
 ilirow upon Government the burden of supporting tho 
 sands. 
 
 I believe adequate militar}' protection will cost less thi. ^ 
 the alternative expenses, and that t can be given withoi 
 iuterfering with the general military operations, and that 
 the "Marine Brigade" is increased to 2,000 cavalry ai 
 mounted infantry to patrol the river aiid do scouting dut 
 with proper transportation, and the number of colored trooj 
 now detailed for tiie purpose of guarding the plantations 1 
 increased to five regiments to do post duty, and this who 
 force ordered to the special service of protecting the plantin 
 and freedmen's labor interest in my agency, it will be aver 
 important and most eflective branch of the military service, i 
 incidentally protecting the commerce of the rivers, and th 
 transportation of supplies to the army throughout my agency 
 This corps of colored troops should be required to labo 
 when not engaged in defense against threatened raids, am 
 in this way could be made self-supporting. 
 
 If this be done, and an order be issued by the Secretan 
 of War, exempting from military seizures all supplies anc 
 stock used and employed by lessees and other planters, anc 
 also exempting from military service all freed persons em 
 ployed under the rules, except such as shall volunteer, or hi 
 resfularlv drafted into the service, in pursuance of law, and 
 also exempting steamboats employed under authority in 
 transportation connected with this interest, I feel assured 
 
that this year's results will be generally satisfactory and 
 profitable. 
 
 Hundreds of planters who have sent their former slaves 
 beyond onr present reach will then bring them within our 
 protection, and employ them under the rules. Thousands 
 of the freed people will come thronging within our lines as 
 soon as they learn that they will be received, employed, and 
 protected, who for months past have been sent back to their 
 former masters to prevent the expense, demoralization, and 
 mortality resulting from the lack of means to provide for 
 them. 
 
 I regard this year's operations connected with the Freed- 
 men as almost as important in their national effects as the 
 success of our arms. The violent transition from one con- 
 dition to an Jier of such a mass of labor must largely 
 a iect the industrial and economical interests of the whole 
 country. 
 
 With the protection recommended, if immediaieljj given, I 
 feel certain that from four to six hundred thousand acres of 
 laud may be cultivated in cotton in my agency this year. 
 Take the lowest estimate as a basis of calculation and the 
 following results may be expected : 
 
 Four hundred thousand acres will yield, say 400,000 bales 
 of cotton ; the one cent per pound contribution paid by all 
 employers for the support of the helpless in my agency will 
 give $1,600,000 for that purpose. 
 
 The present regulation fee of four cents, and internal 
 revenue tax of half a cent per pound, on all cotton brought 
 from a State in insurrection to a loyal State, will give 
 $7,200,000. 
 
 Oue half of this quantity of land rented by the agents as 
 abandoned by the owners, for one cent per pound upon the 
 cotton raised, will give the Government, from this source, 
 $800,000. 
 
 Thus the military protection recommended will give an 
 aggregate of $9,600,000. Add to this the etfect upon our 
 manufacturing interests, the reduction of prices of fabrics 
 for families of soldiers and others, and the saving to the 
 
8 
 
 Government the expense of supporting the freed people in 
 idleness. 
 
 Add also the fact, that by so doing we shall this 3'ear 
 plant the germ of a system for directing and employing 
 this labor, while the numbers of those now within its influ- 
 ence are comparatively small, and that a commencement 
 may be made in their improvement and education to pre- 
 pare them for free labor, the experiences from which may 
 be made available for better informed action in the future, 
 when the numbers will be largely increased, and it seems to 
 me sufficient to justify the military protection recommended. 
 
 I have already created four districts within my agency on 
 the Mississippi river, as follows : 
 
 From the mouth of St. Francis river to the mouth of Ar- 
 kansas river, T. C. Callicott, Assistant Agent, witli office a^ 
 Helena. 
 
 From the mouth of Arkansas river to the south line oi 
 Carroll Parish, La., A. McFarlaud, Assistant Agent, with 
 office at Skipwith Landing. 
 
 From the south line of Carroll Parish to Grand Gulf, C. 
 A. Montross, Assistant Agent, with office at Vicksburg. 
 
 From Grand Gulf to the mouth of Ped river, William 
 Burnett, Assistant Agent, with office at Natchez. 
 
 These Assistant Agents lease abandoned plantations, 
 houses, and tenements, in their respective districts, and 
 generally supervise the employment and care of the Freed- 
 men. 
 
 I have established three "Freedmen's Home Farms," one 
 on the "York Plantation" near Natchez, one on the " Jefl 
 Davis Plantation " on Palmyra Bend, and one on General 
 Pillow's Plantation near Helena. 
 
 These "Home Farms" are designed as places of temporary 
 labor for those who are not otherwise employed, and for the 
 labor of such as cannot be serviceable to ordinary planters ; 
 also for children, and the aged and infirm, without other 
 homes. 
 
 Of course, considerable expenditure will become neces- 
 
9 
 
 sary in connection with these Home Farms, for the con- 
 struction of iDroper buildings, purchasing stock, agricultural 
 implements, seeds, supplies, &c. ; the payment of labor, 
 supporting the helpless and education of the young; trans- 
 portation of frecdmeu to them or thence to places of em- 
 ployment; medicines and medical attendance, and other 
 things incidental to the present condition of this people 
 and the country. 
 
 All freed persons brought, or coming within our lines, are 
 to be at once transported to these Home Farms, where they 
 can be employed until other labor is provided, and where the 
 helpless can be more properly and economical!}^ cared for 
 than in such " contraband camps," and military posts as are 
 now tilled with them, and in which thev are fed in idleness 
 and demoralized in many ways disgraceful to us, and ruin- 
 ous to them. 
 
 To meet the current expenditures incident to this whole 
 business in my agency, I would respectfully suggest that 
 autlioiity be given to use temporarily', the money on hand, 
 or hereafter arising from the sale of captured and £tbandoned 
 property, and from the rents of abandoned houses and ten- 
 ements. 
 
 I think this appropriation''will be sufficient, and that this 
 can be repaid out of the products of labor on the Home 
 Farms and the rents arising from the lease of abandoned 
 plantations, and the contributions paid by employers upon 
 their products, besides leaving a large balance of income to 
 the Government, much more than sufficient to pay all ex- 
 pense of the military protection recommended, in addition 
 to the benefits Government will derive from the protection 
 incidentally given to the commerce on the river and the 
 transportation of supplies to the army. 
 
 I cannot close this report without acknowledging my ob- 
 ligation for the counsel and assistance of Mr. James E. 
 Yeatman, President of the Western Sanitary Commission. 
 His heart and energies are devoted to the cause of human 
 freedom and the welfare of those set free. He has accom- 
 panied me throughout my tour of inspection, and I am 
 
10 
 
 indebted to him for suggesting many of the measures adopted 
 and recommended. 
 
 Enclosed herewith please find the rules and regulations 
 for leasing abandoned plantations above referred to. 
 
 Let me again press upon you the importance of prompt 
 action. Every day of delay, we are feeding 30,000 unem- 
 ployed people and jeopardizing the success of this year's 
 operations. 
 
 I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 WILLIAM P. MELLEN, 
 Sup. Special AgL, Treas. Dep'L 
 1st Agency. 
 Hon. S. p. Chase, 
 
 Secretary of the Treasury^ 
 
 Washington, D. C. 
 
RULES AND REGULATATIONS 
 
 FOR 
 
 .EASmG ABANDONED PLANTATIONS AND EM- 
 PLOYLN"G FREEDMEN. 
 
 Office 0f f tt^frbising ^ptm\ Jlgcnt, 
 
 First Agency TJ. S. Treasury Department, 
 
 Cincinnati^ February 8, 1864, 
 
 For tlie information of persons who wish to engage in 
 the cultivation of cotton, and in reply to repeated inquiries 
 of parties at a distance by letter, we republish the following 
 form of lease and rules and regulations recently adopted by 
 "William P. Mellen, Supervising Special Agent of the United 
 States Treasury Department, For further information we 
 refer to T. C. Callicot, Assistant Special Agent, Helena, 
 Arkansas ; A. McFarland, Assistant Special Agent, Skip- 
 with's Landing, Mississippi; C. A. Montross, Assistant Spe- 
 cial Agent, Vicksburg, Mississippi ; and William Burnett, 
 Assistant Special Agent, Natchez, Mississippi : 
 
 FORM OF LEASE. 
 
 This agreement, made this day of , 1864, by 
 
 and between the United States of America, by William P. 
 Mellen, Supervising Special Agent of the Treasury Depart- 
 ment, in the first agency, and in the State of . 
 
 Witnesseth : That in pursuance of instructions from the 
 Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, and of 
 orders from the Secretary of War, concerning the leasing 
 of abandoned houses, tenements, and lands in States de- 
 clared in insurrection, the said agent, for and in behalf of 
 the United States, agrees, upon the terms hereinafter con- 
 
12 
 
 tained, to lease to the said from the date hereof to 
 
 the first day of Jauuary, 18G5, the following described lands 
 and premises, viz : 
 
 The said having taken and filed the prescribed 
 
 oath hereunto annexed, hereby agrees to pay to the said, 
 agent, as rent for the above described lauds and premises, 
 
 cents per pound on all cotton, and a proportionate 
 
 sum upon all other products raised by him, which payment 
 shall be made as provided for, and in pursuance of the rules 
 and regulations for leasing abandoned plantations, and em- 
 ploying freedmen, hereunto annexed; and in all cases -where 
 
 freed labor is employed the said further agrees to 
 
 contribute or pay to the said agent the sum of one cent per 
 pound on all cotton, and a proportionate sum on all other 
 products grown on said premises, for the purposes set forth 
 in Section V of said Rules and Resrulations. 
 
 And the said further agrees that during the con- 
 tinuance of this lease he will keep employed one jSTo. 1 man, 
 or the equivalent thereto in men, women, or children, as 
 classified in said rules, for each twelve acres of tillable land 
 occupied by him under this lease, it being hereby agreed 
 
 that said premises contain acres, and require 
 
 No. 1 hands, or their equivalent in other grades. 
 
 And the said lessee further agrees to furnish to the per- 
 sons so emploj^ed suitable tenements, with separate quarters 
 for families who desire the same ; and that to each family 
 of four or more persons he will set apart for their sole use 
 and benefit not less than one acre of ground suitable for 
 garden purposes, and fuel sufiicient for the use and comfort 
 of each family, all of which shall be without charge to such 
 persons or the Government. 
 
 Said lessee hereby further agrees that no freed person 
 shall be employed on the said premises, except under con- 
 tracts made with such person ; and no contract for freed 
 labor shall be valid without the sanction of the Superinten- 
 dent of the Freedman's Home Farm, who shall in each case 
 designate the proportion of each grade or sex to be em- 
 ployed. 
 
13 
 
 Said lessee further agrees to pay each freed person §o em- 
 ployed according" to the terms set out and established in Sec- 
 tion X of the said Roles and Regulations. 
 
 Said lessee further agrees to pay at least one-half the 
 iamount of the monthly wages during each and every month, 
 said payment to he in cash, food, clothing, or other neces- 
 saries, at the option of the laborer; all food, clothing, or 
 other articles so furnished to be of good quality, and not to 
 be charged at more than 15 per cent, advance on wholesale 
 invoice prices at St. Louis, Chicago, Cincinnati, or Louis- 
 ville, or New Orleans, for Southern products purchased 
 there. 
 
 It is further agreed that the parties of this contract sliall 
 be subject to the observance of the llules and Regulations 
 hereto subjoined. 
 
 Signed, sealed, and delivered in presence of 
 
 [L. s.] 
 
 [L. s.] 
 
 STATE OF , , ^^ 
 
 ::} 
 
 County of - 
 
 I, , do solemnly swear that I will bear true 
 
 faith and allegiance to the Constitution and Government of 
 the United States, any law, constitution or ordinance of any 
 State to the contrary notwithstanding ; that I have no part, 
 and will take no part in the existing rebellion against the 
 Government of the United States, and will in no way give 
 aid, comfort, or countenance to any person engaged therein ; 
 that I will obey and observe all laws of Congress touching 
 slaves and the condition of slavery, and all Proclamations 
 of the President of the United States relating to the same 
 subject, and that I will do what in me lies to induce all 
 others within the circle of my intluence to do the same. 
 
 Sworn to and subscribed before \ . 
 
 me, this — day of , 186 . j 
 
 L Said plantations, or such portions thereof as may be 
 required, will be leased to good and loyal citizens, who luive 
 taken the oath subjoined to the foregoing contract. 
 
14 
 
 II. Preference will be given to those wishing small tracts 
 of land. 
 
 III. ISTo lessee will be allowed to lease more than one 
 abandoned plantation, and all shall be obliged to furnish 
 satisfactory evidence of ability to stock and cultivate the 
 quantity of laud applied for. 
 
 IV. Owners of plantations who have taken the prescribed 
 oath may occupy the same, and no charge will be made, 
 except in cases where they employ the labor of freedmen, 
 when payment of one cent per pound will be charged on all 
 cotton grown by them, and a proportionate charge upon all 
 other products of their labor, which will be applied to the 
 support of aged, infirm and helpless freed people, and for 
 sanitary and educational purposes. 
 
 V. On all lands the lessee shall pay a rent of one cent 
 per pound on all cotton, and a proportional charge upon all 
 other products grown by him, and in all cases where freed 
 labor is employed, the lessee shall, in addition to the stipu- 
 lated rent, contribute one cent per pound on all cotton grown 
 by him, and a proportionate sum upon all other products of 
 their labor, to the fund for the support of helpless and aged 
 freed people, for educational and other purposes connected 
 therewith. 
 
 VI. Freedman's Home Farms shall be established at con- 
 venient locations, which shall be under a superintendent 
 appointed for the purpose, and shall be places : 
 
 First. — Where all freed persons of the respective districts 
 in which they are located shall be registered and employed 
 until engaged or hired by other employers. 
 
 Second. — As homes for the aged and infirm freedmen, and 
 motherless children unable to perform labor. 
 
 VII. Planters, farmers, and other employers requiring 
 laborers, shall make application to the Superintendent of the 
 Freedman's Home Farms, who will furnish such as may be 
 required. Persons employing fathers or mothers must take 
 
15 
 
 with them such children or near relatives as may be depen- 
 dent upon them and desire to go. 
 
 VIII. All freed persons over the age of twelve years who 
 are capable of performing labor will be required to work. 
 
 IX. All laborers shall be classified by the Superintendent 
 as follows: 1. Sound persons from twenty to forty years of 
 age, inclusive, shall be called No. 1 hands. 2. From fifteen 
 to nineteen, inclusive, and from forty-one to fifty, inclusive, 
 shall be called No. 2 hands. 3. From twelve to fourteen, 
 inclusive, and over fifty, No. 3 hands. Persons suffering 
 from any physical defect or infirmity shall be classed by the 
 Superintendent, and wages for them designated. 
 
 X. Applications for hands shall be made to the Superin- 
 tendents, with certificate or copy of contract showing num- 
 ber of acres leased and hands required. One Xo. 1 hand, or 
 the equivalent in other grades of hands, shall be employed 
 for every twelve acres of tillable land ; the Superintendent 
 to designate the proportionate numbers and grades of each 
 
 •^.sex to be selected, and the wages of Xo. 1 males shall be $25 
 per month ; Xo. 2, $20 ; Xo. 3, $15. Nos. 1, 2, and 3 
 females, $18, $14, and $10. 
 
 In case any persons employing freed persons to labor o^ 
 plantations shall wish to give any of those employed an in- 
 terest in the profits resulting from working the same, in lieu 
 of the regular wages above specified, and such persons shall 
 desire to make a contract with the employer for a stipulated 
 portion of such profits, in lieu of other wages, it may be 
 done; provided, however, that all such contracts shall be 
 approved by the Superintendent of the Freedman's Home 
 Farm at which they are employed, or nearest which they 
 may be located, and also by the agent of the district, and 
 that one cent per pound on all cotton raised, and a propor- 
 tionate amount upon other products, shall be contributed 
 for the support of the helpless as provided in case of stipu- 
 lated wages, and also that all necessary supplies for the era- 
 ployed shall be furnished to them by the employer upon the 
 
16 
 
 same terms, and subject to the same conditions as in case of 
 payment of the regular wages above provided for. 
 
 XL When lessees wanting laborers shall have made 
 their selection, lists shall be prepared, and the employer and 
 employee shall each sign a contract in duplicate in presence 
 of a witness, one copy of which shall be retained and filed 
 by the Superintendent. 
 
 XIL At the end of the year or period of time for which 
 such contract shall be made, the lessee shall return the hands 
 to the farm from which thejMvere taken, or account for them, 
 and a fall settlement shall then be made, he paying to his 
 hands in cash such balance as may be due ; and no cotton 
 shall be sold or shipped without previous written permit of 
 the Special Agent of the District, or the certificate of the 
 Superintendent of the Farm from which they were hired, 
 that wages have been fully paid. 
 
 XIII. Lessees shall provide, without charge, good and 
 sufficient quarters for laborers employed, a separate tene- 
 ment for each family, with proper regard for sanitary condi- 
 tions, a sufficient supply of food, one acre of ground to each 
 family of four or more persons, and also to others requiring 
 it in same proportion. 
 
 XIY. The lessee shall provide and keep on hand a suf- 
 ficient supply of wholesome food, and suitable clothing for 
 the employees and their families, which shall be sold to the 
 laborers at the wholesale cost price, and fifteen per cent, there- 
 on, keeping an account of the items with each laborer, which 
 account shall be settled and approved by the Superintendent 
 at the close of the year, at which time the balance shall be 
 paid. All accounts and invoices shall be open to inspection 
 of the Superintendent and to the Special Agent of the Dis- 
 trict at all proper times. 
 
 XV. Laborers to be paid for full time unless they shall 
 be sick, or voluntaril}^ neglect to work. In cases of such 
 sickness or neglect, the employer may report it to the Farm 
 
17 
 
 jperintendent within ten days after the end of the month, 
 eho, npon being satisfied of such sickness or neglect, shall 
 •ndorse tlie proper deduction therefor upon the contract. In 
 ;ase a person fails to labor as contemplated by the contract, 
 he Superintendent upon being satisfied of the fact, shall^ 
 •eceive him or her back at the Farm, and cancel the contract, 
 apon payment by the employer of the amount properly due. 
 Should a hand quit voluntarily, without consent of the 
 lessee, before the end of the term, the balance of wages to 
 be forfeited, half to the employer and half to the Government. 
 
 XVI. Where the lessee fails to furnish a proper supply 
 of food or clothing, or does not furnish proper quarters, or 
 overtasks his laborers, or otherwise abuses them, or violates 
 his agreement, they shall have the right to appeal to the 
 Superintendent, who may have the same corrected bj' declar- 
 ing the contract forfeited, and taking possession of the land, 
 or by releasing the eraploj'ees from their contract, in which 
 latter case the lessee shall be required to pay all wages due, 
 and shall be held responsible for half wages until other em- 
 ployment for the released employees can be obtained. 
 
 XVII. There shall be employment provided on the 
 Frecdman's Ilome Farms for all who are able to work, for 
 which no wages shall be paid; food and clothing being 
 considered as an equivalent therefor, the labor performed 
 being for the benefit of the occupants of the farm, and the 
 general good. The Superintendent may establish such 
 rules for police and other purposes, as may be proper in 
 conducting the Farm and governing the persons connected 
 therewith. 
 
 XVIII. Lessees shall only be required to pay half the 
 monthly wages, either in money, provisions, or clothing, 
 until the crops are sold. The first lien upon the crops 
 shall be for the wages of the laborer, and provision will be 
 made by t?ie Superintendent to secure the prompt payment 
 of same. 
 
 XIX. The Supervising Agent, or such oflicer as shall be 
 designated by him for that purpose, will from time to time 
 
 3 
 
18 
 
 examine invoices and aceonnts of lessees, and see that the 
 rules are complied with. 
 
 XX. The use of the lash, paddle, and all other cruel modes 
 of punishment shall not be permitted or inflicted by lessees or 
 any one in tlieir employment upon the persons of any of the 
 employees or their families. 
 
 XXI. Schools will be established in convenient localities, 
 and all children between the ages of six and twelve years shall 
 be required to attend them. 
 
 XXIT. Persons desiring- to employ mechanics, wood-choppers 
 or other laborers, must apply to the Superintendent of the 
 Freedman's Home Farm, and all contracts for such labor shall 
 be subject to his approval. 
 
 XXITI. All persons living together as husband and Avife 
 shall be legally married ; they sball assume a family name, and 
 registers of marriages, births, and deaths shall be kept by the 
 Superintendents, to whom the same shall be reported by the 
 emjiloyers ; and also of the names and location of all employers, 
 together with the names of the persons employed by them, and 
 those living with them. 
 
 XXIY. All persons taking leases either by bid at a public 
 letting or without competition, will be required to work the 
 lands awarded to them under their own supervision, or that of 
 substitutes accepted by the proper Assistant Special Agent or 
 Superintendent of a Freedman's Home Farm, and no transfer 
 will be permitted or recognized in which an assignee shall pay 
 or agree to pay a bonus. 
 
 WM. P. MELLEN, 
 Supervising Special Agent, First Agency. 
 
 January 7, 1864. 
 
 pD 1.0.4 
 
This Contract, made this day of , 186 — , be- 
 tween , employer, and 
 
 , freed laborers. 
 
 WITNESSETH : That said agrees to employ said 
 
 laborers on his from the — — day of , 18G4, to 
 
 the day of , 186 — , on the terms prescribed in the 
 
 code of Rules and Regulations for leasing abandoned property 
 and hiring freedmen ; and the said laborers agree to be diligent 
 and faithful hands while in his employ ; it being understood 
 and agreed that this contract is subject to the provisions of 
 said code, by which all parties hereto agree to be governed. 
 
 In presence of — 
 
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