Natchitoches spectator., 1868-02-13
Circular No s.
Hdqrs. Bureau r. +. q A; l. }
New Orleans, Jan. %, 1868. }


contracts between employers and freed
men are Published for the Information
and Guidance OF all concerned:
1. Laberers shall chose their employ
ers. and it ia their privilege, as well as
their duty, to obtain the best terms they
can far their services.
All contracts for labor should be made
in tripiieate, and should be approved by
the 4 gent Of this Rsreau, for the Eafish
In which the parties reside; one copy 20
be retained by the employer, one 10 oe
retained in the office by the local Bureau
agent. and one TO be forwarded by tlm
to these Headquarters.
Contracts made otherwise than as thus
prescribed, will not he regarded as bind
ing by the Bureau. nor as mcriting it's
interference TO enforce them, unless for
the protection of the laborer.
g. AS far as practicable, all the men,
bers of the same family should contract
conformity for their labor, so that the
number of useful hands and the number
of infirm who have TO be Supported, may
be regarded in fixing the rate of pay.
The labor of minor children to be con-
tracted for by their parents or guardian,
and, in the absence of either, by the
Agent of this Bureau.
3. The monthly wages must be just
be performed
4. Twenty-six days, Of ten hours each,
i'm summer. and nine hours in winter.
between the hours of daylight and dark,
shall he considered a IN onth.
5. ANY work in excess of this will be
considered as an equivalent for days
work, and fractional parts of the six
hours will he paid for at the same rate.
G. Laborers working extra time will
he allowed n half ration extra tor each
and every six hours labor performed.
Z. In addition to the monthly wages
paid to 1aborers, good and wholesome
rations, comfortable clothing and quar-
ters, medical attendance and Just treat
ment. and the opportunity for instruc-
tion of children will be furnished free
of charge; but the rations, clothing and
quarters, fuel and all other privileges
granted by the employer are part OF the
which he pays for the SER
vices of the laborer, and are as really
and fully wages as the money contrac-
ted to be paid, and are always taken
into the account in fixing the amount of
money wages to be paid.
s. The Sabbath Day being set apart
for the worship of God, no laborer will
be required TO perform any work on til at
day, except works of necessity or mercy.
shall be follows: One peck of corn meal
and five pounds of pork or bacon per
week, and the money value of this ration
will be taken into the account in fixing
the rate of wages to be paid.
10. The allowance of clothing will be,
two summer and one winter suit for each
aborer or member ef the family, or clo--
th ng may be commuted at the rate of
three dollars per month for first class
hands, two and one-half dollars per
mouth for second and third class hands,
and one-half dollars per month for chill
lren at the option of the laborer.
IL. Quarters shall he such as to pro-
tect the laborer and his family from the
of the weather, and must
contain accommodations for cooking,
and, in addition, one-half acre of land
to the house will be set apart |
for each family for garden purposes.
~. Should the contracting parties
prefer it, the laboreIs can engage to fur
lish their own food and clothing, their
wages to he regulated ACCORDINGLY. |
These supplies may be purchased n |
he employer, who must, if he under |
axes to supply his hands, in all cases
Keep n regular book account for each
iand, aud sell at usual market rates,
which accounts must be open at all times
" titC vi JDc <1SCllS VI IIIIS |
3ureaI; this mode of contract is recon-
nended TO the freedmen. Should they
lesire to contract for a. a.certain portion
IT the crop, they can do SO, and tn en-
'loyer, in all contracts of this kind, will
De required TO comply with section XVII
" this circular. III all cases practical
Ile, freedmen will be advised to contract
or wages instead of shares-and each
reedman contracting to labor should
Keep in his possession "a memorandum
'OOk, in which should be charged any
'rticle of subsistence or clothing fur
lished by the employer during the pc
iOd for which he contracted to labor
13. One-half of the monthly wages
will be paid to the laborer on the last
lay of each month, and the remaining
'ne-half will be retained by the employ.
r until the contract is fulfilled, when it
will be paid over to the labOrer.
ID. Should the laborer refuse to do
he work contracted for, or should he
cave the plantation or place on which,
IT the employer tor whom, he has en-
.aged to wOrk--for the purpose OfavoiI-
ng labor, without just cause or provo
upon proper application,
will be determined by the Agent of this
Bureau for the Parish in which he re-
4.nnV a l.