Instructions for William J. McCalley's Plantation

[001]

From twelve years of
Closs observation I find that
No planter can be successfull
unless every thing is done by
[system]
Order and [system]
becomes easy by daly practicing
the same
No Overseer Can expect
to systemize [?] anything unless
he practices the thing himself
he should be uniform and
attentive to every duty and
they will soon become pleasant
and easy to perform.
And the Negros seeing
him discharge his duties
faithfully could not hope to
be excused whenever They failed
to discharge theirs
The occasional visits
of a friend or relation is not
objected to but even those must
be limited
Good Order improves

[002]

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improves every thing and injure
Nothing whilest selfishness
Cause ever everything [?]
I want all my Negros
encouraged in religious feelings
Morality especially and always
punished for cruelty to their
own children. And to stock
of all lands.
On the first of the
year you must make out a
perfect list of every thing you
have to work with on the plan-
tation of every description and
kind and that list in a book
for that purpose.
A daily record of every
thing you do Copied in the same
book.
I do not wish you
to depart in any degree from
my plans as you find them
laid down.
You will not be permitted
to stop any negro for

[003]

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for your own use unless absolutely
necessary.
You will not be
permitted to be riding about
the neighborhood to the neglect
of your business.
No Man should attempt
to Manage Negros unless
he is humane, firm and
perfectly fearless and that
has perfect control of his temper
Punishment must
never be cruel, never think of
using a Cowhide or whip of
any kind it seems to me
lowlife to use any thing to
whip a Negro with but very
small switches a man that
would use anything else when
a negro is tied is holy unfit
to manage Negroes.
You will not be
permitted to lend any thing
off of the plantation without

[004]

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My Consent.
Having any Comm-
unication with any of my
women under any Consideration
will Certainly Cause you to be
discharged.
You must give
Your personal attention to the
stables and stock of all kinds
and see that the horses are
well attended to see them fed
and Will Cured [or carried?] trust no
body see that the troughs
are close and kept clean that
the horses have no rotten Corn
given them. And when at
work see that every Collar and
hame fit so they will not
gald see that the foreman
of the ploughs does his duty
as a great deal depends on him
let him know that he is watched
and responsible for any
negligence. Punish the Negroes
Ploughman for whipping

[005]

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and fighting his team.
See that the Milk
cows are in place Well
milked and fed this is very
important.
Rise early and never
let the Negros find you in bed
of a Morning unless you are
sick.
Where ever the hands
are at work it is your duty
to be with them as much
as possible to see that they do
their work well.
See that the Negros
food is well cooked nice and
clean and at the right time.
On every Monday
morning see that every one on
the plantation has on clean
Clothes from head to foot.
Once every weak
you must examine every
Cabin on the plantation and
see that they are perfectly
Clean and in Order and that

[006]

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no filth accumulate under and
about the beds.
Be Carful about
the Childrens' clothes that they
are kept clean and well mended
the older Negros must not be
permitted to impose on the younger
ones.
You will see that the
gates and forces and things
about the plantation are kept
in order keep the wagons
Carts and tools of all kind under
shelter keep the wagons
and Carts well greased with
tar and a little grease in it.
Profane language
must be prohibited and always
punished for the first offence
the example should be
set by the overseer.
Sickness especially
must be attended to Night
and day.
My views and plans
in preparing and cultivated

[007]

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the crop must be strictly
adhered to and not departed
from without my Consent.

[008]

Instructions
For
William J. McCalley's
Plantation