[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 
 
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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