Common labourers working on the Kanawha River for the James River Company in 1821 had to sign a contract outlining terms of employment. For its part, the Company promised to pay the agreed wages and to furnish “substantial & wholesome food, fit for labouring people, and such reasonable accommodations for lodging, he finding his own beding, as the season of the year may require.” In return, labourers agreed to work at least one month, and “to conduct themselves diligently, orderly & soberly, & with due & proper obedience to the manager or managers, Foremen, or directors of the work, so that the same may go on with regularity & dispatch.” If a labourer failed to behave in an acceptable manner he could be discharged at any time, while ten days' worth of his wages were retained as a security, “it being all important to the Company not to be impeded in their operations by improper conduct, or sudden desertions from their employment.” Similarly, the company managers wished to “secure the services of diligent and orderly mechanics in whom they can depend to remain steadily in their employment for such term as they may stipulate.” Skilled workers also gave their word to serve “diligently, orderly and soberly,” and to perform any job required when there was not enough work in their particular trade.