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This is to certify that I leave Mr. P. Metzler
of Jaffa a parcel of land called Mnt. Hope
for one year & a half from this time, to look after it
& to look after its welfare & also to take care of the
tools which are left in the room, he having the key.
He can do with it as he pleases, either let it to arabs
& work it himself, provided that the improvement
& best of the land is kept constantly in view. Mr.
Metzler obliges himself to deliver the tools & land
& house to any order coming from Mr. Charles A.
Minor or myself but to no other persons whatever.
If no order arrives from us in the above referred to one
year & a half it shall be considered the Mr. Metzler
is to have the land & every thing else for another year.
As renumeration for the troubles Mr. Metzler is
to have the produce of the land & nobody shall have
the right to ask any questions about it.

Jaffa June 4 1858

John A. Steinbeck