What are the principal goals that both the master and the indentured servant each seeking in the contract?

Indentured servants were people who signed a contract by which they agreed to work for a number of years in exchange for transportation to the colonies, and once here, food, clothing and shelter. They usually served for four to seven years, and upon release, were granted full liberty, along with some land. However, they often faced very difficult conditions, disease, and mistreatment.

The goal of indentured servants was to achieve safe passage to the colonies in order to have a new, better life. They expected the masters to provide adequate food, shelter and work for the years of the contract. They also expected to be released once their time was up.

The master, on the other hand, mainly wanted to gain free labor for his land. He did not have to provide much to the servants, and had very few responsibilities towards them. However, he needed to release them at the end of their work period.