Ships Certificate of clearance’s Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan

Copyright © 1999 by Midge Judith Smith. This copy contributed for use in the 
USGenWeb Archives.  

 

************************************************

Copyright.  All rights reserved.

http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm

http://usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm

************************************************






The Little Argo and Sloop Contract Detroit
Pioneer Society of Michigan VOL 11

Transcribed by Midge Judith Smith

The little Argo did good service for four years, when she was leased by her 
owner, Capt. Burtis, to the late Horace Davenport, of Windsor. The original lease 
is now in the possession of James A. Girardin, of this city. It reads as follows:

THIS INDENTURE, made the twenty-second day of April, in the year of our Lord one 
thousand eight hundred and thirty four, but to have full force and effect from 
the first day of January last, between John Buritis, of the one part, and Horace 
Davenport on the other part, witnesseth:
    
WHEREAS, I, the said John Burtis, am and being the owner of the one-third 
interest in the ferry from Detroit to the Canada shore, as well as the one-third 
of the steam ferry boat Argo, and other boats appertaining to said ferry. Now 
know ye that I, the said John Burtis, for and in consideration of the rent, 
warrants and agreement hereinafter mentioned, on the part of the said 
Horace Davenport, his executors, administrators and assigns, the one-third 
interest and all other boats and things made use of and appertaining to the said 
establishment to have; to have and to hold the one-third part of the said steam 
ferry boat, Argo, with everything appertaining thereto, for and during the full 
end and term of one year from the first day of January, as aforesaid, to be fully 
completed and ended, paying therefor unto the said John Burtis, his heirs, 
executors and administrators, the sum of $275, of good and lawful money of the 
United States, one-twelfth of which sum -- that is, to say $22.92 at the 
expiration of every month during the continuance of the lease, free of all 
expenses, costs and charges, that may accrue in prosecuting said ferry, and 
expenses  attending in keeping in repair said steam ferry boat and boats, and 
every other article pertaining to the same, (wear and tear excepted) and the 
said John Burtis, for himself, his heirs and assigns, doth hereby covenant and 
agree to and with the said Horace Davenport, his executors, administrators and 
assigns, that they and each of them, paying the rent aforesaid, and performing, 
fulfilling and keeping all and singular the warrants conditions and agreements 
herein contained, on his and their, and each of their parts, to be performed, 
fulfilled, and shall enjoy the one-third of the interest and avails of the 
ferry aforesaid, as well as the one-third of the steam ferry boat Argo, and other 
boats hereby conveyed, and every part thereof, unto the said Horace Davenport, 
his heirs, etc, without Any suit, trouble, hindrance, or molestation whatever, 
during the continuance of their lease, fully to be complete and ended.

In witness we have unto set our hands and seals, at Detroit, in the Territory of 
Michigan, the day, month and years first above mentioned.

John Burtis  {SEAL}
Horace Davenport {SEAL}

An addendum follows the lease in which the lessor agrees to make all necessary 
repairs, pay taxes, etc.

The Argo did good service for several years, and was suceeded by the United 
States. She was followed by the Alliance, and after her came the Undine. She was 
short-lived and gave place to another Argo, which long held a place on the route, 
and only disappeared a few years ago. Then came the Ottawa and the Essex, the 
latter just now finishing up her long and prosperous career. Each of these boats 
was an improvement on its' predecessor, and we call all testify that the boats 
put upon the route within the past few years are a great way ahead of those they 
superceded.


CERTIFICATE OF CLEARANCE OF THE SLOOP "CONTRACTOR"

District of Michilimackinac} Port of Michilimackinac}  ss
  
These are to Certify all whom it may or doth Concern that Wm. Lee, Master of the 
Sloop Contractor, American Bottom, Berthen Sixty three, 50 - 95 tons. Navigated 
by five men, and bound for Detroit, having on board the following Cargo, viz: -

Twenty-six Empty Barrels
One Bundle Bufflow Robes
One Barrel Sugar (M. Dequandre)
Two Mocucks Sugar & one Feather Bed, (W. Wilmot)

Together with Nine Passengers, their baggage and the necessary Sea Stores for the 
Voyage - Hath her entered and Cleared out his said Vessels as the Law directs.

Given under my hand & Seal of Office at the Custom House this 27th day of Sept., 
A.D. 1803 & in the thirtieth Year of Independence of the United States of 
America.

FOR DAVID DUNCAN, Collector                                                               
DAN DALY, Dept. of Coll'r
By E.N. Labroix of Detroit, Mich.













dz