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