Articles of Agreement for the Maid of Iowa

The following is the transcription of articles of agreement between Joseph Smith Jr and Arthur Morrison and Pulaski S. Cahoon regarding the steamboat Maid of Iowa. The articles are available at the Church History Library, MS 9670 folder 7, in Salt Lake City, on microfilm.

Transcription

This article of agreement made and entered into this fifteenth day of June A.D. 1844 between Joseph Smith as Sole Trustee in Trust for the Church of Jesus Christ of [the RCK] Latter Day Saints of the county of Hancock[,] State of Illinois of the first part, and Arthur Morrison and Pulaski S. Cahoon as principle and Abraham C. Hodge and Hirum Kimball as securities of the County and State aforesaid of the second part witnesseth, that the said Joseph Smith for and in consideration of the rents, covenants and agreements hereinafter mentioned, contained and reserved, that granted, bargained and leased, and by these presents doth grant, bargain and lease for the term of one month, with a privilege of six months as may be agreed upon by the said parties thereafter, all that Steam Boat "Maid of Iowa", together with all her tackle, apparel, fixtures, furniture and appurtenances to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining. And the said parties of the second part hereby covenant and agree to pay to the said party of the first part the some of one hundred dollars per month, to be paid monthly in advance, as a rent for the said Steam Boat "Maid of Iowa". And further, the said parties of the second part hereby bind themselves, their heirs and assigns [???] in the penal sum of seven thousand dollars, to quietly and peacefully surrender and yield up the said Steam Boat "Maid of Iowa"and all appurtenances to the same belonging or in any way appertaining unto the said party of the first part at the expiration of this lease in as good refrain and condition (reasonable use and wearing thereof and unavoidable accidents and casualties excepted) as when they take possession of the same.

And further, the said party of the first part reserves the right and privilege of keeping a man on board said "Steam Boat "Maid of Iowa" [sic!] at the expense of the said parties of the second party as a witness to testify in case of accident to the said boat, but such to have authority to control in command the said boat in any manner whatever. In witness whereof, the said parties have each and severally to this instrument set their hands and seals this 15th day of June A.D. 1844.

• Joseph Smith 
• Arthur Morrison
• Pulaki S. Cahoon
• Hiram Kimball
• A.C. Hodges