Journeying West Before 1840

I noticed this, because the ship's captain has the same name as one of my ancestors, but it gives some idea of the type of contract these early passengers had:

"October 7, 1803. Amsterdam. Nathaniel Ray, Captain Ship Commerce. Agreement. I, Nathaniel Ray, Captain, on the one part, and we the passengers on the other part, accept and obligate ourselves as persons of honor. We passengers are obligated to behave ourselves quietly and as good passengers during the voyage, and be fully satisfied with the food below specified agreed upon between the captain and ourselves. In the second place we agree to pay our passage with the following stipulations: Those who are in position to settle (for the passage money) in Amsterdam to pay for one person, whether man or woman. (Children under four years begin free.)

"Those who pay their passage in America shall be bound to produce it within ten days and shall not be allowed to leave the ship. For those who could not pay the ship became the marketplace. The buyers make their choice among the arrivals and bargain with them for a certain number of years and days. They then take them to the merchant, pay their passage and their other debts, and receive from the government authorities a written document which makes the newcomer their property for a definite period of time, usually seven years, to work off their debt.

"If a passenger dies on the voyage, the family of such a person shall be obligated to settle for his passage, if he dies beyond the middle point of the voyage. If he dies on this side of the middle, the loss shall be to the account of the captain.

"On the other part, I, Captain Nathan Ray, obligate myself to furnish them with the necessary convenience of the ship, and further to provide food herein below specified. For this conveyance the above mentioned passage money must be to me. Distribution shall be made daily among these passengers, to wit, to one full passage (a half passage in proportion, for children nothing). Sunday, a pound of beef with barley. Monday, a pound of flour with a pound of butter good for a whole week. Tuesday, a half pound of bacon with peas. Wednesday, a pound of flour. Friday, one-half pound of rice. Saturday, peas, a pound of cheese and six pounds of bread for the week and half pound of bacon. A quart of beer and a quart of water per day. Vinegar also is to be taken along on the ship, not only to keep the ship clean in order to insure good fresh air, but also for the refreshment of the passengers.

"Since beer sours during the voyage, and is then very harmful to the health of the passengers, only enough beer for a part of the voyage will be taken, and when this is gone a double portion of water will be given, half of the water will be supplied for cooking. Each morning a small glass of Holland gin, and each week, now and then, some vinegar.

"We promise to fulfill all the above mentioned, and to this end bind our persons and property as of right."

Source: Sharing Our Links to the Past