The Hartley was chartered by the church to carry return missionaries and converts from Liverpool, England to New Orleans. They left Liverpool on 5 March, 1849 and arrived in New Orleans 28 April, 1849.

Records of the journey can be found in the Mormon Immigration Index. The following information is from that index.

The ship Hartley also cleared from this port for New Orleans a few days since, having on board over 220 souls. About one-third of these were Welsh, the balance English and Scotch -- all Saints -- under the presidency of Elder William Hulme of Manchester. Five large ships have sailed form this port loaded with Saints during the last four or five weeks. Thus the great work of the gathering rolls on, fulfilling the great and glorious predictions contained in the Book of Mormon, Bible, and other revalations. Hasten thy work, O Lord, that Zion may speedily become a strong nation! . . ."

According to the report of Elder Hulme the voyage of this company was more like a pleasure excursion than a long journey, as the weather was very pleasant, and the sea and wind gentle, during nearly the entire voyage. On the thirty-fifth day after setting sail from the river Mersey, the Hartley reached the great Bahama Banks, where she was obliged to cruise or stand at anchor six days among the islands, either on account of calms or contrary winds. From that point to New Orleans the voyage was prosperous. One death and one birth occurred on the voyage, to-wit: Sister Hall, from Liverpool was delivered of a fine boy, April 15th; and Brother T. Slinger's youngest daughter (Elizabeth) died of croup, April 19th; she was placed in a tin coffin, made of tea canisters, which was then inclosed in a wood coffin, so that the remains could be taken to New Orleans for internment. The captain and crew were very kind to the emigrants during the entire voyage; several of the sailors were converted, and four of them baptized by Elder Hulme, on the twenty-ninth of April, at New Orleans; their names were, John Everett, aged twenty-seven; Alfred Percy, twenty-one; George Percy, twenty-eight, and David Wilson twenty-three.

April 28th, 1849, the Hartley arrived at New Orleans, and Elder Lucius N. Scovil was there to receive them. About four o'clock in the evening, the emigrants were comfortably berthed at No. 17 on the Levee.

On the thirtieth, the company secured their clearance papers, and prepared to set off for St. Louis in an American steamboat the next day --

The image shows a part of the passenger list of the journey.

The passengers shown in the image on the right are James and Elizabeth Eynon from Lawrenny, Wales with their daughters Louisa, Martha and Charlotte.