This fonds consists of a printed petition to the Legislative Assembly of the United Province of Canada, dated 24 April 1857 (and containing a notice of intent to apply to the legislature, dated 8 November 1856) from the Erie and Ontario Railroad Company. The petitioners protest the “deception” of J.W. Keating and others who improperly applied to the legislature to incorporate the Great Southern Railway Company, The E&O company had already noted its intent to apply for a similar charter to extend their line as far as the Detroit River at Windsor or Amherstburg. This copy of the petition is signed “R. Bell,” for Robert Bell, a Carleton Place printer, entrepreneur, justice of the peace, militia officer, and Reform member of the legislature (1847-1851 and 1854 - ca.1867).