Petition. To the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada, in the Parliament Assembled. The Petition of the undersigned Underwriters, Forwarders, Masters of Vessels, and others interested in the navigation of Lake Ontario, -

Quarto, 1 pages. Disbound, small holes in margin.

Hand-written ownership signature of R. Bell

Petition of Samuel Muckleston, and others Underwriters, Forwarders, Masters of Vessel, and others interested in the Navigation of Lake Ontario, for ascertaining the eligibility, as a "Harbour of Refuge", of "Weller's Bay",

(Mr. Stevenson,)

Ordered by the Legislative Assembly, to be Printed, 2nd April, 1857

Printed, 4th April, 1857

Toronto, John Lovell, Yonge Street

Petition. To the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada, in the Parliament Assembled. The Petition of the undersigned Underwriters, Forwarders, Masters of Vessels, and others interested in the navigation of Lake Ontario, - Samuel Muckleston, and 20 others

Kingston, February, 1857.

Petition to improve access to Presqu'Isle harbour, Lake Ontario, for schooners.

Samuel Muckleston (c1808-1873) was a merchant in Kingston, Ontario. He was an officer in the 1st Frontenac (Regt.) during the rebellion (of 1837-8). He was a devout member and for many years churchwarden of St Georges cathedral Kingston and active in Synod.

Robert Bell was a printer, businessman, office holder, politician, justice of the peace, and militia officer. He ran successfully as a reform candidate in the general election of 1847-48 which he represented in the Legislative Assembly until 1851. Throughout his life Bell maintained his residence in Carleton Place. In the elections of 1854, 1857-58, 1861, and 1863 he won the Lanark North seat.

An excellent book outlines the subject of No safe harbours for steamboats or sailing vessels regarding this subject. For Want of a Lighthouse: Building the Lighthouses of Eastern Lake Ontario 1828-1914 by Marc Seguin Trafford Publishing, Apr. 25, 2015.