Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, and the adjoining States, had gone on
increasing with astonishing rapidity, and swarms were pressing
forward from the new settlements even beyond the Mississippi.[150]
The emigrants from the Eastern States, established themselves in
general on the Ohio. The emigrants from Jersey and Maryland spread
themselves on both sides of the river, as they descended the
Ohio, but during the years, 1793-1796, it was observed that they
settled rather on the right than the left, particularly on both
the Miamis, the Muskingum, the Great and Little Sciotos, and the
Wabash.[151] During this time the population of Kentucky did not
increase much, owing to the dearness of land, and the uncertainty
of tenures, which led the emigrants to prefer the Northwest
Territory, where the land was equally good, and the titles
indisputable.[152] Emigrants from Virginia and North Carolina went
into Kentucky, and those from the Carolinas and Georgia settled
in Tennessee.[153] Before the close of the year 1796, the white
population of the Northwest had increased to about five thousand,
chiefly distributed in the lower valleys of the Muskingum, Scioto,
and Miami Rivers, and on their small tributaries, within fifty
miles of the Ohio River.[154]
By an act of May 7, 1800, the Northwest Territory was divided
into two parts and placed under separate territorial governments;
the western division was called Indiana.[155] The population was
divided into three settlements, which were widely separated. One
of these was at the Falls of the Ohio opposite Louisville; another
at Vincennes, and distant from the first more than one h hundred
miles; and the other comprised the French population in the tract
extending from Kaskaskia to Cahokia, on the Mississippi, two
hundred miles from Vincennes[156], Illinois from 1800 to 1809, made a
part of the Indiana Territory, and was, during that period, under
the laws and jurisdiction of that Territory. February 3, 1809, the
Territory of Illinois was established by an Act of Congress.[157]
April 30, 1802, Congress passed the Enabling Act[158] for the
formation of the State of Ohio, and on February 19, 1803, passed
an "act to provide for the execution of the laws of the United
States within the State of Ohio."[159]
Ohio is described by one traveler as being settled by "people
from New England, the region of industry, economy, and steady
habits."[160] As early as 1800 a New England emigrant was not common,
the settlers coming principally from Tennessee, Kentucky, and
Virginia, and some from Pennsylvania.
In 1800 there were about twelve hundred French Creoles and from
eight hundred to one thousand Americans living in Illinois about
nine-tenths of the State being occupied by the Indians.[161] The
first colony of Europeans who formed a settlement in Illinois were
Irish, and located on the Ohio River in 1804 or 1805.[162] From
1805-1809 the whole country on the margin of the Ohio, Wabash,
and Mississippi Rivers, from where Alton now stands to Vincennes,
commenced to improve.[163]
The population of the States increased during this period as
follows:[164]
_1790_ _1800_ _1810_
West Virginia 90,000 11,000 132,000
Ohio 45,000 230,760
Indiana 24,520
Illinois 12,282
Kentucky 73,677 220,959 406,511
Missouri (1799) 6,005 20,845.[1]
[1] Hall, J., The West, 248.
In the early part of the great era of westward emigration the most
important thoroughfare from the New England and Middle States to
the Ohio Valley was the Pennsylvania Road, or "Pittsburg Pike"
built in 1785-1787 by Act of the Pennsylvania Legislature. It
extended 197 miles from Carlisle to Pittsburg. Even after the
construction of the Cumberland 1806-1818, from Cumberland, Maryland
to Wheeling, Virginia, (and subsequently as far west as Vandalia,
Illinois), the majority of traders and travelers from Baltimore and
Washington, as well as from more northern points, made use of this
route, coming into it generally from McConnellstown, 130 miles from
Pittsburg.[165] The few roads that crossed the mountains, were so
wretchedly bad that wagons toiled over them with great difficulty,
and a large portion of the merchandise was carried on the backs
of horses.[166] The emigrants came out in wagons covered with tow
cloth,[167] and drawn by oxen[168], or by two and four horse
teams.[169] Upon reaching Pittsburg, the horses and wagons were sold
at a great sacrifice,[170] or were carried down the Ohio River to the
new home of the emigrant.[171]
Pittsburg, the great gateway of the West, stood at the point where
the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers joined to form the Ohio River,
and was the usual point of embarkation for emigrants bound down the
river. As early as the year 1784 Pittsburg was inhabited almost
entirely by the Scotch and Irish who lived in paltry log houses.
A good deal of trade was carried on, the goods being brought from
Baltimore and Philadelphia at the expense of 45 shillings per
hundred, and exchanged by the merchants in the shops, for money,
wheat, flour and skins.[172] Merchandise was sent from Pittsburg in
Keels and flatboats down the Ohio to Limestone and Louisville. In
the spring of the year 1784 the town was laid out and surveyed
by Col. George Woods, by order of Teucle Francis, attorney for
John Penn, and J. Penn, Junior.[173] John Pope in 1790 gives most
anything but a pleasing account of the town. He says, "The town at
present, is inhabited with only some few exceptions, by mortals who
act as if possessed of a charter of exclusive privilege to filch
from, annoy, and harass her fellow creatures, particularly the
incautious and necessitous; many who have emigrated from various
parts of Kentucky can verify the charge. Goods of every description
are dearer in Pittsburg than in Kentucky, which I attribute to
a combination of pensioned scoundrels who infest the place."[174]
The increase of the town was not rapid until the year 1793, in
consequence of the inroads of the savage tribes which impeded the
growth of the neighboring settlements. The Western insurrection
more generally known as the "Whiskey War," once more made this
the scene of commotion, and is said to have given pittsburg a new
and revising impulse, by throwing a considerable sum of money
into circulation.[175] From that time it increased rapidly, and on
April 22, 1794 was incorporated as a borough.[176] In 1795 Pittsburg
contained about two hundred houses, fifty brick and frame, and the
remainder log[177].
The surplus produce of the country about Pittsburg, was, during
this time, consumed by the numerous emigrants who were continually
passing down the Ohio.[178] Goods from Philadelphia and Baltimore
were sent to Pittsburg, stored there in warehouses,[179] and later
sent down the Ohio to Kentucky, Tennessee, and the Northwest
Territory.[180] The gain on these goods sent to Kentucky was about 33
per cent.[181] Little effort had been made to establish manufactures,
even for articles of the first necessity, these being obtained
from Philadelphia and Baltimore at exorbitant prices.[182] The
carriage from Philadelphia to Pittsburg was from $8 to $10, and
from Baltimore $7 ot $8, two wagons, nevertheless, coming from
Philadelphia against one from Baltimore.[183]
Boat building was carried on in Pittsburg at this time, but Collot
advised travelers to buy their boats on the Monongahela, where the
greater number were built as they would in that way be able to save
much time and about one-third of the expense.[184] By the year 1802
the ship building industry had assumed importance in Pittsburg, one
of the principal ship yards being upon the Monongahela The lumber
being near at hand rendered the expense of building less than that
in the Atlantic States. The cordage was manufactured at Redstone
and Lexington, and sent also to Marietta and Louisville where ships
were built.[185] In 1802 a three mast vessel of 150 tons and bin
of 90 were launched at Pittsburg, and during the spring of 1803,
three ships from 160 to 275 tons were launched.[186] The merchants
living in or near Pittsburg were either the partners, or else the
factors, belonging to the houses of Philadelphia.[187] Trading boats
were sent out from Pittsburg to supply the settlements along the
River.[188]
Schultz, 1807, writes thus of Pittsburg, "There are probably
between 60 and 70 stores, well stocked with every kind of goods.
The price of wagon carriage from this distance, (Philadelphia and
Baltimore), is $5 and $6 a hundred pounds weight. It contains
between 400 and 500 houses. From the best information I could
collect, it is supposed to contain at least 2500 inhabitants, the
most of whom are German and Irish settlers from various parts
of Pennsylvania and Maryland. This town has likewise a number
of public buildings, principally built of brick. Ship building
is carried on here with considerable spirit; they have already
launched about one dozen brigs and schooners. Boat building, boat
buying, and boat selling seem to be part of the business of at
least half of the town. Pittsburg has likewise a considerable
number of factories established already, among which may be
enumerated distilleries, breweries, printing presses, an air
furnace, a glass house and cotton factory; likewise, smaller
establishments for the manufacture of nails, brushes, ropes,
copperware, tinware, and earthenware, with many others too tedious
to mention, Pittsburg appears to be in the "full tide of successful
experiment."[189]
Fort Washington was established on the present site of Cincinnati
in 1789,[190] and at that time, 1789, the settlement numbered 20
log cabins.[191] In 1792, fifty persons were added by emigration,
and in 1802 the Territorial legislature incorporated the town
of Cincinnati. The population of Cincinnati, 1792, consisted of
about 250 inhabitants, living in 30 log cabins; within the next
four years the population increased to 600, and the cabins to 100,
besides which there were about 15 frame houses,[192] with stone
chimneys. Collot in 1796 says, "The town of Cincinnati contains
already 300 families. The spot offers no advantage for commerce;
and it is probable that when the army shall have left this place,
whatever industry it possesses will be carried to the little town
of Newport."[193] Such was this traveler's opinion of the town which
was later to become one of the greatest commercial centers of
the Ohio country. By the year 1805 the population did not exceed
500;[194] in 1807 Cincinnati contained about 300 houses, had a bank,
market-house, printing office, and a number of stores well stocked
with every kind of merchandise in demand in the country.[195] About
the year 1808 a disastrous period commenced which lasted until
1818, during which a short period of imprudent banking and wild
speculation ensued, which proved disastrous to the city.[196] In 1810
Cincinnati contained 2320 inhabitants.[197]
Wheeling settled in 1770, contained in the year 1795 about 50
log and frame houses.[198] Harris in 1803 says that "Wheeling is
increasing very rapidly in population and in prosperous trade; and
is, next to Pittsburg, the most considerable place of embarkation
to traders and emigrants, anywhere in the western waters. During
the dry season, great quantities of merchandise are brought hither,
designed to supply the inhabitants on the Ohio River, and the
waters that flow into it, as boats can go from hence, when they
cannot from higher up the river. Boat building is carried on at
this place to a great extent, and several large keel boats and
some vessels have been built."[199] At this point the great post
roads from Philadelphia, Baltimore and Northern Virginia united,
and crossed the river, on the route through the States of Ohio
and Kentucky, to Tennessee, and New Orleans.[200] In 1807 Wheeling
contained about 200 houses, amongst which there was a considerable
number of stores, well supplied with every kind of merchandise.
It still continued to draw trade away from Pittsburg, many of the
lower country merchants preferring to send their goods overland
to this place, rather than risk a detention of 3 or 4 weeks at
Pittsburg.[201]
The settlement of the Ohio Company's purchase commenced in April
1788, when they planted the colony of Marietta at the junction of
the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers.[202] By the end of the year about 300
persons had settled in Marietta, and aside from these there was not
a single white family within the present bounds of Ohio.[203] In
1795 the town contained about 200 wooden houses, and was protected
from theattacks of the Indians by soldiers stationed there. From
1790-1795 the Indians were very troublesome and stole a great
number of horses from the settlers.[204] The population, at this
time, was composed of five or six hundred families from New England
and a few unfortunate French families, the victims of American
land speculators, and of the ignorance of the chiefs of the Scioto
Company.[205]
As early as the year 1798 or 1799 Commodore Preble built a brig
of 120 tons at this place, which probably was the first sea
vessel launched in the western waters.[206] "The inhabitants of
Marietta were the first that had an idea of exporting directly
to the Carribee Islands the produce of the country, in a vessel
built in their own town, which they sent to Jamaica. The success
which crowned this first attempt excited such emulation among the
inhabitants of that part of the western country, that several new
vessels were launched at Pittsburg and Louisville, and expedited
to the Isles, or to New York and Philadelphia."[207] The ship yard
at Marietta was on the Muskingum, and there in 1803 was built
the brig "Mary Avery" of 130 tons.[208] The ship building industry
increased; ships completely equipped for sea at $50 a ton, brigs,
schooners,[209] and bun boats[210] were built at Marietta in 1807.
Schultz says, "Ship building is carried on here with more spirit
than any other town on the Ohio."[211] From 1801-1808 ship building
was carried on with great spirit at Marietta, not less than 20
ships, brigs, and schooners, from 150 to 450 tons being built,
besides some gun boats.[212] The embargo of 1808 overwhelmed several
of these merchants with ruin, especially such as had ships on hand
unsold. One man who had a ship in New Orleans at the time lost
$10,000 on her and the cargo. No town in the United States suffered
so much as this, according to its capital. Three extensive rope
walks, working up large quantities of hemp raised in the country,
and furnishing rigging for the ships, were put out of employ, and
in a few years fell into ruins. The business of the town did not
revive for many years.[213]
Limestone, Kentucky, in 1790 was a little town and the point where
emigrants from Virginia disembarked.[214] It later, 1796, became the
depot for whatever goods passedfrom Baltimore and Philadelphia to
Kentucky.[215] The grow th of the town was slow, and in 1807 they
were only 80 houses. Schultz says, "from the great number of boats
of every description lying along the shore, it must have a very
considerable share of business. Ship building, I was informed, is
likewise carried on with much spirit, but I saw nothing of the kind
going on while I was there."[216]
Louisville was, in 1796, a small settlement containing from 80 to
100 houses.[217] This was one of the earliest settlements on the Ohio
and was rendered the more important at that time, by its position
at the Falls of the Ohio. All the boats which touched at Louisville
to take pilots were obliged to ascend the river more than two miles
above the town to gain the current on the opposite side, which led
to considerable expense and loss of time. This disadvantage in the
situation of the town probably prevented it from increasing.[218]
The Falls were occasioned by a bed of rocks extending from one
side of the river to the other. There was a fall of 22½ feet in
two miles.[219] In the year 1807 the legislature of Kentucky had
incorporated a Company for the purpose of opening a canal around
the Falls.[220] At this time Louisville contained 120 houses. Ship
and boat building was carried on with considerable spirit.[221]
Pilots were appointed to conduct boats over the falls, at the price
of $2 per boat.[222]
Steubenville, Ohio, laid out in 1798, and incorporated as a
town in 1805,[223] contained, in 1807, about 130 houses, a number
of brick buildings, and several stores well stocked with every
kind of merchandise.[224] Chillicothe, was laid out on the Scioto
by Nathaniel Massie in 1796. Galliopolis, settled in 1791, by a
French colony,[225] is a good example of the bad faith of the Scioto
Company.[226] This town rapidly declined.[227]
Fort Vincents and Jeffersonville, Indiana, were in 1796, small
villages, one of 50 houses,[228] and the other 40 houses.[229]
In 1796 a large number of merchants had already established
themselves at Frankfort on the Kentucky River, which was navigable
for the largest boats ten months in the year.[230] Henderson,
Kentucky, carried on a considerable export trade 1807-1809.[231]
Shawneetown, Illinois, made its first appearance in 1805 and 1806,
and increased considerably for some time. Great fleets of Keel
boats concentrated at this point, engaged in the salt, and other
traffic, and diffused life and energy to the new colonies.[232]
Cuming says, 1807-1809, "there were several trading boats, and
more appearance of business than I had seen on this side of
Pittsburg."[233]
Brownsville, on the Monongahela, and McKeesport on the Youghiogheny
carried on an extensive boat-building business, in 1803, furnishing
craft for the emigrants.[234]
Such was the beginning of the early rivers towns of the West, many
of which were destined, as agriculture, manufactures, and trade
developed, to become great commercial centres.
FOOTNOTES:
[125] Peck, J. M., Annals, 320.
[126] American State Papers, V., Indian Affairs, I., 51.
[127] Ibid.
[128] Peck, J. M., Annals, 340.
[129] St. Clair, A., Papers, (Smith's Edition), II., 135, 144.
[130] Burnet, J., Notes, 94.
[131] St. Clair, A., Papers, (Smith's Ed.), II., 184.
[132] Pope, J., Tour, 22.
[133] Burnet, J., Notes, 96.
[134] Ibid. 90.
[135] Flint, T., History and Geography, I., 166.
Latrobe, C. J., Rambler in N. America, I., 103.
[136] American State Papers, V., Indian Affairs, I., 562.
[137] American State Papers, I., Foreign Relations, I., 40 or 30.
[138] Journals of Congress, XII., 58.
[139] Ibid., XII., 62.
[140] Journals of Congress, XII., 62.
[141] Hinsdale, B. A., The Old Northwest, 266.
Journals of Congress, XII., 140, 142, contains some reference
to the grant.
[142] Hall, J., Notes, 163.
Winsor, J., Narrative and Critical History, VII., 534-535.
[143] Hildreth, S. P., Memoirs,238.
[144] Hinsdale, B, A., The Old Northwest, 278. American State
Papers, XVI., Public Lands, I., 25. Contains some reference to
the boundaries of these two grants of land.
Winsor, J., Narrative and Critical History, VII., 535.
[145] Burnet, J., Notes, 42.
[146] Peck, J. M., Annals, 324.
[147] Hildreth, S. P., Memoirs, 104.
[148] Imlay, G., Description of N. America, 28.
[149] Michaux, F. A., Travels, Early W. Travels, III., 189.
[150] Latrobe, C. J., Rambler in N. America, I., 103.
[151] Collot, V., Journey, I., 108-109.
[152] Ibid., I., 107.
[153] Ibid., I., 109.
[154] Peck, J. M., Annals, 501.
[155] Hurd, H. B., Illinois Revised Statutes, 23.
[156] Reynolds, J., My Own Times, 105.
[157] Hurd, H. B., Illinois Revised Statutes, 25.
[158] Poore, B. P., Charters and Constitutions, II., 1453.
Hinsdale, B. A., The Old Northwest. 308.
[159] Poore, B. P., Charters and Constitutions, II., 1464.
Hinsdale, B. A., The Old Northwest, 314.
[160] Harris, T. M., Tour, Early W. Travels, III., 353.
[161] Reynolds, J., My Own Times, 32,41.
[162] Ibid., 286.
[163] Ibid., 97.
[164] Peck, J. M., Emigrant's Guide, 12.
[165] Fordham, E. P., Travels, 59 (foot note.)
[166] Hall, J., The West, 118.
[167] Forman, S. S., Journey, 120.
[168] Hildreth, S. P., Memoirs, 436.
[169] Forman, S. S., Journey, 20.
[170] Ibid., 23.
[171] Michaux, F. A., Travels, Early W. Travels, III., 166.
[172] Peck, J. M., Annals, 283. (from Arthur Lee's Journal, 1784)
[173] Hall, J., Sketches, I., 189-190.
Peck, J. M., Annals, 282.
[174] Pope, J., Tour, 17.
[175] Hall, J., Sketches, I., 189-190.
[176] Peck, J. M., Annals, 653.
[177] (Cont.) Chapman, T., Journey, 359.
Collot, V., Journey, I., 137-138. Says there were about 150
houses.
[178] Imlay, G., Description of N. America, 24-25.
[179] Collot, V., Journey, II., 198-199.
[180] Ibid., II., 197.
[181] Ibid., II., 198.
[182] Ibid., I., 39.
[183] Ibid.
[184] Ibid., 23-24; 33-34.
[185] Michaux, F. A., Travels, Early W. Travels, III., 160.
[186] Harris, T. M., Tour, Early W. Travels, III., 344.
[187] Michaux, P. A., Travels, Early W. Travels, III., 159.
[188] Harris, T. M., Tour, Early W, Travels, III., 344.
[189] Schultz, C., Travels, I., 124-126.
[190] Flint, T., History and Geography, I., 105-106.
Howe, H., Historical Collections of Ohio, 206.
Burnet, J., Notes, 46-47.
Peck, J. M., Annals, 330.
[191] Flint, T., History and Geography, I., 106.
[192] Peck, J. M., Annals, 500.
Chapman, T., Journey, 360. (Says there were 260 houses in 1795)
[193] Collot, V., Journey, I., 132-133.
[194] Hall, Basil, Travels, III., 389.
Niles, Weekly Register, XIX., 422.
[195] Schultz, C., Travels, I., 181.
[196] Hall, J., The West, 306-307.
[197] Fordham, E. P., Travels, 190-191.
Hall, J., The West, 266.
[198] Collot, V., Journey, I., 132-133.
[199] Harris, T. M., Tour, Early W. Travels, III., 349.
[200] Cuming, F., Tour, Early W. Travels, IV., 112.
[201] Schultz, C., Travels, I., 136-137.
[202] Burnet, J., Notes, 56.
Peck, J. M., Annals, 322.
[203] Hildreth, S. P., Memoirs, 104.
[204] Chapman, T., Journey, 359-360.
[205] Collot, V., Journey, 71.
[206] Hall, J., Letters, 79.
[207] Michaux, F. A., Travels, Early W. Travels, III., 177.
[208] Harris, T. M., Tour, Early W. Travels, III., 353.
[209] Cuming, F., Tour, Early W. Travels, IV., 123.
[210] Schultz, C., Travels, I., 182.
[211] Ibid., I., 142.
[212] Hildreth, S. P., Memoirs, 161.
[213] Ibid., 309.
Ogden, G. W., Early W. Travels, XIX., 34.
[214] Pope, J., Tour, 18.
Imlay, G., Description of North America, 27.
[215] Collot, V., Journey, 97.
[216] Schultz, C., Travels, I., 179-180.
[217] Collot, V., Journey, I., 150.
Volney, C. F., View of the Climate, etc., 367-368.
[218] Collot, V., Journey, I., 150.
[219] Schultz, C., Travels, I., 190-192.
[220] Ibid., I., 192.
[221] Ibid., I., 190.
[222] Ibid.
[223] Flint, T., History and Geography, I., 413.
Howe, H., Historical Collections of Ohio, 271.
[224] Schultz, C., Travels, I., 134.
[225] Howe, H., Historical Collections of Ohio, 177.
[226] Collot, V., Journey, I., 80. Peck, J. M., Annals, 491.
[227] Chapman, T., Journey, 360. Schultz, C., Travels, I., 170.
[228] Volney, C. F., View of Climate, etc., 368.
[229] Schultz, C., Travels, I., 192.
[230] Collot, V., Journey, I., 105.
[231] Cuming, F., Tour, Early W. Travels, IV., 267.
[232] Reynolds, J., My Own Times, 100.
[233] Cuming, F., Tour, Early W. Travels, IV., 271.
[234] Harris, T. M., Tour, Early W. Travels, III., 337-338.
_CHAPTER I._
_THE COMING OF THE STEAMBOAT._
The application of steam power to the purposes of navigation, forms
the brightest era in the history of the West. It was that which
contributed more than any other single cause to the advancement of
Western prosperity. The amount of produce raised for soncumption,
and for export was very great, and the people were, therefore,
liberally disposed to purchase foreign products. The amount of
commercial capital employed, as compared with the population was
great. The introduction of the steamboat extended the channels of
intercourse, and brought the different parts of the country more
closely together.