WESTERN STATES.
The Western States have all sprung into existence within the period of the last fifteen years, and their growth has been unparalleled, both in the increase of population and wealth.
Probably no district of country on earth, possesses so great a proportion of soil capable of yielding the necessaries and luxuries of life, in so great abundance. The seasons are regularly divided into spring, summer, autumn, and winter, and the climate is generally healthful. Furs, minerals, cotton, indigo, tobacco, hemp, wheat, and every description of grain and fruit common in the New England States, flourish here.
Prairies are common in this section of the country, on which immense herds of buffaloes are often seen grazing.
The remote situation of these states from the ocean, has retarded their growth as a commercial country; but the introduction of steam-boats, canals, and railways, is fast overcoming the difficulty, and some of the western towns are already very large, and are rapidly increasing.
CINCINNATI.
OHIO.
Takes its name, and derives its greatest facilities for commerce, from the noble Ohio river. This State was admitted to the Union in the year 1802, since which time its growth has been rapid; in 1820 its population was 581,434; and increased in ten years to 937,679.
Although there are no mountains in this State, yet it is diversified with hills, valleys, and plains, and watered by many fine rivers, navigable for boats. The soil and climate are excellent, and the state presents great facilities for agriculture. The land in its natural state is thickly covered with forests, and the trees attain an immense size.
The population is composed of emigrants from the other states, the greater proportion of which are from New England. The inhabitants are noted for their industrious habits, and enterprising spirit.
Cincinnati (a view of which is given above,) is the largest town in the State, and with propriety may be considered the commercial capital of the Western States. It is rapidly increasing in refinement, business, and population. The number of inhabitants, as given in the returns to congress in the year 1830, is stated at 24,831; but another census taken a few months later in the same year states that it is 26,515. Being advantageously situated on the Ohio river, it seems destined to become a great city, and may in progress of time rival the older cities of the Middle and the Eastern States.
Columbus, the capital, is a flourishing place.
Much attention is paid in this State to education. There are many colleges and academies, and schools are general throughout the State. Internal improvements are gaining the attention of the people.
Mounds of earth are found in many places, the origin of which cannot be ascertained. These mounds appear to be forts, and are supposed to have been built by people who lived in this country before the present race of Indians.
INDIANA.
This state is nearly similar to Ohio in its climate, soil, productions, and inhabitants. The northern part of the State is level, the southern part broken and hilly, and there is much timber land.
The largest town in the State is Vincennes. At this place most of the trade of the State centres.
ILLINOIS.
The soil of this State is exceedingly rich, and is divided into forest and prairie lands; and when under cultivation produces in the greatest abundance, the necessaries and luxuries of life. Grapes are common to the country, and are abundant. Great quantities of wine might be easily manufactured. Foreign vines have been cultivated with success. Maize, wheat, oats, barley, buckwheat, potatoes, rye, tobacco, cotton, hemp, and flax, peaches, plums, and garden vegetables, and indeed almost all the productions of the Eastern and Middle States, can be cultivated to advantage here.
The United States salt works on the Saline river produce annually 200,000 bushels of salt. Coal, iron ore, copper, and lead are found here.
MISSOURI.
Takes its name from the river which runs through the State. It contains less woodland than Illinois, but its soil and climate are similar. Numerous mines of lead are now worked, which yield immense quantities. Iron ore is found in great abundance, and it is probable that enough of these two minerals may be obtained from this State to supply the whole United States.
Jefferson city, the capital, is at present a small place, but is increasing. St. Louis is the largest town, and is the depot for the trade of the northwestern territories.
KENTUCKY.
Is one of the most healthful and beautiful States in the Union. The greater proportion of its land is arable and productive. The failure of water of most of the rivers of this State during the summer months is a great obstacle to its prosperity. The Ohio and Mississippi rivers, however, form an easy communication with the sea. The productions are wheat, tobacco, maize, rye, and to a small extent, cotton. The inhabitants consist of the descendants of emigrants from the other States, and many from Europe. They are brave, frank, and hospitable.
Lexington is the largest town in the State, and has a population of 6,104. Frankfort, the capital, is situated on the Kentucky river, about 60 miles from its mouth, and is a flourishing place.
TENNESSEE.
The description of Kentucky may be also applied to this State, except that it is intersected by two noble rivers, the Tennessee and Cumberland, which are rarely frozen, and afford a great extent of boat navigation. Vegetation commences about six weeks earlier in this State than in New Hampshire, and continues about six weeks longer.
Nashville, the capital, is the largest town in the State. In this place is Cumberland College.