For the next few years the trade of Pittsburg failed to increase so rapidly as formerly. The tradesmen, though living well and saving money, complained of hard times, saying that peace had thrown the ocean trade into New Orleans, which they in time of war monopolized.[532] Pittsburg also suffered on account of the enormous influx of British goods, which were imported for the purpose ob breaking down the new manufacturing establishments.[533] Wheeling, being better situated for ready communication with the western country, at all seasons began to draw away some of the trade of Pittsburg.[534]
About the year 1818 the States of New York and Virginia began to show themselves as the rivals of Pennsylvania, which till that time, with the exception of New Orleans had enjoyed the most considerable portion of the commerce of the west.[535]
Pittsburg in 1821, was carrying on a considerable trade with Philadelphia, Baltimore, and New Orleans, and likewise some little with New York, by way of the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers, and the lakes.[536] The price of carriage from Philadelphia and Baltimore had now been reduced to $4 to $6 for one hundred weight.[537] Flint writing a few years later, says, "But the wealth, business, and glory of this place are fast passing away, transferred to Cincinnati, to Louisville, and other places on the Ohio. Various causes have concurred to this result, but especially the multiplication of steamboats, and the consequent facility of communication with the Atlantic ports by the Mississippi. There is little prospect of the reverse of this order of things. The National Road, terminating at Wheeling, contributes to this decay of Pittsburg. Her decline is not much regretted, for she used to fatten on the spoils of the poor emigrants that swarmed to this place."[538] The trade of Pittsburg may have been on the decline, but scarcely so bad as Flint paints it. One traveler, on the road between Baltimore and Frederick, on March 3, 1827, passed 235 wagons in a distance of 35 miles.[539]
Another element contributing largely to the growth and prosperity of Pittsburg was her manufacturing establishments. In 1810 the manufactures of this city amounted to $1,000,000, and in 1814 it was estimated that their value would be doubled.[540] The 'Register' of April 9, 1825 says that Pittsburg is "the greatest manufacturing town in the United States."[541] The articles manufactured at Pittsburg were sent to the western country, New Orleans, and the West Indies.* During this period the population of Pittsburg increased from 4740 inhabitants in 1810[542] to 22,433 in the city and its suburbs in 1830.[543]
Cincinnati, but a small and unimportant village before 1811, suddenly sprang into prominence during this period and even threatened to become the serious rival of Pittsburg. The manufacturing industry contributed largely to the growth of this town. In 1814 the 'Register' speaks of Cincinnati as being "the busiest town in Ohio, and except Pittsburg, and Lexington, the greatest place of manufacturing in the western country."[544] In 1826 the manufacturing industry of this city amounted to $1,800,000, not more than fifteen steam engines being employed in manufactures.[545] In 1830 the 'Register' speaks of this city as follows: "Cincinnati, 'the queen of the West' goes on rapidly to increase in population and wealth. Her happy location is made the most of by industrious and enterprising freemen. Manufactures abound, and a spirit of improvement prevails. Labor is honored, and profits are constantly added to capital. This city seems long since to have recovered from the effects of certain spe culations which, for a considerable time, checked its advancement."[546] Iron articles and cabinet furniture were the chief articles of manufacture exported from the city.[547] The making of sugar mills for Louisiana and the West Indies formed a large business at Cincinnati, and also at Pittsburg and Wheeling.[548]
The trade, especially the exports, formed a very large element of the business of Cincinnati. Birkbeck, writing in 1818, says, "Cincinnati is, however, a most thriving place, and backed as it is already by a great population and a most fruitful country, bids fair to be one of the first cities of the West. We are told, and we cannot doubt the fact, that the chief of what we see is the work of four years. The hundreds of commodious, well furnished brick houses; the spacious and busy markets; the substantial public buildings; the thousands of prosperous well dressed, industrious inhabitants; the numerous wagons and drays; the gay carriages; the shoals of craft; the busy stir prevailing everywhere, ..."[549] all testify to the prosperity of the city. Pork formed the chief article of export.[550] The 'Register' in 1827, says, "The pork business of this city is equal if not of greater magnitude, than that of Baltimore, and is, perhaps, not exceeded by that of any place in the world.[551] The exports of Cincinnati in 1820 were worth about $1,000,000, including both manufactures and other articles.[552] The opening of the Miami Canal increased the trade of Cincinnati, by making it the place of deposit for the produce exported from the surrounding country.[553] In 1812 the sale of imported articles amounted to $250,000 per year;[554] about 1830 the imports, of which dry goods formed the principal item, were estimated to be worth five million dollars.[555]