179018001810
West Virginia90,00011,000132,000
Ohio45,000230,760
Indiana24,520
Illinois12,282
Kentucky73,677220,959406,511
Missouri (1799)6,00520,845.1

1Hall, 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]