USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Cincinnati in 1826 > Part 2
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Besides the ordinary benefits of canal communication, much is anticipated from the water power gained in the descent from the upper plain of Cincinnati to the level of the river. The quantity of water which may safely be admitted, in ad- dition to what is required for the uses of navigation, without creating too strong a current,* is estimated by engineers at 3000 cubic feet per minute. In descending to high water mark (about 50 feet,) this will be sufficient to turn 60 pair of mill-stones. Additional water power, equivalent to about one-third of this in value, may be obtained between high and low water marks. At the locks near Reading, and at other places between that and Dayton, water sufficient for exten- sive hydraulic works may be furnished. Of the accuracy of these estimates there is no reason to doubt; they were made
*The discharge of 3000 cubic feet of water from a channel of the dimensions of the Miami Canal, will create a current of about 400 yards an hour, in addition to the ordinary current of the canal; this will be too small an obstacle to the passage of the boats, to create any serious obstruction.
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STATISTICS OF OHIO.
by persons skilled in their profession, from minute examina- tion of the obstacles to be encountered, and the means of overcoming them.
In estimating the revenue to be derived from the Miami Canal, it may be observed, that the quantity of produce raised within such a distance as renders it a convenient means of transportation, is greater than it was originally supposed; and that this quantity is continually increasing with the growth and improvement of the country.
The value of water rents is also much greater than it was originally estimated by the Commissioners .*
The practicability of extending the Miami Canal to the rapids of the Maumee, has been ascertained by experienced engineers,t and the line actually located. When the com- pletion of the works already undertaken shall have increased the public confidence and resources, this northern section of the Miami Canal will doubtless be commenced. An active and numerous population is rapidly spreading over that quarter of the state through which it will pass, and substitu- ting the energies of civilization, for the dulness of the forest. The length of the entire line from Cincinnati to the rapids of the Maumee, including the feeders, is 290 miles, and the estimated cost $2,929,000.
The funds for the prosecution of these improvements have heretofore been obtained without difficulty, and none is now anticipated. In the year 1825, the sum of $400,000 was borrowed at less than 6 per cent. per annum. In 1826, $1,000,000 was obtained on terms nearly as favorable. The existing laws authorize a loan of $1,200,000 for each of the years 1827 and 1828, which, with those already made, will amount to $3,800,000; a sum exceeding the entire estimated cost of both canals. In regard to the time required for the completion of these works, it appears from what has already been stated, that the Miami canal will be completed in 1828. Thirty-one miles being already finished, and thirteen more
* Water power sufficient to carry a pair of mill-stones was estimated by the Commissioners to be worth $250 per annum; steam power adequate to the same object, it has been satisfactorily ascertained, will cost more than $500 per annum.
+A part of these examinations were made by Mr. Geddes; the re- mainder by Mr. Samuel Forrer, of this city, who made the location of the line, and is now the superintending engineer on the Miami Canal. His practical skill, and active usefulness, cannot be too highly appreciated.
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STATISTICS OF OHIO.
under contract, to be completed on the first day of July next.
More than two-fifths of the entire line of the Ohio canal are now under contract, and if no uncommon obstacles inter- vene, the whole will be completed in the summer of 1830, or five years from the day on which the ground was first broken.
POPULATION.
The people of Ohio are industrious, temperate, intelligent and enterprising. In 1790 the population amounted only to 3,000; in 1800, to 42,156; in 1810, to 230,760, and in 1820 to 581,434. At this time, (December, 1826,) it may safely be estimated, in round numbers, at 800,000. From the census of 1820 it appears that there were 24,642 more males than females; the number of white males over 18 was 130,466; the number of persons engaged in agriculture was 141,000, in manufactures, 19,000, and in commercial pur- suits 1,500; the black population was 4,723. This increase in a single state, from 42,156 to 800,000, in 26 years, is perhaps without a parallel in the history of this or any other country.
MILITIA.
From the returns made to the Adjutant General's office, for the year 1826, it appears that the militia of Ohio amounts to 110,176.
CAPITAL.
Columbus, the seat of government, is pleasantly situated near the centre of the state, on the east side of the Scioto, just below the mouth of Whetstone river, and about 45 miles north of Chillicothe. It contains 200 houses, and about 1400 inhabitants. Its public edifices consist of a State House, with adjoining buildings for public offices; a Court House for the federal courts of the Ohio district, and a Penitentiary. The first commitment to this establishment took place in 1815, since which time there have been imprisoned in it 584 convicts. Of this number 225 have been pardoned-25 have died-a few escaped, and about 130 have served out their term of commitment; 15 have been committed a se- cond time! They are engaged in different mechanical occu- pations of the ruder kind, but the products of their labour do not support the establishment, and some alteration of the system is obviously necessary.
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STATISTICS OF OHIO,
PRINCIPAL TOWNS.
The chief towns are Cincinnati, Chillicothe, Zanesville, Steubenville, Marietta, Dayton, Columbus, Athens, Lancas- ter, Lebanon, Cleaveland, St. Clairsville, Springfield, and Urbanna.
RELIGION .
The denominations of christians are, Presbyterians, Meth- odists, Baptists, Episcopalians, Friends, Roman Catholics, Covenanters, Seceders. Swedenborgians, Lutherans, Shakers, &c. The Methodists, Presbyterians, and Baptists are the most numerous. The Episcopalians are not numerous, but extensively scattered over the state, which has recently been erected into a Diocess.
CIVIL DIVISIONS.
The state is divided into 73 counties, which, under the present apportionment, send 72 representatives, and 36 sen- ators to the legislature. These counties are combined into fourteen districts, from each of which there is elected a member of congress-and again into nine, each of which constitutes a judicial circuit of the courts of Common Pleas. Each county is subdivided into a number of townships, in which trustees, overseers of the poor, with other local offi- cers, are annually elected.
GOVERNMENT.
The General Assembly of Ohio consists of a Senate and House of Representatives The senators are chosen for two years, and must never exceed one-half, nor be less than one- third, of the number of representatives. The representa- tives are chosen annually, and in number must not exceed 72, nor fall short of 36.
The Governor, who performs the executive functions, is chosen biennially. His powers are limited, having no veto upon legislative acts, and does not nominate candidates to the senate, but appoints to office when vacancies occur during the recess of the legislature. His salary is 1000 dollars per annum. In Ohio there is an unrestricted and universal elec- tive franchise.
JUDICIARY.
The judicial power is vested in a Supreme Court, composed of four judges, and in the courts of Common Pleas, consisting of nine presiding, and 27 associate judges, and in justices of
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STATISTICS OF OHIO.
he peace. The judges of the two former courts are elected eby a joint ballot of the legislature, and hold their offices or seven years; justices of the peace are elected by the dpeople, and for the term of three years. Their number is egulated by the courts of Common Pleas. The judges of he Supreme Court receive 1200 dollars each per annum ; he president judges of the Common Pleas 1000 dollars each.
LEVENUE, AND AGGREGATE VALUE OF PROPERTY IN THE STATE.
For the purpose of carrying into operation the ad valorem ystem of taxation, a general assessment of all the taxable roperty of the state was made in 1825, which gives, as cor- ected by the board of equalization, the following results :-- and liable to taxation, 15,143,309 acres, valued at 37,714,- 25 dollars. Houses of more than $200 value, 1,549,889. "own property, $7,321,034. Horses, (138,074 in number,) 5,517,810. Cattle, (274,693) $2,201,093. Mercantile cap- al, $5,202,400. Carriages, $20,885. Total valuation of axable property, $59,527,336. This valuation includes no ther improvements on the land than dwelling houses of hore than 200 dollars value. Manufacturing establishments re exempted from taxation.
MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE.
The principal manufactures are flour, distilled spirits, roollen and cotton goods, paper, copperas, linseed and castor ils,* salt, castings, iron, steam engines, and a great variety f articles in wood, and the metals adapted to agriculture nd the comforts of domestic life. The principal exports are our, pork, lard, butter, cheese, poultry, tobacco, spirits, orn, oats, linseed oil, beeswax, feathers, ginseng, horses, eat-cattle, and hogs.
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
By the treaty of 1763, the French possessions between le Alleghanies and the Mississippi passed to Great Britain, nd by the treaty of peace in 1783, between that power and
*Castor, Peppermint, and Wormseed Oils, have been manufactured ) a considerable extent in different parts of the state. The soil is und to be congenial to the growth of the plants from which they are roduced. During this year one individual has manufactured and «ported from this state fifteen hundred pounds of excellent pepper- int oil.
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STATISTICS OF OHIO.
our own government, the sovereignty of the North Western Territory was vested in the government of the United States, ag In 1787 the first settlement was made within the limits of the state of Ohio, and in this year congress began to exercise its jurisdiction over the North Western Territory, by the es- tablishment of a provincial government, consisting of a gov- ernor, secretary, and three judges, in whom were united ex- ecutive, judicial, and a partial legislative power. These officers administered the government until 1799, at which
de period the North Western territory entered into the second P gradation of territorial government, and became entitled to g a legislative body, composed of representatives chosen by the people, and a council appointed by congress, from nomi- nations made by the house of representatives. 'The country composing the state of Ohio was soon afterwards separated from the North Western Territory, and formed into a distinct jurisdiction, In 1802 congress authorized the people to form a constitution and a state government, under which law our present constitution was adopted, and in 1803 Ohio was admitted into the union, and became a sovereign state.
PROGRESSIVE AND FUTURE DEVELOPEMENTS. he
The progress of Ohio in wealth and numbers, since her, ler admission as a member of the confederacy, has been alto- gether unprecedented. Less than a quarter of a century no ago, the boundaries which now include the fourth state ir. the union, marked the limits of an infant, remote territory at with a scattered population on its bosom of but 40,000 ad me venturers. Her moral powers have advanced in a corres. ra ponding ratio withher physical resources. As a state, her fee course of policy has been uniformly wise and consistent equally calculated for the promotion of her own substantia a th advancement, and the glory of the nation. Her citizens justly perceiving the true interests of the state, with a de gree of enterprize, only surpassed by its great exemplar New York, have successfully embarked in a system o internal improvements, which, for boldness, utility, anc magnificence, would do honour to any age or nation.
With a climate highly salubrious; an extent of territory including 25,000,000 of acres of fertile land, abounding i iron, salt, coal, and gypsum; with 1700 miles of navigable water communication; with Lake Erie washing its northern and the Ohio river its southern boundaries, and these con
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OHIO RIVER.
nected at different points by permanent canals; with the s, great national turnpike road passing from its eastern to its orvestern limits; with the means of transporting by water her varied productions, both to the great northern and southern emporiums; secured from the enervating influence of slavery; possessing free and firm moral and political institu- ions; with a present population of near a million of enlight- ned, virtuous, and enterprizing citizens, the state of Ohio is lestined, at no distant day, to attain a degree of power and prosperity, surpassing the sober calculations of reason, and giving her a pre-eminent rank in the American Confederacy.
CHAPTER II.
OHIO RIVER.
The Ohio, which is formed by the union of the Mononga- hela and Alleghany rivers at Pittsburgh, is 959 miles in ength. In its passage to the Mississippi it touches the states of Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illi- hois. It contains about one hundred islands. Its current, when very low, does not exceed two miles per hour; when at a mean height it may be estimated at three miles. Its mean width at Cincinnati is about 530 yards. The extreme range from high to low water mark, at the same place, is 58 feet. Low water mark on the Ohio, at the mouth of Maho- aing or Big Beaver, is 127 feet above Lake Erie, or 692 feet above tide water at Albany. At the mouth of the Scioto, the Ohio river at low water mark is 101 feet below Lake Erie, or 464 feet above tide water; at Cincinnati, at low water mark, the Ohio is 133 feet below Lake Erie, or 432 feet above tide water at Albany. The descent from the mouth of Mahoning to the mouth of the Scioto, in the Ohio river, a distance of 222 miles, has an average of 0.71 of a foot per mile. From the mouth of the Scioto to Cincin- ati, a distance of 105 miles, the average is 0.30 of a foot per mile; and deducting the falls at Louisville (25.86 feet,) from Cincinnati to the Balize, at the mouth of the Missis- sippi, a distance of 1562 miles, there is an average descent
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HAMILTON COUNTY.
of 0.259 of a foot per mile. If the tide water at Albany be on a level with the tide water of the Gulf of Mexico, the entire descent from the mouth of the Mahoning river, to the mouth of the Mississippi, is 692 feet, and from Cincinnati te the same point, 432 feet.
The Ohio meanders in a south-west direction, and empties into the Mississippi 3º 26' south of Pittsburgh. The naviga tion of this beautiful stream is generally suspended for six or eight weeks of each winter by the ice. Its only consider able falls are at Louisville.
HAMILTON COUNTY.
This county, of which Cincinnati is the seat of justice, lies in the south-west corner of the Miami country. It contains about 400 square miles, or 256,000 acres of land. It is di- vided into thirteen townships; and, in addition to Cincinnati. contains the villages of Columbia, Montgomery, Reading, New-Town, Sharon, Carthage, Springfield, Miami-Town, Cleves, and Harrison. Some parts of the county are hilly, and the soil second rate,-others level, and very fertile. In 1820, its population was 31,764. If the existing popula- tion of that portion of the county, not included in Cincinnati. bears the same relation to the population of the city, that the marriages of the former, for the last year, do to those of the latter; or if the ratio of increase in the former has been but half that of the city, the present number of inhabi- tants in the county of Hamilton may be safely estimated at 14,000.
The value of taxable property in this county, as assessed under the ad valorem system, in 1825, amounts to $6,848,433; being something more than one-eighth of the entire valua- tion of the state, while the population of the county compo- ses not more than one-eighteenth part of the number of inhabitants in Ohio.
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CINCINNATI.
CHAPTER III.
CINCINNATI.
SITUATION AND ASPECT.
The valley on which the city of Cincinnati, and the vil- lages of Newport and Covington are built, is perhaps the most extensive and beautiful bordering on the Ohio river. The circumference of this plain is about 12 miles; and the hills, by which it is environed, intersect each other in such a manner as to form an imperfect square; through the north- east and south-west angles of which the Ohio river enters and passes out .* The northern half of the valley is bounded on the west by Mill-creek; on the north by the river hills; east by Deer-creek; and south by the Ohio. The southern half is bisected by Licking river, which, uniting its waters with those of the Ohio at right angles, separates the villages of Newport and Covington, leaving the former on the east, and the latter on the west side of its channel. " The area of that part of the valley on which Cincinnati stands, may be estimated at four square miles. It is unequally elevated, and the upper and lower tables have received the names of hill and bottom. The latter, gradually widening, stretches westwardly from the mouth of Deer-creek, where it is but 200 feet broad, to the interval lands of Mill-creek. Its me- dium breadth is about 800 feet. The hill rises about 50 feet above the bottom. The ascent, which is at first steep, soon becomes gradual, and continues for the distance of nearly 1000 feet, when the surface gently declines to the base of the neighbouring highlands."t
The hills which surround this extensive valley, present to the eye of the beholder one continued ridge, irregularly ele- vated, and of diversified configurations. They exhibit, un- der no circumstances, an aspect of grandeur; but are always beautiful and picturesque. Their average elevation above the plain, is about three hundred feet: and, instead of the bold and rocky declivities, which characterize the freestone regions of the Ohio, they present gentle and varying slopes, which are mostly covered with native forest trees. The
*Dr. Drake's Picture of Cincinnati.
+Ibid.
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CINCINNATI.
aspect of the valley from the surrounding hills is highly beautiful. It is various in its character, as it is seen at different seasons, and from different points .* In approach- ing Cincinnati by water, whether ascending or descend- ing the river, the view is -neither extensive nor com- manding.
Cincinnati is in latitude 39º, 6', 30" north, and in longi- tude 7º, 24', 45" west from Washington City. Following the meanderings of the stream, it is distant from the union of the Alleghany and Monongahela rivers 455 miles; and from the junction of the Ohio with the Mississippi, 504 miles. Over land, it is distant from the capital of the state 110; from Sandusky City, 200; from Indianopolis, (the capital of In- diana) 120; from Frankfort, (the capital of Kentucky) 85; from Natchez, 680; from Nashville, 270; from New-Or- leans, 860; from St. Louis, 350; from Pittsburgh, 300; from Louisville, 105; from Baltimore, 518; from Philadelphia, 617; and from New York, by the way of Lake Erie and the Erie Canal, 850; from Washington City, 500. The upper plain of Cincinnati is 540 feet above tide water at Albany, and 25 feet below the level of Lake Erie. Low water mark on the Ohio, at this city, is 432 feet above tide water at Alba- ny, or 133 feet below Lake Erie.
PROPRIETORS.
Cincinnati stands upon section 18, and fractional sections 17 and 12, in the fourth township, and first fractional range. The original patentee, John Cleves Symmes, sold a part of his interest in this ground, to Mathias Denman, who trans- ferred an undivided two-thirds of his interest to Robert Patterson and John Filson. Upon Filson's death his part reverted to Denman, who subsequently sold it to Israel
* One of the views most worthy, perhaps, of attention, may be had at an carly hour on one of the foggy mornings of August, or Sep- tember. A spectator, under such circumstances, placed upon one of these hills, will find himself elevated quite above the dense vapours of the river: he will behold the sun rising free from all obscurity, while the plain below him is lost in one unbroken sheet of fog, pre- senting the appearance of an unruffled lake. As soon, however, as the rays of the sun fall less obliquely upon this expanse of vapour, it becomes rarefied, and assuming the appearance of fleecy clouds, passes away to rarer regions, gradually disclosing the city, the river, the villages, the numerous steam-boats, and all the countless objects of the valley.
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CINCINNATI.
Ludlow. In January, 1789, this gentleman surveyed that part lying between Broadway and Western Row. The purchasers of lots received their deeds directly from J. C. Symmes. In 1790, lots on the fractional section No. 12 were laid out by the patentee; and on the 2d of March, 1808, the reservation around Fort Washington, was sold in lots, under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury.
PLAN.
There are seven streets, 66 feet wide, 396 feet apart, and running from the river north, 16° west, between Broadway and Western Row. The cross streets, which are of the same width, intersect these at right angles, and lie the same distance asunder, except Water and Front, and Second and Third streets. Each square was originally divided into eight lots, 99 by 198 feet, except those lying between the streets last enumerated. The streets in that part of the city east of Broadway, which intersect the river, run north, 14° west, are but 60 feet in width, and lie at the same dis- ance from each other as those in the part of the town first aid out; but the cross streets which run parallel to the river are something nearer each other. The donations by the proprietors are a fraction of a square designed for a public common, south of Front street, and between Main and Broad- vay; and an entire square on the west side of Main, between Fourth and Fifth streets, one half of which was conveyed to he First Presbyterian Church, and the other to the County Commissioners.
MATERIALS FOR BUILDING.
Materials for building, in Cincinnati, are cheap, abundant, nd of a good quality. The clay on that part of the valley ordering upon Mill-creek makes excellent brick: the beds of icking and the Ohio rivers, and the surrounding hills, furnish nexhaustible quantities of the common limestone: seconda- y marble can be brought by water from the cliffs of the Kentucky river; and fine gray freestone from near the junc- ion of the Big Sandy and Scioto rivers with the Ohio. The ilicious limestone pebbles which abound in the alluvial rounds produce fine white lime. Large quantities of pine oards, shingles, laths, and logs, are annually furnished by the illeghany mountains and boated down the Ohio. The neigh- ouring uplands afford oak, ash, poplar, walnut, and cherry rees, which are brought by land and water to the city, either the form of squared logs, boards, joice, or scantling.
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CINCINNATI.
BUILDINGS.
Four Story.
Three Story.
Two Story.
One Story.
Total.
Stone, - -
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0
10
8
18
Brick,
17
142
741
36
936
Frame, - -
0
4
931
606
1541
Total,
17
146
1682
650
2495
Buildings erected in 1826.
Brick,
128
Frame,
52
Total,
180
In the above enumeration of the buildings of the city kitchens, smoke-houses and stables are excluded.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
COURT HOUSE.
The Court House stands in the north eastern part of the city. It is 56 by 60 feet, and measures to the top of the dome 120 feet. It has a spacious court, several jury rooms and contains offices, for the clerk, recorder, sheriff, county commissioners, and auditor. It presents neither in its inter nal economy, nor external architecture, a model of conve- nience or elegance. Its remoteness from the centre of the city is justly a cause of complaint.
JAIL.
The Jail is in the vicinity of the Court House. It is a brick building, containing about fourteen rooms, and has at- tached to it a yard for the use of the prisoners, enclosed by a high brick wall.
MARKET HOUSES.
There are in this city, three large Market Houses. The Lower Market House is situated in the bottom, and extends nearly from Sycamore to Broadway. It is 300 feet in length. and supported by three rows of brick pillars. Market days. Wednesdays and Saturdays.
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CINCINNATI.
The Market House on Fifth street, is between Main and Walnut. It is 200 feet in length, and has two rows of brick billars. Market days, Tuesdays and Fridays.
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