HISTORICAL SKETCHES, &c.

The first Americans who are known to have visited the Western country, were James M'Bride, and several others, who in the year 1754 descended the Ohio river, as far as the mouth of Kentucky river.

In 1769, Colonel Daniel Boon, and a few others, undertook to explore this vast wilderness, then so little known. After many hardships and fatigues, they reached the neighbourhood of Lexington, where they remained until 1771.

In 1775, Colonel Boon, with a party of soldiers and emigrants, built fort Boonsborough, which was the first settlement made in the state of Kentucky.

Notwithstanding many obstacles, the inhabitants of Kentucky were estimated, in 1784, at 12,000 souls.—No settlements were made north of the Ohio, until three or four years afterwards.

On the 1st of March, 1786, the "Ohio Company" was formed at Boston, consisting of officers and soldiers of the Revolution, who, by an act of Congress, were entitled to a military grant of land, in the territory northwest of the Ohio. This company completed a contract with Congress for one million five hundred thousand acres, on the 27th of Nov. 1787. An association of 46 men, under Gen. Rufus Putnam, proceeded to take possession of the purchase; and on the 7th April following, they pitched their camp and cleared the ground where Marietta now stands.

In 1788, Congress passed an ordinance establishing a colonial government over the Northwest Territory. Arthur St. Clair was appointed governor.

Cincinnati was first called Losantiville, but Governor St. Clair, in 1790, altered its name. In 1789, the population of this place consisted of only eleven families.

In 1792, a Presbyterian church was erected at Cincinnati; and the citizens were compelled by law, to take their fire arms with them, when they attended church. The first school was also established this year, and consisted of about 30 scholars.

In 1792, the small pox broke out among the soldiers at Fort Washington, and one third of the citizens and soldiers fell victims to its ravages.—[This was the same year it spread throughout Boston.]

Since the above period, the western country has increased in a ratio "truly astonishing."

In 1810, the population of Cincinnati was estimated at 2300; in 1813, at about 4000; and in 1819, at more than 10,000; "an increase truly astonishing." The greatest part of the population are stated to be from the middle and northern states; but there is also a mixed assemblage of emigrants, "from almost every part of Christendom; and it is not uncommon to hear three or four different languages spoken in the streets at the same time."

In 1819, in Cincinnati, there were 1890 buildings, many of brick and stone, of two stories and upwards; 10 places of public worship, a college, five banks, court-house, jail, two market houses, several manufactories, &c.

Some of the religious societies were formed in Cincinnati, with only ten members; and all have been created within 16 years. There are also several Bible societies, Sabbath school societies, a medical society, humane society, &c.

Since the introduction of steam-boats, considerable attention has been paid at Cincinnati to exportation; and from October, 1818, to March, 1819, it amounted to $1,334,080, and consisted of flour, pork, bacon, lard, tobacco, &c.; while the amount of imports, for the same period, amounted to only $500,000. In 1817, the imports amounted to $1,442,266, and in 1818, to $1,619,000! They seem to be convinced that the only way to relieve the western states from their "present embarrassments," is to export more and import less, which will soon effect a rapid change in their affairs.

About 60 steam-boats, from 25 to 700 tons, and many of them finished in a style of elegance and taste, are now in successful operation, and most of them have been built within two or three years.

There are three auctioneers in Cincinnati, 25 attorneys, 22 physicians, 3 companies of "Independent Military," handsomely uniformed, whose appearance is "nowise inferior to the Eastern Military."

Three newspapers are now printed at Cincinnati, all upon an imperial sheet.

It is estimated, that 120,000 bushels of salt are sold annually at Cincinnati, which at $1.50 amounts to $180,000. The various kinds of lumber sold are estimated at $150,000 a year.

We might enlarge these items, and several other articles worthy of record, but our limits will not permit.