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.