proposition, I would observe that the eastern division would be still too large and in the middle one, there would be very few people and that the Indian title to a great part of it, is not extinguished. The manner that strikes me as most eligible is that the Scioto and a line drawn north from the forks of it, should form the western boundary of the eastern district—a line drawn north from that part of the Indian boundary opposite the mouth of the Kentucky the western boundary of the middle division and the western division to comprehend all the country between that line and the Mississippi. The material advantages would in this manner remain to every part—Marietta would most probably be the seat of the government in the eastern district and sufficiently convenient to every part of it. Cincinnati would continue to be with equal convenience the seat of the middle district and St. Vincennes in the western, not indeed equally convenient, but more so than any other place that could be chosen.
There are many other advantages which would flow from this measure which I will not trouble you with; I will only observe that almost any division into two parts which could be made would ruin Cincinnati.
Harrison to His Constituents[1]
Dear Sir:
The ardent desire I feel to visit again my native state, from which I have been upwards of seven years absent, and the whole of that time engaged in public service in the western country, will I feel, put it out of my power to return to the territory until after the ensuing session of congress. I have therefore thought proper to make this circular communication that my fellow-citizens may be in some measure informed on the subject acted upon by the national legislature at their late session; but particularly on those which relate more immediately to their own interests.
- ↑ Hariison finished his first session as delegate from the Northwest territory. May 14, 1800. He intended to spend the recess till November in visiting his old home in Virginia. For political reasons and in line with the general custom he sent the following circular to the newspapers of his district. While not strictly within the field of these papers it forms a good introduction to the subject and the man, especially the reference to the division of the Northwest territory and the organization of Indiana territory.
