9 STATE-MAKING IN THE WEST, 1783-87 . DISTRIBUTION OF VOTES IN RATIFICATION OF THE VOTE ON THE REPEAL OF THE ALIEN AND SEDITION ACTS, FEBRUARY 25, 1799 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 1800 between 112 and 113 DISTRIBUTION OF POPULATION, 1800 between 116 and 117 . between 134 and 135 THE TONNAGE OF THE UNITED STATES, 1807 between 190 and 191 VOTE ON THE DECLARATION OF War, June 4, 1812 between 208 and 209 THE COTTON CROP IN THE UNITED STATES, 1801-34 250 THE WEST AS AN ECONOMIC SECTION IN 1820. 253 263 270 VOTE ON THE MISSOURI COMPROMISE, MARCH 2, 1820 278 RUSSIAN CLAIMS IN NORTH AMERICA DISTRIBUTION OF POPULATION, 1820 293 VOTE ON THE TARIFF BILL, APRIL 16, 1824 306 between 310 and 311 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 1824. between 314 and 315 VOTE ON THE TARIFF BILL, APRIL 22, 1828 between 328 and 329 CANALS IN THE UNITED STATES ABOUT 1825 UNION AND DEMOCRACY CHAPTER I THE ORDEAL OF THE CONFEDERATION Ir was characteristic of the people of the United States that once assured of their political independence they should face their economic future with buoyant expectations. As colonizers of a new world they were confident in their own strength. When once the shackles of the British mercantile system were shaken off, they did not doubt their ability to compete for the markets of the world. Even Washington, who had fewer illusions than most of his contemporaries, told his fellow citizens of America that they were "placed in the most enviable condition, as sole lords and proprietors of a vast tract of continent, comprehending all the various soils and climates of the world, and abounding with all the necessaries and conveniences of life." Independence was the magic word which the common man believed would open wide the gates of prosperity. Yet within a year after the ratification of the Peace of Paris, American society was in the throes of a severe industrial depression. Contrary to the accepted view, the latter years of the war were not years of penury and want among the people. Outside of those regions of Virginia and |