A CENTURY OF GEOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED STATES. 229 
North America might be converted into a cluster of large and fertile 
islands, communicating with each other with ease and little expense, and 
in many instances without the uncertainty or danger of the sea.” 
The Western Territory at this time (1790) comprised what is 
now Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Min¬ 
nesota. It was practically without settlers. Morse guesses 
that it contained 6,000 French and English immigrants and 
negroes. As to this region, but more particularly Ohio, In¬ 
diana, and Illinois, says Morse: 
“It may be affirmed to be the most healthy, the most pleasant, the 
most commodious, and most fertile spot of earth known to the Anglo- 
Americans. The design of Congress and the settlers is that the settle¬ 
ments shall proceed regularly down the Ohio and northward to Lake 
Erie.” 
It will be remembered that at this early date Congress met 
in Philadelphia. The longitudes given by Morse are reck¬ 
oned from Philadelphia. Where the future capital of the 
United States was to be, no one then knew. The selection 
of the present site was actually made by Congress in 1790. 
Before Morse had knowledge of such selection he indulged 
in this bit of speculation as to the future capital. Speaking 
of the future state of Ohio, then nameless, he says: 
“The center of this state will fall between the Scioto and the Hok- 
hoking. At the mouth of these rivers will probably be the seat of gov¬ 
ernment for this state ; and, if we may indulge the sublime contemplation 
of beholding the whole territory of the United States settled by an en¬ 
lightened people, and continued under one extended government; on the 
river Ohio and not far from this spot will be the seat of empire for the 
whole dominion.” 
As to the region west of the Mississippi, it was then Spanish. 
Originally French by discovery and occupation, it had passed 
from France to Spain by cession in 1763. In the light of 
what it now is, a few words from Morse’s speculations in 1791 
as to its future throw light on the geography of his time. 
He says: 
“A settlement is commencing, with advantageous prospects, on the 
western side of the Mississippi, opposite the mouth of the Ohio. The 
spot on which the city is to be built is called New Madrid, after the cap- 
