The Americans as they are : $b Described in a tour through the valley of the Mississippi

"The Americans as They Are: Described in a Tour Through the Valley of the Mississippi" by Charles Sealsfield is a journey through the early 19th-century United States, primarily concentrating on the expanding areas near the Mississippi River, offering a look into the people, their laws, and the clashing social standards of different areas. The author aims to paint a fair picture of American society during a time of increasing independence and social changes in the early 1800s. Introducing Cincinnati as a thriving hub of commerce and trade, the narrative explores its growth, governance, infrastructure, and population, ultimately revealing a contrast between the industrial spirit of such cities and the lingering presence of old-world systems, particularly concerning socio-economic differences and evolving ethics in this rising nation, setting the scene for a deeper look into settlements and social observations as the journey progresses through the states.