Globalization of the United States, 1789-1861

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Melish, John. The Traveller’s Directory through the United States; Containing a Description of All the Principal Roads Through the United States, with Copious Remarks on the Rivers, and Other Objects. New-York: Published by the Author, 1825.

John Melish. The Traveller’s Directory through the United States; Containing a Description of All the Principal Roads Through the United States, with Copious Remarks on the Rivers, and Other Objects. New-York: Published by the Author, 1825. Title page.

Melish saw ambitious new roads under construction from St. Louis to the distant west of the United States as bothered by “Spanish possessions” and “Indian country.”

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St. Louis to the outlet of the Columbia River, by the Kansas and Multnomah Rivers.

This route is nearer than the last by nearly 100 miles; but it cannot be travelled without going through part of the Spanish possessions.

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St. Louis to the Great Osage Village, by Osage River.

A new road from St. Louis to Santa Fe, on the Rio del Norte is soon to be made, which will be of vast important to the trade of St. Louis and to the country west of the Mississippi; the distance be 850 to 900 miles, principally through the Indian country, and over the vast plains of that extensive region, where the buffalos and wild horses range uncontrolled &emdash; this route has been travelled by caravans.