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" is an observational travel account written in the early 19th century. This work serves to depict the socio-political landscape of the early United States, particularly focusing on the burgeoning territories along the Mississippi River. The author provides insights into the character of the inhabitants, their governance, and the contrasting societal norms between regions, highlighting the realities of American life and culture during this period. The opening of the text establishes the author's intent to provide an unprejudiced representation of American society, particularly in the context of burgeoning independence and the societal shifts occurring in the early 1800s. Cincinnati is introduced as a city of significant trade and commerce, revealing details about its growth, character of governance, infrastructure, and the people inhabiting it. The narrative conveys a contrast between the industriousness found in such cities and the remnants of old-world systems still present, particularly as the author reflects on the socio-economic divides and evolving ethics within the emerging nation. The stage is set for a detailed exploration of various settlements and societal observations as the journey through the states unfolds. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Charles Sealsfield was the pseudonym of Austrian-American journalist Carl Anton Postl, an advocate for a German democracy. He lived in the United States from 1822 to 1826, and then again in 1828/1829. During a final stay from 1853 to 1858 he became a US citizen. Sealsfield is best known for his German-language Romantic novels with American backgrounds, and also wrote travelogues. He returned to Europe about 1829, living in Paris and London before settling in Switzerland in 1832, where he resided for most of the rest of his life.