The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-02-12 00:00:00

COMMERCIAL and MONETARY NEWS.

MONDAY NIGHT.

There have been some slight fluctuations in the value
of the Public Funds, but the general tendency has been
upwards, the feeling of confidence in the successful
termination of the negotiations for peace growing
stronger as the time draws near for the opening of the
Conferences at Paris. The more favourable aspect of
the Bank Accounts had also some influence in the same
direction, and the advance would no doubt have been
greater had it not been for the continued demand for
money which has been largely in request during the
week. It appears from the answer given to a question
in the House of Commons, that the Government do
not intend to propose any reconsideration of the Bank
Charter during the present session ; but as the subject
is one of very great interest to the mercantile com-
munity, it ought and no doubt will be pressed upon
the attention of the Legislature, so that a relief may be
afforded from the present high rate of discount.
The returns of the Bank of England for the week
ended the 2d of February, show an increase of the
stock of bullion to the extent of £359,773, and as there
is also a decline in the actual circulation of £177,970,
the increase in the reserve, of notes unemployed is
£537,010. This is as favourable an account as could
have been expected, as the increase in " other securities"
is no less than £1,465,841: showing not only the
greatly increased demand for accommodation, but also
the little injurious effect it has had upon the resources
of the Bank, which, after discounting to the amount
of a million and a half additional, has more than half
a million increase in the unemployed notes or power of
further discounts.

The arrivals of specieduring the week have amounted
to about £350,000, of which the whole or greater part
is said to have been taken for export.
At Manchester there has been a fair amount of
business doing, and previous prices have been firmly
maintained ; whilst, owing to the prospects which open
of a better trade shortly with Germany as well as the
Levant, there is a considerably improved feeling, which
tends to strengthen the market. In the woollen trade
there is also a tendency to improvement, and prices
are somewhat higher, with the expectation of a still
further advance, as stocks generally are short. The
hosiery trade is active, but lace is rather quieter.
The corn-markets lately have experienced a con-
siderable decline, owing to the recent large importa-
tions ' • and, as the arrangemeths for peace will probably
lead to an increase of foreign supplies, it is expected
that the market will go still lower.

The prospectus has been issued of a French and
English uudertaking, to be'called the Alliance Bunk.
The capital proposed is £BOO,OOO in £2O shares, on
which the deposit will be £5. The head office is to be
at Paris, with branches at. London and Constantinople,
and the administration will be entirely under the
French laws, and subject in the usual manner to the
control of the French government. The number of
directors is 14, of whom.B are English and 6 French.
The return from the Bank of England for 'tile week
ending the 2nd February gives the following, results,
when compared with the previous week :

£3,782,879 ; Increase ... £518,676
13,807,258 ; Increase ... 935,705
3,410,082 ; Increase ... 33,450
On the other side ,of the account :
Government Securities.. £12,092,361; Decrease... £543,900
Other Securities ....... 18,216,497; Decrea5e...1,465,841

Public Deposits
Other Deposits
Rest ... ...

Notes unemployed 5,411,985; Increase ... 537,010
The amount of -notes in circulation is £19,120,635,
being a decrease of £177,970, and the stock of bullion
in both departments is £10,705,876, showingan increase
of £359,773 when compared with the preceding
return.

ISSUE DEPARTMENT.

Notes issued

£.24,532,620 Governmt. Debt £11,015,100
Other Securities: 3,459,900
'Gold coin & bu1rn.10,057,620
Silver bullion ...

£24,532,620

£24,532,020

13AN1ING DEPARTMENT.

Prop. Capital ...'£14,553,000 Gov. Securities £12,092,361
Rest ... 3,410,082 Other Securities 18,216,497

Public Deposits 3,782,879 Notes
5A11,985
Other Deposits 13,807,258 Gold & Silver Coin 648,246
7-day & other bills 815,880

£36,369.0991

£36,369,099

Oun SHARE MARKET has been quietall the week,
but prices have been remarkably steady, with a sen-
sible tendency,upwards. The weight upon the market
at present appears to be the American question ; let
this assume a' lighter aspect, and greater activity and
higher prices .would at once ensue. The reports of
the several companies issued durinc, the week have
been most satisfactory, and must tend in a great
measure to reassure the public mind respecting railway
shares as securities. The London and North-Western
have declared =s'4 per cent. with £42,000 surplus, and
a report which,is very favourably received. A report
has also been issued from the committee, of investiga-
tion of this company, which, although it reveals great
errors, promises a better state of things. The financial
management ofthis company is now in the hands of a
late eminentbanker, considered one of the first finan-
ciers of the day, and under his surveillance everything
will be turned to the best advantage. The Great
Western has declared 21- per cent. and £16,000
surplus ; the Berwick, 4* per cent ; and the York
and North Midland, 34a1l being an advance upon
their previous •dividends, and all auguring a better
state of things. Local shares have been less in
demand ; Bank ,of Liverpool have declined a little ;
insurance shares are also a shade weeker, owing to
some interference of a French company with this
business in London. This, however, is about to be
brought before the government, and cannot but be
settled in favour,of and for our own companies. Since
the arrival of the American packet this evening, a
demand has sprung up for Western of Canada, and
these shares, whiehlad declined to 25, are not to be
had at 251. We know of no line which promises
greater things than this. The books are novr about
to be closed for the half-year's dividend, which is
expected to be 10 or :12 per cent. We annex this-day's
prices :—Dublin and Belfast Junction, 34 ; Eastern
Counties, 10 ; Lancashire and Yorkshire, 811 ' • London
and North Western, 1001 f 8 ; Manchester, Sheffield,
and Lincoln, 241 ; Midland, 691 ; North Eastern
viz :—Berwick capital stock, 19 1-16 -k ; Leeds, ditto,
14 9-16 ; South Easteut, 18 13-16 s ; Great Western
of Canada, 254 ; BoDough Bank (new £lO shares),
COTTON.—The market during the week has been
quiet, although there has been a very fair amount of
business doing. Prices remain nominally without
alteration,:butfair qualities: re advanced about IA per
lb. The sales for the week ap to Friday amounted to
57,340 bales, of which 10,380 were taken on specula.-
tion, and 10,920 for export, leaving 36,040 for the
trade. To-DAY the America arrived, but too late for
her advices to have any influence upon the market.
The sales amounted to 12,000 bales, including 4,000
for speculation and export, and the market closed
firmly. The following is a comparison of present rates
with those of the corresponding period last year :-
1855 1856
51 5 13-16
51 61
5 5 11-16
61

New Orleans, middling
fair
Upland, middling
~, fair