The Express.
London, England, 1851-12-24 00:00:00

MARKETS.

TEA.—The monthly circular of Messrs. Jas. Goddard
and Co. reports as follows on the state of the tea market:—
For several months past we have had little else to report in
the tea market than continued and increasing flatness; we
have again, unfortunately, not only no improvement to
notice but still greater dulness, and a considerable decline
in value for almost every description. At the present period
of the year we are prepared for an inactive market, but the
usual inactivity has this season been increased by other and
unlooked for causes. Our stocks which last year were
assuming a healthy position have very largely accumulated ;
the surplus exports from China so far exceeding our very
gradually increasing consumption, and each mail bringing
news of active shipments, have determined the trade more
than ever against buying beyond what their immediate re-
quirements necessitate; with these facts, and the unex-
pected turn French political affairs have taken, unsettling
all commercial engagements, we cannot be surprised at the
present depression of our trade, and the almost unpre-
cedented lowness of prices. Common congous have
been very difficult of sale at a decline in value of id. to
id. per lb., ordinary being unsaleable at &I.; in the but
middling blackish leaf sorts, rather more business has been
done at a similar reduction ; for the good and hue kinds
there has been scarcely any inquiry. Souchougs and
Oolongs remain at almost nominal quotations. In scented
teas business has been done to some extent, and a fair quan-
tity of scented orange Pekoes by recent arrivals have
changed hands, fur the medium and fine, at a reduction of
lid. to 2d. per lb., both in catty boxes and half-chests ; the
common sorts arc dull; clean and good scented capers
have also declined about Id., but tine have been rather in-
quired for ; low qualities arc unsaleable. In flowery Pekoes
the transactions have been small and at rather eaeier rates.
Green Teas.—Clean Canton gunpowders have been saleable
at a slight reduction on former rates, and common young
hytons Lave continued in request, but with than excep-
tions it has been found almost impossible to do business at
anything like present nominal quotations. A public sale
of 20,930 packages took place on the 4th inst., when 5,000,
principally catty boxes, of scented orange Pekoes were
sold at a reduction of Id. to lid. per lb., some very com-
mon scented capers and gunpowders were taken; the
former in boxes at the latter in half. chest. at 71d.
Congous and gunpowders, common to good, sold also lower.

LIVERPOOL, DEC. 23.

The sales to•dap arc—Sugar: ;ono: RuM : small lot
of Demerara, without change. Coffee :70 bags of Malabar,
405.; 2S tierces of Jamaica, 365. to 453. for ordinary. Rice:
2,200 bags of Bengal, 10s. to lls. ; 20 tierces of Carolina,
18s. to 18s. 6d. Saltpetre : 570 bags, 255. gl per cent.)
Jute, 500 barrels, 01. to 11/. 15f.

COTTON.—Livcaroot, DEC. 23. —Our market closes
with increasing firmness, and prices of 41 kinds are the
same as on Friday, except that the turn is a,gainst the
buyer. The sales are again estimated at 7,000 bales (of
which 1,000 are taken by speculators), and include 200 Per-
nam and Maranham, at to 51d. ; 10 Egyptian, od. ;
and 1,000 Surat, at 3d. to SO. The imports since Thurs-
day are 15,000 bales.
Masentsrza. Dac. 23.—There was not much doing in
the cloth market, but prices continue tolerably firm. The
near approach of Christmas is of course a check to opera-
tions. There were, however, some large transactions in
yarns. Low madapollams continue very dull, and prices
are on the whole rather lower than at any previous period
of the ear; their production is being materially curtailed.
60 reeds meals° only in limited request. The demand for the
wider description of shirtings continues pretty active, at
about former prices.