The Express.
London, England, 1853-07-12 00:00:00

THE FOREIGN CORN TRADE.

(Pros the Mark-ewe Express.)
By the most recent advice, from the Baltic we
learn that further purchases bad been made on French and
Belgian account, which, with the animated accounts from
hence, bad caused a material rise in prices. The weather
does not appear to have been of the most favourable charac-
ter, and the prospects for the ensuing harvest were not re-
garded as particularly promising.
Danzig letters, of the Gth inst., mate that the high pre-
tensions of sellers had tended to check business. The prices
asked for wheat had been considerably above the limits of
the English orders, and the business done had been princi-
petty for export to France and on speculation. For high
mixed Lower Polish, of 62 to 63lbs. weight, bls. 6d., and
for 61 to 62114. 60s. 6d. per qr. free on board, had been paid.
Several vessels had been chartered the previous week to
load wheat to English and French ports.
Konigsberg letters of Mondays date state that a consi-
derable quantity of rain had fallen in that neighbourhood
daring the previous week, which was not considered fa-
vourable for the wheat crop. Supplies had come to hand
sparingly, and the greater part of what had been brought
&rward had met ready takers. For flue high-mixed wheat
weighing 621h5., equal to 506.6 d. ; and for 61}lbs. good red
and mixed, 475. 6d. per qr. free on board had been paid.
The shipments in progress being small, freights were low in
comparison with those paid at other ports in the Baltic,
and charters might have been closed at 4s. 6d. per qr. for
London, 4s. 3d. for the Humber, 3s. N. to 41. for Leith,
and ss. 3d. for Liverpool, with ls. lastage.
Front France we learn that a very decided improve-
ment had taken place in the weather; this had in a great
measure allayed the fears which the previously experi-
enced unfavourable weather had given rise to. A reaction
had consequently occurred in prices, and many of the
speculators, so eager to buy the week before, had become
anxious to realize. Stocks appear, however, to have been
reduced into a small compass, and though the proepects
for the ensuing harvest may not be so bad as they were
considered to be some time ago, still there is reason to
believe that the crops in most parts of France will be
short. At Paris on Wednesday, business was much less
active than before, and wheat, as well as flour, might
have been bought on easier terms than on that day week.
Thb reports from the ports on the coast are of a similar
character.
From the Mediterranean we learn that the rise in the
English and French markets had caused holders to raise
their pretensions. The crops in Italy, dm., are described
as short, and Marianopoli wheat was worth equal to 461.
6d. per qr. free on board at Leghorn, in the beginning of
the month.
The advice* from the Black Sea are a good deal taken up
with political considerations, but the upward movement in
prices of wheat in the British markets had nevertheless
had its accustomed influence.
From Odessa we learn that rather large purchases of
wheat had been made .in speculation ; for flue Polish, 2.85.
up to 395. 4d. ; and fur (Mirka, 255. 3d. up to 275. 3d. per
qr. free on board had been paid. Freight continued high,
say 13s. 11d. to 14s. 4.1. fur wheat to the United Kingdom.
By :he latest advice' we learn that prices of wheat and flour
were advancing, and freight to England was likewise
getting up, which is likely to interfere with the execution
of the English orders sent out.
Since writing the above we have advice* from the Baltic
of mote recent dates, which state that the French and
Belgian demand had slackened, and that prices had
rather given way. The reports from France respecting
the crops are much more favourable than they were a week
age.

OBSTRUCTION OF TUE DANUBE. The Meet
Zeituttg learns from Sulina that more than 500 vessels are
waiting for higher water in order to be able to get out to
sea. The conditicn of the mouth of the river becomes
worse and worse, as numberless fragments of wrecks are
lying under water. In cases of shipwreck the authorities
are extremely negligent, and there would be much greater
loss of life if it wt re not for the exertions of humane private
persons. The Auliburg Gazette contains an article on this
subject. Russia is bound by treaties to Austria and Turkey •
to keep the mouth of the Danube in a proper state. Not a
voice was raised when, by the treaty of Adrianople, the
mouths of the I) iuube were surrendered to the Cast, but,
as the mischief is done, ought not rim other States to insist
on Russia's fulfilling its obligations ? The importance of
the free navigation of the Danube to the West of Europe is
a:most as great as it is to Austria. Formerly Constanti-
nople news reached Vienna on the 14th day, and Douse-
quently Paris and London ouly on the 19th or 20th. Now
the steamers reach Semlin on the bitth day, and news cam
be conveyed by telt graph almost a* soon to Paris and Loa.
don as to Vienna. A person sel,o passed the Boling mouth
three weeks ago says—On ear'.l side of the narrow peePoite
were to be seen masts and fragments of wrecks,