The Express.
London, England, 1851-05-27 00:00:00

REVIEW OF THE BRITISII CORN TRADE

DUKINO TliE PAST WEEK.

(Prom the llarh-Psne Erf rm.)
Notwithstanding the cold harsh weather expe-
ricneed in April and the first three weeks in the present
month, the wheat-plant does not appear to have suffered,
and the reports from the agricultural districts hue.- at no
period spi.ken gloomily in regard to future prospects. The
crops are certainly backward in all art- of the kingdom;
but this defect might spec-dile he remedied by a few weeks
of warm weather, accompanied by a nnslerate fall of mois-
ture. The rite which has taken place in the temperature
since the 21st inst. ban already had a beneficial edict; ve-
getation has received a sadden impetus, and a visible im-
proveinect is diactruible in the general aspect of the coun-
try. The change canic at the right time to benefit the grass
lands, and likewise to give strewth and vigour to the wheat-
plant at a critical juncture, viz., the period which is now
approaching fur the formation of the car; thus tar, there-
fore. we arc inclined to take a hopeful view of the prospects
for Cie n. st harvest.

The slight advance which has recently taken place in
prices of wheat was unquestionably caused by a feeling of
uneasiness in reference to the weather, for though no actual
apprehension was entertained, the lateen of the spring
sufficed to render holders some what thin, and less envious
to realise than they otherwise might ha% c been. It is not
easy to judge as to what stocks may still he' held by Lome rs;
the prevailing opinion seems, Itimtver, to he, that they have
leas remaining of the last crop than is usually the case, and
that the deliveries are likely therefore to be small up to
harvest; tide belief does not appear ill-founded considering
the deficient yield of 1860. Under these circumstances the
prospects fur next harvest will be very dowdy watched, and
shou'd the summer prove uncertain and eilangeuble, we may
witless eonsidcnblr fluctuations in prices. Hitherto I
nothing Las occur-n. 4 to encourage speculative investments'
in wheat, and the somewhat improved tone which the trade
warned about a fortnight Jo has again Lam succeeded by
a calm. he awl% al. from abroad have lam mode.ate tins
week at reap°. ts as well a. into Loudon, which ham tended
to prevent any re-action in price., but business has not been
active at any of the leading provincial in erkets.
Thu advims front the Midland Counties are, on the whole,
of a firm tune ; a considerable !proportion of the importation
of Polish Odessa, and similar qualities of wheat, which
Nome time ago pressed we heavily on the minket. named,
having passed into consomptioa.
In the agricultural districts, where buyers have had to
depend on the growers for supplie:, the deliverbps have
scarcely sufficed to provide for the wants of the local millers,
and slightly enhanced terms have been obtained trout needy
buyers.
flie upward movement in the value of barley and oats
has not yet received a cheek, and it is nearly certain that
stocks of these articles have been redueed into a very nar-
row compass, as well in this country es iu Scotland and
Irelund, and that we shall require considerable imports
from abroad. _ _ .

It appeao, from our Scotch letters, that the weather
changed there rather earlier than it did in the south ; and
the cams in that part of the kingdom are well spoken of.
Waxiness in Wheat was dull, both at Edinburgh and Was-
WOW, on Wednesday; but prices were nut lower than be-
fore. Oats were Kare,, and at the last-nauted place a fur•
thi r small utleance wa.. established.

Front Ireland we learn that the supplies of grain from
the fanners had fallen short of the quantity required for
lural consumption, and that the slocksof birrian wheat
and Indian elm Were diminishing ut the principal ports.
}WI terns had therefore heen ilemandtsl. and it is esid•ot
that the sister ide will r. quire large iauports of breadstuff,.
between this and harvest time.

English Wheat minim. to come forward very sparingly,
the tot.ll quantity meek ist eoastwi-e in the port 1.1 Loudon
durinit the week ending this (Saturday) veiling haring
=mided to on:y 3,011 'vv. Meanwhile h.it tittle has been
exhihittd at Mark-Loto by land-carriaii.• atm dra from the
neichhouring somatic.. The consumptioa nt the metropolis
has tor some Liam haiu ahnod wholly thrown ou foreign
wheat and flour.

'l'h? arrivals front abroad ;show a considerable falling off,
only 1,167 qrs. having been reported ; having, however,
been visittsl by few country purchasers, and the town mil-
lets :laving manifestml no signs of h, in! in any immediate
want, business has been far from active. On Wednesday
the sales were strictly retail, nod thouith there was rather
more do;ug on Friday, the quantity taken olf the market
altogt ther during the week ha, kau insignificant, and im-
port.. rt hate shown a dispositi )))) to reake, where able to du
so at f wmer revs; but the y have declined to subunit to any
abatement. Stocks in granary have not diminished of late;
but it few weeks of short sunlit.s would rouse a material
decrease, as a very large cousumptiou is goiug
The transactions in free-on-hoard car;;ues have been prin-
cipally confined to Egypthin, fur which the Irish demand
has been extensive, owing to the high value or Indian
Corn. Only two cargo.a have arrived off the coast this
week—one of Polish (Memo, for which rm. per qr. ha.
1e....a asked; and one liomelia, held at 30s. per qr. cost and
fr ight.
The rise in the temperature has caws,' some apprehen-
sion to be felt regarding the condition of the cominoncr
kinds of foreign finer, and this has led to a somewhat im-
proved inquiry for frt vii ground parcels of Inane manufac-
ture. The top price of town-made has, therefore, Well
steadily supported, and the hest lams• holds have brought
previous terms. Approved French marks have also met
with sonic attention ; hut doubtful and ioferior descriptions
Ore been exceedingly difficult of disposal. The arrivals
from France have fallen off; still, B,W sacks have come to
Mod.

Supplies of English barley have nearly ceased, and the
receipt. from abroad have not been nearly so liberal this
week as before. The value of malting qualities has now
become almost nominal, but in diddling and grinding
sorts a moderate amount of business has been transacted
at very full terms, the falling otf in the foreign arrisids
having inspired holders with incriascd confidence.
Malt has not excited much attention, but fine parcels
having bun far from abundant. have commanded quite as
much mom.) as at any period of last week.
The market has been poorly supplied with oats of home.
growth ; from our own coast only alo qrs.; from Scotland,
gfft qrs.; from Ireland, 3,1762 gra. ; treat abroad but 16,322
qrs. have coin* to hand. By far the greater proportion of
the lame fore4rn arrivals received of late has already het
cleared off the market; a part has been taken by the Lon-
don dealers, and a portion by buyers from the country ;
there is consequently no pressure at present, and unless wo
base continued large receipt, fr.mi abroad wine further rise
in pikes appears inevitable. Many holders have shown a
decided disposition to raise their pret. nsions, and fine corn
could hardly L•e tonight on as 1.3.1 terms either on Wednes-
day or Friday us in the beginning of the wok.
The few purcels of English beans brought forward hale
been easily placed at the full currency of lilonday last ; and
Egyptian., on the spot, as well as cargoes to arrive, have
been hclil s• ey firmly.
There has not been much doing in peas; still this artiel.e
has felt the influence of the advance in the value of other
feeding stuffs, and the tendency of prices has been up.
wards.

..__„
Parties havit4; limiting cargoes of Indian cora to oliLr
have,dernanded enhanced terms. From Oalate there have
been no arri%als off the coast this we,k, hut several carve,
have come forward from French and Portuguese ports.
THE FOREIGN CORN TRADE.

By the most recent advice. from the Baltic we learn that
though supplies had rather inerea4A, seller. of Wheat had
remained very firm, and that the tendency of prices had
I.(lntinned upward..
Our I/metric litters are of the 19th inst. Upward.. of
1,:i00 lasts of wheat had, it appeay., been received there
since the precious port day; notwithstanding which, an
advance of Is. per qr. had been pretty generally c.tablished.
Floc mixed bug wheat, secighin4 62Ihis. to 631bs. per bushel,
had realised 4IM. 9,1.; high mis,d, of the same weight,
41.: 9d. per qr. free un board, and other descriptions pro-
portionate rate.. For a parcel of 60 lasts, extra tine, equal
to 4d.. per qr., bad been asked, and 435. per qr. had bens
offered in Tydn. 1;e...e1s were becoming scarce, and the few
which had arrived had been chartered at 3.. for Loudon,
:h. 9d. for Perth, 9a. 94. to 2, 11,1. to ports on the east
coast of England, and 4..2d. to the wed coast.
From liouipberg we have also advice. dated 19th inst.;
from n Wei it appear. that the Wheat trade had remained
very firm, and that sonic further advance hail taken place
in prices of .prinz iorn. Barley was then quoted 174. to
IS.. and feed oat., ut 371bs. weight, lls. 6d. per qr. tree on
board.
. .

At Stettin, on the 29th May, wheat wt.+ in good request,
and its value had aince that day track crept up about 1,.
per qr. ; red Stettin, of 6011 w. to tillea. weight, being then
worth 34i. 6.1. to Ma. • and tine Pomeraman and ticker.
mark, GOlba. to 611M.,rk. to 375. 6,1. per qr. free on board.
Barley and outs had continued in lively request, and the
autphe. of these ..nirles haeine. been small, full terms
had been reolised--say 19e. to Vs. for the former, and
to I,la. 6d. per qr. for the latter.
From Rostock we learn th.it the weather bad for some
time prt violas been too wet to allow of the completion of
spring sawing, mid Sore had been entertained as to the
effect of so much wet on the wheat crop. This, and the
firm tone of the English letters, had imparted a good deal
of activity to bueiness in grain, and the turn had been
rather in favour of the seller. Wheat, weighing 1321b5.,
was then quoted 375.; barley, of 521b5., 19s. to 20s. per qr.,
free on board. _ _

At Hamburg, on Tuesday, a moderate business was done
in Wheat, and a further advance in prices was established.
For light .591 b. to bOib. Mecklenburg, on the 'pet, (goal to
3fa. 9d. to 37.. per qr. free on board was paid ; 6016. to 611 b.
Seale brought 17s. &I.; Marks weighiu.; 611 b., 385.; and
heavy qualities, of 6216. weight, were held at 40e. to 41s.
per qr. free on board. The offers from outports had not
been numerous; for a cargo to be shipped from Pomerania
in July, 365. Od. per cargo free on bawd had teen paid,
weight 621 b, per bushel; and corresponding rates had been
obtained for shipments from other quarten. The demand '
for Bailey had rather slackened, but full terms had been
asked by s Item The high prices demanred for 0.1t3 bad
checked business in that article, and the extreme prices of
the preceding post-day had scarcely bean obtainable.

111 the Dutch markets the inquiry for oats seems also to
hare fallen off, purchaser. having been deterred from fol-
lowing up their operations in consequence of the high pre-
teniiiiins of sellers.

From France we learn that a lively demand had been
esp.rienced for wheat and flour, and that prices oil
both articl•.s had advanced at several of the leading,
in ,rkets. At Paris, on Thursday, flour was (mite'
I franc per sack higher than on that day se'nniAt ; and'
at several of the shipping ports on the coast the rise bad,
it appears, been greeter. The upward movement was
founded principally on the belief that the enormous ship-
anent% to Great Britain had so ',reduced the stocks on
hand as to render it questionable whether they wonld hold'
out to harvest time. The appearance of the erni lon the
ground, which was not generall)• considered (assurable,'
had also had some influence, and the rather firm tout of
tke English advises had further increased the confidence of
hot ,ker.

From the Mediterranean we hate nothing of much in-
terest to communicate. Marseilles letters, of the 19th inst.,
state that the demand for wheat had increased, mid Gut
Barletta, which had the week before been offered at .;::ee.
was then worth 31s. Gd. per qr. tree on board. The trim
of dour had also tended upwards.

W INTELLIGENCE.

IHIS DAY.

COURT OF BANKRUPTCY.
Scrota I. nOLIOTD.
I N at Tlioxreow.

This was the last cxaMTMstion meeting in the case of
Henry Edward 'fhomp-ca, deserib. di as an India-rubber'
bath maonfacturer, of (Amer-acre. The balance-sheet, pre-
pared by Mr. Pettis, of Ilisinghall-street, extended from
the 1.,t of June, 1519, to the 26th February last, and dis-
clo-ed the following state of affairs :—To unsecured cre-
ditor., creditors, holding security, 700/. profit.,
1,11" 1.: liabilities, 16/. ; deficiency at the comment ....meat
of the account, 1,07u1.: by good debtors, '281.; doubtful
ditto, 1321.; bad ditto. 74./.; property held u security,
7001.; ditto given up to the assignees, 2441. ; losses, t29r. ;
r:nt, rates, taxes, iosur.ince and repairs, 5011.; law costs,
Si)!.; interest, W. ;annuities, 1111.; medical, 841.; domestic
expensee, 907/.
Mr. Linklater supported the bankrupt.
Mr. Turner appeared for the a... Maces, and nue•tloced
the bankrupt as to a sum of 170/., which had been received
by hint, and not ee-y clearly accounted for in his boolis,
admitted that he had forced sales a few
months before his bankruptcy, but they were
principally second hand goods, and were all sold
at a profit on the original purchase. In August
IS4O, good, had been 'old :,t Fosters which produced 171)1.
This was not entered in his books. Ile had not kept any
regular stock account, but his cash-account was to he relied
on. The deficiency with which he commenced, in January,
1519, wax estimated ; he did net then know he was insolvent.
The books showed the dispisal of the 1701. derived from
the sale of goods at Foster's rooms. lie was certain he had
not pledged any goods, nor sent any away, exe.rpt those to
the sale-rooms ; those were second-hand articles, made up
for the wile-rooms, which went off well there.
The bankrupt passed.

ARRI....T OF .111,4CONDING DEBTORS.—A bill has
been printed by order of the House of Lords, brought
forward by the Earl of Ilarrowby, to facilitate the more
speedy arrest of absconding debtors. It is prorosed to give:
authority to the commis of bankruptcy and judo, of.
county courts to issue warrants tOr the arrest of absconding
debtors. The writ. of ...tidos from the supetiur court• are
to issue thereupon. The warrant is to lie auxiliary to such
writ Of capiai, and person- so arrested may apply to njudire
of one of the superior courts to be discharged. On the pay-
ment of the debtand costs the party arrested to be diss
charred. In lase it should appear to the satisfaction en a
jury in any action brought fur false imprisonment mulo a
warrant authorised to be issued, that such imprisonment
was uialicious, or that there was no probable eau, of ac-
tion, then the warrant and the writ of capita issued thereon
shall. in either of such case'., be nu ground of justification
to. the person at whose snit the same shalt have been ism, .1.
l'ertain fees are to he payable, but none in the Court of
Bankruptcy. Some forms to be used are given in a selnstulc
to the bill.

SINGULAR CENsUA lIETURN.—One of the eon...a-
but:try cuuntemturs (who, in common with all others ni .42
whom, shoulders the tusk of tilling the renews has been Ini 1,
complsing that they are hardly worked and badly paid)
was much ample(' the other day by the return whiAt u I ery
eccentric and proverbially social inhabitant or the sili.,gc
of Whitehouse, in o and a half miles from Belfast, had
under the column '• Deaf and Dumb." The household of
the statist consists merely of his w ife and himself, and!
their differences of opinion upon matters Si domestic eco-
nomy are locally celebrated. The return (in the handwrit-
ing of the head of the house) was this:—Husband, out.
deaf—wish to the Lord he was. Wilt, not dumb—nisi
ditto, ditto.—Belfiut News /.ether.
THE WEA'rIIER .IND CROPS IN TIIE NORTH.-
During the past week the weather has been all that COI: Id
Ik desired, alternate sunshine and shower with general
warmth being the prevailing characteristics. The country
around the city has assumed a beautiful summer appear-
ance, and the brain's seem strong and healthy. We ob.erve
from the agricultural reports throughout the country woe- I
rally, that the progress of the crops is must satisfacte.y at
1 the season.—Aorth British Mail.

siSACRE 1)1 FRENC:I SEAMEN lIV
Private letters have been received in Paris front the cor-
vette Alcmene, commanded by Captain d'ilareourt, which
mention an incident of a horrible kind. It appears that
about the end of November last the Alcmene reached the
boy of lialatle, one of the ports of New Caledonia, in thu
Pacific. Ou the 2eth an armed boat, under the orders of
Second Lieutenant Divers:eine, was sent to find a patsage for
the corvette ou the we-tern side of New Caledonia.
boat, that wan to be absent only eight Jaya, had not
returned on the 10th, and ecrious apprehensions hegan
to be entertained on board the corvette. On the 11th,
the barge. under the orders of First Lieutenant run.
thier, reached Boulahio, to look after the boat, and
the crew soon learned that the tribes of Menema and Bel-
t: p, the most savage amongst the savage, had massacred the
crew of M. Deveresine'e boat, and that three seamen only
hut eseaped death. This was the more strange, us the
yount officer and his men had been perfectly well received
at first by the natives of Hienguebune, and it was only at
the moment they were preparing to return to the corvette
that, all of a sudden, and at a signal from one of tl:c natives,
they were fallen on and mannered, without having a moment
to make use of their arms. Three men attempted to escape
by throwing themselves iuto the sea. They were, however,
dragged back, and, naked and bleeding from many wounds,
they were forced to remain on the spot while the bodies of
their comrades were devoured by the savages. Fur nine day.
they lived with them, and to all appearance were reserved
for the same fate, when, at the last moment, the barge pro-
videntially approached Hienguebune, but still kept at some
distance from the shore. The only person that landed was
apriest, one of the members of the mission in these islands,
who courageously advanced into the midi of the savages,
and assuming a bold attitude threatened them with
destruction if the surviving seamen wen not instantly
regored. The cannibals, finding the boat's crew preparing
their arms, gave up their captives. On the Pith the Aleencue
quitted BaLade, the men burning with desire to take ven-
geance on the savages. On the 17th tho whole of the huts
at Tulao were razed to the ground, the plantaCons des-
troyed, the canoes of the natives raptured, and 20 of the
tribe shot. At Ilientruebune and Paula the huts and plan-
tations were Lilo destroyed. On the 2nd of January the
Alcmene quitted New Caledonia.—Mornine Paper.
BECRINGILAMvIIIitE RAILWAY.—Thc new line of
this company, which completes the run from the Easton-
square station to Oxford, was opened for traffic on the 20th
instant, and was formally inaugurated yesterday. A special
train, containing sonic of the directors of the London and
North Western, and of the Buckinghamihne companies,
left Euston-square station at a quarter before twelve o'clock,
and arrived at Oxford a few minutes after two, having tra-
velled (making allowance for stoppages) at the rate of 40 miles
an hour. At 3 o'clock about 300 gentlemen and ladies sat
down to a cold collation at the Star lintel, the company
being presided over by Sir Harry Veruey, M.P., the chair-
man of the Buckinghamshire Company; and who among
other toasts, proposed " The Chancellor, Vice-Chan-
cellor, Masters, and Scholars of the University of Oxford,"
'and expressed hi, hope that the additional opportunities
afforded by the opening of the new lino to visiters from the
metropolis and all part•of the kingdom to Oxford would be
duly appreciated Ind taken advantage of, especially at this
time, when there was such an influx of foreign visitors to
our shores ; for no foreigner, however great might be his
gratification at seeing the metropolis and the store of won-
ders which the Great Exhibition of Industry presented to
his view, could think that he had seen England until he
had seen her famous universities. (Cheers.) 'f he proves
of Oriel College (Dr. Hawkins) returned thanks. The
Master of Pembroke College (Dr. Jetta() afterwards gave
I " The Directors of the London and North Western and

Buckinghamshire itailway—Compan7e;;lid Prosperity to
the Buckinghamshire Railways." Several other toasts
having been drunk and acknowledged, the company
separated.
BELFAST AND BALI.TMENA RAILWAY.—The report
of the directors to be submitted at the half-yearly general
meeting of shareholders, on the 27th inst., has been printed.
The receipts for the half year are 15,5181. 14.. 10d., the
working expenses 7,546/. 13, I Id., and the payment of in-
terest 3,131/. 17s. 21., leaving a balance of 4,870/. 3s. 94 ,
out of which it is proposed to add 1,1961. 3s. 9d. to the
reserved fund. There is an increase of receipts of
1,9121. 17s. over the corresponding period of List year,
whilst the working expense, have increased only by
2741. 15e. 4d. In the locornatiee deportment th,.re has been
a decreaselif_sl9l. 4d. A dividend of Ids. per share is