The Express.
London, England, 1849-10-31 00:00:00

COAL STATISTICS.

We are indebted to the gentlemen officially Intel- with the Coal Exchange for the following

ligsncs •
The first mention of coal in the history of our nation
appears to have been as early as the middle of the ninth
century, but the article was certainly known and applied to
many useful purposes AL. 1100. In 1239 Henry 111.
granted to the good men of Newcastle the privilege of dig-
ging coals, shims& it is it. than 300 years since they
became of general use as fuel in London, at which place, on
its first introduction, one or two ships were sufficient for the
whole trade. It appears by a charter of Edward 11. that
the coal of Derbyshire was known and in use, esjecially
in London, although its introduction was greatly re-
tarded by the prejudice existing against such fuel
es a substitute for wood in cities, as seen by a
proclamation of the first Edward, and subsequently in the
reign of Elisabeth, in which we find that the burning of
stone coal was prohibited during the sitting of parliament,
lest the health of the knights of the shire should be thereby
affected.
The corporation of London have locg been interested in
the vend and delivery of coal, as seen by reference to an act
passed in the reign of Henry VIII., at which period the
standard measure was the sack of four bushels of good
and clean coals." It also appears that by subsequent sets
passed in the reigns of Charles 11. and William and Mary,
the rights of tee corporation with respect to the aforesaid
vend and delivery were confirmed, chiefly with the view
of protecting the public, as is further evident by
an act of George 111., which is entitled " an act
to prevent frauds and abuses in the admeasurement
of coals sold by wharf measures and otherwise. It will also
be as well here to mention, that previously to the year 1832
(when the collection =and) the Mayor of London had been
from time immemorial entitled to • poundage duty of Is. Bd.
per ship on Tyne and Sunderland coals, and Is. per ship on
Speak and Welch coals.
W• now arrive at the period when, by a more recent act
9f Geo. 111., the corporation were empowered and autho-
elec.'. to purehsse the parcel of land and building called " the
Coal Exchange, which had op to this period (1807) been in
tho hands of private individuals, the same being vested is
the mayor, aldermen, commonalty, and citis too of the City
of London, for the purpose of holding • free, open, and pub-
lic market for the tale of coals brought into the poet of Lon- '
doo, the slid market to be holden on every Monday, Wed-
nesday, and Friday in oath week, from 12 of the clock at noon
until 2 of the cloak in the afternoon of etch day ; and were fur-
ther empowered to levy and collect the sum of one penny
per chaldron upon all coals, culm, and cinders imported into
the port of London, the amount of such collection being prin-
cipally applicable to "maintaining and supportinge7 such
building, and by an act puled in the reign of his late Majesty
William IV., the Coal Exchange was still continued and
vetted as above, and in addition the change of measure to
weight was authorised—that is to say, from the chaldron
(261 cwt.) of four vats to the ton of 20 cwt., now the standard
weight.
In the year 1845 the coal trade of London petitioned the
corporation as trustees for the fund for maintaining and sup-
porting the Coal Exchange to enlarge or rebuild the same,
which, from the unprecedented increase of the importation,
was bound inconvenient and totally inadequate for the re-
quirements of the factors, merchants, and others engaged in
such trade. The corporation consequent upon such petition,
and in consideration of the circumstances, and earnestly
anxious that the convenience of so large a body of =en
should be facilitated, gave instructions to their architect, kr.
Bunning, to suhmit a plan kr their consideration, from
when) design and superintendence the present admirably
adapted original and elegant building was produced.
The following atatietice, carefully collated from official
returns, will furnish our readers with some idea of
the amazing increase in the importation of this useful
mineral, so conducive to the health, comfort, and prosperity

of this nation.
It hu bean before stated that about 300 years ago
(may about 1550) one or two ships were sufficient
tor the demand and supply of London. In 1615 about
200 were equal to its demand'; in 1705 about 600
ships were engaged in the London coal trade. In 1805
4,856 cargoes, containing about 1,350,000 tons; in 1820,
6.884 cargoes, containing 1,692,992 tone; in 1830, 7,108 car-
goes, containing 2,079,275 tons • in 1840, 9,132 cargoes, con-
taining 2,566,999 tons ; in 1845, 2,695 ships were employed
in carrying 11,987 cargoes, containing 3,403,320 tons ; and
during the past year (1848) 2,717 ships making 12,267
voyages, and containing 3,418,340 tons. The increase in the
importation during the last 10 years, that is to say, from the
year 1838 to 1848, when the respective importation war
2,518,085 tons, and 3,418,340 tons is upwards of 90 per cent.
Now by taking 2,700 vessels as the actual number now em.
p!oyed, and by calculation such vessels averaging 300 tons
burthen per ship, and giving to a vessel of that size a craw of
eight nun it will appear that at the present time 21,600 sea
men are employed an the carrying department of the London
coal trade.

LONDON CORN EXCHANGE.—The half-yearly ge-
meld meeting tithe shareholders in this company wae held
yesterday afternoon at the Exchange, Mark-lane, Mr. Smith
in the chair. The Secretary read the report, which stated
that there was still a slight progressive improvement in the
revenue. One stand only was vacant at the last general
meeting, and that had since been let, and a premium of
401. obtained for it. Another stand and a table had since
then cheesed hands, but had not occasioned any cessation
of occupation, and a premium of 201. in each instance had
been received. There now remained but one stand vacant,
sad the directors had every moon t• expect that that also
would shortly be disposed of at the usual premium. The
rents had been well paid up, and the whole of the arrears
of 611.5.. might be considered safe. The sum of 5001. had,
la eseerdsaes with the resolution pared at the
last meeting, bee, invested in the three per
cant. emote, the sum purchased being 5401. Os. Id.
Little had been does in the rector's Chancery
suit for an inereire of tithe Wave the last meeting.
Each party was now, however, about to go into evidence in
support of his sass, and it was confidently expected that in
another four mouths the question will have received the
hesring of the court. The directors recommend the some
dividend as before, for the half year ending Midsummer day
lest—vie. at the rate of 26e. per share per annum. The ba-
lance sheet for the half year showed the receipts to have
been 2,1241. 17s. 2d., and the expendture, 1,4231. 2s. Id. ;
leaving a balance in hand of 7011. 151. Id. On the motion
of the chairman, the report and balance sheet were suet-
tensely adopted. On the modes of Mr. Wicket, a divi-
dend of 25e. per shwa par annum was agreed to; and after
some wreathes had been asked, and satiefectorily answered
by the chairman, the meeting closed with the usual vote of
thanks.
Arrow-Amanicats Mtascus.—The inhabitants of
England sad Wales will be astonished by the information
contained in the following extract ftom the New York Tri-
Ost. 17 : " Good News from England.—The work of
the Lord is g vary rapidly in England and Wales.
SIC" gen left Wales there have been ever sleet
hundred le the church of Jens Christ, and the
k
healed by the power of faith, aid malty believing. By the
Afineressel Star we learn that thorn:dna beared, the dumb
made to speak, the deaf mate te bear, the blind made to me,
&nib cast oat, fevers rebuked. brig cued, sad many of
them, alter they lied bees egesnded by physicians, who weld
not effect a cue, and, eves awn eared almost instantly, by
the laying ea of hands and the power of faith." Nobody on
this aide of the Atlantic had the slightest idea of wonders
like these being performed " the old coaatry."