The Sun.
London, England, 1855-12-21 00:00:00

MONEY MARKET

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

CITY, Two o'CLoois

The Liverpool Cotton Market yesterday closed
steadily, at precisely the same rates as last week.
The sales were 7,000 bales, comprising 4,000
Americans, 500 Pernam and Maranham at 6d. to
6id., 250 Egyptian at sid. to 9d., 2,000 Surat at
31d. to 4id., and 30 Sea Islands at 10d. to is. per
lb. The Railway Share Market was firm, and
closed at its highest point.
There has been no increase in the amount of
business transacted this week in Mincing-lane, and
the quotations have continued heavy. Sugar has
been rasher cheaper for Bengal, and British planta-
tion has declined 2s. per cwt. Coffee has remained
dull, and some parcels at publie sales have been
taken in at higher rates. Rice has sold heavily,
and tea has realised 9id. for common Congou.
Very little has been done in spices, the prices of
which are in several instances merely nominal.
For rum there has been very little inquiry, and
saltpetre has receded 2s. to 3s. per cwt. from the
highest point of the market. Cochineal is firmer,
and tallow steady. Hemp and flax have been
without particular variation, but in limited request.

Accounts from Holland contain the Government
monthly returns of receipts into the public treasury.
The total amount for the eleven months ending the
30th November, 1855, is given at 55,021,620
florins. Compared with the corresponding period
of last year, it shows an increase of 2,037,812E1.,
being 53,983,808f1.
At the present moment, when the financial com-
munity are watching closely the fluctuations in the
Money Market, and especially those influenced by
the arrivals of gold from Australia and America,
the returns of specie in the Bank of England, and
the exportation of bullion to foreign countries, it is
a matter of some importance to know that the
" sinews of war " possessed by this country
are legitimately applied, and not issued to
succour the impoverished resources of our enemy.
For some time back there has been a degree of
mystery connected with the probable destination
of certain amounts of specie transmitted to the
Continent, and which, it is stated, had raised the
suspicions iu Government quarters that though
ostensibly forwarded on account of ordinary
mercantile transactions, they ultimately reached
the coffers of the Russian Treasury by an
unusually circuitous route. In consequence of in-
formation obtained inquiry was made, and it is
reported to have been ascertained that the sum of
400,0001. in gold has in this manner recently been
conveyed to Russia, principally by houses whose
business lies in the Levant, and who have already
made themselves obnoxious to the community by
their sympathies with the Emperor of Russia,
while they have been enjoying the hospitality of
the country and all its commercial privileges.
In consequence of a statement that the Emperor
of Russia has intimated his refusal to submit to the
proposals for peace that have been made, the Funds
have exhibited less firmness, and Consols have re-
mained all the morning at 88i and 881. These
frequent changes will no doubt continue until some-
thing definite is known in reference to Count
Esterhazy's progress, especially as no purchases
for investment can be made until next month,
to impart strength to the market. The New
3 per Cents. are 88i to 89, and the Reduced 881
to 88k. Bank Stock has further dropped to 205.
Exchequer Bills are about 4s. to 7s. discount.
The Foreign Stock Market is again exceedingly
inanimate, except in Spanish and Turkish Bonds,
though no transactions have been recorded. Dutch
21 per Cents. are about per cent. higher, namely,
632. to 64. Turkish 6 per Cent. Bonds have de-
clined to 83/1 and 83k, and the New Scrip ruled
heavy, at 3 discount. Spanish New Deferred are
211 to 22, being 1 per cent. lower, and the Passive
are quoted at 71.
The following are the nominal prices of foreign
stocks: Grenada Deferred Bonds, 64 to 7 ;
Mexican, 191 to 19i ; Peruvian, 74 to 76 ; ditto
Three per Cents., 52 to 54; Portuguese Four per
Cents., 48 to 50 ; Russian 5 per Cents., 95 to 97 ;
ditto 4i per Cents., 88 to 9t3 ; Spanish Three per
Cents., 40} to 41 ; ditto New Deferred, 211 to 22 ;
ditto Certificates, 41. to 5 ; ditto Passive, 74 to 71.
Messrs. D. Bell, Son, and Co. report that the
market for American Securities during the past
week has been inactive, and prices continue to be
for the most part nominal.
GOTBEICIDINT SECURITIES.
Redeemable. Per Cont.
1887-1868_106

United States 6 per Cont.

STATE SECURITIES.
California 7 per Cent. Bonds 1870... 78 SO
Maryland 5 per Cent. (Sterling Bonds) ... 90
Pennsylvania 5 per Cent. Bonds 1877... 77 79
Virginia 5 per Cent. (Sterling Bonds) 1888... 83 84

CITT BretTRITIRS.
Boston 5 per Cent. Bonds (Divers) ... 90 92
Montreal 6 per Cent. Bonds 1856-1865... 83 85
RAILROAD BONDS.
Illinois Central 7 per Cent. let Mortgage,
not Convertible 1875... 73 75
Illinois Central ti per Cent 1875... 70 72
New York and Erie 7 per Cent. let Mort
gage 1883... 98 100
For the principal Railway Shares there is a
weaker market, owing to the flatness noticed in the
English Securities. Great Western, Lancashire
and Yorkshire, and Midland, are the most affected.
Colonial and foreign lines are heavy, but very
quiet.
Mining as well as Banking Shares are supported.
General Screw Steam rule firmer.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY.—CLOSING PRICES
(Prom the ONcial Lis,.

,1;,41P., done.
Bank Steck
3 per Reduced Abunitiee„
II per Cent. Console Anutitio.
S per Cent. Annuities ...„
40n,01e for Account 88!
E,ehoquor 1-Mh., 24d
£lOOO
0”
4malt
Dibto Bonds, IQSS, Si per Cent.. 972
• ~ 1852 ...... 97i
PRICES OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY.
Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent.
Ditto Small
Kquador Bonds
Peruvian Bonds, 4. per Cent.
Ditto 3 per Cent
Ditto Account
i-toeds, 3 per ent .........
Ditto Account
Ditto Few Deferred, 3 per cent.
Ditto leceunt 2 2
Ditto Ps.seive
Tiarki,t) Bonds. n per cent
Ditto for the Account B3! i
Ditto New Serip, 4 per Ceut.
Ditto .icsonnt 3 d
9tvidelde on the above payable in London.
Mitch Exchange, 8j per Cent., 12 Cluil 64 3i 4
Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates 94f
THREE O'CLOCK.

. 4 8 (1

~. 401

Consols •.
Ditto for the &commit Jan. 10

THS AFFAIRS OF THI BROMRGROTB AND STOIIIIIRIDOE
BANICS.—A. final dividend upon this estate, estimated
at 3d. in the pound, was declared yesterday in the Bir-
mingham Court of Bankruptcy. Debts to the amount
of between 3,000/. and 4,0001. were proved during the
day. This dividend, with 6d. in the pound already. paid,
raakes 9d. received by the creditors of the Bromsgrove
establishment. Masers. Philip and Francis Rufford were
the only partners. In the matter of the Steurbridge
Bank, of which Messrs. P. Rufford, F. Rufford, and C.
J. Wragge constituted the firm, a final dividend meet-
ing is fixed for the 13th September next, when the estate
is expected to realise a further dividend of 7d. or Bd. in
the pound. Two dividends of la. 6d. and sd. each have
already been declared, making a total of 2s. Gd. in the
pound. The serai ate estate of Mr. Philip Rufford has
already been realised and divided. The first dividend
k
roaine. a t o al of
was 55., and the eecond la. 3d.,
The separate estate of Mr. Wragge, which proved to be
far the most productive to the creditors, has also been
divided. There were three dividends—the first of Bv.,
the second of ss. 3d., and a final of 25., making a total
of 15e. 31. in the pound. A final dividend meeting of
the separate estate of Mr. Francis Rufford is fixed for
231 of January. Three dividends of Is., le., and itd.
each in the pound, and the final is likely to produce
another lc 61, thus making a total from the separate
estate Gf the late member for Worcester of gs. 10d. in
the pound. The estates have been realised with great'
difficulty, in consequence of the unsaleable nature of the
property, and the numerous questions of legal nicety and
importance, which arose not only between the estates
themselves, but with other parties. It is a fortunate
circumstance that no action or suit has arisen, out of
these various complications, either in Chancery or at
common law. Small as the dividends are, they would
have been much smaller but for a prudeat avoidance of
itigatien.
" HARD LINES."—Whence is this expression, as cam-
men, particularly among seafaring men, derived
S. A. H.—[Line was formerly synonymous with Lot !
Thus the Bible w-rsion of Psalm xvi.. v. 6, is "The linen
are fallen unto in in pleasant places yws, I have a
goodly heritage"—while in the Prayer Beak we read,
" The lot hae fallen unto me in a fair ground ; yea, I
have a goodly her:tay,,,e." Hard Lines is therefore equi-
faleut to Hard Lot.]—Notes and Querice.

ELECTION OF COMMON COUNCIL-
MEN—(This Day.)

The being St.Thomas's•day, the election of gentlemen
to fin the office of Common Counci!moo for the various
wards of the City took place. The following gentlemen
were elected fcr the under-mentioned wards :

BR/AD STREET WARD.
Tlawtrey, Deputy. I NfeAsni. J. J. T.A.illard.
N. Maughau. ... F. Maliiard.
... D. Laurie. I W. Patten.
... J. P. Snell. ... J. Smith.

COLEMAN-STREET.

Messrs. W.S.Hr.b.,Deputy.
... J.
... NV, Webster.
... C. Hogg.

Messr4. T. H. Hall.
J. Perking.
H. W. V3llance.
... T. \Vesthail.

BRIDGE WARD.
All the old menib«rs again returned.
BILLINGSGATE WARD.
Me,irsi. Bower, Deputy. Messrs. Caogton.
... Roberts.
Wil;iams.

WALBROOK.

Graves.
Slowman.
Bowsfield.

Messrs. Conder, Deputy Messrs. Murrell
Dawson Fry
... Rowley 110.1 e

BROAD-STREIT.

No opposition.

CORDWAINERS' WARD.
The election here was presided over by the Lord
Mayor, as alderman of the ward. There was no oppo-
sition, and all the old members were re-elected.
The elections created no excitement. As far as we
can ascertain, up to the time of our going to press there
was no opposition in the other wards, and, consequently
the gentlemen who represented the wards during the
past year were re-elected.