The Sun.
London, England, 1853-05-12 00:00:00

MONEY MARKET AND COMMERCIAL
INTELLIGENCE-(THIS DAY.)

CITY, TWO O'CLOCK.

The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were
estimated at 10,000 bales—of which 1,000 Ameri-
can were taken for export and on speculation.
The market was animated, and prices of American
were a point against the buyer. The sales com-
prised 6,500 American, 700 Pernam and Maranham,
at 60. to 71d. ; 250 Bahia, at 60. to 60. ; 1,500
Egyptian, at 6gd. to 10d. ; 800 Surat, at 3111. to
4ad. ; and 40 Sea Island, at ls. 9d. to 2s. 2d. per
lb. Railway Shares were steady.
The six weeks' average price of wheat is 445. 7d.
per quarter.
At the Indigo sales yesterday there was no im-
provement in prices, or in the amount of business
done.

The Overland Mail is telegraphed, but some dis-
appointment is felt that there is no mention of
later news from Australia. On previous occasions,
however, it has happened that the first telegraphic
dispatch has omitted the mention of Australian
news.

There has been the annual meeting of the
National Provincial Bank of England to-day, at
which the encouraging report, of which the follow-
ing is a- portion, was unanimously adopted
" The circumstance, however, which exercised ,the
most powerful influence upon the prosperity of the last
six months of the year, was the undeniable evidence
which poured in, from time to time, of the great extent
and richness of the gold fields of Australia. The effects
of this vast gold discovery upon the enterprise and con-
dition of the world, is only beginning to appear in the'
great undertakings recently projected, and in the tide of
emigration now setting in from various points towards
our Australian colonies, but its more immediate effects
at home have been already sensibly felt in a continuous
and active demand for all our manufacturing products—
in the marked improvement which has taken place in
the important staple of iron—in the revival of the shit
ping interest,' and of the general trade of the country.
" The directors are happy also to report a change for
the better in the condition of the agricultural interest,
with the prosperity of which the welfare of the National
Provincial Bank is so closely identified.
" Such are the prominent features of • a year, which
may fairly be characterised as one of general prosperity,
the main cause of which, however—an influx of bullion
—has nat4irally operated against banking profits, but an
increased extent of business has gone far to compensate
for the low rate of interest which throughout the whole
of last year prevailed.

" The usual summary for the year ending 31st Decem-
ber last, is as follows
" January 1, 1852—Amount of undivided
profits £115,613 6 1
Dec. 31, 1852—Net profits of ,1852, after
making allowance for bud and doubtful
debts and a proportion of preliminary
expenses • 39,759 18 2

Total
Deduct dividend on company's

£155,373 4 3

stock for 1852 £24,649 16 0
Bonus of 2 per cent. declared
- and paid last year - 8,216 12 0
32,866 8 0

Leaving undivided profits at 31st Decem-
ber, 1852 ' £122,506 16 3

" It will be observed, therefore, that after payment
of the dividend of 6 per cent., a surplus of the year's
net profits remains of 15,1101. 2s. 2d., out of which the
directors recommend that a bonus of 2 per cent. be de-
clared, and that the same be made payable with the
usual dividend in July next.
"The directors going out of office by rotation are Sir
J. Campbell, K.C.H., Thomas F. Wilson, and John
Kingston, Esqs., but being eligible for re-election offer
themselves accordingly.
" A'strong desire having manifested itself amone, the
officers of the Company for the formation of a fund for
their mutual benefit, the directors recommend the pro-
prietors ter pass a vote of 5,0001. for this purpose, as a
mark of appreciation of the past zealous and faithful
services of the executive of the establishment. In what
manner this sum can be most advantageously disposed
of for the common good of the gnneral staff—whether
by a guarantee fund, a benevolent fund, or by the adop-
tion of a scheme embracing both objects, has not yet
been decided upon, but the directors intend to give their
early and best consideration to the subject, shuld the
meeting sanction the vote of 5,0001. now recommended,
and which it is intended to form the foundation of the
scheme that may-finally be determined upon.".
In, their report upon the indigo market, Messrs.
11. W. Jewesbury and Co. states :
" The quarterly sales commenced yesterday, consist-
ing of 15,116 chests (including 7,359 chests of old goods,
bought in at, or withdrawn from, former sales, and
2,954 chests in second hands), comprising the following,
viz..—

Catalogue A... 8,477 Chests Bengal, Oude, &c.
1,586 ~ Madras:
1,911 „ Kurpah. '
9 „ Bimlipatam.
7 „ ' Pondecherry.
16 „ Madras fig.
20 „ Manilla.
136 . „ Withdrawn up to the 9th

instant.

12,162 ~
Catalogue B 2,954 „ Various, in second hands,

Total... 15,116 Chests.

" The qualities of Bengal are about one-third good
and fine, and two-thirds middling and ordinary ; the
Madras one-fourth good and fine, and three-fourths mid-
dling and ordinary ; the Kurpah one-third good and
fine, and two-thirds middling and
,ordinary ; the Oude,
Bimlipatam, and Manila, ordinary.
" The sale room presented a thin attendance, and, pre-
vious to commencing, 1,074 chests were announced as
withdrawn ; after which a parcel of good and fine qua-
lity, including 125 chests of the mark J and R W was
offered and mostly bought in, a few chests 'selling from
6s. Bd. to 7s. 4d. per lb., being last sale's rates to 3d.
per ib: advance. The flatness with which the sales
opened continued throughout the day, and the quantity
sold has been so insignificant, that prices cannot be said
to be established, but may be quoted at par for, for good
and fine indigo, and at 3d. to 4d. per lb. discount for the
lower qualities. Madras and Kuipah were ihostly
bought in at 3d. to 4d. pre lb. under last sales' rates.
" 1,540 chests have passed to-day, of which 283 were
withdrawn, 968 bought in, and 289 sold.
" The following are the highest and lowest prices :-
955 Bengal Os. 9d. to 7s. 4d. per lb.
. 138 Madras
'159 .Kurpah
5 Pendecherry 2s. 6d. „
283 Withdrawn

1,540 chests."
The following is from Jamaica yid New York,
dated April 21:—
" The House of Assembly, as yOu must be aware from
my previous correspondence, passed a bill to reduce the
expenditure of the .colony, which bill in its operations
would have lopped off from certain officials twenty per
cent. of their incomes. With one or two exceptions, the
second brand} of our Legislature—our "miniature House
of Lords"--,is composed of such officials, and they have,
through dsfferent sessions, seven times refused their as-
sent to the Reduction Bill. The House of Assembly, in
consequence of this, passed the Provincial Revenue Bill
—the Import Duty Bill—and tacked to it appropriation
clauses, in which it was ordered that salaries should be
paid. at the reduced rate contemplated .by•the last Re-
trenehment Bill. This bill was sent to the Council, and
on the 15th inst. they rejected it unanimously, not having
the pewer of amending a bill of supply. In consequence
of this the Governor prorogued the Legislature, on the
19th inst., until Monday the 25th inst., to afford the house
an opportunity of retracing their steps, and enacting a bill
more agreeable to the Council. This, lam pretty confi-
dent, the house will not do, and that they will offer to
the Council the same " Retrenchment Bill," and if that
be rejected, the same Import Duty Bill. In the mean-
time, there is every chance of a. great loss of revenue,
for the present Import Duty Bill will expire on the 30th
of this present month, and then goods will be received
here free of duty, unless a new bill is agreed to.
Rumours are rife as to the steps the Governor will take—
one is that he will issue his proclamation, declaring all
old laws in force, and suspending the constitution. This
is perfectly idle. The more likely course is another pro-
rogation, and after that, perhaps, a dissolution. But
this seems certain—notwithstanding all the rumours—
unless the two branches of the Legislature can agree to a
bill, great loss of revenue will be the consequence. The
Council, of course, will charge the Assembly, and the
Assembly will charge the Council, as being the authors
,of this mischief. To dispassionate minds there can be no
doubt that the fault—nay, the crime—is fairly charge-
able to the Council, for it is the undoubted constitutional
right of the house to raise and appropriate the public
money without dictation from any quarter. This state
of things of course unsettles trade. Our bonded ware-
house contains large quantities of goods, and holders
are unwilling to release them, in the hope if the bill ex-
pire, and no new bill is enacted, they will be taken out
. of bond duty free ; but this is a question of some doubt.
' My next letter will advise you, perhaps, of some de-
cisive step on the part of the governor. If he dissolve
the house fully forty days must elapse before a new
house can be formed.

V"This isv the most
important topic—other matters
scarcely secure any attention. lam sorry to announce
the appearance of yellow fever among the shipping.
Europeans lately arrived seem to suffer most. A few
cases have proved fatal.
" Among the passengers from Jamaica is Dr. Lyon,
agent for the' Pioneer line of vessels to Australia. The
object of his visit was to promote the interests of the
company. If he has not been successful, then nc man
will ever succeed on a similar mission. Dr. Lyon has
'made friends of all to whom he has been introduced, and
his temporary absence from Jamaica will be so much
felt as if he had been an old resident there.
" Copper mining is now all the talk. No doubt there.
are excellent specimens to be found ; but without your
enterprise nothing advantageous can be expected. Cer-
tain it is, nothing will be done by Jamaica enterprise."
Stocks are e ull still. Consols have been 100 a
for Transfer, and 1004 for the next Account day,
the Ist of June. The " settleimint" is progress-
ing satisfactorily. The New 3f per Cents. have
been marked 103 to and the 3 per Cents. 994 to
par. Bank Stock has been very firm at 2281.
Exchequer Bills are firmer, being up to par, and
4s. premium,

Vereigui.e.oluitiea are heavy. Peruvian Deferred