The Sun.
London, England, 1862-05-21 00:00:00

ST.4I E OF TRADE.

MANCHESTER, May 20.—The inactivity and de-
spondency occasioned in this market for some days
past by the advices from America continue without
mitigation. The opinion is gaining ground with
respect to American affairs that this is the begin-
ning of the end, and that an increased supply of
cotton may be looked upon as certain. As to the
quantity likely to come forward no one is in a po-
sition to form the slightest idea, and the uncertainty
on this point is a ground for caution both among
buyers and sellers. In the cloth market there has
been a little more anxiety to sell, which causes
prices to be very irregular, but, as a rule, manufac-
turers are moderately firm. The Indian advices are
more encouraging, and but for the apprehensions of
consequences likely to arise out of a speedy settle-
ment of the American question we should have had
a good deal of business. As it is buyers "do not see
their way ;" they are desirous to wait the advices
of the next mail, and then the next; and business
is paralysed. What little is doing is chiefly to make
up small assorted orders and more of a retail than
wholesale character. Prices are in favour of buyers,
but it is next to impossible to give quotations, since
no offers large enough to test prices have been made,
There is quite as little doing in yarns as in cloths,
In these, as in the fabrics they are to make, sellers
would make concessions, but there is no encourage-
ment from buyers, who coldly abstain from busi-
ness, and there are no offers worth naming for
any kind of twist whatever. The Cotton Supply
Association are still pursuing experiments as to
the extent to which cotton grown in India can
be made available for the purposes of spinners and
manufacturers. To-day they have had on view
samples of 70's twist spun from Broach cotton, and
also of 80's spun from cotton grown in Madras, and
the finest yarn yet attempted from Indian staples.
The latter is an exceeding fine and satisfactory
description of yarn, and it is intended to have it
woven into muslins, for which it seems well adap-
ted. Both kinds of yarn compare well with samples
from American cotton. These samples were shown
on the Exchange to-day, and were regarded gene-
rally as very successful experiments, and a good
deal admired. They were spun by Mr. Kirkpatrick,
of Tyldesley.
LEEDS, 20TH.—There has not been much acti-
vity in the cloth halls this morning, yet withal
there was nearly an average amount of business
done. Rather more white heavy goods were sold
than at late markets, as also plain and fancy goods
for autumn and winter wear. As to prices, those
of cloths and those of wool keep nearly alike steady.
Any change that is noticeable is chiefly some con-
cession to effect a sale, and the amount is not such
as to indicate that there is in general a lowering of
rates.

ROCHDALE, 19TH.—The flannel trade con-
tinues in much the same state of activity as lately'
reported. To-day's market has not been very brisk,
and the bulk of the purchases were for the home
trade, the foreign and colonial demand both being
very quiet. For Lancashire and Welsh flannels of
medium stoutness there is an improved demand,
while fancies still move off well. Yorkshire goods
are still dull of sale, but there is a little moredoing
than for the last few weeks. The local woo! trade
is somewhat inactive, but prices are steady. The
same may be said as to the prices of flannels.

COUN7.RI MARKL2

... Nb.,..-, -----•-

NEWCASTLE-UNDER -LYME—MompAy.

A moderate show of wheat to-day, for whici the demand
ruled heavy at a further reduction in prices. White made
60s to 655; red, 56s to 60s per 36 stone. barley scarce,
and a sluggish trade, at lower rates. OatF slow. Beane
steady.