The Sun.
London, England, 1853-06-22 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

(From the Manchester Guardian of this day.)

MANCHESTER, June 21.—1 n the American accounts,
received this week, a good deal of stress is laid upon the
injurious effect of drought upon the cotton plant ; but
such statements are contradicted by others. The markets
are reported as very firm, with the important exception
of that of New Orleans ; and the cause of the slight
giving way there (ic. per lb.) it: said to be disappoint-
ment at the quiet advices from Liverpool to the 21st
ult. This is hardly a sufficient cause, however, supposing
that in New Orleans much reliance was placed upon the
allegations about drought. In Liverpool, up to Friday
evening, the cotton market rather hardened in anything
but rubbish, notwithstanding the Turkish question, and
the diminution of consumption through the stoppage of
mills, and since Friday prices have continued quite firm.
Our own market has been singularly perplexed .by
conflicting influences, more so to-day than before. An
increased apprehension of war has rendered the feeling
of caution predominant among buyers of all classes, who,
therefore, have very decidedly held back from business ;
but the difficulty of believing that Russia will push mat-
ters to the last extremity is strongly and generally felt,
and tends to prevent sellers from yielding to fear, whilst
they mostly anticipate that if the threatened storm should
pass away, the bearing of prices will be rather upward.
By the turn-out at Stockport, the weekly consumption
of cotton is lessened about 3,500 bales ; and the effect of
the expected stoppage at Blackburn will be about equal.
In general, buyers are unable to make any im-
pression whatever upon the quotations of last week.
If there is any exception to this firmness, it is in
articles suitable for the east, particularly yarns ;
but there is scarcely a quotable change even in them.
At Blackburn, some of the subsidiary hands connected
with weaving having ceased to work, in a few establish-
ments, because their demand for an advance of wages
was refused, and having thus put a stop to the working
of the looms, the associated masters, both spinners and
manufacturers, have given a fortnight's notice that they
will entirely stop the whole of the machinery, if the re-
cusants persist in the claim they have set up. At Stock-
port, there is no appearance of any general giving way
on either side.

ROCHDALE, June 20.—We have had a very fair de-
mand, considering the time of the year, for pieces at
former prices. The wool market has been quiet, and the
manufacturers purchase very sparingly just what is
wanted for immediate use. Prices may be fully quoted
a shade lower.

HALIFAx, Juno 18.—The aspect of trade in our piece
hall is not improved, and there is a very general unwil-
lingness to purchase any sort of worsted goods. except
at prices much below the cost of production. The con-
dition of the yarn market is also unsatisfactory; and the
uncertainty that hangs over the price of wool, causes
the consumers to be chary in giving out orders. The
transactions in wool are but limited, and the turn of the
market is in favour of the buyer.
HUDDERSFIELD, June 21.—We have had about an
average amount of business done for the season. Still
the market is comparatively quiet, but manufacturers
continue to be well employed. New patterns•are chiefly
looked after, and, in any class of goods, meet with pur-
chasers.