The Sun.
London, England, 1854-01-06 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, JANUARY 6, 185 4.

MONEY MA RKE T

AND
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

CITY, TWO O'CLOCK.

The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were
estimated at 6,000 bales, 1,500 of which were taken
for export, and on speculation. The market was
quiet at previous prices. Railway shares were
flat.

On Tuesday the markets opened, and fuller prices
were realised for most colonial staples than were
obtainable before the holidays. Holders generally
evince considerable firmness, under the supposition
that the occurrence of war would retard supplies.
There was an advance in sugar, coffee, and rice.
Tea has been dull, but seems now to be experi-
encing a revival of demand.

The state of the dried fruit trade at Liverpool is
thus described by Messrs. Houghton and Levy
, " FOr the season of the year the current market dur-
ing the past month has been unusually quiet, but the
improved clearances shew an increased amount of busi-
ness on several months past, and reach 230 tons against
110 tons during the previous month ; in comparison,
however, with the corresponding period of last year they
show a decrease of one-third the quantity. Our arrivals
have been large— say 500 tons (principally 1853 fruit),
against 150 tons in December, 1852 ; our stocks also
show a larger accumulation than we then had, though
chiefly of inferior qualities. Holders of all descriptions
have evinced more disposition to sell, and for 1851 fruit
have submitted to lower terms, it has, however, had the
effect of bringing it into increased consumption ; 1852
fruit is pressed upon the market, and for inferior quali-
ties there are sellers as low as 30s. per cwt., D.P.,—
the present heavy stocks of this description will tend to
prevent any improvement in price, as the bulk being of
a perishable character will not do to hold. The arrivals
of 1853 crop are generally of a good quality, and a few
parcels equal to any of 1852 growth are held for ex-
treme rates. The dulness which has pervaded our fruit
market up to the present time is only similar to what
prevailed the same period last year, though not to so
great an extent then, and leads us therefore to hope a
like improved demand which occurred after Christmas
last season will manifest itself from this time forward,
though, from a variety of causes, there is no question
we shall this year have a limited demand.
" We have had three arrivals of Valencia raisins during
the month, bringing the total importation at this port,
this season, up to 18 cargoes, against 21 at the corre-
sponding date of last season. Our clearances have,
nevertheless, been much larger, and our present stocks
are comparatively small • prices, however, have not been
maintained, but have been influenced by the London
market, which has also receded in consequence of the
pressure of tender fruit. We have therefore to note a
decline of is. to 2s. per cwt. ; and as the bulk of the
imports on this market are of good average quality, we
do not for the present look for any alteration. Black
Smyrnas. —The arrivals still continue extensive and
without any corresponding demand, and the stocks have
now considerably accumulated ; some holders having
forced their fruit upon the market have submitted to a
great reduction in rates,—fine fruit has been bought at
28s. to 30s. It has, however, had the effect of bringing
the article into greater consumption. Sultanas.—Our
supplies continue small, but the high rates demanded by
importers prevent any large amount of business ; but
where moderate prices have been submitted to, the trade
have bought readily. Muscateles.—The arrivals are
quite equal to the demand; prices are without alteration."

The Committee of Mexican Bondholders have
been informed that the remittances received by this
packet from Mexico on account of the advance
made 'by Jecker, Torre, and Co., amount to
$93,635 50c. from Vera Cruz, and $36,857 59c.
from Tampico, retaking together $130,493 9c.,
which, with the remittances and bills of lading
already received, will nearly cover Messrs. Jecker,
Torre, and Co.'s advance.

The Committee of Spanish American Bondhold-
ers have received this morning a letter from Mr.
Mocatta, dated Quito, the 23d November, apprising
them that the Ecuadorian Senate had thought
proper, in reference to the provisional agreement
submitted to the bondholders at their meeting of
28th June last, and agreed to by them, to make
such alterations and modifications as would, in his
judgment, completely destroy the basis of the said
agreement. Mr. Mocatta received the official com-
munication of this most unsatisfactory result only
the day prior to the above date of his letter. He
had, however, immediately protested against it ;
and, as the ordinary sessions of Congress would
last only two days longer, he had requested that
the matter might be again taken into considera-
tion by the Extraordinary Congress, which was
about to be convened for the principal object of
submitting to them proposals for reforms in the
constitution. Whether Mr. Mocatta's application
would be acceded to or not he expected to learn in
a few days.
The few letters to the 2d October from Sydney,
via Panama, refer in favourable terms to the state
of the import markets. A reduction had been
made in the charge for gold mining licenses, but it
is improbable, after their total abolition in Vic-
toria, that this will give satisfaction.
The mails from the provinces, though still in
arroar, are coming forward more regularly this
morning, as the lines of railway get cleared of the
snow.

The English Funds have been heavy, and after
opening at 93i Consols have receded to 921. Special
transfers have been made for the first time since
the shutting, and there seems to be a supply of
stock, although yesterday the speculators were
rather short of it, and glad to take considerable
amounts: "' The dissentients to the conversion of
South Sea and other Annuities are being paid off
at the Bank of England, and but for the uncertain
state of political affairs, this would doubtless have
given an impetus to prices, especially in conjunction
with the very satisfactory revenue returns. As to
the capital of the South Sea Company being all re-
ceived from the Chancellor in Exchequer Bills, at
3s. premium, and not obtainable by the proprietors
unless they submit to a discount 4 per cent., while,
moreover, there is no certainty that the Company
will accommodate them, even in this way after
next month, it ceases to be an element in any cal-
culation involving an increased supply of money,
since few will take their money upon these terms. The
dividends upon Consols, &c. will be paid on Monday
the 9th inst. to the public. The bankers, as a matter
of convenience, sign the books this day and to-mor-
row for themselves and country correspondents.
The New 34. per Cents. have been 93i to 94/, and
the 3 per Cents. from 93 / have receded to 94-.
The news that France has advised her ambassadors
of the intended entry of the fleets into the Black
Sea is considered to bring the Eastern dispute
nearer to a crisis, and as in all such cases the
anxiety increases, although the relief subsequently
will be greater, if the step be followed by a deter-
mined
A
line of policy. Exchequer Bills have been
quoted 7s to 10s., and India Bonds 3s. premium.
Foreign Stocks are dull, but at lower rates.
There is more doing in Dutch 4 per Cents., which
from 961 have sunk to 951-. Mexican Stock has
been quiet at 23i to Russian 4 per Cents. are
94± to ex dividend.
Railway Shares have been flat again, and the
few transactions entered into have been at lower
prices. The French lines are also worse..
The Gold Mines are merely nominal, and the
Banks dull, and the Land Companies' again lower.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK.
(From the Official List.)
Business done.
Bank Stock ...... .. . • 218 17

3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities ............. 93 2i
3 per Cent, Consols Annuities 931 2i x d
New 31 per Cent. Annuities 941 31
India Bonds, £lOOO ...... „.... ...... ..... 3
Bank Stock for Account 2174
Consols for Opening 18th Jan. ..........,.••' 93 # 2i
Exchequer Bills, ld.
£lOOO - 710 p
£5OO 7 10 p
Small

PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK.
Austrian Bonds, 5 per Cent......• ••• ..... • ••• 91
Danish Bonds, 1825, 3 per Cent
Ditto 5 per Cent
Mexican 3 per Cent.
Ditto for the Account 23/
Russian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cont. £ St
Ditto 4i per Cent 94#
Ditto Small
Dividends on the above payablelin London.
Dutch Exchange, 2i per Cent. 12 Gull
Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates
HALF-PAST TWO.
Consols for Opening 18th January .........

DELAY OF MAILS THIS DAT.—Very great inconveni-
ence was this morning experienced by mercantile firms
in the city, owing to the detention of most of the Nor-
thern, North Western, and Eastern Counties mails, conse-
quent on the immense accumulation of snow not only on
the branch lines, but on the main trunks. With very
few exceptions, none of the mails due at the General
Post-office at 4 and 5 o'clock had reached that establish-
ment at 11 o'clock. Several arrivals, however, took
Place that have been over-due since yesterday and the
day preceding. The Ramsgate and Margate branches
are not yet open to Canterbury, and the transit is by
the circuitous route of Deal and Dover, and from thence
to London. No communication has as yet taken place
with the Isle of Sheppey, as the Medway and Swale are
described as being full of large masses of floating ice,
and the guards on the Northern Railways state that the
thaw has not as yet sensibly diminished the obstruction.
RISE IN THE PRICE OF COALS.—In consequence of
the few ships in the river from the colliery districts, and
the rise of coals at the Royal Coal Exchange, the retail
dealers in the metropolis and the suburbs have raised
the price of coals from 3d. to 4d. per cwt. ; the best
Wallsend are 2s. 4d. to 2s. 6d. ; other sorts from 2s. to
2s. 2d. per cwt. ; coke, 10d. to lid. per bushel. Should
the severe weather continue, a further rise is expected.