The Sun.
London, England, 1847-04-22 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

MANCHESTER, TUESDAY.—Although it i 8 generally
understood that there is a considerable amount of orders
for the purchase of goods and yarn now in the hands of
agents here, the amount of business done is exceedingly
limited; and, perhaps, on no previous Tuesday, for some
time past, have there been so few sales as were made yes.
terday. Partly from the stringent proceedings of the
Bank of England, and partly from the great instability
and uncertainty of prices in the cotton market, neither
buyers or sellers seemed anxious to do busi-
ness. Generally speaking, spinners and manu-
facturers demanded an advance ; and the little business
done was mostly at rather higher rates ; but few buyers
were inclined to accede to the demand. The con-
tinued depression in the market has recently caused
some considerable additions to be made to the number
of factories entirely at a stand. It is stated that four
more have stopped at Rochdale, where the whole num-
ber standing is said to be fifteen; a very extensive
concern in Cheshire has also been closed; in the mills
producing coarse yarn in the town and immediate
vicinity of Manchester, the consumption of cotton is
probably not more than a third or a fourth of that
consumed twelve months ago; and it is fully expected
that the mills at Stockport, which have been hitherto
working four days per week, will be reduced to three
days, with the exception of one or two large concerns,
which will probably be entirely closed. Amidst all this
depression in business, it is satisfactory to be able to
state that, so far as we can learn, there is very little
alarm or distrust in this district, a striking proof of the
caution and prudence which merchants and manu-
facturers have displayed in the conduct of business for
some months past.
ROCHDALE, MONDAY.—The announcement in the last
week's report of the flannel market, that a manufacturer
had stopped payment, occasioned some unpleasant sur-
mises. The party referred to was a resident in Saddleworth,
and not a Rochdale manufacturer, but had been in the
habit of attending this market. We have had but little
doing in the piece market to-day, but prices aro much
the same as last week. The wool market continues dull,
at former rates.—Mills stopped : Four or five factories
ceased working on Alonday last, and it is feared that
many more will be obliged to adopt the same course, if
there be not a speedy change for the better. Many mills
were standing before the commencement of this week.
HALIFAX, SATURDAY.—The dulness that has so long
rested on the worsted trade remains unalleviated; and
there is no perceptible change either in demand or in
prices. The slightly improved demand for yarn noted
last week still continues, accompanied by a small advance
in price; though the spinners cannot yet obtain a bare
remuneration for their outlay. There is no alteration in
long wool; the improving effects of increased consump-
tion and short stocks being fully counterbalanced by the
pressure in the money market. Short wools are not
active, and the lower qualities have rather a downward
tendency.
HUDDERSFIELD, THURSDAY.--The market has been
very dull. There are a few buyers, but there is no in-
clination to speculate beyond their immediate wants.
The rise of 6s. the quarter on wheat casts a gloom
over both buyers and sellers.
LEEDS, TUESDAY.—There has been a good attendance ,
at our cloth halls to-day, but the business done was very I
limited, The nnravnurahle state of the corn and money
rna•kf-B evi.letrly 'O,; p ‘s'r`di 00 ii 61-ra.gb of
commerce.—Manchester Guardian.

Dispatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-office,
from the Governors of the West India Colonies.