The Sun.
London, England, 1848-01-01 00:00:00

COFFEE.—Although the arrivals from our West India
colonies have not been large during the year, and are
only 3,000 cwt greater than in the previous one, yet
merchants have been anxious to sell, and prices continued
to give way, with little intermission. This may be as
scribed to the consumption being much interfered with
by other sorts on account of the difference in price,
and the improved quality, for the supply of West India
has consisted mostly of mixed and inferior sorts. The
deliveries in consequence are less than in the year
1846 by 4,200, and there is an increase in the
stock of 3,000 cwt. The opening prices of Ja
maica this year were 33s to 55s for low to fine ordi
nary, and 56s to 130 a per cwt for low middling to fine;
in the middle part of the year we find they stand thus—
the former from 39s to 675, and the latter 74s to 106 s,
whilst the 'present value is 27s to 49s for low to fine
ordinary, and 50s to 100 s for low middling to superior,
this showing that prices have come down from 7s to 30s
from the commencement of the year. Of Ceylon the.
arrivals have been of such magnitude, and exhibit-an
increase over those of the past year of 35,000 cwt, the
excess being more apparent in Plantation sorts, and
there is every appearance that the importation will be
as heavy in the new as in the old year. Prices having
ruled low and with downward tendency during the
chief part of 1847, caused a large consumption, and to
exceed that of the fOrmer season by nearly 36,000 cwt.
The stock on hand is heavy, and shows a surplus of
nearly 30,000 cwt; so that no material advance in prices
can be expected to occur, although they are lower than
at the close of the previous year by 4s to 6s for Native
and 4s to 10s per cwt for Plantation. The opening prices
this year were 37s •to 33s tor good ordinary Native, and
38s to 90s for common to fine Plantation. On the first
quarter of the year they were 42s to 43s for Native, and
44s to 90s for Plantation; in the second 27s to 38a for Na-
tive, and 39a to 85s for Plantation; in the third 34s to 35s
for Native, and 26s to 83s for Plantation; in the fourth,
32s 6d to 33a 6d for Native, and 34a to 80s for Plantation.
SPIRITS.—From the West Indies the arrivals of Rum
have been unusually large this season, notwithstanding
prices were unsettled, and generally have been of an
unsatidactory nature. The increase over the year 1816,
it will be observed on reference to our annual statement,
is 11,200 puns and hhds, 4,500 more than in 1845,
and 13,000 greater than in 1844. The receipts
from the East Indies are also heavy, and ex-
hibit an increase over those of 1846 of 1,000, 1845
of 3,000, and in 1844 of 6,300. The home
deliveries of West India have been of a satisfactory
nature, and which must be attributed to the moderate
rates that existed; they exhibit an increase over those of
1816 of 3,000, in 1845 of 3,300, and in 1844 of 5,000.
The export demand, however, has not been "so good as
might have been expected—the deliveries for that pur-
pose are only on a par with those of the previous season,
but are greater than in 1845 by 1,000, and larger than in
1844 to the extent of 4,600. Of East India the home
deliveries are 1,100 greater than in 1846 ; for
exportation, however, nearly 1,000 puncheons, &c.,
less have been taken. In comparing stocks with
those at the end of last year, we find there is an increase
in West India of 4,200, in the year 1845 of 1,600, and

in 1844 of 4,000. The quantity of East India is nearly
double of what it was last season. Prices are, how-
ever, lower', than at that time by 10d to l Id for Leeward
Island; 7d to 8d for East India, and 2d to 6d per gallon
for Jamaica. The proceedings in the market were of an
important nature during the month of January, and in
the early part of February, the home demand being ex-
teesive, whilst exporters were large buyers, and many
speculative purchases were made, whilst the advance
in prices was considerable. The excitement in the mar-
ket was chiefly produced by the proposition of Govern-
ment to reduce the duties, the reduction in Ireland and
Scotland being considerable. A t the commencement of
January the value of proof Lenard was 2s 6d ' and of
fair Jamaica 30 per cent. over proof 3s 64, whilst in the
first week of February, prices advanced to 4s for the
former, and es 4d for the latter, since then, however.
a total change has taken place in the position of
the market, supplies have much increased, merchants
willing sellers, whilst all parties have operated with
caution, and prices have come down rapidly with but
little demand, proof Leewards being now only worth
Is 7d, and fair Jamaica 30 per cent over proof 3s Gd per
gallon. The general impression is that for Leeward
Island and East India, prices will remain much the same
as at present for a week, but that Jamaica will be
cheaper, as this kind of Rum is higher in price than any
other. The downward tendency in the value of Brandy has
continued throughout nearly the whole of the year, al-
though the home deliveries have been of a satisfactory
nature, and for the United Kingdom they are 995,000,
in the trevious year 100,000 gallons, but the arrivals
have been upon a large scale, and merchants showing
much anxiety to sell caused prices to rule low, especially
for old landed sorts. The stock is under 7,000 puns
and hhds, whilst Brandy is 8d to is per gallon cheaper
than last year, but as supplies aro likely to be heavy
in 1848, no material improvmeut in the value oan be
exposited to occur. Prices for Geneva have ruled sa-
tisfactorily for the importers by reason of the
scanty supply. The lowest quotations for shipping
sort in 1847 was 2s 4d, the highest 2s 9d. The quan-
tity taken for home consumption this season has been
12,000 gallons for the United Kingdom, against 22,000
last year. The consumption of British Corn Spirits
has been unusually large, and for the first three
months prices continued on the rise, and went
up to lls 9d per gallon proof, afterwards
declined to 1 ls, then rose to Ils Gd, then went
clOwn to 11s, and now rule at 10s 6d, which is 61 lower
than at the close of 1846. There is only one party
using sugar sir the purpose of making spirit, and the
prices obtained is lOs Gd per gallon pruot ; it is taken
by retailers for the purpose of mixing with other spirits.
Several parties are surprised that others do not turn
their attention to this business as it is very profitab.e by
reason of the cheapness of sugar.
Secso.—This article met with much attention in the
early part of the year, and as supplies were inconsider-
able, the advance in prices was rapid, and in the mon h
of September we find that pearl was selling at from 40s
to 56s for common to fine quality. Since then how-
ever, the demand having fallen otf, combined with the
increase in the supplies, prices contnued to recede, and
now range at 15s to 245, which rates are 16s to 19s under
those that existed at the close of 1846. The stock
is 574 tons, and in the former season 289. The
arrivals amount to 1,106 against 778 in 1846, whilst the
home deliveries are 756, and in the former year 784 tons.
For :export the deliveries are 10, and in 1846 only 6
tons. For Sago Flour at one period of the year prices
ruled at 34s to 365, but have since declined, and range
at 23s to 255, there having been a better supply and but
limited demand. The arrivals for the year are 180 tons.
and in the former one 117. The home deliveries are 98,
and in 1846 255, for exportation 10, and in the former
year 34. The stock is 134, and in 1846, 667.
‘Tateeowe—This afternoon the public sales of Tallow
went off flatly, and at rather lower rates; 147 casks of
Odessa were only in part sold at 44s to 44s 6d; 146
casks of South American, 41s 6d to 425; 461 casks et
Australian, fine 45s 61 to 46s 3d, good 44s 6d to 45s 31,
middling 42s to 445, low 39s 3d to 42s 3d per cwt.
INDlGO.—Although the omportation of East India has
not been heavy during the year, and exhibits a decrease
of 300 chests compared with 1846, 9,600 in comparison
with 1845, and 9,000 with 1844, yet the market has
been in a se ry unsatisfactory position during nearly
the whole of the year, owing to the unwilling-
ness of exporters and the home trade to make
purchases; the readiness of holders to realise, combined
with the stiffness of the money market; and the
numerous failures that occurred amongst merchants
and manufactures. Prices continued to decline up to
the October sale, at which Bengal purple only
fetched 4s 9:I to 5s 3d, violet 3s 3d to 45 9d,
copper is 6d to 3s 3d; Madras, low to fine is 3d to
3s 9d, and Kurpsh at Is 8d to 4s per lb. Since then a
better opinion has been entertained towards the article,
the home and export demand having been good, whilst
speculators have been induced to make purchases, and
a rise in the value of 2d to 3d per lb has taken
place. A further , improvement may be expected to
occur unless the importation in the new year is
excessive, as the stock in bond is less, than in 1846,
by 1,200 chests, whilst the dealers in this country and
throughout Europe are scantily supplied, prices ruling
from Is to is 6d per lb under those of the last three
years, and merchants obtaining only small profits
upon the importation, whilst there is every pros
pect of a material increase occuring in the consumption,
owing to the activity there will be in the manufacturing
districts shortly, occasioned by the improved demand for
goods, and the fall of the rate of interest. Notwith-
standing the unfavourable auspices under which trade
and commerce progressed during the year ; yet
we find there is an increase in the quantity
of Indigo deliVered for home consumption and
exportation of 2,100 chests, whilst the deliveries are
greater than in 1845, and are nearly equal to those of 1844.
For Spanish the market was in a dull state during
nearly the whole of ten months, and prices were de-
pressed, but since October the demand has been
more active, and a rise in the value took place ;
yet .prices are lower than for some years. The
supply during 1847 consisted chiefly of low and midd-
ling sorts, indeed the rates obtained for all kinds were
under the cost of importation ; this is not likely to be
the case in the ensuing year. The stock is greater than
it was at the close of 1846 by 700 serous, whilst the in-
crease in The arrivals' amounte to 1,000; and there is a
decrease in the deliveries of 300 serons.
COCHINEAL.—On reference to our annual statistical
statement,
,it will be observed that the arrivals this
season have been unusually large, and exceed those of
the previeue one by 2,100 bags, and are greater than in
1845 by 3,400. The moderate rates that have
been experienced, however, occasioned the home
and export demand to be satisfactory, tho deliveries
for both purposes having been as large as in 1846, and
3,000 bags greater than in 1845. The stock is more
than it was at the close of the past seasen by 1,000,
but less than it was in 1845 by 260 bags. In comparing
prices with those of the close of December last year,
they exhibit a decline of 6d to Is for silvers, and
of 2d to 3d per lb for black. For some months past
prices continued to recede, by reason of the anxiety of
merchants to realise, the large parcels pressed upon
the market, and the caution exercised by exporters
and the home trade in doing business; common silvers
were sold as low as 35 8d per lb, but during several
weeks the demand continued to increase, and prices
to advance, whilst the lowest quotation is now
4s 2d. Appearances are favourable for the article during
the ensuing year as regards consumption and prices,
whereas the importation is not likely to be so large as
during the present season, as prices only barely remu-
nerate importers, That there will be a large export
demand in 1848 there can be no doubt.