The Sun.
London, England, 1851-06-21 00:00:00

JAMAICA MARKETS.

(From De Cord ova's Mercantile Intelligencer.)
Altogether there has been a better feeling exhibited
in our market during the past fortnight than had pre-
vailed for some weeks previously. Importers of fish have
very unexpectedly found themselves in a position to de-
mand higher rates than were current when we last went
to press, and the trade evince some anxiety to supply
themselves before prices shall have advanced to scarcity
rates. This sudden change in the market is attributable
to the circumstance that the last advices from Halifax
announced the occurrence of a scarcity of fish there, and
it is presumed that very few, if any, shipments will be
made to this island, before the new catch shall have been
brought to market.
We regret that viet cannot report any corresponding
improvement in the,plarket for breadstuffs, only retail
parcels of which eau, be moved even at the existing low
rates. firs

The late accounts from the agricultural parishes re-
present the May seasons as having set in with their ac-
customed force; the rains generally have been continu.
ous and heavy throughout all the parishes of the island.
A Bill has been enacted by our Colonial Legislature
which concedes to American and other foreign steam•
vessels, the privileges hitherto exclusively enjoyed by. the
Royal Mail Company's steamers, of bringing to, and
carrying from, the island, cargo of every denomination,
without being subjected to the payment of tonnage
dues. The only advantage which the British will evil
possess over the foreign steamers, is that of the exemp-
tion from the duty of 4d. per ton, payable und# the
Kingston Town Dues Bill, of coals imported for their
use. The concession does not, of course, extend to sail-
ing vessels importing coals for the use of either of the
steamers. They will, however, be still permitted to en-
ter our ports, without being subjected to the payment of
tonnage dues, in the event of their bringing no other de-
scription of cargo than fruit or vegetables. !,
Flour.-Parcels of 50 barrels Baltimore are being
moved at 285., but smaller lots have been and are still
taken at 28s. 6d. to 29s ; there is no speculative demand
whatever, and the market is well supplied.
Meal-94 barrels fresh have changed hands at les.
Old stock is scarcely saleable at 145.
Rice-Good Bengal is placed at 14s. to 14s. 6d, and
clean Patna at 16s. per 1001bs. The stock is ample.
Carolina is in heavy supply with a very dull inquiry
and sales are difficult at 20s. per 1001bs.
Butter-Smalttsales of Irish have been made at 12d. to
12id, but dealers now decline to pay the latter rate.
Halifax has been coming in rather freely, and the sales
of firkins have been generally made at 9d.-a parcel,
however, of 112 kegs sold at that figure, was subse-
quently rejected. 400 small kegs Philadelphia have
changed hands at 9d. per lb.
Bread--Pilot is very dull of sale at 16s to 18s. Crackers
are also inactive at 225. per barrel.
Mackerel-The demand is not at all proportioned to
the stock on hand, and sales are effected with some
difficulty. No. 3 thin may be quoted at 245., and No. 2
" fall" at 30s. to 325. per barrel.
Herrings-Immediately after our last an ex-
ceedingly brisk inquiry sprung up for this article
owing to its having been thrown more largely into eon-
sumption by the .scarcity and high price
sale of 500 barrels was thereupon made of pork. A
established the value of the article, at 175., which
rate-
the demand still continuing and at which
moaveetd. active-some of the subse-
quent receipts have been
The stock is by no
means heavy.
Alewives-Are not in very great favour just only; and
hold been
19s.
ers generally have e however
notice a sale of 50 barrels at accepting
188"
we
Oil-All the latesales of cod were effected at 2s. 3d.
per gallon. The stock is very abundant, with a small
inquiry.
Lard--American is inactive at 6d. to 7d. per lb.,
with a large stock. No sales of any moment have
transpired.
"fish-The sales of the cargoes which had been
already opened at the date of our last, were for the most
part closed at 10s. 6d. to 115. for tierce and 14s. 6d. per
box. Prices then advanced in consequence of the cir-
cumstancs alluded to in our general remarks, and the
next arrival was sold at 11s, for ordinary and 12s. for
large fish in casks and 15s. per box. Some other ope-
rations have been made at 12s. for cask. and 15s. to 16s,
per
box. Holders are now firm, and evince no desire to
press
their stocks on the market. Boxes alone, how-
ever, are rather heavy, and there is still a rather large
quantity of old on hand.
Salmon-No. 1 has been sold at 725., and No. at 2
68s. to 703., which rases may, however, he considered as
the outside value of the article just now.
Pork continues in very limited supply. 150 barrels
bless have changed hands at 90s. Prime 'is inactive at
725. Rusty prime is unsaleable.
Hams-We quote good Lancashire at 9d. per lie
American are very plentiful, and cannot be moved at
anything over 6d.