The Sun.
London, England, 1856-04-07 00:00:00

[PRICE 4D. STAMPED 5D-

TRADE OF Si

'FORDSBIRE.

BIRMINGHAM, Saturday Evening. The important
event which was telegraphed to England on Sunday last,
and which has since been celebrated throughout Europe,
has not been without 'its effect in this district. As may
be supposed, all those who have lieen engaged in menu
facturing for the late war must feel the effects of a ces-
sation of hostilities, and already some of the works
which were kept partially going, owing to the previous
uncertainty attending; the negotiations, have been stopped
until arrangements can be made fur directing the ma-
chinery, &c., to ot'ner purposes than those for which
they have been recently employed—with the exception,
however, of the stoppage at these works, there is cer-
tainly already observable a tendency to that general in-
creased activity which we were led to hope for from the
declaration of peace. A much more cheerful tone per-
-stades all classes, arid I have little doubt of being able
ere long to repert 44 revival of many of those branches
of industry which have been depressed during the war.
Orders have been given out already for some of those
foreign markets, which have been closed, and I dare say
before many weeks elapse we shall find some of the large
works which have been engaged in casting cannon, shot,
a. 4-1 shell to blow down Sebastopol, will be employed in
&airing atd manufacturing articles of a far different de-
script'on for the Czar and his subjects. refire the war
we certainly made a great deal of valuable machinery
for Russia, and there were some lucrative orders in con,
of execution when they were suspended by hostilities.
In the copper and hemp trades of Russia this district
s c msiderably interested, and a change of prices in these
articles of general utility may speedily be anticipated.
The iron masters, as I apprised you in my last letter,
resolved, on the 27th, to, uphold the quotations of last
quarter ; and, as you may suppose, the recent important
event has not caused them to alter their decision. On
the contrary, they are more sanguine than before, and
additional orders for the home market are reported. It
has been stated this evening that the demand for iron
during the week has been increased, and that there will
be no difficulty whatever in maintaining the prices at the
forthcoming meeting. Indeed, there cannot be any doubt
upon that point, even if the Eastern question had main-
tained the state quo, as it would have been impossible to
reduce the price of made iron, and uphold the price of
pigs and wages at their present standard. The iron trade
of South Staffordshire may, therefore, on the whole, be
reported in a sound state, and likely to furni-h ample
employmeatt hroughout the summer to the numerous
hands depending on it. Before the war our manufac-
turers were in the habit of sending out a great quantity
of plates to Prussia and Rue-is ; and, if lam correctly
informed, the merchants formerly engaged in trade with
St. Petersburg, are already in the market inst.tuting in-
quiries relative to prices, &c.
A few weeks, and we shall find a decided change for
the better, but no permanent improvement can take
place until the Bank screw is loosened. It is folly to ex-
pect we can carry on trade with such rates of discount
as we now pay, and the sooner the gentlemen in Thread-
needle-street look to it the better. It we are to pre psre
'or the foreign markets, and enter upon a fair cempeti-

tion with the French and German makers, it is not wit
such miserable limited accommodation as our bankers
now give, and at such ruinous rates of intere,t, chat it
can be d ine ; mere money on easier terms we must have,
if the machinery of this immense hive is to be kept in
motion.

In the general hardware trade there is also an improve-
ment reported, and prices rather advancing. The April
lists sent in from the manufacturers to the merchants do
not show any giving way, nor can there be any material
reduction made so long as the raw !criteria' maintains
its present price. By some it is thought that the irnpor-
tatio❑ of Russian copper will lead to an alteration in the
price of that article, and it is not without reason that
this opinion is formed. When we ceased importing it,
two years ago, our own mine-owners and others directed
their best energies to make op for the deficiency, and
ninny new mines were set to work at vast expense, and
with improved machinery. A large supply was the result,
and it is not UPremonable to suppose that importation to
any considerable extent, with such increased means of sup-
ply at home, will soon lead to large stocks, and reduced
prices. If such be the result, most welcome will the
change be to the manufacturers who have long suffered
from the monopoly of the smelters. To the small makers,
the enormous high price of copper has been ruinous, and
deprived many of the means of continuing their shops.
The same applies but with too much truth to the article
of tin. It also stands in need of a reduction before hny
ease can be afforded to the immense number of poor
people depending on the trade. The jewellery trade is
still dull, and holds out no encouragemennt to the hands
employed in it elsewhere to come to Mrmingliate.
Superior chasers nre not numerous, but of ordinary
bands there are sufficient in the town to execute the
orders. At the works of the large coach and waggon
builders there is increased activity for executing foreign
ar:d home orders, and owing to the return of peace,
strong hopes are held out to the men in these branches,
that they may not unreasonably look forward to con-
siderable animation in their trade during the urnrner. -
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