The Sun.
London, England, 1866-06-09 00:00:00

UNITED STATES DEBT.

In our last we gave the official return of the Public Debt
of the United States of America up to the Ist May. It
exhibits but little alteration from the statement of the Ist
April, but ther o is ono feature to which we would call
especial attention, viz., the large amount of both Gold and
Currency accumulated in the Treasury. Of the former
the Government held between 76 and 77 millions, and of
the latter over 61 millions, together equal at the present
rate of exchange to £25,475,000 sterling, a balance larger,
we believe, than ever was held by a Finance Minister in
any country. This result, we think, fully bears out the
opinion we have always expressed of our perfect confi-
dence in the ability and willingness of the United States
to meet all their obligations honourably and punctually.
We know that alarm was prevalent at the unprecedentedly
rapid increase of the National Debt, and the supposed
difficulty which would arise in collection of revenue from
a people unaccustomed to taxation. The result however
has, or ought to have, dissipated any such erroneous con-
ception.

The Finance Bill recently introduced by Mr. Sherman,
and referred to the Finance Committee of the Senate, pro-
vides for a consolidation of the entire debt of the United
States into a five per cent. loan, having thirty years to run,
the Bonds issued to be known as the " Consolidated
Debt of the United States ; " both interest and principle to
be payable in Gold. The sum of $30,000,000 annually, as
well as the saving of interest between the existing rate of
six and proposed rate of five per cent., to bo applicable to
a sinking fund for the redemption of the debt. By another
clause the Government require the holders of 7-30 Treasury
Notes to notify six months before maturity whether they
elect to take 5-20 Bonds or to be paid off in Currency as
stipulated on the issue of the Notes.

ERRATII3I.—in our Circular 91 last IVOlc, w inadvert-

antly gave the March traffic of the Atlantio and Great
Western Railway instead of that for April, in which month
the receipts were $394,533, against $343,408 for 1865, an
increase of $51,125. Considering that owing to a strike
at the Collieries there has been no coal traffic for the past
three months we think the earnings of April are veil
satisfactory. Work was to be resumed at the coal-Bolds
on the Ist May, so that we look for still more encourag-
ing returns for that month.

Until the arrival of the "China," with lower quotations
for both Illinois and Erie Shares, and higher premium on
gold than was expected, all American securities currently
dealt in on the London market were firm, but on receipt
of New York advices quotations suddenly gave way quite
three per cent. It was anticipated that exchange would
be higher, but so great an advance as ten per cent. was not
generally expected. At the close, United States 5-20,
Bonds are 64 to I, Illinois 75 to I, and Erios 42 to k, at
which quotations the market appears firm, although the
relative prices in London and New York having now se
nearly approximated, further buying for export is almost
stopped.

The extremely low quotations for Atlantic and Great
Western Consolidated Bonds and Certificates of Deben-
ture have brought in numerous buyer; and on the wee'
a large business has been done in them.
OFFICIAL TRANSACTIONS FOR THE WEER.-United States
6 per Cent. 5.20 Bonds, 1882: Thursday, 67 61;
Friday, 66111 ; Saturday, 65 144 ; Monday, 641 14;
Tuesday, 641 4; Wednesday, 64k 11 1. Virginia 6 1301.
Cent. Dollar Bonds : Thursday, 44 ; Monday, 41. Atlas'
and Gt. Western Consolidated Bonds, 1895: Thursdah
48 7 51; Friday, 47 6 8 ; Saturday, 471; Wednesday, 47 61;
Erie Shares, $lOO, all paid : Thursday, 461 51 61 51;
Friday, 451 1 5 ; Saturday, 4211; Monday, 42 11 2 14
Tuesday, 411 ; Wednesday, 411 2 11 21. Erie Shares,
per cent. Convertible Bonds : Tuesday, 70. Illino
Central Shares, all paid : Thursday, 781 9 81; Friday,
781 1 8 ; Saturday, 761 7; Monday, 751 41 ; Tuesday, 742'
Wednesday, 751. Philadelphia and Erie First Mortgage
1881, with option to be paid in Philadelphia : Monday
721; Tuesday, 73.
The extremely low quotations for Atlantic and Great
Western Consolidated Bonds and Certificates of Deben-
ture have brought in numerous buyers, and on the week a
large business has been done in them.

COUNTRY MARKETS.

LIVERPOOL.-FRIDAY.

At our market to-day we had a moderato attendance/
with a fair demand for wheat at 5d per cental higher than_
previous rates. Flour also in fair demand, at an advanc'
of nearly is 6d per sack on the week. Indian corn -'
bat unchanged in price. Other articles as of late.

DERBY—FRIDAY.
New white wheat, 54s to 5Gs ; old red, 48s to 51s paled
stone. Barley for malting, 38s to 40s per qr. ; to
30s to 32s per 30 stone. Oats, new, 21s to 26s ; old, 28s
33s per 24 stone. Beans, old, 51s to 525; new, 44s to
4
per 38 stone.

LINCOLN.—FRIDAY.
The show of wheat at our market to-day was ratl'e!
limited, and prices is to 2sper qr. higher. Barley sore"
and brought late rates. 36
New white wheat, 52s to 55s ; new red, 44s to 47s Pe!
„.
stone. Barley for malting, 36s to 44s per qr ; griuAA'Al:ft;
31s to 34s per 30 stone. Oats, 27s to 325. Beans,
51s per 88 stone.

S T AMF ORD —FRIDAY.
A middling supply of wheat ; best sorts made 2s Wl
money, with a good demand. Oats a meagre show, an
very dear. Beans in fair inquiry at top prices.
New white wheat, 50s to 52s ; red do., 47s to 50sper,,i3
'
stone. Barley, malting, 36s to 40s • griding, 283 to ~e
per qr. Oats, new, 24s to 28s ; old, 28s to 30s per 24 st°'
Beans, 43s to 46s per 38 stone. Peas as of late.

WAKEFIELD.—FRIDAY.
d
Fresh wheat meets a steady consumptive demand' mi
must be noted 2s dearer. Barley fully maintains its V3'"
Beans and oats unaltered.
The average prices for the week ending Jun 4 were'''.
Wheat, 51s lid per qr. ; barley, 43s 6d ; oats, 27s 3d.

BURY ST. EDMUND'S—WEDNESDAY. to
The supply of wheat here to-day was short, end
market closed at an advance of from ls. to 2s. per qr. vll
last week's prices. red'
White wheat, 56s to 60s ; old red, 49s to 51s ;
44s to 48s , grinding barley, 35s to 38s; Page's prolific
ley, 39s to 40s per qr. 72
Averages :—Wheat, 7141 qrs, at 44s 7 d ; barley,
qrs., at 36s sid ; oats, qrs, at Os Od.

BRISTOL SUGAR—FRIDAY.
The demand has been fair during the week, and „hwt.
ere
t
was a moderate business done at full prices to Gd per '
advance. Rum sells steadily at late rates.