The Sun.
London, England, 1861-10-04 00:00:00

THE C0T20117 QUESTION AND THE

SUEZ CANAL.

A writer in a contemporary says :—Three years
ago I pointed out, at various public meetings, the
insecurity of our tenure in America for future sup-
plies of the cotton ; at the same time alluding to the
efforts made by the Cotton Supply Association to
provide in time for any contingency calculated to
stop these supplies by availing ourselves of the
immense resources in India and elsewhere for the
cultivation of cotton. At that period little encourage-
ment was held out to the movers in this matter,
and, as is usually the case under such circumstances,
their efforts were faint and led to no practical
result. Now, however, that necessity stares us
in the face—that we are threatened with a
" cotton famine"—our exertions have assumed a
colour of earnestness and zeal, which, whilst it
augurs success, is not all that is required. The geo-
' graphical position of America is what has enabled
her to monopolise the cotton trade. Our eyes are
directed to India as a market (owing to its immense
resources), fitted to become our great " cotton em-
porium," and ultimately render us independent of
America for supplies. But here nature interposes
a " barrier," against which, unless removed, we may
vainly seek to contend—it is " distance." We cast
our eyes on a neck of land which engineering skill
can cut through; we know that once removed one
half the distance to Bombay is saved, and the
value of our Indian possessions considerably in-
creased. We also know by reports continually
reaching:us that there are human beings busy on the
spot toiling unceasingly to effect its removal, with
all the mechanical contrivances of which the age is
rife at their disposal. We are tutored to look upon
these works with distrust. We see " fortifications"
and "cannons" in perspective, which, like the
mirage in the desert, dissolve on approach, leaving
nothing to view but the figures of peaceable Arabs
working at cuttings and embankments, and a silent
caravan occasionally arriving with provisions.
Surprised at •our phantoms of distrust, we return
home with feelings very different from those which
before ruffled our prejudices against a work cal-
culated to benefit mankind.

Surely the time has now arrived to make common
cause with our neighbours in lending our moral
support, if we do not wish to do more, to the com-
pletion of a water way through Egypt, which will
be found in no small degree a solution of the
difficulties the Cotton Association has to contend
with in its endeavours to make India render us
independent of America for our future supplies of
cotton. By the last accounts upwards of 10,000
men were at work along the line; of these, 1,000
are-employed in effecting a cutting through Lake
Ballah, destined to unite Kantara with Fer-
dane, and thus place El Guisr iu direct communi-
cation with the Mediterranean. At the same time
a fresh water (branch) canal is being completed,
and is expected to be opened to navigation before
the departure of the next mail from Egypt. It
runs between Raz-el-Wade and Ramses, a distance
of 10 miles, and is considered most important for
the conveyance of goods and provisions which had
to be carried over-land. By this branch canal
small craft will be able to penetrate to the valley of
Goshen until within about 10 miles of Lake
Timsah, thus opening a direct water-way between
the very centre of the Isthmus with Cairo, Alex-
andria, and other parts of Egypt, and effectually
doing away with the necessity of having recourse
to camels for the transport of provisions in future.

THIS DArs _MARKETS.

CORN EXCHANGE.

At our market to-day the supply of English wheat on
offer was very moderate. For both red and white qualities
the demand ruled inactive, yet, compared with the reduction
reported on Monday, no change took place in prices.
The show of samples of foreign wheat was tolerably ex-
tensive. All descriptions moved off slowly, at about previ-
ous currencies.

Floating cargoes of grain were in slow request, at late
rates.

For all kinds of barley the trade was heavy, and the
quotations had a downward tendency.
Malt changed hands slowly, yet prices were fairly sup-
ported.

Oats met a steady sale, and all sweet corn realised ex
treme rates.

For beans and peas there was a fair demand, at full quo-
tations.

In flour sales progressed slowly, and, in some instances,
the currencies were rather easier.

ARRIVALS THIS WEEK.
Wheat. Barley. Malt. Oats. Flour.
Enerlish 1,810 i 1,290 1 1,190) 280 i 1,620
Erie% — -- 800
Foreign 13,300 1,050 i 14,120

sacks
2,100 brie.

NEWGATE 'AND

LEADENHALL.

Somewhat extensive supplii
here. Prime qualities have sol
otherwise the trade has ruled

ies of meat have been on sale
ld steadily at very full prices ;
heavily at barely late rates.
the carcase.

Per 81b. by

s d s d)
Inferior beef .. 2 6 3 2
Middling d 0... 3 4 3 6
Prime large do. 3 8 3 10
Do. small do. .. 4 0 4 2
Large pork 4 0 4 6
Inferior mutton. 3 0 3 4

adsd
Middlingmutton 3 6 4 0
Prime do 4 2 4 4
Veal 3 4 4 0
Small pork .... 4 8 5 2
1 Lamb

BOROUGH HOP.

For new hops we have to report a steady demand, and
prices are fairly supported. Yearling and old qualities,
however, move off slowly at about previous rates. Nearly
1,200 bales have come to hand this week from the conti-
nent.

New Mid and East gents.. 200 s to 273 s per cwt.
New Weald of gents .. 170 s 200 s „
New Sussex lsss 170 s „

COLONIAL.

TEA.—At public sale there has been a fair inquiry for
most qualities, and prices generally have shown an upward
tendency.
___

SUGAR.—The market has been active, and good grocery
and refining qualities were in demand at fully late prices.
COFFEE.—The supplies on offer have been somewhat
large, but the demand has continued good, and late rates
have been well maintained for all descriptions.
RICE.—The inquiries have not been very extensive, but
as holders are not pressing sales prices are nominally
steady.
SALTPETRE.—Business has been very inactive, and the
few transactions recorded have been at slightly reduced
prices. _ _

TALLOW.—The market has continued moderately active,
and quotations for both present and forward delivery have
remained firm. P.Y.C., on the spot, 50s, and spring
delivery 50s 6d per cwt.

FOREIGN MAIL PACKET LIST.

MAILS DUE.

Australia and Mauritius, via Southampton. Oct. 19.
via Marseilles
Brazil and Cape Verds, by British packet. Oct. 4.
Cape of Good Hope, Ascension, and St. Helena.. Nov. 1.
China, Penang, and Singapore, via Southampton. Oct. 19.
via Marseilles ...Oct. 13.
Falkland Islands ..
Gibraltar, via Southampton Oct. 11.
India (Calcutta), and Ceylon, via Southampton Oct. 19.
via Marseilles Oct. 13.
India (Bombay), via Southampton Oct. 11.
via Marseilles Oct. 5.
Lisbon Oct. 11.
Malta, Egypt, and Aden, via Southampton Oct. 11.
via Marseilles Oct. 5.
Newfoundland Oct. 16.
Oporto and Vigo ..
U. S. and British N. America, by Brit. packet Oct. 10.
by U.S. packet
by Canadian packet Oct. 9.
W.C. of Africa, Madeira, and Teneriffe .. Oct. 10.
Bahamas, via New York Oct. 24.
Mexico
All parts of West Indies, including Chili, Peru,
Oct. 14.
California, and British Columbia..