The Sun.
London, England, 1868-05-07 00:00:00

MARKETS.

NEW YORK, April 18.—There has been a slight im-
provement in the state of trade during the latter part Of
the week, though, with here and there an exception,
business is far from active, the continued pressure in the
money market, aside from other well-known causes, plac-
ing a check upon healthy commercial action. It was
generally expected that after the quarterly bank returns
had been made there would be a rettru to a comparatively
easy condition of monetary affairs —but thus far little or
no relief has been afforded by the return wave of currency
from the South and West. The sentiment in financial
and commercial circles in favour of such an amendment to
tho NatiOnal *Banking Act ieirriiit—ihe quarterly
statements to be made upon some day in the past, instead
of the future, is quite universal, and such influence is
likely to he brought to bear as will ultimatelly lead to the
change. In such an event artificial preparation will be
obviated, and a wholesale restraint imposed upon the banks.
The continued free sales of gold for account of the Na-
tional Treasury, without corresponding purchases of
Seven Thirties, thus locking up considerable amounts of
currency, unfavourably affects the money market, and the
depreciation of many kinds of stock collaterals had led to
diStrust and a calling in of loans. Tho rate on call is 7
per cent., with free transactions at that figure in gold, and
not unfrequently n to i per cent. a day commission added.
There is little sale for commercial paper, and high grades
cannot be negotiated below Bto 10 per cent. The gold
market is without much change. The supply of cash gold
is considerably larger than at the beginning of the year,
priacipally from Treasury sales, while, on the Ist proxitno,
V 0,000,000 of coupons become payable. Notwithstanding
thew d pressing influences, and the absence of sensational
material, the firmness with which the premium is sustained
is rather remarkable. The repeal of taxes upon manufac-
tures, without any proportionate reduction of Government
expenditures will, it is thought, compel the Treasury ne;
pat-talent to realize steadily upon its surplus coin until
such time as Congress shall provide more revenue or cur-
tail expenses, thus preventing an advance. The course of
the market since our last has been as follows :

.April 15
April 1l
April 17

Highest. Lowest. Closing•
1381- 1381 1381
138; 138 1381
138 t 138-1- (3 pm.) 138

Breadstuffs.—The market for State and Western flour
is rather quiet, but an advance of five cents has been esti"
blished on the low grades. The sales are 7,500 bbls at
$9 19 to 9 GO for superfine State; $lO 10 to 10 50 for
common extra State ; $lO 60 to 10 65 for good to
choice ditto; $lO 75 to 11 20 for fancy ditto; $9 10 to
9 60 for superfine Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, lowa, cte"
and $lO to 10 70 for extra do.; $lO 75 to 11 2C for
choice extra do., including shipping brands of round hoop
Ohio at $lO 13 to 10 60, and trade brands of do. at $W 70
to 14 00 ; good to choice white wheat extras at $l2 40 to
14 00 ; St. Louis at $lO 25 to 12 00 for common to fair
warn,. and $l2 00 to 15 50 kr
.good_ip choice, closlog
quietly. We quote :
Superfine State, $9 10 to 9 GO ; Extra Slate, $lO 10 to
10 65 ; Super Western, $9 10 to 9 60 ; Extra Western,
$lO 00 to 10 70 ; Extra Ohio ro li'p, $lO 15 to 10 GO ;
(trade). $lO 70 to 14 00 ; Extra Genesee ; Extra St. Lou'ol
$1025 to 15 50.
Southern Flour—There is a fair business doing at
stronger prices. • Sales were made at GOO bbls. at $lOl5
to 10 80 for fair extra, and $lO 90 to 14 75 for good choice
ditto.

----
California Flour—The market is active and prices are
firmer. The sales are 3,700 sacks at $l2 65 to 14 50.
Rye Flour.—T here is a moderate inquiry, and prices are
firmly held. Sales were made of 250 bbls at 57 50 to
$9 CO.

Corn meal is inactive. We notice sales of 100 bbls eitl
at $5 85, and 200 bbls Brandywine at $6 37k.
Wh-at.—The market is very quiet, but holders are de-
mandiug a little high 3r prices. Sales were made of 1,00,.0
bush choice white Michigan at $3 40 and 10,000 bash
California at $3 14 to $3 20.
Naval Stores —Spirits of turpentine is quiet at 61`'"
with small sales at this price. For rosins there is rather
a moderate demand, although prices are not decidedif
changed We quote strained common at $3 50 ; No. 2 at
$3 75 to 3 87} ; No. lat $4 25 to 5. The sales are 6avt
bbls strained common at $3 45 ; 500 bbls. No.
$3 871; 1,000 bbls do. to arrive, at $3 87i ; 300 bbls I`4°'
1 at $4 to 4 121 ; and 1,000 bbls do. at $5.
Petroleum—Crude is in the sellers' favour; we quoted
in bulk at 12c ; 3,800 bbls in shipping eider are reportal'i
sold at 17c. Bonded is held at steadier priced, with a gala
business ; we quote standard white at 251 to 26c, Iriit
sales of 400 bbls at the inside price. For Philadelphia u°-
livery there is a dull market.
Provisions.—Pork.—The market is quiet, but prices
are
steadily hold. We notice sales of 1,750 bbls at $57 7°, t°4
$26 95 for new western mass, cash and regular way, en;
ing at $26 85 regular; $26 to 26 12for '66 '67 moss; s2` A
to 22 50 for prime and extra prime, and $2l 25 to 21 "ci
for prime mess. The United States Commissary ascarcrt
contracts for 1,200 bbls. prime mess pork at $24 to 24
The afternoon market is dull, and prices are in the buyer;;
favour. Sales were made of 250 bbls. mots at $26 ,7
cash
Beef.—There is a fair business doing mainly in the l°
grades. Sales were made of 6.50-bbls. at $l4 to $20.00 f°'
plain Western mess, and $2O to $24.75 for extra do. re
Tierce Beef.—The market is quiet but firm. Sales We
made of 150 trcs. prime mess at $3O to $36.
Beef Hams.—There is but little doing, and prices 511
quite nominal. A 0
Bacon Sides.—There is some inquiry, but the higliV-
of holders prevent transactions. are
Cut Meats.—The demand is good and full prices
_OO
current. Sales were made of 200 pkgs, at 17c. for
iu sweet pickle ; 19k at 20c. for bagged hams, and lbe;
for western hams in bulk. We quote shoulders in arj
salt at 12i:to 13c.
geag
Lard.—There is a little more doing to-day, and ,3
stt
are firmly held. Sales were made of 880 tee and bbls f
17 to 17 ac-for No. 1 to kettle rendered city ; 17 to 171°.:a
No. 1 western ; 17i for steam rendered and kettle dri.
do., and 17k to 18c for kettle rendered do.
Butter—The receipts continue to be very liberal, Otto
the trade wfll not purchase more than is necessarli

sales aro small, and the stock is accumulating a little.

A „ ,f 0
MISSING SHIPS.—The Helen, from St. Jab-
Bay, Jamaica, for London, which was spoken off 11av613°,-0
on the 23d Dec. ; the Harvest, which sailed from l't:tbe
for Ova-United Kingdom on the sth of December ; ituu -the
Havelock, which sailed from Liverpool for Bombay on

9th of Septt•mber, have not since been heard of. ,pst 0
THE.- CROPS IN THE EAST. —The young W..g%
havo greatly improved in appearance in North -r-'6';b ;
Barley and oats are not very luxuriant at presol4l ;re
weather having been too cold for rapid growth; thereoe
also some complaints of the ravages of wire-worms'
ia-
young wheats look well in Norfolk, and have gr°W:
pidly of late. Barleys and all spring corn els° Pr-0
well in Norfolk.

Births.
„,
BURY—On the sth inst., at 65, Prince's-gaiet '—
countess Bury, of a daughter. f Dv
WEGUELIN—On the sth inst., at Brighton, the Wife
Colonel:"Thomas M. Weguelin, of a son. tli°
YOUNG—On the 26th ult., at Spring-grove, IsleW°l.
wife of Rear-Admiral Young,. of a daughter. .
•
Marriages.
rage .
of
/0„
CRARDENAL —WADE—On the 2d inst., at Bt.u, -
lianover-squire, Alexander F. T. Chardenal, ;1)0'
Edgbaston, Birmingham, to Mary Ann
Wade
don, youngest daughter of the late Henry S. 13/6,Te,f
of Birmingham. 0,400
WATSON SREPHEARD —On the sth inst., at itl
I-1
Chapel, Bingham, son of Robert Watson, -w-",",1i0t ice'
Phillimore-gardens, Kensington, to Francesvembro
dauBliter of Charles Shephoard, Esq., of 1, -
road, Kew:big-Lon.

. _
Deaths. cbitect!
BARNES —0 a the 4th inst., William Barnes, E3cl" 3r
of Doric Lodg-, Bow-road, aged Gl. Vi 444
DENtsos - On the sth inst., at York, It)bert Deo,
ver
aged 72. ,e,
GOODCIIAP—On the 6th inst. at Roseneath Lc)(l°
p
Kent, William Goodcha, Eis tq. hoBt°rlt
JOHNSTONE —On the sth inst., Charles Edwards -°,,red 4 f
E,q., of 105, Gloucester-place, Portman-squaro, 1):1301,'
VALENTINE-On the sth inst., at 62, Albert -read, r'
Mr. Robert Horwood Valentine, aged 67. A virehate
WEBSTER- -On the sth inst., at Ostend, Henry.
Esq., aged 46.

- •
• ANDis'
Loudon : Printed and Published by WILLIZO' No
of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at Tag SUN °LI:4'OO2I
Strand, in the Precinct of the Bo voy, tb
Middlesex.—Thursday, May 7:1868. '