The Sun.
London, England, 1850-07-19 00:00:00

JULY 19, 1850.

cent. resvclydy. Mr. Bell, of the house of Binny
nod Co., has bten elected a director of the Madras
Banh, in the place of Mr. R. 0. Cunphell, of the
same firm, resigned.
His Excellency the Comtnaoder-in-Chief is about
to proceed on a tour of inspection. He will leave
Madras for Bangalore, with his staff, about the 16th
or 17th inataut.

The usual supply of rain not having fallen, the
heat has been, even for June, intensely hot. The
general health, however, is good.
The London mail of the 24th April was delivered
in Madras on the 30th ultimo.

C MME RCI A L INTELLIGENCE.
CALCUTTA, JUNE 1.
Since date of our last report, May 13, wo have been
put in possession of the first mail of April, which came
to hend on the 15:h ultimo, with London dates up to
April 7. The character of commercial advises brought
us by the above opportunity does not belie the expecte-
Cous termed from the tenor of the preceding mail or
:WO. Upon the whole, the edvices are wore (Ewell/aging
as regards the produce of this taut try than were tilos,
le cc ived on the two ur three pri ceding et ceaions, desti-
tute as they themselves w ere of an:, thing cheerful
With the almost single exception of indigo, produce hen
still further do teriorated, sod prospects, in the face uf
heavy stocks and liberal entieipated a rival, ware very
for from encouraging. The colonial market was dull
and inactive, and there was nothing to justify the ex•
rctution of any improvement for some time to come.
Tbr eeeurel tro:il of April is on the eve of arrival, hut
we do not look ferward to receive anything of a cheer Jul
character: here and there there may be a little nitre atior,
in the position of some staples, but generally we fear
the features will be as discouraging as before.
The tenor of the above advicos was doubtless calcu-
lated to add to the gloom of business in our markets, but
contrary to the general expectation, and owing to some
favourable turn in circumstances, bearing upon business
in our local markets, we are enabled to notice a slight re-
action. A considerable decline in the rates of home-
ward freightage, coupled with the slightly easier prices
of produce, has encouraged a little life and activity, and
operations have been latterly on a less restricted scale.
The export market, although exceedingly dull during
nearly the whole month of May, has within the past
week exhibited a little more animation, and as rates of
freight are not likely to advance, nor value of produce
to become stiffer, now that the season for arrivals draws
nigh, we may reasonably look for a continuance of gra
dually mending business. Generally speaking, there is
more desire apparent during this fortnight to speculate,
and prices are also lower. Indigo has been quiet, if we
except a few unimportant bazaar lots, which have been
slowly changing hands. Sugars have continued
to be operated in rather to a more moderate
extent since the mail came to hand; transactions might
however hare been more limited but for the favouring
rates of freight. Saltpetre has improved in demand
since our last, and an active inquiry exists for Great
Britain and North America, without much change in
value. Table rice has been rather quiet, and hardly
any business done for the home market. The lower
kinds are in active request for Bourbon and the Mauri-
tius. There has not been so much activity in the market
for raw silk. Holders have relaxed their demands, and
this, we calculate, will lead to improved business. During
the early part of May a fair amount of corals was taken
up, but latterly, demand has slackened and transactions
are low, the dealers looking for a decline in value. The
lower qualities are quite neglected. The market is well
supplied with the lower qualities of jute, which finds
no favour with shippers. A fair inquiry exists for
superior sorts, which aro readily saleable at former
prices. In hides there has been a moderate busi-
ness doing, less owing to want of demand than
to the absence of desirable lots. Inquiry for oil
seeds Las revived, and we expect a good business will
shortly be doing for Great Britain as well as America.
The low rates of freight, together with the difficulty ex-
perienced in filling up vessels, has caused more inquiry
to be made both for linseed and mustard seed. Castor
oil has been more difficult of sale, although shipments
go freely forward on owners' account. In safflower an
average scale of sales is reported. Arrivals of supplies
have been heavy, and prices are not so firm. Inquiry
for shell lac has not been so good, and prices are some-
what lower. Lao dye has also gone down in value, and
the article is not so readily taken up.
In minor articles of produce the following sales are
reported since date of our last report. Castor oil, 750
mds. at Co.'s Rs. 12-4 to 12-8 per md.; castor seed 400
ends. at 2-15 per md.; buffalo horns 4,000 pieces at 5.10
per rod • seed lac 68 Inds. at 4-6; Doodeah wheat 800
bags at 1-8 per br. md.; gunny bags 95,000 pieces at
9-8 to 11 per 100; goat skins, Cawnpores 80,000 pieces at
32.8 per 100 ; Patna blankets, 1,750 at 12 to
13.8 per corge; country twine, 20 mds. at 10.12 per
br. md.; cotton, jallon, 200 bales at Sa. Rs. 11-12 per br.
md.; dry ginger 300 mds. at 3-11 per br. md.; Pegue
buffalo horn, 200 mds. at 7-14 per br. md.; Madras
ditto, 400 mds. at 6 8 per tad.; deer horns, 20 mds. at
12 per md.; teel seed, 2,700 tads. at 2.3 per hr. md.;
wax candles, 4 mds. at 45.8 per hr. md.
Prospects of the import branch of our business begin
to improve, although as yet we are unable to report any
actual amendment in the position of imports generally
The river Navigation begins to open, and orders, we anti-
cipate, will soon flow from the upper provinces. Equiry
has latterly been a little more g, neral for British pit cc
goods. The general features of this market we may is -
port as in our last, with this addition, that we have good
erounde for anticipating an increasing business, particu-
larly in cotton goods. The fortnight under review has
been as dull as it well could be, and within the past two
or three days inquiry has again slackened. Details are
in the mow place. Since the feregning was written, the
Bombay Express of the second mail of April has come to
hand. The commercial news continues discouraging,
sod calculated to check the spirit which has lately be-
come apparent.
MOSEIr MARKET.—Tho disposition towards
lightness noticed on a former occasion has worn off; and
the market is decidedly easier. The Bazaar, too,
shows relaxation in this respect, as is evidenced by the
slightly increasing inquiry which has sprung up for
British imports.
Sales under this division of our report are, since the
13th ult., as follows:—Sycee silver 10,000 sa. sit. at
104.4 per 100 sa. wt.; gold dust 100 sa. wt. at 13-12 per
sa. wt.; sovereigns 100 pieces at 10-5-3 each; 500 ditto
10-5; chopped dollars 10,000 pieces at 221 per 100;
French dollars 12,000 pieces at 204 per 400 ditto at
204.1-6 per 100.
EXCHANGE.—The rates of exchange on England have
been very unsettled since our last, credit bills at six
months' sight having sold at 2s. Id., while document
ones for the same period have been placed at 2s. Old.
psi. rupee. Then, again, sales have been—document
bills at 2s. od., and first-class paper 2s. Oid. per rupee,
both at six months' sight. The tendency has lately
been downwards, and business has been done at 2s. Old.
peerer:rPee fare. 'mu
us ar
ee t isoenl
ls
rhastvhe not been heavy, and
tio‘nrsr::::1:1
iTy bills, at 30 days' sight,
uy ers. Our quota-
than
llid. to Is. per Co.'s p
Wavy bills, at sriughete,.according to amount,
days' sight, at ls. 11, d. to le. 113 d.
per Co.'s rupee.
3 isl.itTil ici.opfeEr'ictgo.le:c rupee.
Oriental bills, at sight, at Is. llid. to
Bank ditto, at six months' sight, at 2s. per
Co.'s rupee.
Private drafts against shipments, at six months' sight,
at 21. 04d. to 2s. ld. per Co.'s rupee.
American Bills, at six months' sight under credit, 2s.
Cid. to 2s. ola,
others to come in, y
Freights—_h per Co.'s rupee.
cline in tdhseysrates ohfaveho
arrivals, st ad the expectation of
iwteasttcltaewn with anxiety the causedewa
homeward
ratherfreightage
zah considerabletege
during
the
m a market sfeuvnosutreaandlye, and
moment consignerswh which
h
days they their
in the export market will offer, to
enhance r demands. Within the past two or three
have Omen more firmness, but we don't ex-
pect a rise of consequence.

We thou IMPORTS.
ght we had arrived at the lowest point to which
dulness could reach in this branch of our business
without an absolute cessation. Experience of the past
fortnight shows we are mistaken. Transactions have
been still more limited during the latter half of last
month than they were during the first. Prices are now
lower, and even this circumstance seems to induce no
accession of business. Almost every single article under
this head has been dull and difficult of sale, while the
Scale of value has generally been lower. Details will
be Lathered under the respective heads below.
la Copper—This article has continued low throughout
last month, and prices are now lower than they were
.a
fortnight since. Transactions have been extremely
h.
ar-
ticle, when
anted, and inquiry is languid.
SPelter—A speculative inquiry existed for this
.Iron-- a little business was done, but the market is
.Ig.';iti., quiet. Reported sales are 107 mds. at Co. Rs.
• '' , ,So mds. at 7-7, 460 mds. at 7-6 per fy. md.
fmt i •
A moderate amount of business has been on
n this metal, but at prices which show a little de-
cline from our last figures.
_. Steel—The dulness of this market has not been re-
lieved by a single transaction during the month.
Tin Plates—A moderate [business continues in
these.
_
Sales are reported for the fortnight as follows:
per boxes—
at 19 rer box; 16 boxes at 18; 20 boxes at 19
Lead ; anvd leryli 00 boxes at 18. per box.
little has been done under this head.
Sales are—pig stamped 600 mds. at Sa. Re. 6.5 per fy.
gd
~ 1,500 mds. at G-1, and 450 mds. at Ss. Rs. 62 per
•' Ind., and 300 ends. at 6.
Qulekiilver—No transactions during the month, save
20 bottles at Ct. Rs. 4 per seer. Market is quiet.
ISentla'
ge—Ditto, ditto, no sales.
2Coals—
rile following aresales of the past two weeks:—
,00 tons steam coal at 0.7-3 per b. md.; GO tons
3'4"11Y at 0.13-3 per b. md., and 100 tons steam ut 0-6-6
per b. end.
British Cotton Piece Goods—We are unable to
report the smallest improvement in the position of the
market
‘af. ue for niece goods. Demand has been exceedingly
dull, and notwithstanding considerable concessions in
made by holders, operations cannot be coaxed out
o an extremely limited scale. Generally speaking
prices have been lower during the latter half of last
month,b
while stocks have been quiet, and transactions
il'inve ®nconfined to the supply of immediate wants.
he season for the re-opening of the river navigation
fast approaches, and it is to be hoped that orders for the
up-country marts will begin to come in. In grey shirt-
ings a fair business is reported, and prices have not gone
lower. Bleached shirtings have continued difficu't of
sale, and very little has been doing in them, holders
evincing much
firmness. A few sales occasionally take
place in figured shirtings, but the demand is not brisk.
Bleached madapollams have been as dull as .
ever, and are hardly even called for. Gre-T
have been moving pretty actively away, but at a
shade of decline on former prices. Jacconet ;5..,
both grey and white, have been more moderate

rti ti N
, .....,,5.,...
- -,1,-.., '9' "'-r-t,"r 3 •-:. I (I,:'
4 1,444
sought, and business is limited to a row s IstZ";\ ',4l,i' ,j
e
(_
descriptions of goods have deteriorated , ' "' --' '
value, and operations do not sbow so favoutitir ,r,„1"..
the whole, the marker is dull and unsatisfata.Via,
have hopes that it has seen its lowest point, ana that the
relaxation in money matters, together witi :he To-opcn-
ing of the rivers, will cause a better ciewaml to spring up
shortly. In the scale of prices we cannotjuat at present
look for any improvement.
Woollens—The following are transactions since date
of our last: scarlet 1224 yards, at rs. 2-10 per yard;
ditto 36 pieces at 1-5 to 1-13 per yard; 12 pieces ditto,
at 1-15; 1,417 yards at 1-2 per yard; drab 228:k yards,
at 2; ditto 12 pieces at 3-10.
Printed and Coloured Goods—Dulness pervades this
market also; the only business done has been confined to
the following sales:-350 pieces Turkey red at 0-6-51
per yard; ditto quality 400 pieces at 0-6-5 per yard;
2,653 yards ginham at 0-3.0 per yard; 100 pieces Turkey
red at 0-4-7 per yard.
White Cotton Mule Twist—An average scale of busi-
ness has been done during the pit iortuight, and prices
are a little more firm.
Coloured Yarns—A moderate amount of business is
reported under this head.

Notwithstanding the extremely discouraging tenor of
advises by the last mail, the past weck or lew days have
Lena masked by more animation and a growing desire to
speculate i❑ produce. Operations, without being any-
thing like heavy, have yet been in excess of the average
of the past three or four weeks. The circumstance of
lowering freights, together with an increased desire on
the part of the holders of produce to realise in enticipa-
tiim of fresh arrivals, has caused a little more life and
spirit to be observable in this department of our busi-
ness. We do not anticipate any rise in the ra:es of
homeward freightage, and now that our great rivi•rs be-
gin to open, we may look forward to the arrival of
heavy supplies of produce. From these circumstances,
together with the disappearance of all tightness from
the money market, we may reasonably augur a conti-
nuance of improving buointss in expottJ. In the scale
of value we see little to justify the expectation of any
immediate improvement. Since the above was written
the trail of 24th April has come to hand, and we fear
the commercial news throws the market back.

Indigo has been quiet, if we except a few trifling
bazaar lots, which have been changing hands without
anything of consequence worthy of notice. The pros-
pects of the crop appear not to have experienced much
change. From all we can gather we would pronounce
them a little better than they were a fortnight since.
Complaints are rife in the upper districts of want of
rain, but, generally speaking, Bengal has been pretty
well supplied, and preparations begin to be made for
operations. Calcutta has continued to bo visited by oc-
casional falls of rain, which have been more or less ge-
neral in most of the districts of Lower Bengal.
Sugar—A pretty fair scale of business has been done
for the fortnight at prices which are a shade easier.
Rates of freight have tempted speculators.
Saltpetre—A better business has lately been doing in
this article, both for the home and American markets.
In value we have no alteration to notice. Refined sorts
have been quiet in consequence of the high prices asked.
Rice—No disposition exists to speculate in table for
the British market in the face of the discouraging ac-
counts received on the last occasion. Very little has
been done, notwithstanding the easy rates of freight.
In Ballam and Moonghee a good business is reported,
and shipments have been going freely forward to the
Mauritius and Bourbon. Moonghee has sold at 1.2 to
1-3 to a large extent.
Raw Silk—Rather a more moderate scale of business
has been reported for the fortnight. Holders have sub-
mitted to a decline, and this will no doubt lead to in-
creased activity.
Silk Piece Goods—lnquiry for corabs has fallen away,
and prices are not so high; transactions have been on a
limited scale during the fortnight.
Jute—Stocks at market consist chiefly of inferior
quality, which is neglected. Inquiry continues to make
for good shipping sorts, which find ready sale at full
prices, whenever parcels offer.
Safflower—Prices have been well supported, notwith-
standing that supplies are abundant.
Hides—Very little business has been done under this
head during the whole of last mouth.
Oilseeds—The market continues to show activity, and
demand exists for Great Britain as well as America.
Shell Lac and Lao Dye.—There has been rather less
animation in the market for these, and transactions have
not been heavy. Prices are also not so stiff. Sales are
of shell lac, Beerbhoom, 100 boxes at Its. 9 4 per b. md.,
70 boxes at 9-8 to 9-12, 100 mds. Bhorah at Re. 7-8,
25 Beerbhoom at 9-8, and lac dye, 35 boxes Beerbhoom
at Rs. 28-8, 37 ditt at 27, 100 ditto at ,26-8, 50 ditto
Mirzapore at 54, 50 Beerbhoom at 26.8 per b. md.
Opium—The seventh Gov, rnment sale of the season
was held on Monday, the lath ult., with the following
result:—

Chests.

1 highest 995
Mbar 2,071 lowest 980 20,42,750
average 986 13 4
Ihighest 990
Beaare3 865 lowest 970 --
8,47,350
average 979 9 6
The cbove shows a decline of Rs. 25 per Patna and
3G•3 per Bemires from the preceding sale. Prices had
been ruling for both at about R. 980 per chest till
arrival of alvices from China to the 23d of April,
showing a rise of 15 dolls. Prices have advancati to
1,000 per chest. Exports of Opium from the Ist to the
:loth of May, 1850:—To China, 3,088 chests; Singapore
and Penang, 245 chests.