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 return 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
the National Banking Act as will permit the 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 boar as will ultimatelly load 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. The rate on call is 7
per cant., with free transactions at that figure in gold, and
not unfrequently 1 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,
principally from Treasury sales, while, on the Ist proximo*
$20,000,000 of coupons become payable. Notwithstanding
these &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 Do
partment 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 :
Highest. Lowest. Closing.
April 15
April 16
April 17
1381,- 1381 (3 p.m.) 138

Breadstuffs.—Tho market for State and Western flour
is rather quiet, but an advauce of five cents has been esta-
blished on the low grades. The sales are 7,500 bbls at
59 10 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 10
9 60 for superfine Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, lowa, to'?
and $lO to 10 70 for extra do.; $lO 75 to 11 20 for
choice extra do., including shipping brands of round hoop
Ohio at $lO 15 to 10 60, and trade brands of do. at $lO 70
to 14 00 ; good to choice white wisest extras at $l2 40 to
14 00 ; St. Louis at $lO 25 to 12 00 for common to fair
extra, and $l2 CO to 15 50 for good to choice, elosiOg
quietly. We quote :
Superfine Stat,., $9 10 to 9 60 ; Extra State, $lO 10 to
10 65 ; Super Westorn, 59 10 to 9 60 ; Extra Westerh,
510 00 to 10 70 ; Extra Ohio ro $lO 15 to 10 60 ; do.
(trade). $lO 70 to 14 00 ; Extra Gonesee ; Extra St. Louis,
$1025 to 1550.
Southern Flour—There is a fair business doing at
stronger prices. Sales were made at 600 bbls. at $lO 15
to 10 80 for fair extra, and 510 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 512 65 to 14 50.
Eye Flour.—There is a moderate inquiry, and prices aro
firmly held. Sales were made of 250 bbls at 57 50 to
$9 60.
Corn meal is inactive. We notice sales of 100 bbls city
at $5 85, and 290 bbls Brandywine at $G 371.
Wheat.—The market is very quiet, but holders are de-
manding a little hig,h3r prices. Sales were made of 1,000
bush choice white Michigan at 53 40 and 10,000 bush
California at 53 14 to $3 20.
Naval Stores —Spirits of turpentine is quiet at 640,
with small sales at this price. For rosins there is rather
a moderate demand, although prices are not decidedly
changed We quote strained common at 53 50 ; No. 2 at
_A
$3 75 to 3 871 ; No. lat $1 25 to 5. The sales are 6d't
bbls strained common at $3 45 ; 500 bbls. No. 2 a
$3 87k; 1,000 bbls do. to arrive, at $3 871 ; 300 bbls No.
1 at $1 to 4 121 ; and 1,000 bbls do. at $5.
Petroleum—Crude is in the sellers' favour; we quote do:
in bulk at 12c ; 3,800 bbls in shipping order are reports
icii
sold at 17c. Bonded is held at steadier priced, with a so%
business ;we quote standard white at 251 to 26c, with
sales of 400 bbls at tho inside price. For Philadelphia de-
livery there is a dull market.
Provisions.—Pork.—The market is quiet, but prices ar°
steadily held. We notice sales of 1,750 bbls $57 70 t°
$26 95 for new western mess, cash and regular way, cl°9
ing at $26 85 regular; $26 to 26 12 for '66 '67 mess; $22
to 22 50 for prime and extra prime, and $2l 25 to 24 `ci
~, ei
for prime mess. The United States Commissaiy award
contracts for 1,200 bbls. prime mess pork at 524 to 24 4'.
The afternoon market is dull, and prices are in the buyers
favour. Sales were made of 250 bbls. mess at $26 4°'

cash
Beef.—There is a fair business doing mainly in the to
grades. Sales were made of 630 bbls. at $l4 to $20.00 fo'
plain Western mess, and $2O to $24.75 for extra do.
Tierce Beef.—The market is quiet but firm. Sales Were
made of 150 trcs. prime mess at $3O to $36.
Beef Hams.—There is but little doing, and prices ar°
quite nominal. • gyi
Bacon Sides.—There is someinquiry, but the high irit)
of holders prevent transactions. are
Cut Meats.—The demand is good and full prices 0
current. Sales were made of 200 pkgs, at 17c. for 10!
in sweet pickle ; 19:3- at 20c. for bagged hams, and it'.
for western hams in bulk. We quote shoulders in dQ
salt at I`l ;to 13c.
Lard.—There is a little more doing to-day, and Pricegt
are firmly held. Sales were made of 880 tcs and bbls ftr,
17 to 171 c fur No. 1 to kettle rendered city ; 17 to 17ic fQa
No. 1 western ; 174 for steam rendered and kettle dric
do., and 17i to 18c for kettle rendered do. ,
an 0
Butter—The receipts continue to be very libera, - ,he
the trade wfll not purchase more than is necessary,
"-
sales are small, and the stock is accumulating a little.

MISSING SIIIPS.—The Helen, from St. An%
Bay, Jamaica, for London, which was spoken off flavao33l
on the 23d Dec. ; the Harvest, which sailed from Tri°:l:o
for th 4 United Kingdom on tho sth of December ; an-d
b 0
Havelock, which sailed from Liverpool for Bombay ou

9th of September, have not since been heard of. tg
TIIE CROPS IN THE EAST. —The young
5- a
have greatly improved in appearance in North s 11(,
Barley and oats are not very luxuriant at present,
weather having been too cold for rapid growth; ther°,Ao
also some complaints of the ravages of wire-worms- 0,-
young wheats look well in Norfolk, and have grovvul
pidly of late. Barleys and all spring corn also pil'a
well in Norfolk.

Births.
BußY—On the sth inst., at 65, Prince's-gate, the
countess Bury, of a daughter. yt"
WEGUELIN—On the sth iust., at Brighton, the Wife of
Colonel Thomas M. Weguelin, of a soq. 0 0°
YOUNG —On the 26th ult., at Spring-grove, Isleivor'
wife of Rear-Admiral Young, of a daughter.
Marriages.
riaarge)
CranDENAL —WADE—On the 2d inst., at St. , 0'
Hanover-square, Alexander F. T. Chardenal, 1160"
Edgbastou, Birmingham, to Mary Ann Wade, sl'
don, youngest daughter of the late Henry S. W
of Birmingham. .ogtol3
WATSON— SHEPHEAED —On the sth inst., at ,?°°' Of
Chapel, Bingham, son of Robert Watson,
Phillimore-gardens, Kensington, to Frances brolce
daughter of Charles Shepheard, Esq., of 1, reul
road, Keusingtob.
Deaths. architect'
BARNES—On the 4th inst., William Barnes, Es(D, '11"
of Doric Lodge, Bow-road, aged 61. 11, V 544
DENT —On the sth inst., at York, Robert Den-s°
Dee/
aged 72.
Gooncfar —On the 6th inst., at Roseneath Lodge,
as
Kent, William Goodchap _biota t
JOHNSTONE—On the sth ins ,t., ore,
1);000,
E: q., of 105, Gloucester-place, POrtalaa-Sq
VALENTINE—On the sth inst., at 62, Albert-road,
n
Mr. Robert Norwood Valentine, aged 67.
Henry'
WEBSTER- -On the sth inst., at Ostend, H
Esq., aged 46. Charles Edwards tool

London Printed and Published by WILLIA3I2 isTo I
: of
of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at Tint SUN Ct'ue-'OOOO/
Strand, in the Precinct of the Ss Oh Sh
laiddlcß97.—Thursday, May 7, 180.