The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-03-28 00:00:00

CO-111fERCIAL ,S• MONETARY NEWS,

MONDAY NIGHT.

IT would seem that the apprehension which
exists as to the impend; g war with Russia, is as
mischievous in its effect as the most dreaded
realisation of it ; and, indeed, it is the opinion of
many that the suspense under which the commer-
cial world is now labouring would be considerably
relieved even by the commencement of actual
hostilities. From day to day the funds have been
declining in value ; but this fall must not be alto-
gether attributed to expectations of war. A larger
quantity of stock than usual has been thrown upon
the market, owing to the anxiety of many large
holders to be in funds for anticipated demands
upon them, and the downward tendency has been
assisted by the operations of speculators for a fall.
The returns of the Bank of England, on Friday,
showed another decrease in bullion to the extent
of £573,846 ; but this may be considered rather
favourable than otherwise, as, owing to the demands
for the continent and the receipt of few remittances,
the decrease might have been expected to be larger.
It is rather an evidence that there is no drain for
specie except for known objects, and, therefore, a
favourable reaction, when something more definite
is blown as to political combinations, may reason-
ably be anticipated. Money for commercial pur-
poses has ruled from 51 to 6 per cent. for good
bills, and the bankers here now charge 6 per cent.
on overdrawn accounts • but the Bank of England
has made no official change in the minimum rate
of discount. There have been reports of some few
failures, but not to any great extent, and, not-
withstanding the feverish state of the public mind
gives credence to many idle rumours respecting
warlike movements, the confidence of capitalists
in commercial security may be considered in a more
satisfactory state than might have been expected.
The operation of warlike expectations upon the
several markets have been various, telling appa-
rently with the slightest effect upon colonial pro-
duce in most general consumption. It is true that
commercial transactions have been, in a great mea-
sure paralysed; but the slight alteration which has
taken place in the market value of Sugar, Tea,
Rice, and similar articles, must have the effect of
ensuring that confidence in mercantile stability
which is indispensable to the maintenance of public .
credit. Russian produce has, however, as might
have been expected, considerably advanced in value,
Hemp having advanced about £lB per ton since
the beginning of the month. Tallow and Palm Oil
are also dearer.

In the cotton manufacturing districts trade has
been very dull, but not more so than might have
been expected, considering the great disinclination
to do more than for immediate consumption, and
prices have in consequence slightly declined. The
relative high price of the raw material has also
operated to restrict manufacture, but the declining
prices of Corn render the prospects for the future
by no means discouraging. In the Wool, Hosiery,
and Lace trades similar inactivity prevails, all
parties evidently waiting until political events take
a more decisive turn.

The Corn trade has suffered a still further de-
cline, not only through the United Kingdom, but
on the continent, with no immediate prospect of
a reaction. The arrivals recently have been very
large, owing, in some degree, to the manner in
which Wheat has been hurried away from Odessa,
previous to the time when exportation was prohi-
bited. There have also been large arrivals from
the United States, and further large supplies may
be expected from Canada on the openinc, of the
navigation of the river St. Lawrence. The de-
cline, however, may partly be attributed to parcels
having been forced on the market, in order to
realise advances, and as the Russian ports are now
closed against further exports, there are some
who entertain the opinion that should holders not
be compelled to give way from monetary pressure,
prices may yet rally between now and the middle
of May, when the markets will be most affected by
the weather and the appearance of the growing
crops, as, notwithstanding the extent of foreign
importations, the dependence for the largest supply
must be upon home produce.
From a return just presented to Parliament, it
appears that the total numbers of British registered
vessels, employed in coasting and foreign trade, has
increased from 1849 to 1853, as follows :—Sailing
vessels from 17,807, of the tonnage, 2,988,021,
employing 144,165 men, to 17,567, of the tonnage,
3,511,827, employing 155,006 men. Steam-vessels,
from 414, of the tonnage, 108,321, employing
8,446 men, to 639, of the tonnage, 218,260,
employing 17,519 men. It appears, therefore, that
in the five years the average size of sailing vessels
has increased from 167 to 200 tons, and of the
steam-vessels from 261 to 341 tons.

The following tables from a parliamentary return
just published, show the comparative trade of
Great Britain with Russia and Turkey, and that
while we take considerable amounts of Russian
produce, the Russians are but indifferent customers
for our manufactures; the Turks, on the other
hand, being customers to the full amount of our
imports from thence :

1849.—Imports, £5,654:,103 ; Exports, £1,379,179
1850.—Ditto, 5,296,833 ; ditto, 1,297,660
1851.—Ditto, 4,482,282 ; ditto, 1,157,543
1852.—Ditto, 4,190,830; ditto, 994,330
TURKEY.

1849.—Imports, £2,103,708 ; Exports, £2,373,669
1850.—Ditto, 2,249,326 ; ditto, 2,515,821
1851.—Ditto, 2,511,100; ditto, 1,937,011
1852.—Ditto, 2,252,284 ; ditto, 2,079,913
The return from the Bank of England for the
week ending the 18th of March gives the following
results, when compared with the previous week :--
Public deposits ... £3,678,817; Increase £779,220
Other deposits 11,305,383; Increase 417,987
Rest ... 3,730,877; Increase 12,649

On the other side of the account---

Government securities £11,844,700; Increase £96,972
Other securities ... 14,512,895; Increase 1,458,240
Notes unemployed ... 7,278,665; Decrease 347,990
The amount of notes in circulation is £20,783,850,
being a decrease of £230,565 ; and the stock of
bullion in both departments is £14,822,839, showing
a decrease of £573,846, when compared with the
preceding return.

_
DEWS DEPARTMENT.
Notes issued ... £28,082,615 Governmt. Debt £11,015,100
'Other Securities 2,984,900
Gold coin & bu11'n.14,062,515
!Silver bullion ... ...

228,062,5151
BANKING DBPARTMBNT.

£26,062,616

Prop. Capital £11,553,000id0v: Securities £11,844,700
Rest 3,730,877 Other Securities 14,512,896
Public Deposits 3,678,817 Notes ... 7,278,665
Other Deposits 11,305,383 Gold & Silver Coin 760,324
7-day & other bills 1,128,607

£34,396,51

£34,396,584

COTTON.—The market has been dull all the
week, and prices have receded about id. for mid-
dling and lower qualities. The sales for the week
up to Friday amounted to 32,180 bales, of which
1,760 were taken on speculation, and 1,490 for
export, leaving 28,930 for the trade ; but as speci-
mens are now importing pretty largely, these
figures form no test of consumption. We have
had no advices from America since the arrival of
the Europa, but the most favourable accounts.
have very little effect on this market, which is
more strongly influenced by- warlike movements,
the stagnation in the manufacturing districts, the
difficulties in the money market, and the uncer-
tainty as to the future. To-DAY the sales reached.
only 4,000 bales, mostly for the trade. The follow-
ing is a comparison of present rates with those
of the corresponding period of last year :-
1853. 1854.
New Orleans, middling... sld. 51d.
fair old. aid.
Uplands, middling.
fair ....... 6d. did.
DESCRIPTION.

ISALES. IMPORTS. STOCK
IM;11 Mar 24
DESCRIPTION.I PRICES. Week Previ- Week
ending ously ending year.
Mar. 24 this yr. Mar. 24
,
—.—.
Sea Island loi (430 460 4950
Stained 6 7 10 480 1 983 126727
Boweds 4 Ga 754 88900 339980
1
Mobile 4i 6i 4070 358401 l 5642 242493
New Orleans. 3i 8 12500 208040
Pernams, &c. 6 84 10601 9270 .... 7627 19630
Bahia, &c.
hfaranham
Demerara,&c .... 150 .... 124 220
Egyptian 5,1 10 1010 29190 1336 8820 62900
com,W.l.gic, .... 1480 .... 1007' 3700
Surat
Madras
Bengal — .... 880 100 840! 3550
--- I —.
• 32180 467850 12983 479468 656510

WooL.—We have had another quiet week in the
Wool market, and, in the almost total absence of
transactions, prices are nominally the same. Public
sales will commence here to-morrow, and will con-
tinue until Saturday, when about 5,500 bales East
India, and 6,000 bales Turkey, Egyptian, Peruvian,
Buenos Ayres, Chili, and other sorts will be offered ;
it is not expected the result of these sales will give
any encouragement to importers, though a pretty
large attendance is expected. The imports for the
week are very limited, 173 bales, viz., 105 Buenos
Ayres, and 68 Irish.
Paontrcz,—The markets during the week have
' be©u flat, with, however, but little alteration in