The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-01-04 00:00:00

COMMERCIAL AND MONETARY NEWS.

MONDAY NIGHT.
THE same causes which operated last week to
limit our observations on commercial and monetary
affairs still prevail to a great extent. The change
from one year to another naturally diverts attention
more to the winding up of old transactions than to
any readiness to enter into new ones ; and though
the tone of almost all mercantile reports are of a
very satisfactory character, there is an absence of
speculation, and purchases are confined to goods
actually in request. There is much difference of
opinion as to the buoyancy which has recently
existed, many entertaining the impression that
the demand is of a temporary character and will
not be sustained, and that the reported large
crop of cotton in the United States will have
the effect of depreciating the market here. Others,
on the contrary, whose opinions are entitled to
great weight, believe that the American crop has
been considerably over-rated, owing to the earlier
time at which it has been brought to market,
and this view has been, in some measure, confirmed
by the advices received last night per Niagara,
which report an improvement on the other side.
There can also be little doubt hut that the extent
of colonization in Australia, and the apparently in-
exhaustible supplies of gold, must tend considerably
to augment the demands for British manufactures
in that quarter ; while the general activity at home,
arising from the same cause, must have the effect
of promoting an increased consumption of almost
all descriptions. Corn maintains the recent im-
provement in value, without any increase in amount
of transactions, and this appears probably to be
the case for some time to come, until some of the
uncertainty shall have been removed with reference
to the damage caused by the recent floods. The
Money Market is still easy, and, despite the change
of Ministry, and the uncertainties respecting the
future policy to be pursued, the Funds maintain
their value, Consols this day being quoted at loin,
and afford the most satisfactory evidence of confi-
dence in the permanence of the existing prosperity.
The Return from the Bank of England for the
week ending the 24th December gives the following
results when compared with the previous week :
Public deposits .. £9,297,726; Increase .. £649,000
Other deposits .. 12,264,343; Decrease.. 231,927
Rest .. .. 3,083,969; Increase .. 3,196

On the other side of the account—
Government securities £13,962,688 ; the same as before.
Other securities .. 14,135,952 ; Increase.. £779,916
Notes unemployed .. 11,846,420 ; Decrease 412,240
The amount of notes in circulation is £22,225,505,
being a decrease of £10,960 ; and the stock of
bullion in both departments is £21,749,190, show-
ing a decrease of £416,034 when compared with
the preceding return.

ISSUE DEPARTMENT.
Notes issued .. £34,071,925 Govrnt. Debt.. £11,015,100
Other securities 2,984,900
Gold coin & buln. 20,052,771
I Silver bullion .. 19,154

£34,071,925

£34,071,925

BANKING DEPARTMENT.
Prop.'s capita1.£14,553,000 Gov. securities.£l3,962,6BB
Re5t.......... 3,083,969 Other securities 14,135,952
Public deposits. 9,297,726 Notes .... 11,846,420
Other deposits . 12,264,343 Gold & silv. coin 677,265
7-day, &c. bills. 1,423,287

£40,622,325

£40,622,323

. ,
Our SHARE MARKET, after a remarkably quiet
week, appears likely to become more active. There
is a greater disposition to do business, and better
prices are offered. We annex the day's quotations :
—Birkenhead, L. and C., 53d ; late Chester and
Birkenhead, 22 ; ditto £22, 21d ; Blackburn,
7 13-16 ir; ditto pref., 25,1 Caledonians, 34 ;
Eastern Counties, 131 ; Lancashire and Yorkshire,
85i ; Leeds Northern, 18; London stock, 126; ;
Midland stock, 80k; North British, 101 4; Dover
stock, 251 4 I York, Newcastle, and Berwick,
181 ; York and North Midland, 301 ; Royal Bank,
450; Royal Insurance, I+,- 3.16
COTTON.—Although there was a fair demand
during the week, the apprehensions as to an ex-
cessive supply prevailed to some extent, and the ad-
vance of id. which had been obtained the previous
week was not supported. This depression was more
evident towards the close of the week, when the
publication of the aggregate stocks showed an unex-
pected excess of about 46,500 bales, of which 42,930
is American and 12,570 Brazil, Egyptian and West
India, while there is a decrease in East India of
about 9000 bales. So large and unexpected an
increase in the stock on band led to a very limited
demand, the sales on Friday amounting to only
4000 bales. TO-DAY the market opened without
any improvement, the buiness being confined to
the wants of the trade, who have taken 4000 bales
at about Friday's rates. Since the market closed,
the Niagara has arrived with advises from New
York to the 21st ult. Considerable improvement
had taken place in prices at New Orleans, which will
no doubt operate upon this market.
PRODUCE.—The recent improvement in the Sugar
market has been well maintained during the week,
there being an active demand for almost all descrip-
tions, particularly for foreign for the home refiners.
In Rum there has been little doing, with a tendency
downwards ; and in Molasses literally nothing.
Rice is also in but slow demand, with but little
alteration in prices to notice. For Coffee there
has been more demand, and higher prices
are generally looked for. In Tea transactions
are few, but holders are firm, awaiting the alteration
in duty, which will, no doubt, be made by the new
Chancellor of the Exchequer, and which, it is con-
fidently anticipated, will have the effect of enhancing
the value, particularly of the lower descriptions.
In other articles we have little to notice, the dulness
of the season limiting transactions to immediate
wants. TO-DAY there was a good demand for Sugar,
the transactions comprising 20 hhds. Barbadoes,
at 355. to 40s. • 800 bags Benares, at 38s. 9d.; 1,000
bags brown Madras, at 31s. 6d. per cwt.; and
24,000 mats Manilla, the price of which did not
transpire. Of 180 tons Campeachy Logwood,
which were offered by auction this morning, about
100 tons realised £6. 17s. 6d. per ton. In Tea,
Molasses, Rum, and other articles we have no tran-
sactions to notice.

WooL.—There has not been much doing here in
foreign Wool this week. The tone of the market
is, however, healthy, and former rates are well
maintained.

IRON.—The wild speculation in pig and other
descriptions of Iron is beginning to attract attention,
as likely to result in most disastrous consequences
to the unwary, who have been tempted to embark
their little all in the enterprise. When we reflect
that Pigs have risen from 355. to 755. per ton within
the last few months, and that the present stock in
Scotland is 100,000 tons larger than ever known,
and with a greatly increased market, it is only mar-
vellous that parties can be found to lend a hand to
any such delusion. But let the public take a
warning in time—a month, nay a week hence, may
be too late.

FIRE LAST NIGHT.--A fire broke out about six o'clock
last night in the shipbuilding yard of Messrs. Jordan and
Getty, near the Potteries, in Sefton-street. The engines
belonging to the town, and those of the West of England
Fire-office, were quickly on the spot, and a plentiful
supply of water was obtained from the dock ; but the
wind blowing fresh, the fire spread rapidly, and the da-
mage was considerable. We understand that Messrs.
Jordan and Co. are insured in the Phoenix-office.
SALES OF SHIPS IN LIVERPOOL.—The number of new
vessels that have come into Liverpool within the year and
been sold is 120, equal to 50,000 tons ; and the number of
ships launched, or in the course of erection, during the
same period, is 39, computed at 15,000 tons, of which 13
were steamers, estimated at 4,050 tons. 11 foreign ships,
equal to 5,000, have changed hands in Liverpool since the
passing of the new Marine Act in 1850, and been registered
by British owners. The number of vessels, including
steamers, supposed to have changed hands in Liverpool
in 1852 is 425, equal to 198,000 tons. There are 53 sailing
vessels, equal to 16,418 tons, new measurement, and 16
steamers equal to upwards of 2,000 tons, now on sale in
Liverpool. The above facts are taken rom the annual
circular of Messrs. Tonge, Curry, and Co., shipbrokers.
five landlords ELECT'
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CAVAN
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Conservatives.

' CONFRIMATION IN A PRISON.—The Bishop of Man-
chester held a confirmation last week in Preston Gaol, at
the request of l
varyg in age from 14 to 55, were admitted to
the Rev. J. Clay, the chaplain, when 28
pri
After the service, the Bishop delivered
s
that osnoel resin'n varying
i an impressivreiteaddress to the prisoners, touching their
i present position, and the further responsibility they had
incurred by receivingsthheriiteneadvmerinivsitseirtedEtuorotpheemti.
" Autograph
Mrs. Harris
of say Russia ew "
ll s
entirely bereft of his
is
tyrannical powers.
s incessantly pestered
A TESIY OLD GENTLEMAN n'a
by his neighbours with inquiries after his health ; at last
losing all patience with the most assiduous of these in-
quirers, " Tell your master," said he to the servant, " with
my compliments, that I
am pretty well this morning, and
shall continue so for twenty-one mornings to come."
A COUPLE or PEDESTRIANS, " gents from town,''
passing through a toll-gate, attempted a joke at the expense
of a young woman who stood at the door, by the charge was for passing through. .. if you are gentle.
men, nothing ; if you are donkeys, a penny each," replied
the damsel, much to their diseorantarte asking what

COMMERCIAL REVIEW FOR 1852.

COTTON.-With the close of 1852 we have the usual
circulars, descriptive of the state of trade during the year
just past, and the opinions afloat as to the probabilities of
the future. From the tables which are annexed to the

Associated Brokers' Circular we learn that the total im-

port into Liverpool during the year has amounted to
2,207,016 bales, against 1,748,899 in 1851, and 1,572,455
in 1850; and into the kingdom, 2,341,522 bales, against
1,903,475 in 1851. That the export is 226,717 bales,
against 210,978 in 1851, and 199,987 in 1850; from the king-
dom, 282,800 bales, against 268,500 in 1851, and 272,400
in 1850, The stock in Liverpool, as declared on Fri-
day, is 577,810 bales, against 423,730 in 1851, and 454,879
in 1850. The stock in the kingdom is 657,520 bales,
against 494,600 in 1851, and 521,119 in 1850. The total
deliveries for home consumption from this port were
1,824,914 bales, being an average of 35,094 bales per
week, against 30,133 in 1851, of which 450 per week
were Sea Island, against 570 in 1850. From the king-
dom, 1,911,851 bales, or 36,463 per week, against 31,969
in 1851, and 29,091 in 1850. The average price of mid-
dling Orleans for the first quarter was sid. per lb. ; for
the second, 51d. ; the third, sid. ; and for the fourth 54c1.
per lb. The arrivals of new cotton in 1852 are
240,000 bales, against 180,000 in 1851.
With reference to the circumstances which have ope-
rated upon the market during the year, Messrs. Heywood
and Macvicar in their annual circular say :
" Nothing has ever shown the fallacy of an a priori
reasoning upon cotton more than the events of the present
year. At the commencement scarcely any one believed
in a crop of more than 2,800,000 bales, and the general
opinion was in reduction even of such an amount. As the
season advanced, the large and increasing arrivals into the
ports indicated that 3,000,000 bales, or thereabouts, was
more likely to be the result. But the general prosperity
of trade, and the abundance of money, and the large spe-
culations which these circumstances induced, have all
contributed to counteract the influence of arrivals much

larger than had at first been contemplatei. As prices
advanced confidence seemed to increase, and the present
season terminates with this instructive fact, that with the

largest crop on record, and 645,000 bales beyond that
of last year, prices are now id. per lb. higher than at the
termination of 1851, and ld. per lb. above the lowest
quotations of that year."
With regard to the causes which may have tended to
produce the recent activity, we quote from the same cir-
cular :

"The increase of the home trade in cotton goods, and
its profitable character, have been much dwelt upon for
some months past, as one of the main causes of the pros—
perity which has prevailed in the industrial districts, and
of the activity there witnessed. It certainly appears diffi-
cult to account for so sudden an expansion of this branch
of commerce ; but the low price of provi7ions (before the
late bad weather set in and raised the prices of corn, the
distant effect of which already alarms many), must have
enabled the working classes to lay out more of their earn-
ings in clothing and other necessaries. The increased
emigration that has occurred may also explain the aug-
mented demand for certain descriptions of goods, the
emigrants requiring extra supplies for themselves and their
families. And again, in many instances, the parties may
have made investments of articles which they purpose
realising as merchandise when they arrive at their desti-
nations. All this goes to some extent to explain the
increased home demand and the large consumptior? ; but
the doubt yet yemains, whether the improvement is per-
manent or only casual, and whether the wants of the world
are to continue to be the same as they appear to have
been for the last twelve months ; and whether, if the
same, the same capabilities exist, on the part of the con-
sumers, to meet these necessities."

The same authorities proceed to argue that much of the
future character of the Cotton market may depend upon
the amount of the coining crop in all countries. In India,
it is said to be good ; from Brazil, an average import may
be expected ; and from Egypt, a full supply ; although
not, perhaps, equal to that of last year, which is said to
have an accumulation of preceding years. There is a
probability that the supply from America may not be so
large as was anticipated, if, as may have been the case, the
recent large receipts were owing to the planters having
pushed their cotton to market early in order to secure
prices. This is, however, but a speculative opinion ; and
much will depend upon the easiness of the money market,
of which there seems to be no doubt, and the preservation
of peace in Europe, which is hardly so certain.
Messrs. Hollinshead and Co., in their annual circular,
say:—" Notwithstanding the greatly increased quantity
of cotton manufactured, we find there are light stocks
everywhere ; a good export demand for every quarter of
the globe, but at the present moment unusually large,
and increasing, for the Indian markets; a home demand
large beyond precedent, it may be presumed mainly
owing to the full employment and improved condition of
the working classes ; and to add to all this, there is abun-
dance of money, seeking employment, and content to
find it upon an easy or moderate rate of interest. These
are all stimulants, which spinners are evidently availing
themselves of ; and a very considerable extension of mills
and machinery we find to be still in progress, which even-
tually may add to the present greatly increased rate of
consumption many hundreds of bales of Cotton per week.
Thus an increased consumption is more than probable ;
and large as the supply this year has been, we are left
without any material increase of stock, although the
import of new cotton during the last two months has
been twice the amount of that received in any previous
season. The prospect for supply is, that an increase may
be expected from India, an import probably equal to that
received in 1851. From Egypt, a full average supply, but
considerably less than we have had this year. From
Brazil and the West Indies scarcely so much as in the
present year. The crop in the United States, from all
accounts, is likely to be a large one, fully equal to last
year's, and we know it to be much superior in quality ;
but owing to the small quantity of old cotton remaining
at the commencement of the season, and the large quan-
tity of the new crop already received here, we cannot
expect to have in 1853 so large a per centage of the crop,
whatever that may be, as we have had this year."
PRODUCE.—The general improvement in value and
activity of trade which have characterised most commer-
cial operations have been fully shard by colonial produce
of almost all descriptions. In Sugar, the year closed with
a much firmer market, having experienced an advance in
value throughout the year of 3s. 6d. per cwt. on West
India, and 3s. to 3s. 6d. on foreign. On comparison with

the previous year, at this port, the landings during the
past twelve months show a diminution of 19,000 tons, an
increase in home deliveries of 2,000 tons, and a decrease
in stocks of 4,000 tons. The returns for the United
Kingdom, as near as can be calculated, will give a falling
off in arrivals of 55,000 tons, an increase in consumption
of 35,000, and a deficiency in stock of 40,000 tons, the
present stock being estimated at 117,000 tons, against
157,000 tons in January, 1852, and 107,000 tons in January,
1851. In Coffee, the movements have not been "very
marked, with the exception of an improvement towards
the close of the year, owing to the settlement of the
chicory question. The landings at this port fall short of
1851 by about 300 tons, owing to no direct import having
been received from Ceylon. The total imports for the
two principal ports amount to 22,400 tons, being about the
same as the previous twelve months. Since the act ren-
dering illegal the mixture with chicory, the consumption
of coffee has manifestly increased, and the excess over
1851 may be estimated at 1,400 tons. The exports from

this port during the year have been very inconsiderable.
In Cocoa, the market presents little difference from the
previous year either in prices or extent of business; the
stock, at the close, was rather large. In Pimento, there
has been an improvement both in quantity and value.
Rum has been steady ; and the same remark will apply to
Ginger.
WooL.—The state of the wool trade throughout the
past year has been highly satisfactory; employment has
been plentiful; and both importers and consumers have
found profitable scope for their enterprise. The home-
demand for woollen goods has been unusually large. The
export of woollen and worsted goods has been on a very
extensive scale, even exceeding the year 1851, the highest
rate ever before attained. Prices, until October, were
marked by little variation; since then they have been
steadily looking up, but it is only during the last month
that any decided advance has taken place, and at present
they may be quoted, on the average, about 15 to 20 per
cent. above the corresponding period last year. The
total imports show a trifling excess over the previous year,
but not to an extent to call for any particular remark.
The export of foreign and colonial has been rather less ;
but, on the other hand, the shipments of home wools
have been much larger, showing an increase of upwards
of 80 per cent.

OlL.—The imports of olive oil for the last twelve months
reached 6,443 casks. The supply is not equal to con-
sumption, and the consequence is that prices are very high,
and the market closes firmly with an upward tendency,
from very light stocks.

laos.—The result of the preliminary meeting which
was held at Dudley on Thursday, was the adoption of a
middle course between those who oppose all progress and
the ultra-sanguine, who go for £l2 per ton on manu-
factured iron. The prices have been declared as follow :
Bar and rod-iron, short weight, £ll per ton ; hoops, £l2 ;
and sheets, £l3. It was also determined that a propor-
tionate advance in wages should be given. Coal and
ironstone are also advancing in price. The quarterly
meetings will be held on the usual days next week, to
commence at Walsall on Tuesday.
STOCKS AND SHARES.—Owing to the large influx
of gold, the confidence in Government and the general
prosperity, there was an improvement throughout in
public securities and railway shares. That this improve-
ment is not owing to a spirit of speculation, is shown in the
steady rise of the public funds, in which the fluctuation
has been little more than five per cent., while the per-
manent rise in value is about three-and-a-half per cent.
The improvement also in shares has been of the same
satisfactory character, and justified by the steady increase
of the traffic returns, while the prospects of dividends are
such as to warrant a fair return on the present prices of
moreshares
evidentas an investmentcapital.
heofeleseof
thTehyiseehra,swbheeeen
the
comparison is made with the receipts from the Great
Exhibition,. and the market at the present time may be
es:lasi/J:od in the most satisfactory state.