The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-02-15 00:00:00

GENERAL TRADE REPORT.

The SHARE-MARKET yesterday was quiet, the public
generally waiting the result of the meetings now about to
take place. York, Newcastle, and Berwick, and Mid-
lands, were, however, in demand at higher prices. The
result of the meeting of the London, Brighton, and
South Coast, which took place at the London Tavern, on
Friday last, was very unfavourable, and this circumstance
has tended much to damp the market. The Times of
yesterday says—" The meeting of Brighton Railway
shareholders to be held on Monday must be regarded as
an important occasion, not so much on account of the
large interests involved in that company itself, but of the
effect which the proceedings are likely to have in giving a
tone to the numerous meetings of other railway bodies,
which during the next few weeks are to take place. As
far as we can understand the present excitement, it has
its origin in two causes-Ist. a belief that large specula-
tive transactions have been lately carried on in the shares
of the company by parties having a priority of informa-
tion as to the state of its accounts • and, 2ndly, a natural
feeling of disappointment at the unfavourable result
which those accounts now exhibit. On the first head,
unless it be intended upon proof obtained to make some
specific charge, nothing can be done except to point out
in strong terms the evil which has apparently occurred,
and to exact from the board a distinct promise that for
the future every guarantee shall at least be afforded that
can be obtained by the most rigid precautions in keepinc,
the accounts strictly private ; while on the second head,
although there may or may not be grounds for disappoint-
ment and for some charges of mismanagement, we
imagine that the anger of the shareholders is scarcely
just, and that the main cause of the present adverse
balance-sheet is to be found in the fact that, on the
whole the accounts have been honestly kept, and that
they accurately represent the inevitable consequences of
those extensions to which long ago the company com-
mitted itself. The state of things with regard to
railway prospects which were predicted eighteen months
back has now come to pass, and the Brighton shareholders
may congratulate themselves, if they can find reason
to believe that in their case, at all events, matters
will not be rendered worse by any very gross attempt
to keep them under a delusion. To meet the present
accounts by an angry explosion would have the bad effect
of inducing the directors of other lines to defer by every
possible contrivance a statement similarly explicit."
It may be mentioned here that no less than 84 meetings
will be held in the course of the present and ensuing
months, of which the following will take place before our
next publication :—Barbadoes, Feb. 15 ; Ceylon, Feb. 15;
Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle, Feb. 15;- Dundalk and
Enniskillen, Feb. 15 ; Taff Vale, Feb. 16 ; East Anglian,
Feb. 16 ; Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, Feb.
16 ; Great Western, Feb. 17 ; London and South West-
ern, Feb. 17 ; Northern and Eastern, Feb. IT; Northern
Counties Union, Feb. 17; Demerara, Feb. 184'. Hull and
Selby, Feb. 18; London and North Western, Feb. 18 ;
Newry, Warrenpoint, and Rostrevor, Feb. 18 ; Birming-
ham and Oxford Junction, Feb. 19 ; Birmingham, Wol-
verhampton, and Dudley, Feb. 19 ; Buckinghamshire,
Feb. 19; East Indian, Feb. 19; Midland, Feb. 10;. Bos-
ton, Stamford, and Birmingham, Feb. 21 ; York, New-
castle, and Berwick, Feb. 21 ; York and North Midland,
Feb. 21.

The continued demand for CorroN which prevails in
the LIVERPOOL MARKET has produced a very active trade
during the week, and prices have advanced id. to id. per
lb. The business of Friday last was estimated at 5,000
bales, all for consumption. The imports for the week
are 8,309 from the United States ; 3,238 Brazil ; 930
Egypt ; 25 West Indies ; 4,368 East Indies ; total 150370
bales. Our, readers will bear us out in stating that in
our statements of, and remarks upon the position of the
Cotton Market for some time past, we have done ample
justice to the principal portion of both consumers and
holders. We have now much pleasure in stating that
there is good news for the consumers. A little more
patience, and our stock will be amply replenished. The
question of crop is settled. It will be ample for every
class and clime of consumer, and in a month or six weeks
will be available at our market. Meanwhile, the drain
upon our small stock may run up prices a little.
Nevertheless, whilst the new imports are leaving
a good profit, the old musty cotton long held back
but now being brought out, is losing to the owner from
2d. to 3d. per lb ; and this very fact ought to reconcile the
consumer to a temporary inconvenience in every holder
availing himself of his singular but unexpected position,
viz : having only in this port from six weeks to two months
stock of American cotton. The market was quiet, and not
quite so buoyant yesterday. Sales 5000 bales, at last week's '
prices. The news by the steamer has not made the least
alteration in the market. The receipts are daily increasing
in the ports ; but few shipments for Great Britain. The
following is the comparative stock of cotton in Liverpool :
Feb. 11, 1, 1847..
Taken weekly for consumption 27,320848. Feb. 11
15,900
Total stock 282,630
The COLONIAL MARKETS here continue very quiet, and
the sales for the last day or two are very trifling. Coffee is
attracting more attention, and ordinary kinds command
high prices. In foreign, a few parcels have changed hands
at an advance of 3s. to 4s. on previous rates. In tea,
there is a decided improvement. Yesterday, there was
a good inquiry ; but few sales were made, in conse-
quence of the merchants holding out for an advance.—
The following is a summary of the general features of
the colonial markets in London during the past week :.--
The quarterly indigo sales commenced on Tuesday. A
first dividend of ss. in the pound, payable on the 2Gth
instant, has been announced under the estate of Judah
Cohen and Sons, West India merchants, whose failure
took place on the sth November. In the sugar market
sales were accomplished with difficulty last week, at a re-
duction of Is. 6d. per cwt. on British plantation. In the
coffee market large sales were made, and at the com-
mencement of the week much firmness was shewn ;
latterly, however, the market somewhat declined. The
trade in rice has been on a limited scale, and labours
under considerable depression, chiefly owing to the large
stocks now held. The tea trade was brisk.—The Bristol.
Sugar Market was dull last week, the total quantity dis-
posed of since our last report barely reaching 500 hhds.
West India ; in other sorts no sales whatever are reported.
Prices were pretty steady, but in some instances a decline
of 6d. has been submitted to. Nothing doing in rum.
In the IRON TRADE, Scotch pig iron was in good de-
mand at 50s. per ton, free on board at Glasgow. Welsh
bars are quoted at £7 per ton, free on board in Wales.
Staffordshire bar iron at £8 per ton. Rails have advanced
to £7 10s. in Wales, with a large demand. The intelli-
gence from Birmingham, received yesterday, is more fa-
vourable as to the iron trade in that district, the late
unfortunate strike there shewing symptoms of a close.
The " pudlers" are beginning to see the utter hopeless-
ness of retaining high wages on reduced profits, and they
are beginning to resume work on the terms offered by
their employers. During the past week Mr. Foster of
Stourton Castle, one of the most extensive ironmasters
in the district, has resumed working six pudling furnaces
on the reduced terms, and it is hoped that a few days more
will see the works employed to the full extent which the
demand will warrant. The general opinion is that the
stocks are low, and that iron will find a brisk sale.
The accounts from all parts of the empire continue to
convey a depressed condition of the CORN TRADE,
although, owing to the high prices at which potatoes are
still selling, there must be considerably above the average
amount of breadstuffs in course of consumption. Many
reasons may be adduced for the downward tendency of
prices for all articles of the trade in LIVERPOOL. The
imports from Ireland have latterly greatly increased, the
country markets are well supplied, and the weather has
been very favourable for the growing crops. Buyers,
also, shew a disinclination to purchase more than' neces-
sary for immediate consumption. It will be seen from
our reports in another column that a very languid trade
has been the consequence ; and up to yesterday evening
the trade bas continued in the same inanimate condition.
The aggregate arrivals of all kinds of corn from foreign
countries and the British colonies, for 1847, has not only
been beyond precedent, but more than double what has
ever been imported into this country, during any similar
period of time. Thq greatest previous annual aggregate
import was in 1839, viz., 4,59L000 quarters ; while for
1847, it was 12,257,000 quarters. Of wheat, however, in
1847, it was only 2,599,712 quarters, being less than either
in 1839 or 1842; but the imports of flour amounted to
6,333,600 cwts. and the largest previous import, that of
1846, was 3,363,810.

In the PROVISION MARKET, during the past week, we
have to note a fair demand for the best qualities of
butter, at former prices, with a very slow sale of middling
and inferior sorts. The Irish supplies are spoken of as
likely to be larger than was anticipated. There was a
good demand for new bacon, and new American of the
best quality was offered at 50s. In hams nothing done.
Lard in request and scarce.-The arrivals last week
were-Butter, 4,409 firkins, 1,067 crocks ; bacon, 77
bales ; hams, 14 hhds. ; lard, 1 tierce, 10 firkins, 120 kegs.
-The prices in Liverpool were-Butter : Waterford,
88s. to 948. ; Kilkenny, Carlow, and Clonmel; 88s. to
925. ; Carrick, 86s. to 88s. ; Wexford, Carlow, 88s. to
89s. ; Belfast, 88s. to 925. ; Ballymoney and Coleraine,
86s. to 89s. ; Banbridge, 84s. to 88s. ; Newry and Dun-
dalk, 80s. to 82s. ; Dublin, Carlow, 84s. to 88s. ;
82s. to 86s. ; Londonderry, 82s. to 865.-Bacon : Long
Middles, free from bone, new, 565. to 58s. ; Short Mid-
dles, do. do. 565. to 595. ; American, 30s. to 505.-Lard :
Fine Keg, 60s. to 665. ; American, 58s. to 60s.
Advices from St. Petersburgh, dated Jan. 31, mention
the continuance of an active trade in tallow.

MONEY MARKET.—In London, on Friday, the English
funds were steady at previous prices. In foreign funds
the main feature was a continued tendency towards de-
cline. Only a limited supply of foreign b lls was offered
on 'Change, and as they were in request, the rates were
again depressed.—Owing to the nature of the Bank re-
turns. published on Saturday morning, which are given
below, the English funds have experienced a considerable
advance. Consols for money at 89} to -4 -8 and closed at
891. Bank Stock left off 200 to 202 ; Reduced Three per
Cents., 89 to ; Three-and-a-Quarter per Cents., 90i to
; Long Annuities, 9to 1-16 ; India Stock, 241 to 243 ;
India Bonds, 19s. to 235. premium ; and Exchequer bills
(March), 18s. to 225. ; (June), 245. to 275. premium.—
The bargains in the foreign market on Saturday afternoon
were limited to Danish, at 84 : Eucador, at n ; Mexican,
at ISt; Spanish Passives, at 5 ; the Three per Cents., at
324 ; Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cents., at 543. ; and the
Four per Cent. Certificates, at 851.—There are papers in
town from Rio de Janeiro to the 25th of December ; they,
however, give little political or commercial news of inte-
rest. The rate of exchange upon London was quoted at
the last moment 28d. to 284 d. ; Paris, 340 to 342 reis;
and Hamburg, 628 to 630 reis. The local Six per Cent.
Stock was 88 ex. div.

By the return of the Gazette of Friday evening, the
movement of the Bank of England for the week ending
on the sth instant gives the following changes compared
with the week ending on the 29th ult. :—ln the depart-
ment of issue the notes in circulation had increased