The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-01-11 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE

MANCHESTER.—During the last few days our market has not
continued to exhibit those symptoms of improvement which
were anticipated at the beginning of the week. Business has
been comparatively quiet, and very low rates have in many
cases submitted to—low, considering the late upward tendency
in cotton. The better feeling prevalent a few days ago has been
somewhat checked by the heavy failures in London announced
in our last publication, and by the intelligence received yester-
day and to- day of several stoppages in Glasgow. The confidence
which was gradually beginning to revive has unfortunately re•
ceived a temporary shock, and during the week considerable
distrust and uneasiness have again been exhibited. The effect
has been to make sellers more cautious, and transactions have,
consequently, been a good deal curtailed during the last few
days. The Greek houses continue to operate in goods suitable
for their markets, but with much caution. In yarns there is
no alteration to notice. Prices remain steady, but the business
done has been limited. In shirtings for the Eastern markets
some few transactions have taken place, at rates fully as low as
as any that have been accepted for the last few months. We
are still very far from witnessing that healthy and confident
feeling without which the increased production now going on
cannot safely find vent; nor can we expect, for some time to
come, to he free from uneasiness and apprehension, consider-
ing the extent of the recent commercial disasters, and their
wide ramifications.

...110;:s1=f1TeWyening markets of the new year are seldom
very brisk, nor have those of the present year been an excep-
tion to the rule. The stocks of woollen cloths are not larger
than an average at this season ; and though the trade, in its va-
rious branches, is dull, as it has been for some time, a fair
spring trade is generally anticipated.
BRADFORD.—On Thursday, our market-day, we had a full
average attendance of buyers, and a fair quantity of purchases
were made. There are inquiries by the home houses for new
styles for spring; and the shippers are looking out for cheap
lots in silk stripes and other fancy goods. There is a somewhat
better demand both for wool and yarns, without any alteration

in prices.
HALIFAX.—We have had a very few buyers attending the
market this week, and a very few pieces have changed hands.
Yarns continue much the same, there being only a limited de-
niand. In Wool there is only a small amount of business
doing.
HUDDERSFIELD.—There has been a little improvement in
our market this week, and more business done. Prices of
some descriptions of goods are rather firmer ; stocks generally
low.
ROCHDALE.—On the eve of the new year there never is much
done in the Flannel market, and this week business has been
very dull, but both goods and wool were much the same as
last week. _ _ _ _

THE IRON TRADE.—The reports from the various quarters
connected with the Scotch pig iron trade announce a very con-
siderable decrease in the amount of stock held at 'the close of
the year, in comparison with that of the two preceding years,
at the like period. This has been occasioned, partly by the
great increase of the export trade, and partly by the strike
among the miners and colliers, during a portion of the year,
which had the effect of putting many furnaces out of blast ;
thus proportionately reducing the quantum of produce. This
circumstance, in a great measure, falsified the expectations of
a vast increase of stock, that the erection of new works durinr,
that period had originated. The shipments of 1846 and 1847';
from the Clyde and port Dundas, were nearly equal in amount
being

In the former year 312.000
In the latter..
The estimated stock at the close of 1847, was 80,000 tons; of
which quantity about 26,000 tons is supposed to be in the
hands of the makers, against 64,000 tons the years previous ;
and it is presumed their contracts on hand far exceed that
quantity. Much of the make of 1848, to the extent of 20,000 to
30,000 tons, being already contracted for, for spring delivery,
great reluctance is manifested to enter into fresh engagements,
for delivery at that season. In the 1 resent aspect of commer-
cial affairs, there is evidently a brighter gleam, portending an
improvement in the general business of the country, which
must result in an advance of price in the article of pig iron,
the state of the stock, anticipated production, and present un-
remunerating prices to the makers, being altogether in favour
of a rise.

The total number of furnaces amount to l3O
Of which there were in blast in 1847 only 89
Ditto ditto out of blast

In 1845 there were in blast 94
In 1846 there were 27
The amount of stocks on hand, on the 31st
December 1846 was
The stock in store and makers' hands, 31st
Dec. 1847 89,000

Decrease of stock at the close of 1847, com-
pared with 1846.. 64,000
The price for mixed numbers, equal proportions—
On the 31st December, 1845.... 765. per ton.
Ditto ditto 1846.... 755. ~ .
Ditto ditto 1847.... 465. „