The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-08-29
DOMESTIC.
COMMERCIAL.
INTERESTING CIRCULAR.

Notwithstanding the heavy supplies which
have been received during the last three
weeks, our markets have in several instances
very percep,ibly improved. This event is
the more gratifying, inasmuch as IT was TN.
expected for the prevailing impression. at
the hrst appear ance of Your Vessels, was,
that a further reduction would eusue. before
any revival could be reasonably expected
The market was inquest ionably very bare OF
American produce, aHi! as the prices had
fallen to a standard. comparatively low ;
the dealers and Consumers were induced.
from, these circumstances, to purchase very
freely. Sales. tn large extent, have conse
quently, been effected, as MANY of the hold
ers, were at the same tine, anxious, bv a.
vailing themselves of the existing disposition
to guard against the reverse which the hea-
Wy supplies, daily expected, might be calcu
lated to produce. This extensive demand
combined with a temporary suspension OF
any very considerable imports. appear to us
the principal causes to wbiCh this favorable
change may be ascribed. 1t is also deserv
ing of attention thar owing to the great nun
Der of ships now in port, and The consequent
difficulties in diSchargiGg, much Of the pro-
duce which has arrived, is not yet actually
in the market. Hence, it is supposed by
some, that the Improvement which we have
noticed will not be permanent, and that, as
snon as the Dealers have acquired tolera
HE supply, the present demand Will, in some
degree; naturally subside, while the imports
continue unrestrained. On the other hand,
it may be expected, that the arrivals will
hereafter come forward in more regular sue
cession, and although, in given period, the
aggregate of the supplies may be nearly
quail. yet the effects of an accommodating
stock, from being less sensiby perceived,
will, it is hoped, be partially Diminished
Much, however, will depend, as at all times,
on the relative proportion existing between
the demand and the supply, of which the
progress of events alone, can enable us TO
form correct estimate.
The long suspension Of intercourse with
your country depriving us of the requisite
supply OF cotton, and at the same time ma
terially diminishing the extent of the demand
tor our manufactures, had imposed serious
hardshiPs upon those engaged in that trade.
These evils being now apparently in fair
way to be removed, our cotton works are
once more busily employed & both spinners
and manufacturers are prosecuting their re-
spective departments with spirit and &C
hvity, under the expectation that the pros
poets for the manufactured article will gra-
dually improve. There has, in consequence
been a brisk demand for the raw materials
chiefly by the regular trade. The specula-
tors, 1T is understood, have bought very lit
tile, conceiving the prices would still be low
err, they were not prepared to expect so ear
ly an advance. yn the course of the last
three weeks. upwards Of %, 600 bags have
been sold, of which there may be about H..
500 bags of American cottons. The total
quantity imported from all parts into this place
since the 10th ult. has been about 50, 600 bags
of which 55 200 bags are from the u. States.
Il he m he -
jects OF attention, although the fine descrip-
tons are also in fair demand. Good Uplands
readily obtain sd. and one very superior
parcel has reached 155d-New Orleans, ac-
cording to quality. are selling at Is. i'd Is.
51-4.-Sea-Islands middling fine Is. 1Od 2s
land very fine Is Id. 2s. ID. per lb-
With regard to the future prospects,
there are various opinions, but it NAV be
expected that the demand will be regular
and extensive, while the prices continue mo :
derate. We apprehend, however, that the
heavy imports, which are constantly coming
from the BraZils, and the anxiety with
which they are occasionally pressed upon the
market, may interfere with the sale, and
consequently depreciate the sale of certain
kinds of Sea- Islands. 1t may also be worthy
of remark, that many of our manufacturers,
who have regular trade with the u. States,
considering that our relations are still unset
tied, and believing that your market is large
ly stocked with cotton goods, have conclud-
ed to ship very cautiously, until affairs are
in state more calculated to inspire conf
dercc.
The demand for tar has lately been cons-
derable, and as the prices are now pretty
moderate, both Spectators and Dealers have
bought largely; it may be quoted at 26s.
per barrel. Should our regular supplies
from Sweden suffer any interruption, while
the ports OF Russia continue shut against us,
1t can scarcely be expected that the quaint
ty which is produced in America will be e.
quail to our usual consumption. Calculating
on these circumstances, the prospects are,
upon the whole, very favorable. The stocks
OF turpentine being almost entirely exhaust
ed, the Distillers are under the necessity Of
coming into the market very freely, and
from the competition which was naturally ex-
cited, the prices have been materially adj
vanced; the good soft qualities are now
worth 19s. a 20s. per cwt. For some time
past. large supplies of French spirits of tur.
pentlDe have been imported through the me
'lium OF Holland, into the London market:
the quantity, we believe, may be equal to
the produce OF about is, 900 barrels this will
doubtless initiate against the demand which
we might have otherwise experienced from
that quarter About the beginning of the
year, spirits of turpentine sold as high as
z1l. SOL; prices so extravagant and tempt
ing, could scarcely fail to procure supply,
IN opposition to all restrictive measures as
la