The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-11-24


prepared for such step on the part Of the govern
ment. An evening paper has published stalc-
meni to the effect that wheat and other descriptions
Of corn are to be admitted Immediately al a low
fgure-wheat at sixpence per bushe, ana me
other kinds still lower but this statement aithoush
put forth imposingly, is also considered prema-
iure. cabinet council was held on Friday, ut
the house Of Sir Robert Peel, as the premier
could not leave his home, owing TO an attack
of govt in the foot. At this meeting the ques-
ton of the opening Of the ports was no doubt dis
cusscd in all its bearings, and expectation was
on the qui pire to know the result. Another
cabinet council was held at Sir Robert PeeFs
house the following day, and the result OF this, as
Of the preceding meeting, still remains mystery.
People have been anxiousy looking to the London
Gazette expecting to an official intmatlon OF the
government policy; but they have looked in VAIN.
The cabinet is said to be divided on the point at
issue, but one presumes to think that the ports
will not be opened. 1t is the only thing about which
people talk "Out of the fullness of the heart the
mouth speakeih" The decision Of the government
must speedily be known because if corn is to come
in duty free, every day adds to the difficulty, as the
time of the year is rapidly approaching when not
only the Baltic but the ST. Lawrence will be closed
by the ice. As regards the former, however, owing
to the scarcity which prevails amongst eur continent
tai neighbors, and the high price which grain COM
mands there, much cannot be expected. The great
hope is in the United States and Canada. The
proof Of the scarcity exists in the fact, that most OF
the continental powers have already opened their
ports for the selfsame object and it is justly said:
"Why should England be less considerate for its
citizens, than the continental rulers for theirsi''
The real fact in all probability is, that Peel is I'M
willing to act until he is armed with the strongest
possible reasons for doing so; and in order TO put
cavi out of the question: he is said to be waiting for
the report of the scientific commissioners whom he
has sent to Ireland to investigate the potato disease
Some say that Parliament will be Immediately sum
moned to consider what ought to be done in the
present emergency. A privy council must be called
ere the ports can be opened, and as no announce
ment of such a meeting has yet been made, some
days, it is probable, may eapse before the policy of
the cabinet will be made public The state of things
in these kingdoms at the present time with the
tany of "bread-stuffs'' coming in free, or at the
lowest nominal duty, must have considerable ef
feet on the price Of those commodities in the United
States and Canadian markets. As a proof of the
diversity of opinion which prevails in the cabinet
the subject Of resembling the corn laws, even for
temporary purpose, we may mention that another
meeting was held, at tie house of Sir Robert Peel,
yesterday afternoon.
The CoRN-LAw.-The members of the anti.corn
law league resident in Manchester and its neighbour
hood, held special general meeting in the Free
Trade Hall of that town on the 28th ult The whole
area of the building was densely crowded.; and so
great the anxiety felt by all classes of the peo-
pie to be present at the proceedings, that many la
dies and gentlemen who attended were utterly una
Bile to find sitting accommodation. Among the more
influential gentlemen who occupied seats on the
platform were r. Golden, esq, M, p, J. Bright,
esq, M. r., and j. Brotherton, esq., M. p. Messrs.
Cobdon and Bright addressed the meeting in speech
cs of considerable length and urged upon the audi
ence The importance and necessity of using every
exerton to upset and finally overthrow the present
system, that prohibits the free importation Of COM
moditics which form the principal portion Of sus
tenacc for the laborIng classes. Judging from the
present aspect Of affairs, and the wonderful change
which seems to have come over tho minds of some
Of the corn.law advocates, there can be no doubt
but the days Of agricultural protection" as it is
called, are numbered, and that ere long, the SSH
ding scale" corn duties, &c, will be consigned
with the things that were. With regard TO the ad-
dresses of Messrs Golden and Bright, it is enough
TO say that they were pointed and convincing in
argument, pleasing in style, and at times eoquen,
and humorous.
CorToN MARKEr.-The cotton market, as re-
ference to our reports will show, continues in de-
pressed state; there is but little doing; and if prices
are not actually lower than at the departure Of the
last steamer, they may be said to be in favor of the
buyer The cotton market reflects so faithfully the
general feeling Of the commercial world that il may
always be regarded, and in fact s the best index Of
the national prosperity or otherwise. A variety Of
circumstances will account for the depression which
prevails: foremost amongst the number, is the APP
fearful state Of the potato crop; the deficiency or
badness OF the corn crops; and the absurd pitch 10
which speculation in rails has been carried. Other
branches OF business are suffering more or less
from these combined causes; and as tho winter APP
proaches, this feeling Of alarm, there is too much
reason to apprehcnd, will rather increase than abate.
The news which came to hand last week by the
Cambria, gave no reason to apprchend that the new
crop will be much, il any, below that of last year.
and il has had no perceptble influence the trade.
Long staped, it will be seen, is lower than at the
sailing Of the last steamer; so arc Brazs, so is
common Egyptian; but the inferior kinds Of Amer
lean have not suffered much deprcssion-albcit the
turn Of the market is in favor of the buyers. Since
Friday, the LIST instant, the business has not inn
proved, and dullness rcgns supreme. Speculation
has disappeared; and in the absence of oil activity
the sales during the intervening three days, only
amount to about 5000 bags. This stagnant feeling
has made itself felt at Havre, where,
pondent at that city states, the kind of cthar-
gy exists which at present prevails here.
INCREASE IN THE IMPORTS OF suGAR.-Itis highly
interesting and satisfactory to learn that the imports
of sugar into Great Britain, up to this time, exceed
those of 1874 by 1000 tons, Of which I0,700 are
from the West Indies, 1000 from the Mauritius,
1900 from the East Indies, and 1900 foreign pro-
duced by free labor. The increase in consumption
for the period of eight months has been "a 100
tons.
RAILWAY TRAFrIc.-For the last three months of
the present half year, E24l3,O62 has been received
for the conveyance of goods and passengers on the
various railways now opened in England the length
Of which is estimated at about 1,l80 miles.
The return published by the Bank Of England for
the week ending the 25th of October, gives the
amount of notes actually in circulation S22 &c.,
ll5-being decrease, as compared with the pre-
vious week. Of f227 $780, The public depositcs show
decrease of 9l64,757, and the private deposites
decrease Of 49O5,470. Against these the bank has
diminished the securities held by Sl,1lS,414, and
the notes in reserve by fl35,935.
The amount Of bullion has again suffered de-
cline OF fls9 022-the present aggregate amount in
both branches being Sl4, 001 1868.
Trade in the manufacturing districts shows, in its
comparative prostration the effect of the various
causes at which we have limited in our publication
to-day. Nearly all descriptions of produce have re-
ceived check; but there is nothing so gloomy
ahead, that speedy and healthy reaction may not
take place.
The iron trade continues brisk; and masters and
men are well employed In the price of pig iron
slight decline has taken place. 1t ia now quoted at
ca l5s. in Glasgow Our market returns will show,
nevertheless, that the existing rates are still high
and remunerative