The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-10-03
ARRIVAL OF THE GREAT WESTERN

I""c ~ ut UeSCFtDftOHS ~ sIWeftCuU
Produce-Fditure Of the Potato Crop
scarcity Of Grain.
The Steamer Great Western was telesraphed
from the harbor of New York at III O'Clock yes
terday morning, and at | o'clock she reached her
dock at that city. AT 3 O'Clock our correspondent,
commenced to forward us the following Summary
of the news brought by her, which was laid be-
fore the public in an extra Sun, as soon as sufi
cient, with regard to the markets, was received to
prove satisfactory tc our merchants.
The Great Western brings dates from Liverpool
to the 18th of September. eight days later than
those brought by the Cambria. On the 20lh and
2lst she experienced tremendous gales. but rode
them out in safety, with the exception of some
damage on deck from the force of the storm. She
also lost one of her wheel houses, and her quarter
boats.
The markets for all descriptions of American
produce were advancing.
The News from India is of rather unex nec,ed
interest. The victories which the British army
achieved on the banks Of the Sutlege have not re-
suited in that amicable arrangement and profitable
settlement which was hoped for, and prematurely
boosted of. Ghoolab Singh finds himself eset by
pecuniary difficulties. and he either cannot, or is
unwilling to pay his debts. All such emergencies
in India must lead 10 the first development of re-.
sistance Of the British claims, consequently the
war will have TO be renewed in the Penjaub. and
the Province of Labor and the territory condi.
tionally assigned to Ghooiab Singh repossessed and
attached to the British territory.
The following is the commercial article from
Wilmer & Smiths European Times =
Conlmercial.-The improvement in business
which we noticed at the sailing of the last steam
er continues. and matters are nearly in the same
relative position as when we last addressed our
readers. The failure of the potat TO crop influences
the price of provisions of every kind. Bacon and
ham are rising rapidly, as a glance at our market
returns will show.
Indian corn is also increasing in value, as in fac,
is almost every kind Of grain. That the failure
OF the Potato crop in every part of the world must
greatly multiply the wants of the laboring classes
In Great Britain is undeniable. The advance to
which we have alluded may be traced to the in
creased demand for other descriptions of food, and
there IS every reason to believe that the present
prices may be maintained if indeed they do not
advance. AS an article of human food, the use of
the potato seems likely TO become extinct. The
injury may be temporarily pressing. and produc.
tive, no doubt, of suffering, but ultimate conse.
quences can hardly fail to raise The condition of
the Irish peasant, and TO improve his social habits.
He will be raised in the scale of civilization bv
having a higher and more nutritious kind of food.
There are those who contend that the potato has
been a curse, not a blessing to Ireland.
The cotton market continues steady, and al
though we cannot fix a higher quotation, vet on
some descriptions there has been an upward incli-
nation. Considerable anxiety prevails respecting
the new crop. The next accounts are eagerly
looked for, and prices will probably take their
complexion from the advices by the incoming and
the succeeding packets.
The liberal way in which the government is
acting in Ireland disarms all fear of national star
walton. The first duty of a government is to feed
the people, and what is now regarded as a calami-
ty may prove in the end a substantial benefit, by
the Introduction OF improvements which would
not otherwise have been made. The employment
of the people on public works in Ireland will, it is
clear, be carried out on a large scale.
The present popular Lord Lieutenant has al
ready issued nearly fifty commissions for the hold
ing of colonial sessions in different parts of Ire.
land. and upon the investigation and decision of
the majOrities in session as to their respective dis
tricts, we will act.
With the confidence which exists at present in
the money market, and the encouraging prospects
that are before US, it is probable that present nrices
will be fully sustained.
The grain markets with US, as with our CON
tinental neighbor. are on the rise. Whatever
affects England, influences the whole commercial
world. 1t will be perceived that everywhere
animation prevails, and that the new theory of
free trade will have plenty of scope for the de-
velopment of its alleged benefits, or as some con-
tend, its injuries.
The news from India is calculated to produce a
feeling of WEAKNESS in a political as well as in a
commercial sense. Sir Henry Hardinge it seems
now to be universally admitted, Notwithstanding
his Skill and bravery, evinced in the war with the
Sikhs, has made a ~bungling business of il, and in
all probability the work will have to be done over
again. Mistaken ciemency in the case Of semi
barbarians is oftenlimes positive cruelty. The
details will be found elsewhere.
The ravages of the Cholera have diminished
IN Scinde, and it appears they have been exag-
gerated.
The failure of the potato crop is universal
The reports from every part of the United King
dom are appalling, whilst letter after letter from
the continent details the ravages which this strange
and unaccOuntable disease has made, in France
Belgium, Holland and Prussia.
The grain crops in the United Kingdom are
not more than an average, either in quantity or
quality. We must, therefore, look to other coun-
tries for a supply sufficient for the large and in
creasing consumption that is now going forward.
Again the accounts from France, as to the har
vest in that country, are most distressing.
A very large quantity Of wheat will therefore
be required for immediate want, all over the north
of Europe, for the staple article of consumption
has yielded miserably short.
LoEDoN.-There is very little. Indian corn in
the London trade, and the immense extent of the
orders for Ireland renders improbable any impor.
tatlon to England sufficient to affect the market
for oats for the present year.
On the lUih, foreign wheat was held ahopt lie
per quarter higher, and flour was in fair reouest-
fine American now bringing 30 to Bis. per bbI
LIvEgPooG.-Our market here has been lilo
that Of London, rather animate for all kinds of
grain. The demand is extensively large.
Speculative purchases were made Of barrel hour
both free and bonded, from The 9TH to the 9Th inst.
In Indian corn there has been an extensive inqui-
ry, and the stock being much reduced, prices have
advanced IS to Is. per or.
On the 9th inst. large operations were renewed.
Wheat sold readily at an advance Of fully cd per
bnshel on the rates Of that day week.
Free flour may be quoted at an advance Of Sc.