The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-26


From the 23d Of December to tho I'd Of January we
have i've business days and four holidays-enough
to give al q surfeit Of amusement and feasting.
After that We shall be comp Matively FREQ from I'M
usual Interruptions and all kinds Of employment
win 60 on naturally, and we hope prosperouay, for
several months.
We are without anything Of financial or COM
nercial character to report Those interested in
European affairs, politically or commercially, have
had sufficient time to digest the advices brought by
steauships Washington and America; and We shall
probably see the effect immediately upon the open
ing Of the markets. The news ia considered favor
able but it is our opinion that 1t viii be neutrazed
entirely BY the unfavorable character Of our bank
returns. Much disappointment has, no doubt, been
caused in financial circles by the report relative to
the banks supply Of specie. An increase Of full ono
million Of dollars was confidently looked for. Tho
stock market should In the natural course Of things,
DO depresaed upon the opening by these influences,
but We should not be surprised to see the reverse.
general advance in prices weuld not astonish us
The Southern Michigan and Northern Indiana
Railroad Company have declared semiann d.
vidend Of five per cent payable in stock) The
regular four per cent semiannual interest Of four
per cent on the Construction stock will be paid in
cash.
The steamship North Star, at this port from
Aspinwau, brings ono week later intelligence from
California and one million eight hundred and fifty
dollars in gold and gold dust. OF this specie
$3.50 ,70l il for European account. The steamship
Sonora, at Panama for San Francisco brought down
1885,, 1915 Sc in gold and gold dust. The CONNER
cial advises continue favorable and the mining 60
a. so<se Hso dat froun Gar Eron
are to the LIST inst.
The Governor Of Iowa, In his message to the LIE
gslature Of that State, expresses his qualification
at the highly prosperous condition Of the State
The receipts into the State Treasury during the
fiscal year ending Oct. 81, 1854, amounted to $685.
462 81, Of which $l0.5l5 70 were received from
sales Of Saline lands. The payments during the
year amounted to $lls,542 30, leaving balance on
hand at the close Of the fiscal year Of 1882 a. in
GLIDING $500 80, the balance on hand at the com.
mencement Of the fiscal year. The funded debt Of
the State at the commencement Of the year was
only $7s,796 70, Of which $l6,442 05 was redeemed
last Nay, leaving outstanding 1858 70, which
will be payable In 1856, '57 and $50. The Governor
urges tho prohibition of all bank notes under $l0
and cautions tho Legislature against granting un-
necessary bank charters.
The Receiver appointed by the Fayette (Ky.)
Circuit Court, to take charge of the effects Of the
Maysville and Lexington Railroad Company, pro-
ceeded to the execution Of his trust on Monday last
and on the following Cay leased that portion Of the
road between Paris and Lexington to the Coving
Con and Lexington Railroad Company The extent
of the lease Is eighteen months the sum paid 81 $50
per month; the first FIVE months rent 70 be expend
cd in putting the read in perfect running order,
The City and Union Banks of Illinois have had
their bills protested for nonredemption, and the
evidences Of protest forwarded to Springfield for
the purpose Of having them wound up in the man
ner and form contemplated by law.
The Columbia Insurance Company Of South Caro-
lima hiss suspended. This was determined upon at
meeting Of the stockholders neld on the 10th Inst,
when the following resolutions were adopted
Resolved, That the condition Of the Columbia In
surance Company requires suspension Of its business
and strict alton into its affairs.
Resolved, That the Board Of Directors and agent
be instructed to discontinue business at once and to
suspend for the present any further payment OF none
on losses incurred to DO ncurred also that motto
be given to all persons who insured this compan
OF the condition of the company.
Resolved. That committee Of three stockholders
(other than director be appointed to examine into the
affairs Of said company, and report to adjourned
meeting OF the stockholders to be held the second
Monday Of January next, plan for the final settlement
Of the affairs Of said company.
The British Board Of Trade returns for the month
ending the 9Th Of November have been published,
and again show diminution Of exports as compar-
ed with the corresponding month Of 1858, the fall
ing OF being f593, 1853. Looking, however, at the
imitation Of tie shipping business which prevailed
ut this time last year, and which caused the return
on that occasion to exhibit the extraordinary in
crease OF Gl3l2,360, this reduction is not greater
than might have been anticipated, even II nothing
had occurred to check the ordinary activity OF
commerce. Contras.ed with the same month Of ths
year before last whom the country was considered
in state Of unprecedented prosperity, the present
figures exhibit an augmentation of f7lo,202. They
show, likewise, that the contraction which has been
going on during the past few months can be at
tributed to the war only in very limited degree
since 1t is la articles suitable for the American and
Australian markets that the principal stagDstion
has been felt
The following from correspondent In Washing
ION, N. G., dated the Goth inst, shows that tbs
reports which have beea in circulation relative 50