The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-03-17
FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL.
FRIpAY. March l6-6 P. NJ.

FRIDAY, MaIcQ I'D II NJ.
The imports of dry goods for the week ending
this day were $l,7670 600, against s725,000 same
week last year, and 900 same week Of 1858;
the total amount entered at the port to date since
Jan. being s30J547 600, against s27530,000 to
same date last year, and Sill ,347 900 to same date
of 1858. These figures useful in accounting for
the complaints which are beginning to be made by
the dry goods importers. It seems certain that
French silk goods ribbons, ladies' dress goods and
all descriptions of dry goods which fall under the
head Of articles Of luxury, are selling at from 20 to
80 per cent below cost. With regard to staple
goods, opinions differ. Several leading importers
report to US that all kinds of staple goods-cot
tons, woollens and silks-are selling at fair
profit: this statement, however, does not command
the assent of the financial and commercial world
generally. 1t is true that the South is buying more
largely than usual; but the stock Of goods which
was wintered over was unusually heavy. and the
imports are as stated above in excess Of those Of
last year, which were justly considered excessive
at the time. If the importers Of dry goods are
doing well they are more fortunate than might have
been expected. From all that we can learn, the
regular importing houses have this spring ordered
at least AZ much a. usual from Europe, while most
Of the jobbers have gone into the importing bust
ness on their own account, and are now receiving
goods from sea, many or most Of which they
could buy 20 per cent cheaper in the auction
stores in this city. This fall, from all ap-
pearances, the same errors will be repeated. The
banks are urging money on the jobbers and small
Importers it will not be their fault II the import
of dry goods be not larger than ever before, and
the losses in the trade proportionately great
There Is further relaxation in the rates of mo-
ney. We quote to-day prime short paper 8 per
cent, line Of very choice April paper having been
taken by leading house ats. -Four six months pa
per we quote 81 81 per cent, the general rate for
two good names being per cent. Some Of the banks
called in their loans to-day, which created some stir
among the brokers; the rate Of loans on cali re-
mains, however, at s per cent The movement Of
coin ct the Sub Treasury continues moderate; the
receipts for duties to-day were $ls4 o00 the total
receipts $243 927 the disbursements $225 $40, and
the balance this evening $s,01s,7s2.
Foreign exchange has been quite inactive for
the packets sailing tomorrow. The leading bank
ers ask 1857 100 for sterling bills, but we hear of
very few transactions above 1881; there are fair
commercial bills in market at 1854 !. Francs
range from 5l6} to $50, the former being the
highest rate asked by bankers. The only specie
we hear of as likely to 60 tomorrow is parcel Of
$4,000 shipped from California to England via
New York.. A glance at the exports Of cotton viii
explain the dulness Of foreign exchange. Our
shipments Of cotton from September l, 1859, to
date have been 2, 900 bales which must have
furnished about sos 900 600 of foreign exchange
to same date last year our shipments were 1891,
600 bales which produced about SIC, 600 900 of ex
change; excess Of cotton bills this season, $780,.
100000
The following are the last quotations Of sight ex-
change on New York At the cities mentioned, the
quotations being in al cases for rold:--