Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-12-30
From the Cincinnati Price Current, Dec %.
Financial and Com me rcfaI Summa ~
for the Past Week.

The adyces brought from England by the
America, which arrived at Halifax on Saturday,
and the Arago which passed Cape Race, and the
unexpected return of Gen. Scott by the latter
steamer, from Paris, have been the absorbing
subjects of discussion for two days, and rather
gloomy conclusions have been deduced. The
general impression is that Gen. Scott having per-
ceived that there great danger of a rupture
with England, has returned to give his advice
and counsel, or that he has been placed in posses
sion of important intelligence regarding the de-
signs of the French Emperor which can only be
impaired in person. II the feeling of the Eng
lsh people against the United States is as bitter
and malignant the leading papers of that
country indicate, war between this country and
that is simply question of time Still we think
it is not possible that an immediate war will take
place, simply because England is not prepared
for it on the one hand, nor does this country de-
sire it on the other, and will use every means in
the power of the Government to avoid it. The
news had a depressing effect upon business gen.
orally, and merchants and bankers are greatly
agtated. - y =
TIE question of suspending specie payments
has been discussed by the New York bankers du-
ring the week, and it seems to be pretty general
ly admitted that in order 10 prevent the expert of
specie. which has already commenced, since ster
ling exchange went up to ITO, this must be re-
sorted to sooner or later. Importations of for
eien goods will rapidly fall off under the present
state of uncertainty and insecurity, sc that should
the export of specie continue, it will be the re-
suit Of fear rather than the laws of trade. 1t
can not be denied that the cloud Of trouble which
has settled over our country grows thicker and
darker, and the contemplation of the future sad
der ard sadder from week to week. "
The demand for money continues light and for
short paper the market is easy at l0@l2 per cent.
Long contracts are avoided
The deluand for exchange has been moderate,
and the market rules steady at premium
selling rate. An increased demand for gold,
and rates are up to q al prem. selling rate We
quote
Buying. Selling.
Gold. ..........15@k prem en- z@ff prs@
The specie in the New York banks is rapidly
decreasing. Some has been shipped to Europe,
but the great bulk of the decrease has been with
drawn by depostors The reduction of specie
for the two weeks ending last Saturday. is seven
million dollars.
On Monday, bill reported from the Commit
tee on Ways aud Means. increasing the duty on
coffee lie per Id, tea c per Id, molasses per
gallon, raw sugar &c per 10, refined do lie do,
passed the House of Representatives, and will,
no doubt, pass the Senate. This increase will
make the duty on coffee SC per 10, on moIasses &c
per gallon, on raw sugar 2 &c per ID and tea 2Oc
per h. ss- -aaf.ees
An advance has been established in all these
articles more than equal to this increase of duty,
partly in anticipation of this. but more especially
OWING to the anticipated war with England. which
would stop foreign trade effectually, and pro-
duce large advance in the prices of all foreign
goods. 49,,
The positive assurances given by the Secretary
of the Treasury to the New. York banks that
there would be no war with England, consequent
upon the Trent Affair." excited an assuring influ-
ence in business circles in New York last week,
but the news from England and the return of
Gen. Scott, to which we have already referred,
have more than counteracted this.
In the forepart of the week the temperature