Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-03-31
WHOLE NO. 1856.

in way which never could have taken place un-
der other circumstances The rebels having
been driven out of all that portion of Virginia
through which this railway runs, the route is now
perfectly safe, for freight passengers, as much
so as any in the country.
There has been great excitement among
whisky dealers and SPECTATORS the past week,
owing 70 an amendment made TO the tax bill in
the House of Representatives, taxing all distilled
spirits in store as well as all distilled after the lst
of May. AS il is well known that speculative
purchases of whisky have been made largely and
generally, the last six or eight months, on the
ground of an anticipated excise duty, and that
the quantity thus purchased has been swelled TO
enormous proportions, it can be well imagined
what CONSERVATION this news produced among all
who had been thus speculating, "A decline of
3a4c per gallon was at once established; the
speculative demand ceased altogether, and Satur-
day and Monday prices were nominal. Monday
evening l6c was agreed on, and moderate de-
mand existed at this rate yesterday Now, we
do not believe that taxing retrospectvely will be
done, because it is contrary TO what Is just and
fair, and the custom Of the Government: but we
do not think that the tax distilled spirits ought
to be 25a30c per gal, because there will be as
much of it consumed at 40c as at 25c per gallon,
and if drawback is given on foreign shipments,
as much distilled at one price as the other. This
every man. conversant with the trade, knows and
admits. The project of taxing spirits, rectifed
and used in manufactured liquors, is another mis-
take made in passing the tax bill. This is dupli
cate taxation and is we'll calculated to produce an
immense amount of difficulty and swindling.
The provision market has been heavy all the
week, and the tendency of prices downward. A
hope that the opening of the Mississippi would
lead TO speculative movement, has kept holders
rather firm and prevented them from pressing
their stocks on the market in such way as to
lead 10 large and sudden decline, still the pres
sure has been light, but enough to keep the mar
ket heavy and to depress prices from day to-day.
The demand noticed in our last, induced more
irmness on the part of holders, in the early part
of the week and slight advance was asked for
bulk meats; but this frmneSs soon yielded to
desire to sell and concessions were made to meet
buyers. from day to day, and at the close inside
brands city mess pork were offered at SO SO
Bulk pork at 3 and 41l5c and bacon at 33z 5 and
&c, without buyers. Bulk hams 4c, and smoked
DC and nominal Sugar cured hams 615@716c
and in fair demand. Rumppork 6@7, according
to quality, and prime 81 50@s 25, the latter
without heads and these rates are nominal, ex-
cept for sugar cured hams.
Lard has been held with good deal of firm
ness with good demand at &c for prime, and
634c for head and gut, holders generally asking
1s@Ac higher. Prime kegs may be quoted at
714@71sc.
Flour has not changed during the week, the
demand has been local, there being none taken
for export worthy of note. For the manufacture
of army bread there is fair demand from city
bakers for superfne at 81 25a4 80.
Wheat has been in light supply and good de-
mand, and prices advanced 2a3c, closing at 95a
CSC for red and 81 05al 0S for white.
Corn has been unsettled the unsettled state of
the market for, and large decline in whisky,
having made distilers withdraw from the market,
and on Saturday they did not offer over Soc, but
the receipts being light and the stock on hand
small no decline established, and 35 cents
was freely offered at the close and 36c asked.
Oats firm at 27c.
Rye in good demand at 55a56c.
Barley 65a70c for prime spring and fall.
Clover seed advanced to S5, and in very light
supply at the close. The demand was chiefly
from Louisville. The market closed buoyant.
Timothy dull at 81 60al go.
Linseed oil advanced to SO cents and is in fair
demand
circular issued by the Board of Underwriters
of this city, refusing to insure buildings in which
Coal or Petroleum oils are stored, produced
most unsettled market for these articles, and
commission houses and others had busy time
disposing of this contraband oil. and refuge
had to be found for it beyond the city limits or in
isolated buildings not insured. Carbon was sold
at lSa20c and coal at 25c, and we heard of sales
of Petroleum at Soc per bbl. but the market cur
rent rates are for carbon 23a25c, and for coal %
a30c
There has been fair business done in gro
ceries. in the jobbing way. Sugar and molasses
are firm, but coffee is very dull, though the army
is taking good deal OF it; but the masses Of the
people have given up the use of it to great ex-
tent, which, by the way, we consider very unpa-
patriotic, if not positively disloyal.
1t should be hoped that those who cannot
shoulder their guns to assist in putting down this
gigantic rebellion might do so by drinking cup
of coffee two or three times day. 1t probably
has not occurred in this way to patriotic citi
zens who are roasting potatoes, barley, rye and
other grains and roots to avoid paying pittance
in the shape of coffee duty to restore law and
order to our country.
1t is difficult to buy prime molasses below 36c,
and it is in many cases held at 40c.
Sugar firm and in fair demand at full rates.
Beef cattle were very dull during the first half
of the week. and the best on the market did not
bring over 50 25, but the supply fell off, and at
Mondays market, there was more 6rmness, and
some choice shipping brought 50 so.
Hogs very dull at S3a3 so.