Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1863-01-17
Local Affairs i'm Riclmond.
From The Richmond Erdmiher Jan. ?.
GREAT ADVANCE IN SUGAR AND MoLAssE

From the Rlchm07id ftrd7ptht Jan. Z.
GREAT ADVANCE IN SUGAR AND MoIAssEs.
From some cause, unknown outside the
circle of spectators and extortioners the
two staple commodities of sugar and molas-
ses have taken an alarming rise within the
past two or three days, and prices have
reached figures never before attained since
the war gave its fictitious and unhealthy
value to every thing that afforded specula-
tive turn.
Brown Sugar sold yesterday at 95 cents
per pound by the barrel, and Molasses at
$6'10a6'25 per gallon, wholesale, The same
commodities were retailing-Sugar at S1a
ITO per pound and Molasses at S7'5Oas and
upward per gallon.
OF course all kinds of bakers confection-
cry, in which sugar and molasses form ingre-
dients, shot up proportionately in price, and
yesterday dozen comnivsl sweetened cakes
that sold last week for % cents per dozen,
were up to 40 and so cents, and all other
kinds OF cake in proportion. Parties who
confess to know attribute the advance to the
active aggressive operations of the enemy in
the South and Southwest, which may ulti-
mately result in the destruction of commu-
nication with Richmond for time. This,
! If not the real reason, will serve well for an
excuse and the speculative mania that will
now certainly ensue, will run up prices be
| yond the present rates, if the matter be not
taken in hand by the Government OF the
people.
Yesterday the negro hiring season reached
| its climax in Richmond. The officers ofthe
hiring agents were thronged with masters
and mistress hunters of both sexes and all
ages and conditions.
No space within, the black mass over
| flowed into the street, and settled down
along the sidewalks and gutter, waiting to
be "hired," while expressions such as "Hah
you been hired yet Z" Who's your massa
this year ~ were heard, occasionally inter
rupted by 9 "hoe-dowH" On the pavement.
Stimulated by the spirit ofextortion which
has come to peryade all transactions in which
money is concerned, the negro" is CONNER
cial parlance may be quoted as ''stif,' and
holding firm" above former quotations con-
siderably
Those who, being free, have the hiring
out of themselves, initiate the master of slave
labor, and hold themselves up to the ''high-
est bidder" with an amount of assertion and
impudence that deserves to bring "knock
down" at least.
The number of negroes hiring in Rich
mond and vicinity is greater than at any
|
have been sent here by their owners from the
possession of the enemy
| MARKET REPORTS, JANUARY Q.
! The general business of the city will moi
be fairly resumed before the end of next
week. The warehouses, mills and manufac
tories are still closed.
The almighty niger" and the exorbitant
price of his hire is everywhere the topic o.
conversation, and the endless source of won
dcrment. Adult negroes, male and female
are hiring for $500 to $3.50. Boys between
twelve and fifteen bring $75.
Government is hiring great number o
negroes, and is regulating the price Th
present offers fine opportunity for person
who have been driven from their homes b,
the enemy to dispose of their negroes for tn
year.
Nothing has advanced so much in price
within the last twelve months as alcohol
liquors, and the prospect is that they hav
not yet touched the top. The yilest whisky
which before the war gentleman woul
not give to his negroes, is now eagerl
sought after, and bought at from $25 to So
a gallon. French Brandy is worth fror
$40 to $50,
, Apple brandy is now the best and cheapes
liquor to be had in this market, but eve
that has within the past two days advance
as many dollars. We quote it to-day .
SEQ gallan. The small quantity IN thi
market, and the impossibilty of bringin
, on further supply in the entire absence {
, transportation, must send it up still highe
J in very short time. We should not b
, surprised if it should advance to S25 by til
, close of the week.