, 1865-01-24

from long experience say 1T Will exceed
the present years crop by fully 1000
hhds. So far well for the planters, if
prices will only get up again in the En-
glish markets; the present low prices are
ruinous to them. A memorial was some
time ago forwarded to the Secretary Of
State relative 10 the purchase of a dredg-
ing machine; a reply has been received,
and he offers to procure a loan 10 England
for the purchase of one, to be repaid by
o sinking fund Of q yearly amount extend
ing over 90 years. He requires a tax to
he raised to pay the interest and sinking
tand yearly. As yet no decision by the
local authorities has been come TO. A
few days ago a sailing boat arrived here
with four sailors on board belonging to
the French schooner Of war Ameranthe.
The men were arrested by the superin-
tendent of police. Although we'll armed,
they offered no resistance. They con-
fessed that they had deserted the pre-
vious evening from the above-named vessel.
The matter was referred 10 the Judge of
the Court Of Admiralty, who, after a long
inquiry, decided they should he liberated.
Not having committed any off nee in this
island, no law justified their commitment
in a free port under the British flag The
schooner of war arrived the same after
noon, and made q claim to the governor
for the men and boat. The latter was
Immediately handed over 10 him, but not
the former, who are somewhere in the
country, grateful 70. the protection offrr-
ed them under the British flag. They had
committed no crime; therefore, by the
Sro,Fvy ovi ,t;,u hn4 ,.o C..oF p.;+,;, ,.I
her colonies and France, they were free
the moment they put their feet on British
soil.
"The bark Jane arrived on the 9th ult.
from London, bringing an immense sup
ply of every description Of goods, but
there Is q most u~naccountable scarcity of
money to make purchases with. How TO
account for the fact | scarcely know, UNI
less it arises from the low prices of pro-
duce in the English market preventing
planters from drawing bills of exchange.
"The expectation of cattle to The French
Island Of Martinique still goes on at the
rate of 60 TO 70 per month. Very soon
there will DO but few remaining in the
island.
Cocoa is coming slowly to market;
there will not be half a crop this season.
For rum there is no demand"
At Grenada great animation had sprung
up among the merchants. Importations
from England had been large and diverSi-
fed, but from the United States Of America,
whence arrivals of provisions, &C., used
TO be very frequent, there had not been "A
cargo for three months. Owing TO the
s~luggishness of sales, however, the mar
ket was hardly felt to be short stocked in
anything save pitch pine Iumher and some
few other articles. The weather had been
dry Of late, and "a sudden check came upon
the growth of the canes. This, happen
ing in December, must seriously affect
the crop; especially on those plantations
which lie in exposed situations along the
coast. Still there was no cause for de-
%spondency; for although the returns may
not realize to their full extent the ex-
pectations reasonably based upon the
scale Of culture pursued throughout the
colony this year, yet the sugar crop pro-
misses not to be "a bad one. With regard
to other productions of the soil all was
satisfactory. The colonial banks selling
rates of EXCHANGE IN The 9th nit wpre.-