The Portland daily press., 1865-12-20

lots from first hands, unless otherwise stated and in
filing small orders, higher rates have to be charged
For figures see quotations in another column. .4
Gold, which touched 144s Wednesday has been
steadily gaining during the week, closing at
Tuesday. The market has exhibited remarkable
frmness under large sales, estimated at 81 500 0OO@
100000 daily, by the U. s. Assistant Treasurer in
New York. The demand for customs and for ship
ment to Europe seems to have absorbed these large
sums without difficulty. The Scotia, from New York
for Liverpool, carried out 1851, 400 Wednesday, 1t
to be pretty well settled, that the government
cannot sell coin enough to materially abrdge the gap
between gold and currency. According to Mr.. Nc
Cullock's view, that gap can only be closed by re-
ducng the volume Of currency. tttA -
Congress has yet shown very little disposition to
NEEDLE with commercial affairs, which remain very
much in satu quo, except that the day of settlement
is believed to be postponed Money iseasier, though
not enough to help Western spectators in produce,
as witness the late heavy failures in Chicago For
eign trade is more active owing to an advance on
many articles in foreign markets and the downward
tendency at home. The export demand, of course,
reacts upon prices here and tends to raise them to
former figures. The consumptive demand for both
foreign and domestic goods, which had been checked
by the uncertainty prevailing before the meeting OF
Congress- mas revived 70 purpose, anu the VOL
ume of transactions in many departments has been
larger during the past week than for time pre-
viously. Prices exhibit marked change. Freights
to Cuba are lower.
APPLES Good winter fruit is in fatr supply and
dull and heavy at S5@6 ~ brl. Cooking apples
are quiet but r% at aaSc Il for Western apa and
Eastern.
AsHEs-Pot ashes are in active demand for ex-
portation at 9Jl11c P H. Receipts light and quite
inadequate. s ..s....r - -
BEANS-The local demand for white pea beans
7S@s Su MsrroWs are in a demand for
$2a2 25. l3sI
BOX sHooKs-M Manufacturers are now holding
good pine boxes at soc, and sales have been made
during the week at Use. Advices from Cuba are
more encouraging.
BREAD - Is firm and we continue to quote
round pilot at 11913c " H. square at 911c ship at
7@sc Rib, and crackers at 5O9eOc % 100 !
BUTTER-Receipts Of choice family butter are
fair but not large and prices continue to rule at
about 40945c ID. Store butter is dull and declining
CANDLES-Trowbridge' moulds are still quoted
at 2og21c Pfb. Sperm are in moderate demand at
CEMENT-The demand continues to diminish,
but stocks are light and prices still rule % 700275
Pbrl.
CHEESE-:yermont factory cheese is steady at 1870
yS and hew X9s sna aSoc The market quiet
COAL-Dealers continue to retail Lehigh, Red and
White Ash at $40 y ton, delivered. Cumberland re-
mains steady at S12.
We learn from q dealer lust returned from Phila-
dephia, that there is very little good coal in that
market. Production is less active; Eastern ship
ments are about over tor the season; holders are
busy with their annual balances business is very
quiet and prices and feighs entirely unsettled
COFFEE-The market is quiet with light con-
sumptive demand. Java has declined to 4G95Oc ~
1b, and Rio to 32935c. -
CoOPERAGE-The market is without noticeable
change. Both ash and red oak hoops are in
good supply as heretofore quoted. Hard pine headings
are du l at 30933c. =
COPPER-The market is less excited. Copper
sheathing is firm at 55c ~ H. Yellow metal sheath
ing selling at 4Oc, and yellow metal bolts at 43c.
CoRDAGE-The market is quiet and steady. We
quote American at 2otg22c P fb, Manila 26t@27c,
and boltrope at 2sl@29c. atti
DRUGS AND DYES = There is fair demand
for articles under this head and previous rates are
generally sustained Sal soda has declined to &c %
lib. See quotations elsewhere.
DRY GOODS Cotton is firmer and slightly adj
yanced. Buyers Of cotton goods have accordingly
begun to operate with more confidence. Indeed the
necessities of consumption would not suffer much
revival Of trade Standard brown sheetinas haye
advanced to 31G33c P I'd. Prints are quiet. Heavy
striped shlrtngs are higher. American delaines are
jobbng at about 30c Woolens show no material
change t, ~ ,.- f.l go
DUCK-Portland duck continues to be taken up as
fast as manufactured at 81 20 for No. and 85c for
No. 10. f..- -. ....1,..-ss.s4--7 -
FISH-Receipts have been light and stocks are
now pretty large while the demand is Light usual
at this season. Prices accordingly tend down, and
we note slight reduction for large cod. Mackerel
rule firm with light stocks. See quotations. 81 III
FLOUR-The market is still very dull Prices
have been nominally lower, but have recovered un-
DER the infunce Of demand for expectation from
New York, and we co 'tnue our quotations unchang-
ed Buckwheat -four is selling at 7(98c Y lib, and
corn meal at 81 0s@1 10 % bu. -. - =
FRU1T-Lemons are in moderate demand at 81 80
9s box. Havana oranges selling for $3G4 ~ 1OO
halsns are in IN good supply at s5@5 25 box for
clined to 20G25c " fb. 67'
GRA!N-The corn market is quiet. and prices are
nominal. Ryeis more plenty at 81 1901 IS. Barley
is quiet and shad ng at 90c a co.. Oats steady at
6Sg65c v bu Shorts firm at $309S2 ~ ton.
GUNPOWDER-Is steady at So 80 for blasting and
SO 30 for sporting. .
pressed hay has been more active at $14916 y tom
Loose hay has been selling for about S1aO16
and straw for 80 5U910 30.
HIDES AND SKINS-We continue to quote
Buenos Ayres at 30g3zc, Western dry sailed at 1850
10, and slaughter at 999Ic. Lamb skins are steady
at $191 30. 80 = -
IRON-The recent demand for bar iron is now
measurably supplied. Prices however are well
sustained, as there is no accumulation and ocks are
sun mucn broKen, though recent arrivals have ma.
ter1aly relieved the market Sheet irons are in ac-
tive demand at advanced prices. Russia sheet iron
Is especially scarce and commands 50@55c. Cut nails
LEATHER-The market is more quiet. and nrices
though without material change are softening Hem
lock sole closed at 32942c ~ f the outside gnres for
middle and overweghts. Finished calskins are steady
LIME-The demand is now quite light. but nr,ces
are maintained at 81 75g1 80 y cask.
LUMBER The ma -ket has been uuiet bn+
stocks are light and prices are unchanged. Ship