The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-10-15
LETTER FROM PETERSBURG.
,orresuondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
PETERSBURG, October -, 1866

oSsSo~~ ~Ob
In the various branches Of trade the
market has been characterized by gene
raj and increased activity during the past
week. Notwithstanding the unfavorable
state of the weather, number OF country
merchants have visited the city, and made
their purchases on satisfactory terms-as
good. doubtless, as could have been had In
the northern markets, making allowance for
freight and charges. The want Of capital,
however. acts as considerable restriction
on the trade Of the city. Men from the
country need some accommodation in the
matter of credit, which our merchants are
unable to grant to any considerable ex-
tent. Business, therefore, Is generally
transacted on cash basis; nevertheless
many goods are sold on short time, in an
ticipation Of the cotton crop, which Is be-
ginning to arrive quite freely.
Our last report left the cotton marker
with q declining tendency. On Monday it
opened with but little activity, with sales
Of good to prime at IS to 35 &C.; extra, 3Gc.
On Tuesday il was still more dull at de-
cline Of one cent on the various grades.
On Wednesday sales were made at about
the same figure, say "a to 35c., the latter
for strictly prime. Owing to the stormy
weather on Thursday, there were but few
transactions, but the news from New York
gave more confidence to holders. On yes
terday sales were made to fair extent at
&c To 3G3I cents for fair to prime, some
holders asking more than these quota
tions-indeed, very choice lots might pro-
baby have been sold at 81 to 81 cents.
Much of the cotton coming in is in damp
order, owing to the recent wet weather.
Ginning at such u time breaks the hDre
and Injuries the quality of the staple.
Planters also have fallen into the bad habit
of having the picking done by the hundred
weight. The natural effect of this is that
much is picked before the bolls are fully
expanded, and therefore not in condition
for market. But the season is late, and
planters are in hurry to sell their crops.
II is hoped that by another year the I'M
proved gins will be generally introduced,
and that more care will be used In prepar-
ing tho crop for market.
The market for tobacco has been de-
cidedly more active, and the prices show
an improvement on all grades. Good featy
sorts, suitable for manufacturing, are in
good request, and at very full prices. Sales
of this description have ranged during the
week ut from els to $50, and Of coal-curcd
wrappers NEW crop) at from s25 to slOo.
Except for such wrappers, however, there
IS no disposition TO buy new tobacco. The
receipts are very trifing, and the stock In
the warehouses for inspection is getting
very low. The inspections for the last
week were l20 hogsheads, and the reviews
81.
The transactions in wheat have been
light, the principal demand being for seed,
which commands very high price-say 81
to 1926 for red, and $3.50 to s4.25 ioi
white.
An active business is doing in fertilizers,
with an advancing tendency. Guano i
getting scarce, and may be quoted ut s9e
to $3.50 cash, otherwise s95. ell, ).
Corn is In good demand, and the market
steady at $l.20 per busbel.
Bacon firm; Virginia hog round, ~ te
alc.; hams and sides, 81 to &c.; western
shoulders, II to lsc.; and sides, 2lc.
The following are the official receipts o.
shipments from Petersburg to European
ports from April l, 1856, to October. !
1866 400 hogsheads, 10 tierces, aud lat
boxes Of tobacco; zoos bales Of cotton
and 500 barrels Of -four. Il,
! The receipts per Southern railroad since
the LIST Of October are 6S1 bales Of cotton
and 10 hOSsbeads Of tobacco.
From o'clock on Wednesday till about
the same hour on Thursday there was 9
continuous fall Of yain-at times very
heavy. Tho river is consequently very
full, and still rising. Such storm is un
usual in October, and the farmers are seri
ously retarded In their work. But we may
expect much fine weather yet until the
middle or Goth Of November. SNOwDEN.