The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-08-13
LETTER FROM PETERSBURG.
correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.
PETERsDuRG, August 10, 1861.

PETERSBURG, August III, 1851.
There has becn somewhat increased
activity in business this week, and more
sanguine feeling is expressed concerning
the fall trade than existed among our mer-
chants a few weeks ago. In most articles
of agricultural production the market is
fruer, and visitors from the country are
more numerous in proportion as farmers,
BIZ the sale Of their crops, acquire the
means Of making purchases Of necessary
supplies for their families and paying OFT
accounts made in anticipation Of their
sales. Credits have, in fact, been given
nv the merchants to rather inconvenlent
extent. both to their Virginia and North
Carolina customers, on the faith Of the in
coming crops. Should all engagements of
this kind be promptly met a new splrltWill
be infused into the trade OF the city:
The offerings of wheat have been lighter
this week than the last, the sales amount
ing to not more than 5000 bushels. The
market, however, is frmer, and an ad-
vance has been realized of from five to ten
cents. Prime white may be quoted at
from s2.35 to $40; red, Sl.50 to 81.
But little falling off is visible in the re-
ceipts of tobacco, the amount brought in
being 800 hogsheads, against 29O hogsheads
last week. The breaks are heavy and
prices for all good descriptions fully sus-
tanned.
There is also increased firmness in the
cotton market. The demand from manu-
facturers is better, and the price has ad-
vanced during the week about one cent
per pound. Yesterday the market ruled
steady. and closed at the following figures
Middiing, Is to 26 cents; low mlddEng'
osl/ to 81 cents; ordinary, 20 to ~ cents.
The last crop of cotton being now nearly
all exhausted, the aggregate foots up httie
nnore than 1900, 900 bales, leaving hardly
enough behind to raise the grand total TO
o0O 600. Under oil the circumstances 1t
mnst he acknowledged that this is great
Weld. and until the labor of the country
sholI he established on a settled basis, 1t
con scarcely be expected that the South
w;ll he able to make better showing.
And should the leading cotton States on
the Gulf be turned over to the supremacy
of the colored race, which there is every
reason to fear will come to pass, that man
must possess great deal Of faith who be-
lieyes that the production will be kept up
10 the present figures. It may seem very
anti.Radical, and wholly opposed to the
spirit of progress; but your correspond
ent finds it difficult to believe that more
than one family in ten of the freedmen, II
left to themselves, will ever make bale
of cotton or hogshead of tobacco to send
to market.
MIR. R. M. Smith, late of the Richmond
Enquirer, has received the appointment of
president of the Petersburg Female Col
iepe, in place of Professor Carr, who has
removed to Warrenton, in Fauquier. This
college was established some twelve or
fifteen years ago by leading men of the
Methodist denomination in this city, and
has had large measure of success. 1t is
doubtless matter Of deep regret with all
the readers of the Enquirer that Mr.. Smith
should have withdrawn from the editorial
fraternity, for he was clear and vigorous
writer; but he has wide sphere OF use
fitness before him in the new profession
in which he is about to engage, and we
welcome him to the Cockade city with
cordial greetings. 5.