The Portland daily press., 1869-07-24

Letter from new IOfks
Ths Asser Heuse-Buslness-- zeney Mar |
kes-Lnmber NEarkes-- sheeIxs- Ouba- |
suEar Market Keung nEen's Chriatian
Association.
NEW York, July q, 1869.
TO the Editoref the Press
arrived at the "Astor" yesterday morning,
and found the house much improved under
the management of @. A. Stetson's sons,-the
father having retired to his fam in Pennsyl-
vania.
The Office has been changsd, rooms painted,
an elevator for the upper stories put IN, adding
mnch to the comfort of the guests OF The
House.
Many OF the old servants who had grown
negligent and untdy in the service OF the
House. have been dismissed. Many OF the old
boar,lers are gone One remains who has
stood by in prosperity ard adversity-occupy-
ing the same room from the opening of the
House-Samuel Marsh, Esq, native of Ha-
verhill, Mass, with fine figure, straight as
an arrow, and. like our townsman, John Neal,
always wearing his frsck coat buttoned up
Mr. Marsh was for mary years railroad di-
rector in the Erie but, too honest for Jim
Fisk, his place was filled by one who could
be moulded to suit the wishes of 'sthe ring"
Business generally is very dull, aud all
classes complain. The question asked is, when
will there be an improvement?
THE MONEY MARKET
Is much easier, although first-class acceptances
sell at ten to twelve per cent. per annum
What must the rate have been two weeks ago?
The records Of the court will show what Wall
Street Shylocks loaned money ON call at 800
to 400 per cent, combining together to make
currency scarce by borrowing and boarding
up. They have been prosecuted, and will have
to pay severely for their ayarice
LUMBER MARKET.
Lumber is in very good demand for spruce,
which sells readily at fair prices. Cooperage
stock Is without the least demand for export.
Stock Of shocks estimated at 10000.
CUBAN AFFAIRS.
The future of Cuba is uncertain. A merchant
from Matanzas advised me to-day that Sickles
was authori -ed to purchase the island, at $780,
700 money 10 be paid by the Cubans, with
the alter native from our government in case of
refusal Of acknowledging their independence.
This came from Representative in Con-
gress, lately from Washington, but do not
believe II. In my opinion the rebellion has
fzzed out
Gen. Ryan, lately Col Ryan, has gone over
the lines into Canada, to rest from his labors,
and the Cuban Junta are to move south ESQ
says report today where Marshal Barlow
cannot watch them and their expeditions can
be fitted out without molestation; but it is not
to be supposed that the chivalrous young Gu
bans who walk the streets of New York rath-
on than fight the battles of freedom ON Cuban
soil, will follow them.
Much bad feeling has been exhibited towards
our government by these young men, because
they cannot remain at their ease in this coun-
try AID fit out expeditions against friendly
power; enlisting our people to fight their bat
ties.
lris said that our government will watch
the movements of the Junta as closely in the
South and in the Gulf as in New York. and
that Span shall have no cause to complain Of
our neutrality. nsnsaa
asked my friend from Matalxas this cues
tion: Can the Cnbans maintain their indepen-
dence il the island is purchased? His reply
was, Certainly not" What then?' "Let
our government send out 20, 600 men, for DO
lice force (having no outward foe to contend
with TO keep the contending elements quiet
What an absurdity it would be for our gov
ernment to purchase the island for $2O0. 900 900
and then maintain standing army of 10000
ment When our government contracts to pur-
chase fhe island the Cubans will not contribute
one shilling towards paying for IT, Better give
our sylnpathies to the pieseat Spanish govern
ment and strengthen that In the progress Il
has made rather than 20 break it down.
resulting in the return Of the Bourbons to
power, or for Napoleon under some pretext to
seize the Spanish crown, to divert attention
ftom troubles at home.
is,4sHs~ THE SUGAR MARKET
Is very dull. Some twenty five to thirty mil
lions Of dollars locked up in Cuba's short CROP.
An old merchant remarked to me TODAY that
somebody scould be hatst II there was not an
early Improvement in this articie-that the
load was too heavyto carry much longer
Ah YOUNG MEMS cHRIsTIAH ASSOCIATION.
4 a visited the Young Mems Christian As
sociations rooms, corner 22d street and Fif
tsenth Ayenses, last evening, This Assoeia-
ton is doing Q vast amount Of good
The new rooms, corner of Twenty third
street and Fourth Avenue will cost over
$5OOpe0, q splendid building. VIM. E. Dodge,
contributes $4,000 and his con VIM. K. Dodge
Ja., who presided so handsomely at the con
in Portland, $4,000 more. The sons |
income the last year Is returned 100000 and |
the fathers much larger. ssiA M
If the rich men Of this country would only |
lay their wealth ON Gods altar, as these men
have done. 1t would not be long before Chris |
tianitya would prevail everywhere, and His /
kingdom come whose right it is to reign in the |
hearts Of men as in the armies of Heaven.