New-York tribune., 1873-03-17

SATURDAY, March l5--P. NJ
The general trade of the city during the week,
while still DELAYED and checked by the causes here
tofore referred to, showed however, more encour-
aging signs of Improvement by-and-bye; and when
money shall have assumed more settled tone gold
returned TO a natural condition, and the deadlock III
exchange completely removed better feeling IS
likely to follow. Provisions have been pretty act
i've and unsettled as to prices Ocean freights were
in demand for cereals, but the breadstuiis market
has shown little variation excepta better demand
for some grades for Europe, and a consequent i'm
provement in prices Irregularity in prices is still
true of groceries, while in the dry goods as fore
shadowed last week, the continued warm and pleas
ant weather has fostered a freer movement
in about all lines with more satisfactory prospects
of a good Spring trade. The cotton market has been
dull and declining under a pressure Oh the part OF
holders, who have vanly attempted to support
prices against large stocks, liberal receipts, and
stringent money At the close quote 1850. as the
price for Low Middlings. a fall of of cent per 70
for the week. The receipts at all the ports were
So 433 bales against S2.307 bales last week, lO5j2S
the previous week. and 1O9,lj3 for the week ending
Feb 2s. The total receipts since September, 1872
were 2S80,22S bales, against 2,3i2Gl3 same time IN
the previous year, an increase this year over last OF
537 7l5 bales. The exports for the week were 4l3c
against same time ldSU year, utcled>e Oh
OS2 bales The total stocks on hand are 52S 553
against 4G67lO time last year, an increase of
81 s43 bales The total stocks in the interior towns
are 1O6S7s bales against So Ill in 1872 an increase of
90 7G5 bales. The total quantity of cotton in sight
is 2.4346C9 bales against 2,jl0,9l3 last year. de-
crease Of 1924 bales
The course of Wall-st. affairs has been governed
TO greater OF less extent by the gossip current at
all times from Washington, and the movement has
been Of special importance in any direction, and
transactions have been on smaller scale than for
several weeks past Gold has fallen from ITS high
estate, the foreign exchanges have been in part re-
heyed and stocks have mainly touched lower
figures, the general sentiment favorng declining
quotations. Money has been active all the way
through. and the more usual rate call among the
stock brokers has been thirty-secOnd and interest
though on certain days as much as "a sixteenth has
been freely paid, and in exceptional cases. There
has been, however. NOSE doing than at any
time this year at still lower rates
say gold, and 1-Gi; but we cannot
say that this has resulted from any substantially
changed condition of the monetary situation We
do not therefore, reasonably look forany permanent
ease in money until the Western cities begin to pour
ont their store of currency, and the manipulations
of stocks ON the Exchange change their tactics The
change in the Treasury Department has attracted
good deal of notice, but its effects speculation
have not been noteworthy. The volume of green
backs has been increased about million and
a half, but there evidences OF its con-
traction in part at the close of the week,
and the increase at no time sufficiently large TO
stimulate speculation. There is much anxiety
among business TO the future policy of the Sec
retary. The London markets were little disturbed
by the excitement loyer the change in the English
Ministry which caused yielding in consols, with.
however. final reaction, while American securities
have steadily advanced. The Bank of England lost
f2j7.0O0 sterling bullion during the week, but this
did not necessitate any change in the discount rate
which continues at 81 per cent, while money in the
open market was something lower. Doubtless this
occasIoned the narrower difference between 60 dav
and sight sterling, which il now only per cent,
though by good rights there should only exist a
Iaaren of {. More has been done in sterling
during the week and a good many bills have been
drawn against Erie bonds, and United States
securities sent over the other side Business has
been done also much nearer to the nominal rates of
the standard drawers. This was in great part at
Tibutable TO the change in the gold speculation and
the let up in the cash gold squeeze. The premium