FRIDAY NIGHT.--We are still without the arrival of the Indian Mail, nor
has any explanation of its detention transpired, except that which we
mentioned last week. No serious apprehension exists for its safety, as
similar detentions, of even much greater duration, have been experienced
in the arrival of the September Mail in former years, as a consequence
of the monsoon.
In Manchester, during the week, the market has been somewhat flatter in
goods suited for the Eastern markets, in consequence of merchants being
anxious to receive their advices by the Indian Mail before extending
their transactions materially at present prices. In the Yorkshire
woollen markets a fair trade continues to be done; and in Bradford a
very active demand has arisen for the goods peculiar to that
neighbourhood. In the Scotch seats of manufactures, both woollen and
cotton, the trade has considerably improved, especially in the demand
for tartans of all kinds, in which there is a very active and brisk
trade. In the iron districts, the trade continues without change since
our last: most of the works are full of orders, at low prices. In the
coal districts, in Northumberland and Durham, trade is without any
improvement whatever, and this trade, as well as their shipping, is in
the most depressed condition.
_INDIGO._--The transactions in this article have not been on a more
extensive scale in our market than last week, but a good demand
continues for the home trade, and occasionally a small advance upon the
last July rates is paid on such sorts suitable for that branch, but
there is almost no demand for export, the consumption of the article in
foreign countries being this year unusually slack. The shipments to
Russia, since the opening of the season, amount to only 2,209 chests,
against 3,439 chests during the same time last year. A public sale was
held yesterday, in Liverpool, of about 400 chests of East India, and 120
serons of Caracas. Of the former about 100 chests were withdrawn by the
poprietors, but the remainder, together with the serons, sold briskly
for the home trade, at prices about 3d. to 4d. per lb. higher than the
previous nominal value, and rather above that of the London market.
There are now 6,070 chests declared for the quarterly sale on the 10th
of October; a great portion of it consists of good shipping sorts. It is
supposed that several thousand chests more will be declared upon arrival
of the Indian Mail, now due.
_COCHINEAL._--Only two small public sales were held this week, together
of 97 serons. The first consisted of 30 serons Mexican, mostly silver,
which sold at prices from 2d. to 3d. per lb. higher than those of last
week. The lowest price for ordinary foxy silver was 4s. 4d. per lb. The
second sale was held at higher prices still, in consequence of which the
whole quantity was bought in.
_COTTON._--The purchases at Liverpool, for this week, will again reach
the large quantity of about 40,000 bales, of which a considerable
proportion is on speculation. Prices have been extremely firm, without
any decided advance, however, there not being much importance attached,
or faith given, to the statements that the American crop has suffered,
which have been received by the Halifax and New York steamers, up to 1st
inst. from the latter place.
In this market, business by private contract is again trifling. At
public sales there have been offered 714 bales American, and 3,796 bales
Surat; the former were held considerably above the value, and only 30
bales good fair were sold at 4-3/4d. in bond. Of the Surat about 2,300
bales found buyers, from 2-7/8d. to 3-1/8d. for middling, to 3-3/8d. to
3-1/2d. for fair; a few lots superior went at 3-5/8d. for good fair, and
4d. per lb. for good. The prices paid show an advance of 1/8d. to 1/4d.
a lb. upon the last public sales of 24th August, and sustain the
previous market rates, though the highest advance was conceded
reluctantly, and not in many instances; there are buyers for low-priced
cotton of every description, but there is little of it offering.
_SUGAR._--The purchases for home consumption have been upon a limited
scale, and prices barely maintained. The same remark applies to foreign
sugar. Only one cargo of Porto Rico sugar has been sold afloat, for a
near port, at 18s., with conditions favourable to the buyer. At public
sale 630 chests Bahia, and 120 chests, and 240 barrels Pernambuco, were
almost entirely bought in at extreme rates: since when only about 170
chests of the brown Bahia have been placed at an average of 17s. 6d.,
and with 50 chests of the lowest white at 21s. to 21s. 6d.; by private
contract 300 chests old yellow Havannah, of good quality, sold at 20s.
_COFFEE._--The home demand remains good; good and fine Jamaica fetched
previous rates; a parcel of Ceylon, of somewhat better quality than the
common run, sold at 51s. to 52s., which is rather dearer: very good
Singapore Java sold at 36s. to 40s. In foreign Coffee a cargo of St
Domingo has been sold afloat for Flanders at 26s. 6d. Two others being
held above that price without finding a buyer, they have been sent on
unsold. On the spot the transactions in coffee for export by private
contract are quite insignificant, and of 650 bags old St Domingo _via_
Cape, only a small proportion sold at 28s. to 30s. for pale bold good
ordinary.
_RICE._--About 4,000 bags of Bengal offered at public sale sold from
10s. to 11s. per cwt., establishing a decline of 3d. per cwt.
_SALTPETRE._--The market is sparingly supplied, and importers do not
sell except upon extreme rates, which have been paid for about 3,000
bags, viz. from 23s. 6d. for very ordinary, to 25s. 6d. for good
middling.
_CASSIA LIGNEA._--For small parcels offering in public sale full prices
have been paid; fine by private contract as high as 70s.
_PIMENTO._--Fair quality has been sold 2-1/2d. to 2-5/8d., which is
rather dearer.
_TALLOW._--The demand on the spot is not improved and the price
unaltered, 41s. 9d. to 42s.; for forward delivery there is rather more
disposition to purchase.
_RUM._--The demand is very limited, except for the finest qualities of
Jamaica, and common are rather cheaper.