Newspaper Page Text
BY JAMES GA liDYEK.
orriCß on mointobh-street,
rai-iD dogs rnoji the i«hh-w«si ooaußa or
BROAD-BTBKET
- -TERMS;
D-iily, in advance » nBUBI 00
ft If notin advance per annum 7 «W
Tri- Weekly, in advance, per annum 4 00
If not in advance porannum o 00
Weekly, in advance. ...per 2 00
. —— ll ' " ""
Postmaster General 1 a Report.
ABSTRACT.
The Postmaster General’s report is necessarily,
from the amount oi detail which an annual state
ment of the condition ot his department requires, !
exceedingly long. Much of it is no interest to
the general reader, and we therefore select from I
itoniy such portions as convey information that
and post routes.
The whole cumber of post offices in the United
States on |the 30th of June, 1854, was 23.548.
Os this num iber 257 tsrg, offices the annual com-]
missions from which amount to one thousand
dollars or Upwards, and the appointments at these
offices are therefore made by the President, by
and with the advice ami consent of the Senate,
. agreeably to the provisions of the act of 1836
The number of offices established during the last
fiscal year was 1,842, and the number discon
tinued 614, showing a net increase in one year
of 1,228. The number of whi< :h the sites end j
year was 499. The number of postmasters ap
-4,185 were appoint e« to fill vacancies occasioned
deaths; 294 by change of names and sites; and
1,842 on establishment of new- offices.
The total number of offices on the Ist of De
cember, 1554, was 23,925
On the 30th June last there were in operation
6,697 mail routes. The cumber of contractors
was 5,167.
The length of these routes is estimated at
219 935 miles.
, The total annual transportation of mails was
63,387,005 mile#, costing $4,630,676, and divided
aa follows, viz:
21,267 603 miles by modes not specified, at
$1,092822, about 5 cents per mile.
6 cents per mile.
15,433.389 miles by railroad, at 51,758610,
about ] l cents 4 mills per mile.
5,795,483 miles by steamboat, at 5489.138.
about 8 cents 4 mills per mile.
Compared with the services of the 30th June,
1853, there is an increase of 1,494.463 miles of
transportation,or about 2* per cent., and $134,708
cost, being about 3 per cent.
The increase of railroad service'is 2,446,284
miles, and the expense $157,281, being 19 per
cent, in transportation, and not quite 1 per cent.
Sl*?** * r j crease d transportation by modes not
specified is 377,157 miles, or about 1 per cent.,
at a cost of $37,520, or 3 35-100 per cent.
The transportation by coaches is less by 439,-
796 miies, or about 2 per cent; though at an in
creased cost ot $83,137, or 6 88-100 per cent.
The unprecedented extension of railroads su
perseded much coach service. The increased
cost for a diminished amount of such service may
be accounted for from the fact that the new con
tracts in New England and New York, com
mencing Ist July, 1853, were made at largely
enhanced rates, increasing the aggregate expense,
If while the amount of service was largely reduced.
Ip The steamboat transportation during the past
year was reduced 589,582 miles, or 15| percent,
at a reduced cost of $143,230, or 29 7-10 per
cent.
T his is accounted for by the discontinuance of
service between Wilmington, North Carolina,
and Charleston, South Carolina, Savannah,Geor
gia, and Charleston, and Detroit, and Buffalo, and
the suspension of service on the Arkansas and
White rivers, owing to the failures of the con
tractors.
Several steamboat routes were also dispensed
witu at the lettings of new contracts for New
England and New York.
The portions ot service in the foreiging estimates
chargeable to California are 591 630 miles of an
nual transportation, costing $142,933, and vary
ing but siigbtly from last year’s report
Steamboat transportation 159,120 miles at
$21,000.
Coach w 174,026 miles, at $35,185.
Modes not specified, transportation 258,484
miles, at $86.548.
In Oregon the rervice is as follows:
Steamboat, 38,038 miles, at $17,000.
Modes not specified, 98,988 miles, at $2,151.
Total transportation 137,026 miles.
Total cost $45,152.
The annual transportation by steamboat was
increased 10.760 miles during the year without
additional pay.
EXPENDITURES, REVENUE AND DEFICIT.
The AuJitor reports the expenditures of the
department for the last fiscal yearat $8 577,424.-
12, for the following objects, via:
Compensation to postmasters $1,707,708 29
Extra compensation to postmasters
by the act of March 3,1851 34,799 97
Ship, steamboat, and way letters.. 19,549 67
Transportation of the mails, inclu
ding the mails to Bremen, Havre,
and Havana, and the mails across
the isthmus of Panama 5,401,382 50
Wrapping paper 40,463 66
Office furniture for post offices.. .. 5,929 36
Advertising 103,963 57
Mailbags 48J161 57
Blanks g 78,176 81
Mai Mocks, keys and stamps 10‘070 77
Mail depredations and special agents 48,769 51
Clerk* for offices (of postmasters) .. 631,138 26
Official letters received by pastmas
ters 447 32
Postage stamps 13,664 57
Stamped envelopes 47,418 77
Postage stamps of oWissue redeemed 5165
Payments to letter carriers 135,968 52
Compilation of po»t routes 1.000 00
Miscellaneous payments 153,617 96
Payments for British mails 94,541 39
: $8,577,424 12
The gross revenue of the iast fiscal year, in
cluding foreign postages and the annua! appro
priations from the treasury granted by the acts
of 3d March, 1847, and 3d March, 1851, in com
pensation of mail services, rendered to the gov
ernment, amounted to $6,955,586.22, viz:
Letter postage $3 277,110.50
Postage stamps sold. 2,146 476 02
I Newspapers and pamphlets 606,148.18
Tines, other than from contractors 17.50
Emolument aec'ta ol postmasters.. 81,982 46
Letter carriers 135 068 52
Recovered from tailing contractor 400.00
D'iad-letter money unclaimed,... 4,346.11
■pliacellaneous leceipts 3.166 93
.
, 6 255,586.22
Annual appropriate abov# stated. 700,000 00
$6,955,586 22
Th# revenue, as aboved stated, includes tbe
balance agaißst the department of $l3B 565 61,
resulting from our postal account with Great
Britain, Prussia and Bremen for the last fiscal
year.
The expenditure of the depaitment for the j,a*t
year, including payments for foreign postages
were, as already stated $3 577,424 12
Tbe revenue of the year, including
foreign postages and the appro
bations for free matter,amount
ed to f 6,955,596.22
A Deficiency 1,521,837 90
To the deficiency above stated
should be added the balances due
and unpaid to tbe London and
Bremen offices up to the Ist of
July last, less the balances due
J>y the Prussian office up to the
same period, viz:
Balances due tbe London office
from April 1, 1853, to June 30,
1854.. .$230,259 07
Balances due and unp’d .
to the Bremen office
to tbe same period.. 13 465.40
243,724.47 \
II ess balances due from
the Prussian office,
Ist January, 1853, to
June 30 1854 110,241.14
JuoeJ ’ 133,483 31
J Total deficiency for H 54 .. . 1,755 321 23
The deficiency for tire year ending
June 30tb, 1853, as stated in my
report of last year was $2,117,078.20
In the year 1854 the deficiency, as
stated above, was 1,755,321.23
Difference in favor of 1864... 361,756.93
COST OP STEAMSHIP MAIL SERVICE.
The cost of the service for the last fiscal year
on the several United States mail steamship
lines, and across the isthmus of Panama is as fol
lows :
N. York to Liverpool, Collins’ line,
twenty-six round tripe $858,000.00
New lork, via Southampton, to
Bremen, eleven round trips IS3 333 *>6
New York, via Cowes, to Havre,
eleven round trips 1 37,500 00
New York and New’ Orleans to
Aspinwall, twenty-four round
trips, including same number ol
trips between New York and N.
Orleans, via Havana 289,000 00
Astoria, via San Francisco, to Pan
ama, twenty-four round trips,,. 348,250 00
Charleston, via Savannah and Key-
West, to Havana, twenty-four
round trips.* 50,000 00
New Orleans to Vera Cruz, twen
tv-fbur round trips, omitting
Tampico ' 37,200.00
Aspinwall to Panama 119,727.03
$2,023,010 29
THE DEPARTMENT AND THK RAILROADS.
In adjusting the rate per mile to be paid these
railroads great difficulties continue to exist. The
principle which should regulate their pay seems
to be agreed upon. The companies allege that
the government should not ask or expect them to
perform for it any service at a less rate than that
•paid by individuals for similar services. This
principle has never been denied or disputed by
the Post Office Department; but, on the con
trary, it has always maintained—and this has
been ever the great cause of difficulty between
the depaitment and the companies—that the go
vernment has been charged aod paying much
greater prices than those paid by individuals.—
Whether this be so or not, is a matter that could
be easily settled by computation. And when
the Post Office Committee of the House of Rep
resentatives at its last session proposed a bill
fixing certain rates per mile for mail transporta
tion on the roads, if it could have been shown to
them that the rates thus fixed were too low, con
sidering the weight of the mail, its importance,
and the facilities and space given for its trans
portation, I am satisfied they would have at once
increased the rates. What is required is to fix
fair and just prices, companies performing simi
lar services to receive the same pay, which is
not now the case, and all of them to be paid ac
cording to the bulk of the mails, the speed with
which they are conveyed, and the accommoda
tions required. The sums paid by express com
panies would be a very unfair criterion by which
to regulate the charges to be paid for the con
veyance of the mails. Controlled by no com
petition excepting such as it is in the power of
the railroad companies themselves to prevent,
they can pay any prices which may be demand
ed of them and assess it upon their customers.—
It would be unjust, too, to found a calculation
upon the assumption that the mail car was twen
ty-five feet in length, fifteen fora mail room,and
ten for a post-office, and then to estimate and
charge both for weight of car and mails at four
teen tons.
Accommodations such as these ere required
both for the security of the mails and to enable
route agents properly to discharge their duties
and to this fact I early drew tha attention of the
companies; but these accommodations have not
been given. Many of the railroads, desirous of
properly serving the public, devote a car exclu
sively for mail purposes; but in the great majori
ty of cases a car is divided between the govern
ment and the express companies, or a Bpace is
apportioned off for the route-agent, the mail be
ing placed with the baggage in one and the bal
ance of the car appropriated for a smoking-room.
The calculations which I have made and those
which some of the companies make differ most
widely, and show that they are receiving for the
mail much more than for first-class freight; but
the question whether the calculations of the de
partment or the companies be correct could he
readily settled by a committee of Congress ; and
if the companies wish government to pay then
oniy such prices as they receive from individuals,
the whole matter is one of easy solution. In the
• opinion that this government is paying much
more for railroad mail service than it is worth,
I have been confirmed by tbe prices paid for
similar services in England, France, Germany
and Canada. With the Great Western Railroad
Company in the latter country the department
in March 1 ist entered into a contract to carry the
United States maii from Suspension Bridge, New'
lork, to Detroit, Michigan, tor the sum of thirty
dollars a mile. The same cars carry the local
Canada mail ; and if the Canadian government
allow this company thirty dollars a mile in ad
dition to the sum received from this department,
this important trunk road will be receiving sixty
dollars a mile.
It is of very great importance that kind re
lations should alw’ays exist between the Post
Office Department and the different railroad
companies, because when such is the case the
public interests are always better served. It
has been, and will ever be, my effort to preserve
these relations. Exhorbitant demands for ser
vices, however, will always be refused; and
when a schedule is arranged, not by the depart
ment alone, because it has no such power, but
by the joint concurrence of the department and
the company, who always have regard to the
local business of the road, the public officer would
be derelict in his duty who would not exact a
cofiformity thereto. Unless such were the case,
there would be no order or regularity in the mail
system, and business in its thousand ramifications
would be seriously disturbed. When a fine is
laid, if afterwards good cause be show’ll, it is al
ways remitted; but it is not asserting too much
to say that every delay of the mail causes em
barrassment, it not injury, to hundreds, and theie
fore every excuse should be carefully examined.
The merchant, manufacturer, and farmer rely
upon the mail principally for their remittances.
All classes of our citizens anxiously await the
arrival ol their letters and newspapers; and if,
through inattention or neglect of the railroad
companies or their agents, delays take place,
what good reason can be assigned why they
should not be treated as other contractors ?
MAIL DEFREDATIONS—REGISTRATION OF VALU
ABLE LETTERS PROPOSED.
Very soon after I entered upor> my duties in
this department, its large and increasing -corres
pondence in regard to the loss of valuable let
ters intrusted to the mails attracted my atten
tion. I found, on examination of the subject,
that although Congress, in establishing our postal
system, appears to have had principally-in con
templation the providing of suitable and con
venient means ot correspondence and the diffu
sion of intelligence, yet, from that time until
now, the mails have been used, to a larger and
constantly increasing extent, for the transmis
sion ol bank notes and other valuable enclosures,
and are now the piincipal means through which
tbe remittances of the country are made ; while”
neither tbe laws nor any regulations of this de
partment have provided any additional guards !
for their security against loss or depredation be
yond those originally established. In view of
the enormous sums which are constantly passing
through tbe mails, the losses by depredation are
inconsiderable. Still, such losses are numerous, :
their aggregate amount is large, and they are
increasing with the growth of our country and
the extension of its mail service. Under these
circumstances, I have thought it proper to recom
mend such legislation on this subject as may en
able this department to give greater security to
valuable letters in the mails, without assuming
any liability for their ultimate loss. By our pre
sent system, all letteis mailed at a given date at ■
one post office for delivery or distribution at ano.
ther, are entered in gross according to thefr sev- I
eral rates of postage, upon one post bill. If a
letter of great value be embraced in the bill, !
neither its address noi any other description of
it is entered on the post-bill, by which it can be ;
distinguished trom other letters ol the same grade
or rate of postage. Nor is the address or descrip
tion of any such letter entered on the post mas- !
ter’s account ot mails sent, nor indeed upon any 1
other record kept in the office from which it is
sent. Ihe only account kept by the postmaster
is a money account , made up each day of the sev
eral aggregates of postages of the different rates,
either collected or charged as unpaid. It will be
seen that, under such a system of accounts, a mis
sing letter can never be traced with certainty,
for the account neither furnishes evidence that a'
particular letter ever reached the place of its des
tination, nor even that it left tbe office of mail
ing Believing that this imperfection in our
system can only b# remedied by the adoption of
a general and uniform plan of registration for all
valuable letters, I have, after consulting the ex*
perience of other countries on the subject, devised
a plan of registration which I think suited to our
circumstances, and likely to add greatly to the
security of the mails against depredation.
It provides that receipts shall be given for val
uable letters wnen posted, and that duplicates ot j
these receipts shall be kept for reference at the !
office of mailing; that the full address of such
letters shall be entered on a separate post-bill,
which shall be copied at large upon an account
to be kept of registeied letters sent. This post
bill is to be forwarded in a sealed envelope, sepa
rate fiom the paekage.oi letters to which it re
lates, and its receipt at the office of its destina
tion is acknowledge by a duplicate thereof re
turned to the office of mailing—marked corrnt ,
or otherwise, as it may be found on comparison.
It provides that at the large office * valuable let
ters shall be received at one window only, and
‘that the receiving clerk shall check them to the
register clerk, and he to the mailing clerk. It is,
in short, designed to fix responsibility and to fur- !
nish means which do not now exist for tracing
a missing letter from'‘the point of its reception
to that of its disappearance. To carry this plan
into effect, it will be required that new and ex
pensive blanks be prepared and distributed, and
that an increased clerical force be employed in
the principal post offices. I have not, therefore,
felt at liberty to adopt it without the sanction ot
Congress, and authority to establish such addi
tional rate of postage on this class of letters as
may be deemed adequate to the expense of regis
tration.
In Great Britain the “ registration fee” on in
land and most foreign letters, is sixpence ster
ling (about twelve cents) in addition to the or
dinary rates of postage, and it expressly provided
that “ such registration shall not render the Post
master General of the frost office revenue in any
manner liable for the loss of any such post let
ters or the contents thereol.” It is believed that
authority to establish an additional rate of five
cents on on each letter registered, and to require
the postage on all registered letters to be pre
paid, would enable the department to carry into
effect the plan here submitted without prejudice
to its revenues.
It is not proposed to make the registering of
valuable letters compulsory, nor that the govern
ment shall become liable for such letters when
lost, but only to enable each person mailing a
valuable letter to do so in the ordinary manuer,
or to add something to its security by the pay
ment of a small registration fee.
I have no doubt that the registration of valua
ble letters, as proposed, would be highly appre
ciated as a means of security by the large com
mercial classes of the community, whose collec
tions and exchanges are made principally through
the mails, and who have, from time to time, urg
ed in vain upon this department the adoption of
some such plan for their protection. I believe,
too, that such a system of registration would re
lieve this department from the imputation of nu
merous losses not properly chargeable upon it—
case9 in which valuable letters alleged to have
been lost through the mails either never reached
any post office, or have been stolen alter arriving
at the places of their destination.
PROPER DISTRIBUTION OF MAIL MATTER—IM
PROVEMENT CONTEMPLATED.
Ihe proper distribution of mail matter in a
country so vast as ours, with so many mail
routes and so many post-offices, is a subject at
tended with great difficulty, and to which the
attention ot my predecessors has frequently been
directed. Letters, instead of having one, at
most, two distributions, have been distributed
four or five times before their arrival at the des
tined point. The consequence has been that
distiibution and delivery, commissions have al
most consumed the postage ; but the worst evil
arising from this practice has been that great
delays have been occasioned, which have always
been the subject ol just complaint. To distri
bute mail matter properly lequires a minute
know led of mail arrangements, and this the de
partments alone can have. If tbe postmasters
at the various d.stributing post offices were per
mitted to make their own distribution schemes,
j with their necessarily imperfect knowledge, great
! mistakes must occur, and, instead of a letter
I being mailed direct to the distribution office to
! which it belongs, it would be mailed from point
! to point along the route until it reached its des
tined point To prevent these delays, and at the
same time to possess myself of the local knowl
edge of the postmasters at the distributing post
| offices, I caused to be forwarded to me the differ
ent schemes of distribution. Some of them I
I found quite perfect, but the great majority of
! them were- very detective, and my only surprise
has been that greater delays in the delivery of
! letters have not taken place. lam now having
1 prepared distribution schemes for every distribu
ting office in the country, allotting to each its
proper distribution.
When they are completed the postmaster at
the mailing point can, by turning to his scheme
and looking to the counties and towns in eacn
• State allotted to the various distributing offices,
: be enabled to mail direct. The department will
j likewise have the important matter of distfibu
| tion urder its exclusive control, and when new
j mail arrangements are made, by railroad or oth
; erwise, which would change the course of distri
bution, the different offices can be instructed ac-
I cording. Much, however, re mains to be done.
| Every distribution causes delay, and this must
necessarily take place under our present system
: once or twice, which is one great cause of com
! plaint that letters do not reach their point ofdes
i tination as soon as passengers. When the letter
I is from one distributing office to another the mail
j ing is direct, and if sent on its proper course
there is no good reason for any delay. The mail
-1 ing indeed, should be direct Irom every post-office
j in the United States to another, but this under
our present system I view as impracticable.—
i With our existing regulations, which proscribe
that every postmaster shall mail direct to the
place addressed all letters for his own State or
Territory, and all letters for post offices in other
States and Territories which should pass through
a distributing office on their proper route to the
i office of delivery, rigorously enforced, and the
new schemes of distribution in operation at the
various distributing offices, I trust to be able to
give to our mails greater speeed and regularity.
NEWSPAPER POSTAGE—AN ADVANCE RECOMMEN
DED.
As the act of the 30th August, 1852 fixing
the present rates of postage on printed matter,
took effect on the Ist October following, a fair
compaiison can only be instituted between the
revenue of the two last fiscal years, through the
whoie of which the existing rates of postage
prevailed. This shows that after giving to each i
year the liberal allowance of three-fourths of I
the one-ceßt stamps sold, the year ending June
30, 1854, exceeds the pievious year only 1 45- I
100 per cent.
In this acttheie is a clause which provides
that*‘\yhen the postage upon any newspaper or j
periodical is paid quarterly or yearly in ad
vance,” one-half only ot the regular rates shail
be charged. In view of tbe trivia! increase of
the postage on printed matter, and of the ex
tremely low rates, paiticularly for newspapers
and periodicals, I would recommend that tbe law
be so far changed as to omit the clause referred !
to, leaving the department to fall back upon the
act of 1825, under which quarterly payments in
advance on hewspapers and periodicals have ,
heretofore always been required. The proprie
ty of this recommendation will be apparent not
only forthe reasons above suggested, but also !
from the following comparative statement of j
facts : Under the act in operation prior and up !
to July Ist. 1851, the postage for instance, on a i
weekly newspaper when sent not over one hun- i
dred miles, or any distance in the State where
published,, was thirteen cents, and when sent
ove* on# hundred miles, or out of the State
where published, nineteen and a half cents a
quarter.
By the act of March 3d, 1851, six different j
rates, according to distance, were established.—
Thus, on a weekly newspaper, for any distance '
not exceeding fifty miles, five cents a quarter
over fifty and not exceeding three hundred miles;
ten cents; over three hundred and not exceeding
one thousand miles, fifteen cents; over one and
not exceeding two thousand miles, twenty cents; 1
over two, and not exceeding four thousand ,
miles, twenty-five cents; over lour thousand
miles, thirty cents a quarter; and weekly news- j
papers to subscribers in the county where pub
lished were made free. By this act the postage,
it will be perceived, for any distance not over
one thousand miles, was greatly reduced; but
owing to the diversity ol rates—the too great
reduction ior the shorter and too great increase
for the longer distances—ite modification was at
once called for. and this resulted in the present
law, by which tbe quarterly- rate on any weekly
newspaper or periodical not exceeding three oun- ,
ces in weight, sent any distance in the United I
States, is only six and a half cents. On news- I
papers not exceeding one and a half ounce in !
weight, when cir:ufated in the Stats where pub- ' i
lished, the quarterly rate in still one-halt less, be
lug ouly three ami a quarter cents; ami weekly
newspapers t<» subscribers in the county where
published to hq free. I cannot avoid the convic
tion, that hau it been dearly understood that the
act ot 182.1 required payment quarterly in ud
vunce on tegular newspapers to subscribers, and
that the effect of the clause in question would be
to reduce the postage on the great bulk oi print
ed matter to rates so exceedingly low, Congress
never would have given its sanctiou to the mea
sure. If my recommendation be adopted, the
quarterly postage for instance, on a weekly
newspaper or periodical not exceeding one and a
hali ounce, circulated in the State where pub
lisher (and in the aame proportion for more fre
quent publications) will be six and a half cents ;
and when not over three ounces in weight, sent
to any part of the United States, thirteen cents a
quarter. The newspapers t 6 subscribers living
in the county where published will continue to
go free.
MISCELLANEOUS.
l'he service performed by the several lines of
ocean mail steamships is treated at large. The
Postmaster General is of opinion that the com
pensation now received is too large, and that the
present system is calculated to drive off private
competition. He also states that the Nicaragua
company have offered to carry a weekly mail
between New York and California lor the sum
of $600,000 per annum, which he thinks is the
highest rate of pay which ought i'o he demanded
1 he cost this year for a semi-monthly mail, by
the isthmus route, is $757,977.03.
No progress has been made since the last er
: b°rt ,* n the pending negotiations with Grest
; Britain relative to the admission of France into
the arrangement, as contemplated by the provi
-sion in the 12th article of our postal convention,
j No postal convention has yet been effected with
France; but one is about being made with Mex
i ico.
Arrangements have been made with the Aus
tralia line of monthly packets to convey mails
regularly between New York and Australia.—
|f he r *tes on all outgoing matter have been sited
at five cents a letter, two cents each for news*
papers, and one cent an ouqce for pamphlets and
magazines. These rates embrace both the Uni
ted States inland and sea postage.
The fines and deductions during the past year
amount to $110,486. The amount for the pre
| vious year was $37,920.
AUGUSTA, GEOKGIaT"
SATURDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 16.
See first page Daily this morning.
oy We received two northern mails last eve
ning. The Savannah mail due in the morning
did not come to hand until afternoon.
Dy We are requested to state that the Estate
sale of P. Simon will be continued this day, op
posite the Eagle & Pbtenix Hotel.
Melancholy Rail Road Accident.
We regret to learn that a young man named
Thomas Smith, aged about 23 years, a Conduc
; tor on a Freight train of the Georgia Railroad,
J was almost instantaneously killed at Madison on
j Wednesday last. We understand he was coup
ling two cars together, one belonging to the East
Tennessee Road, which being higher than those
used on the Georgia Road, the togeth
er, crushing him between them. He lived but a
few hours after the accident. Being a member
of an Odd Fellows association, his remains were
taken in charge by the Odd Fellows in Madison,
and a committee was appointed to convey them
to Rome, where his family reside.
Peruvian Guano Trade.
We have received an interesting pamphlet,
: published at Washington, on the above subject.
I It contains statements and documents in relation
, to the bill reported by the select committee of
the House ol Representatives, on the 31st of Ju
| iSSI. imposing a sliding scale of duty on the
j importation of Peruvian Guano into the United
States. Also, a "treatise on the relations of
j Peruvian Guano to American Agriculture. ,J By
Daniel Lee, M. D., Professor of Agriculture in
i the Uoivcroity Os bteorgia, <jtc.
The treatise sets forth many facts, showing
the remarkable fertilizing qualities of Guano, and
instancing remarkable cases of its productive*
ness. It is to be regretted that this article is not
brought into mere extensive use in the South—
especially upon fields appropriated to the produc
tion of Cotton, Corn and Wheat, and whose fer
tility is annually taxed by the culture beyond
the recuperative powers of nature. To counter
act this exhausting process, the free use of Gu
ano is recommended. The experience of intel
ligent agriculturists shows in figures not to be
disputed, that money even at fif
ty-five dollars per ton for Guano, is returned
four-fold. The exposition in relation to the bill
of the select committee made by Dr. Lee is in
tended to show error in the committee in pre
fering a sliding scale of duties on the article with
a view to force the Peruvian Government to
abandon or modify its present monopoly. He
claims for this monopoly the following advan
tages. Ist. Regularity and superabundance in
the importation. 2nd. Regularity in the price
of the article. 3rd. Security for its purity.—
4th. Facility in obtaining it at different points
of the United States seaboard, saving expenses.
F.ast Florida—her Lands and Agricultural
Productions.
We are indebted to the author, W. S. Rey
nolds, of Barnwell, S. C , for a pamphlet copy of
the above very interesting article. It appeared
originally in the October number of the Southern
Quarterly Review. It gives many facts in re
lation to East Florida, going to show that it is
in rlimat*, one of the most delightful, and in soil
and productions one of the most fertile and de
sirable regions in the entire South. It is com
paratively a new country, and millions of rich
acres, capable of producing the richest staples of
the country, and the most luscious fruits of the
tropics, are still waiting in virgin freshness, the
hand of the cultivator. A large emigration has
in the last few years been pouring into that part
of Florida, especially from South Carolina, and
it will not be many years more, era its foreign
and coastwise exports of Cotton, tobacco, sugar
and a variety of tropical fruits will form an im
portant feature in American Commerce.
We recommend this article, which abounds in
use f ul information relative to the lands in East
Florida, to all who contemplate seeking homes
in that ElDorade. It is worth the money to them
even if to get it ahould require a years subscripton
to the Southern Quarterly—a Review every rea*
ding man in tbe.South should take.
We are furnished by this article with the fol
lowing interesting historicaljreminiscence.
“Many years since, an enterprising English
man—Dr. Turnbuil—became impressed with
the value and productiveness of these lands, pur
chased a large body, and brought out from the
Mediterranean a colony of about seven hundred
Greeks and Minorcans, as laborers, with the view
to the making of sugar and other products. These
people we engaged upon a principle similar to
that upon which the British are now employing
the coolies in Jamaica—the apprentice system.
They were styled “redemptioners,” because of
their being bound for seven years to redeem, by
their labor, the expense of the voyage and the
cost ot provisions, &c., necessary to the support
of them and their bundles. At the end of the
seven years they were to receive stipulated,
wages. Things went on prosperously for a shorts i
time; buildings were erected, extensive canals
and ditches were dug, and the lands were
gradually being brought under cultivation. But*
at length, the energies of the laborers began to»
flag; their employer became impatient; their task
masters became more urgent; blows and etrif**
were resorted to, with a view of inducing thf»m
to more active work, till, at length, the' Miner
cans took to running away. Theie of these fu
givea arrived at St Augistine. where their (ale
of suffering and wrong excited the sympathy of 1
the Spaniards, who, pursuing their old game to
wards the English, urged them to return and
raise a general insurrection. This advice they i
followed, and. in a short time, there was a com
plete entente The whole body of laborers drop
ped their tools, refused to work,'and marched off,
in a body, towards St. Augustine. Turnbull and
his overseers pursued them—used threats and
promises to induce them to return, but they were
of no avail. They arrived in St. Augustine, and
were received by the Spaniards, who appropriat
ed a part of the town to their oecupation. Many
of their descendants still inhabit the same houses,
or are settled on small farms, in the country,
around, and are noted for their fondness of an
easy and quiet life, for the simplicity of their
manners, and their kindheartedness. Thus ended
Dr. Turnbull’s scheme for raising sugar with
free white Jlabor —another proof to the British,
by .ore of their own countrymen, that for the
tropical products of agriculture, on anything like
an extensive scale, no other than negro slave
labor, can, with certainty, be dependent upon.”
The New York Times has been turnished with
the advance sheets of some of the tables which
accompany the Annual Report of the Secretary
of the Treasury. The table VII. o( Exports and
Imports affords the following as the total figures
for the Treasury year ending 30th June last:
Total imports ..$304,562,387
Total exports 278,241,064
Difference against ex|K>rts $26,321,327
The exact sum of specie is not given in this
table, but is stated in the body of the Report at
$38,000,000, of which about $5,000,000 was in
foreign coin re-exported. These figures enable
us to make the following comparison with the
previous Treasury yeai: .
1854. 1853.
Imports consumed. $279,712,187 $251,071,358
Goods re-exported. 19,850,194 13,096,213
Specie re-exported. 5,000,000 4,811.076
Total import $304,562,381 $267,978,647
1854. 1853,
Dom'c Prod’e exp’d5219,390,770 $189,869,162
American Gold— 34,000,000 22,674 799
For’n Gold as above 5,000,000 4,811,076
For’n Goods as 20,850,194 13,096,213
Total Export... .$278,241,064 $230,452,250
From the above it will be seen that the For
eign Goods which remained for consumption in
1854 exceed the consumption of the previous
year $28,640,729, while our Domestic Produce
exported, yielded $29,521,708 over 1853. The
enrolled and registered tonnage of the United
States in 1854 was 4,802,902 tons, against 4,-
407,010 m 1853.
Choice Segars.
Dawson & Skinner advertise the receipt of
another large lot of that favorite brand of Segars,
T. M. We can testify, experimentally , to their
excellence. They are among the best of all the
Segars brought to this market. #
We are gratified to learn (says the Charleston
Courier) that the different Railroad Companies
and Steamboat proprietors in the State have very
handsomely consented to reduce their respective
rates for those who may desire to attend the
celebiation of the Centennial Anniversary of
the organization of the Provincial Grand Lodge
of Ancient Free Masori9 of South Carolina, in
this city, on the 27th inst., and we therefore hope
that our country brethreu will be present in
goodly numbers on the occasion.
As already mentioned by telegraph, a destruc
tive fire broke out in Philadelphia Tuesday morn
ing in Cornelius’ Lamp and Gas fixture Factory,
which, with five stores and a number of dwellingsi
was entirely destroyed. The buildings were situ
ated at the corner of English and Cherry-streets.
The Factory and stock were valued at two hun
thousand dollars. By this fire four hundred
workmen are thrown out of employment, and
fifty families are houseless.
Failures in IVkw money
market was stringent in New Orleans at the
close of the past week, and the following firms
were compelled to suspend payment:
Messrs. Mcßae, Coffman & Co., Bullitt, Mills
At Co., Smith, Johnson & Lott, James H. Mul
ford & Co., Armstrong, Hams & Co. John M.
Lee, a money broker was arrested on Friday,
charged with having fraudulently overdrawn
his account in the N. O. Central bank, $38,000.
Return of Scovillk.— We learn from the
Macon Messenger, that Samuel D.lScoville, who
absconded from Macon on the 29th October,
with SIO,OOO of the funds. of Agency in that
place of the Marine Bank <>i Savannah, has been
brought back and lodged In jail. About $8,600
of the money stolen ha* been restored to the
Bank.
The New York Post lias the following state
ment respecting the operations in Virginia hy
pothecated bonds in that city. It will be seen
that the transactions assumes an entirely diffe
rent aspect under the further developments
which seem to have transpired. The Post says :
The difficulty between the State of Virginia
and Messrs. Seldon, Withers & Co., of Wash
ington, arising out of the failure of those gentle
men, exists from the act of the Virginia Legisla
ture, which prohibit* sales of State stock by the
executive or its agentr. under par; yet the Board
of Works obtained advances on those stocks or
bonds from Selden & Co., who, in turn, hypothe
cated them tor a greater amount than their ad
vances, (as we have been informed.)
The bonds have been sold at auction at abiut
85, and hence a serious difficulty. The obvious
solution appears to be that Messrs. Seiden. With
ers & Co., must account to the State of Virginia
at par, though they have been sold at 85. The
total amount, we are told, is $175,000,0n which
a loss of 15 per cent, amounts to $26,250.
Congress—Tuesday.
Senate. —The President pro tern, laid before
the Senate the second annual report of the Su
peiindentol Public Printing.
The Senate proceeded to theelection of chapiain
for the present session, and Rev. Henry Sheer
was elected.
After the cottsideration of executive business,
the Senate adjourned.
House of Representatives. —The Speaker
laid bofore the house the annua! report of the
’ Superintendent of Public Printing, and it was
ordered to be printed.
Mr, Fuller, from the Comrnitte on Commerce,
reported back the Senate bill providing for the
preservation of lives and property from ship
wreck on the coasts of New Jersey and Long
' Island ; which after some debate, was read a
third time and passed—yeas 126, nays 43.
The bill making appropriations for the pay
ment of invalid and other pensions was then
considered, read a third time, and put upon its
final passage. — Union , 13th inst.
We understand that two negroes who had
placed a fence rail, or something of the kind,
across the Georgia Railroad track, not far from
Madison, on Friday night last, seated themselves,
one at each end of the rail, with the intention of
jumping off on the approach of thft cars, where,
out of harm's way, they might see “Me fun!'' 1
In accordance with the usual habit of the race
however, as soon as they became still, they fell
asleep—the train came thunu.ring along, in the
meantime, cutting off the arm ot one of the fiends,
:and breaking the head of the other. It is hoped’
however, that enough vitality has been left in
•each to enable the sheriff to hang them, after
proper trial and conviction.— Mhen* Watchman
14 th irM. '
Mrs. Burn’s Receipt for Making Butter
in Winter. —Keep your milk in spring-water
as in summer. After the butter is well beat,
add one ounce of common salt to one pound of
butter. Add ounce of saltpetre and one ounce
of loaf sugar to sixteen pounds of butter, then
work it well and pack it in a tight vessel, and
the butter will retain afresh and sweet flavor.
Great care should be taken not to set the milk
near the fire. If it needs warming when churn
mug, put it in a tin vessel aud place it in hot
water.
BY TELEGRAPH |
Later from California. >
Nkw Orleans, Dec. 13. '
The steamer Prometheus Lai arrived with
California dates to the 24th ult. The Nonhem i
Light left San Juan on the Bth Inst., with one
million in specie.
Arrival of the Northern Light.
# New York, Dec. 13.
Ihe Northern Light has arrived with eight
hundred thousand dollars. The news is not very
interesting.
Fire in Philadelphia.
There was a fire in Chesnut-street, Philadel- !
phia, last night, which destroyed Chickering’s
Piano Agency, HensePs Furniture Store, btay
ment’s Music Store and Lacy & Phillips Sad-!
dlery|establishmetit. The total loss is over 4100.. I
000, which is partially insured.
Congress.
The House to day took up the private calen
dar.
New York Market.
Cotton has declined one quarter. Flour is
easier.
Charleston, Dec. 15.
Cotton. —There is a panic in th« market in
consequence of the failure of a large Cotton
house. Sales to-day 1000 bales at 6J to 81 cents.
Good Middling, nominally, Bcents.
Washington, Dec. 14.— Governor of Utah
Col. Steptoe, of the U. S. Army, who has been
for some time stationed in Utah, has been riomi*
listed by the President as Governor of that Ter
ritory.
W ASHiNGTON, Dec. 14.— Congressional.—In
the U. S. Houseof Representatives to-day, the
House went into Committee of the Whole on
the Indian Appropriation Bill, when Mr. Ste
phens, of Georgia, replied to Mr. Mace, stating
that the results ol the recent election were not
indicative of the people being opposed to the Ne
braska Bill.
Charlestown, Dec. 11.— Massachusetts Town
Elections. —The Know-Nothings were deteated
here in the municipal election to-day. Timothy
T. Sawyer, the citizens’ candidate, was elected
over Barley, the Know-Nothing candidate, by
358 plurality. The full board ot aldermen, and
a majority of the common councilman are also
elected on the citizens’ ticket.
Lynn, Dec. 11.—In the municipal election to
day the entire Know-Nothing ticket has been
elected by a large majority. Andrew Breed is
mayor
Lowhi.l, Dec. 12.—The entire Know-Noth
ing municipal ticket is elecied here. The vote
for mayor gives Lawrence, Know-Nothing, 3,-
851, and all others only 469.
Newbury pout, Dec. 12.—The Know-Noth
ings were routed at the municipal election here
yesterday. Moses Davenport the people’s can
didate was elected Mayor, also a majority of the
Council ticket.
Rochester, N. Y., Dec. 11. —The Hog Mar
ket at Rochester. —Dressed hogs are coming in
plentifully, and they are selling from $5 50 to
S 6 25.
The weather is moderately cold, and good
sleighing continues.
The Augusta Female High School,
opposite the United States Hotel, over
Mr. Kobert Carroll’s Boot and Shoe Store, will be
re-opened on Monday, 20th of November
Terms, for Board and Tuition, in all the English
branches, will be very moderate. No extra charge
for French, Latin, Fuel, Ac.
novl7 C. A. Sabai,, Principal.
fef’ —At f rlval * Sale, without reserve,
the entire stock of Fancy and Staple
Dry Goods, now opened and ready for inspection,
at the Store of Cosgrove and Brennan, above the
Globe corner.
The undersigned offers for sale, at New York
cost, the entire stock of Dry Goods, amounting to
about Seventy-five Thousand Dollars worth, and
embracing almost ev«>ry article in the Dry Goods
line. The terms will be Ca&h, or for amounts es
One Hundred Dollars, and over, approved paper
at three months, with interest from date of sale.
Country Merchants, and the Trade in general, are
invited to call and examine the Goods and prices.
All orders promptly attended to.
T. Brennan,
Surviving partner of tho firm of Cosgrove A
Brennan. dtf aovlft
Ur. WcLane’s Liver Pill*.—This
great Medicine has supplanted all oth
ers for the cure of diseases of the Liver. Its ei
foots aro so salutary and speedy, and at the same
time so perfectly safe, that it is not surprising it
should supercede all others. Invented by a very
distinguished physician of Virginia, who praoticed
in a region of country in which H patis, or Liver
Complaint, is peculiarly formidable and common,
and who had spent years in discovering the ingre
dients and proportioning their quantities, these
Pills are peculiarly adapted to every form of the
disease, and never fail to alleviate the most obsti
nate cases of that terrible complaint. Thev have
justly become celebrated; and the researches of
Dr. McLane have placed his name among the ben
efactors of mankind. No one having symptoms
of this formidable complaint, should be w.thout
these invaluable Pills. Have you a pain in the
right side, under the edge of the ribs, which in
creases with pressure—unable to lie with ease on
the left side—with occasional, Bometimes constant,
pain under the shculder-blade, frequently extend
ing to the top of the shoulder? Rely upon it, that
although the latter pains are sometimes taken for
Rheumatic, they all arise from disease of the Liv
er ; and if you would have relief, go instantly and
buy a box of Dr. McLane’s Liver Pills.
will be careful to ask for Dr.
M'Lanc’s Celebrated Liver Pills, and take none
else. There are other Pills, purporting to be Liv
er Pills, now before the public. I) . M'Lane's Liv
er Pills, also his Celebrated Vermifuge, can now be
had at all respectable Drug Stores in the United
States and Canada.
tioid by Haviland, Risley A Co., Wm, H. Tutt,
D. B Plumb A Co.,and W. H. AJ. Turpin, Augus
ta, Ga.: P. M. Cohen A Co., Charleston, S. C.; 1
Hill A Smith, Athens, Ga.; E.C. Jones, Madison; ■
A. A. Solomous; Savannah; and by all Drug
fists and Dealers in Medioine throughout the
oath. 12 docH
Removed.— Cosgrove A Brennan' j
have removed their stock of Dry Goods i
from the old store ot'T.J. Cosgrove A Co-, known as
their lower store. Having no further connection
with that house, they would invite their friends to
call at their upper store above the Globe corner,
where they are now opening an extensive stock ot
Fancy and Staple Dry Goods, which they will
soil at cost to wind up the busineis of the firm and
satisfy the heirs ot T. J. Cosgrove, deceased.
novl4 ts *
sis- —Engle Sc Phoenix Hotel —J. R. Prks
mv Cv.TT, Proprietor.—ls now open for
she reception of Transient or Permanent Boar
»krs. The proprietor solicits a continuance of
patronage, and can only assure those who may j
make a selection of his house, that no pains will
be spared to render them comfortable,
novls ts
a Wanting—Delay not; harbor
not in your mind that sentence of fool’s
philosophy, that a disease will get well of itself,or
that you can eure it with oertain medicines for a
few dollars. Beware how you tamper with your
general welfare.
Ye wild and vicious youths, why will ya persist
in dosing with the filthy, nauseating compounds
daily proffered, thereby impairing your appetite
and digestion, and destroying you mentally as well
as physically, when you can be cured with a few
doses of pleasant medicines *
Ye rakes of every age and condition, why will
ye suffer and repine and drag out a miserable ex
istence, unfitted for the enjoyment and even ordi
nary pursuits of life ? You who are thus annoyed,
and wish to be restored to health and vigor by a
treatment at once pleasant and effectual, should
oonsult Dr. Morris. His success in chronic dis
eases has been greater than that of any other phy.
sician of his day. Many who have been for years
afflicted with disease or consequences resuiting
from excess have been restored to health and vigor
under his really scientific treatment.
Should a personal interview be objestionable,
state your disease in writing—enclose five dollars
—address Dr. W. H. Morris, through the Posts
Office, Nashville,. Tenn., and a package of Medi
cines, securely put up, will be sent privately, and
with dispatch, full directions therewith, and no
questions asked.
Persons living at a distance, and afflicted with
Scrofula, Old Ulcers, Tetter Cancers, Piles, Fistula
In Ano, Gravel, Strictures, Gleets, or any disease
1 whatever of an aggravated or malignant character,
can be cured at home by consulting Dr. Morris,
by letter, post paid, enclosing a fee. These Medi
cines, pleasant and safe, oan be sent per mail to any
part of the United States.
Particular attention given to the treatment of
female complaints. Ladies who may be afflicted
with irregularities, Flour Albus or Whites, Pro
lapsus Uteri or Falling of the Womb, would do
well to lay aside all false delicacy, and promptly
oonsult the Doctor. Cures Warranted 3
Office over Mutual Protection Insurance Office,
Cedar Street near Poet Office Room, No. 14. un
* ir4, dl? dee 25 i
Csiamrrriiii.
Augusta Market, December 15, P. M.
COl'lON”.—The market remains iu a quiet con
dition, neither buyers nor sellers showing much
disposition to operate. Middling lots are worth 6|
to 7 cents.
SAVANNAH, Dec. 14.— Cotton. —Arrived since
the 7th inst., 10,382 bales Upland, (0 654 per Rail
road, and 696 from Augusta and landings on the
river.) and 12 per wagon) and 406 do. Sea Islands.
The exports lor the same period amount to 10,668
bales Upland and 61 do. Sea* Islands, viz : to Liv
erpool, 5,509 bales Upland; to Boston 1 514 bale>
Upland; to New York, 2,497 bales Upland and 52
do Sea Islands ; to Philadelphia, 388 bales Upland;
to Baltimore 617 bales Upland, and to Charleston*,
143 bales Upland and 9 do- Sea Islands—leaving
ou hand and on shipboard not cleared a stock of
31,565 bales Upland and 1,354 do. Sea Islands,
against 35,926 bales Upland, and 1,536 do. Sea
Islands at the same time last year.
The market opened on Friday with a fair do
mend, and during the day 1,584 bales changed
hands, at somewhat irregular prices. On Saturday
the sales were 1,636 bales, and on Monday 1,882,
the opening prices of the week being well main
tained. On Tuesday the market was easier, sales
1,596 bales, and on Wednesday it was quite dull,
with sales of only 646 bales. On Wednesday even
ing the foreign uews by the Pacific came to hand,
thu report from Liverpool showing that market to
be an eighth of a farthing lower with discouraging
accounts from Manchester and the Manufacturing
districts generally. A gloomy report was also giv
en of the money market, and leass -were expressed
! that a financial crisis was These discour
aging advices had l the effect to depress prices Lera
yesterday, and we reduce our figures to show as
near as we can the present rates. As the news is
only telegraphic, a better feeling may epring up
after the letters and circulars are received. The
eales yesterday were 984 bales, the market closing
at very irregular price.. We quote
Low Middling, 7 a 7^.
Strict Middling, a _
Good Middling *Bs
Middling Fair & 8j
j Fair to Fully Fair .• a
The sales of the week amount to 7,554 bales at
fho following particular-: 16 at 6, 23 at r * 87 as
! 6|: 749 at 7; 103 at 7*. 512 at 7., U) at 7s. 7 U
j at 71; 97 at 7 9 ktf 238 at 7{; 579 it 7f. 74 at
; 7 13-16; 381 at 7|; 1,089 at 8 43 at i ; its: 382 at
j 8J; 928 at 8J : 16 atß 51! 2*',l 8|: 52; a* , - -o
181 227 at 8 J; 34 at 8| 93 at 9 adt7; t -
j Sta Islands. —There has '•een.a lair ..Urnand for
: finer grades of-this description u s C-rioc-s during
j the past week, and holders hare found r difficulty
; in selling fine lots, while the pec rtr quad tie* bare
| been neglected. We hear of sale* ot upwards of
I 300 bales at extremes ranging from i7 s to 32e
! Receipts of the week 460 bales Exports 41 bale*.
Rice. —The market continue* dull, and the do
mand limited. We hear of ran t of t . oas ts at
extremes, ranging lrom s?# a 14, per Lmdred lbs
Exports of the week 192 caster.
Flour. —The stock of tbis aril .e con i .ues
light, and prices firm hales have bet uada in
small lots at $9.50 a $lO per bbl.
Corn. —We have no large tiansactions to report.
The stock continues light. It is selling in lots a!
wholesale at $1.15, and retailing at $1 20 as' .23
per bushel.
Baron. —The market is well supplied, but the
j demand is limited. We quote Sides at 8$ a9, and
! Shoulders at 8 a 8$ cents per pound,
i Coffee. —The market, is fairly supplied. We
; hear of sales of a small lot of Rio from wharf at 10$
! oonts. It ts selling from store in lots at 11$ cents
| per pound
Salt. —The stock of this article is light. Sales
| are making from store at $1.50 a $1.75 per sack,
| according to quantity.
Lumber. —
S. Sawed refuse, per m ft... 800a1 iOO
Merchantable, perm. ft... 15 00 a 20 00
River Lumber, refuse,, .per m. tt... 900a10 00
Merchantable to prime, .per m. ft . .14 00 a 16 00
Ranging do., for export.per in. ft .. 9 00 a lb* 00
Mill Ranging, perm. ft... 10 00 al3 00
White Pine, c1ear,..... .per in. tt.. .30 00 a 40 00
Merchantable, perm. it...lb 00 a 25 00
Cypress Shingles, per m 400a 4 50
i Sawed Cypress Shingles, perm 16 00 a
Red Oak Staves,.... ..perm 12 00 al6 00
White do., pipe,.. .per m. ..'..35 00 a6O 00
do. do , hhd .per to 25 00 a35 00
do. do., bbl. ...perm 20 00 a 25 oft
Exchange —There has been a fair demand tor
Sterling Exchange the past week at 7 a 7} per c?
prem. The Banks are selling Sight Checks on all
Northern cities at $ percent, prem.,’and purchasing
Sight Bills at par.; 30 day Bills at -a | per cent, di.-
count; 60 day Bills at Ija 1$ par cent, disc ;90
day BiJlßat 2J percent discount.
Freight* —Are very dull. We quote to Liver
pool, by American vessels, 9 32d , and jd by Eng
lish ships. Coastwise are dull; to New York, St)
oents per bale by sailing vc gels, and sc. fey steam
era; to Boston 5-16 c.; to Philadelphia, by steamers
}c , and to Baltimore |e.
CHARLESTON, Dec. 15. Cotton —There war
quite a good demand for most qualities of this ar
tide for several days preceding the date of our la. t
report, and when we inquiries tho mar
gin of quotations had dropped all of below tho
rates current a, the opening of tho week, bringing
the Good Middling and Middling Fair qualities
down to Bsaß|c. Transactions were renewed on
Friday last—the first day of the week under re
view—w th some spirit, and upwards of 2,10 u
bales changed hands at prices corresponding w ith
the quotations of that morning. Saturday was al
so a very busy day, tho sales having reached fully
2,300 bales, but the market was unsettled, and
the operations most generally showed a decided
downward tendency in the price of the staple.
Thus stood the position ot affairs, when the trade
were put in possession ot the advices brought o\,
by the steamer Union, from Havre, and those re
ceived more recently by the Pacific from Liver
pool, which, taken in connection with a stock
which had accumulated beyond the power of con
trol, and a severely strittgent money market, have
proved very unfavorable to tho dotton interest.
TheTnarket was very sluggish on Monday forenoon,
and continued so throughout the day. The trau
actions were limited to 1,200 bales, and at tho
close of business sc. deelino was established in
prices. A good deal of activity, prevailed on Tuea
day—sales 2,100 bales—and buyers obtained a fur
ther advantage, particularly on ibe lower qualitie -
The demand on Wednesday took off about ] 400
bales, and notwithstanding the concessions that
had been already granted, prices exhibited a lan
guid and drooping appearance, and the market
closed in an unsettled condition at about tfco sub
joined quotations, which, it will b 0 SC en, "bow a
decline of jj a je.on the betrir qualities, while th«
lower grades have suffered to the extent of $ to Jo
on the price given in our previous repert. The
transactions yesterday were eonfined to some 1,0 m)
bales, and priees were as iiregular as they had
been on the preceding day; and under existing
circumstances, the above quotations must, fer tho
presort, be considered nominal. The receipts since
our last reach 13,412 bales, and the safe in the same
time foot up 10.200 bales, at the subjoined price
-9 bales at 6; 115 at 6s: 250at9f; 120 at 61- 800 % '
7; 262 at 7s* 561 at 7s; 66 at 7§; 50 at 7s; 563 a
7s; 400 at 7j; 203 at 7s: 1481 at 8; 56 at 8 1 -If.
351 at 8$; 683 at 8$; 188 atSJ; 976 at 8$
8j; 588 at 8J; 61 at 8$; 358 at 9, and 24 hales at
9sc. The receipts of Long Cotton are cn the in
crease, and the market may be said to have ! ur
opened. Prices have ranged from 30 to Ssc. for
good to prime Santees and Mains, according to
quality; Good Middling to Middling Fine "Sea
Islands from 36 to 45c , and 48c. and upwards f„ r
the fine to very fine qualities. Florida? have been
soiling at former prices, vis : from 20 to 30c.
Corn The receipts of the week comprise 6000
bushels, which were sold at 90 and 91 cents per
bushel. Country .Com is worth from 92 to 95 cent*
per bußhel, sack included.
Flour. —The transactions this week ,'acw father
an improvement on the prices of the previous week,
which is to be attributed tc the light receipts and
the limited stock offering. The transactions ia
North Carolina and Georgia have been made pris
eipally at s9} for barrel?and bags, and 9$ per bar
rel for Baltimore.
Bacon. —There has beer* a good demand again
this week for Sides, and upwards of 250 tierces j
changed hands, principally at Sic. per lb, me
market ut the close ot Ibe week was firm, and y,x
ees showed rather an advancing tendency. The
transactions in Ilams and Shoulders have been
very limited.
Salt. —Some 5000 sacks have been received since
our last, which bad been sold to arrive, at prices
which, if reported would give no criterion or tha
E resent value of the article. _ About 1000 sacks
ave bean sold this week at s2’per sack.
Freights.— We quoto Cotton to Liverpool, in
square bags, at 5 18d , and Havre at jc-. The rate
to New ork is 20c. for Cotton, and per tierce
for Rice ; and to Boston go., for the former, and
sli per tierce, for the latter.
Shipping JutriHjfWf..
ARRIVALS FROM CHARLESTON.
Steamship Quaker City, Hodgdon, Phildelphia
Barque Jasper, Bennett, Bostou.
Sohr Shamrock, Travers, at Baltimore
CLEARED FOR CHARLESTON.
Schr. Louisine, O’Neal, at New York.
CHARLESTON, Dec. 15.—1 n the Offing, ship
John Fraser, Herbest. Cardiff, W.
Cleared, brig St. Andrew, Kean, Havana.
Went to Sea, Sp. barqua Tac-io, Boricll, Baree*
iona.
SAVANNAH, Dec. 15—Arrived, Schr Was
Smith, New York.
Cleared, schr Edward Cidder, Tyler, Boston,