sibilities now and for the future, but great regulator during the year, and all things considered, we are in a far better position to-day, commercially and financially, than the most sanguine anticipated under the circumstances, and there is a good prospect that, sooner or later, all difficulties in our path to peace and prosperity will be successfully overcome. longer. The failure of the corn crop in 1863 has materially enhanced the value of many articles of necessity. Pork, Beef, Butter, Cheese and other produce have, in consequence, ruled very high during the year, and must continue to rule high for the present, on account of the scarcity of all kinds of feed. The Corn crop of 1864 is generally admitted to be a very good one, and a reaction in prices is looked for as soon as navigation opens in the spring. Flour, however, has been sold at very reasonable prices during the year. as its currency value has varied almost every fifteen minutes in the day, business men could make no reliable calculations for the future. There has, therefore, been less speculation than in previous years, buyers not being disposed to hold any considerable amount of goods, when a sucThere is a time coming when there cessful movement of our army might will be a great shrinkage in the value materially alter prices. The possiof all leading articles, and business bility of a great change has even limmen are preparing for such a crisis. ited the wants of the consumer, and The turning point from war to peace goods that have been forced up by will be a trying one to holders of the rebellion have been purchased merchandise. We are not surprised, only when parties could hold back no therefore, to find importers, manufacturers, commission merchants, jobbers and retailers moving very cautiously. Although we do not look for peace at an early day, circumstances may turn up to bring it about sooner than many expect, and the future is, therefore, full of doubt and uncertainty. The successful march of Gen. Sherman through the Southern country, and the capture of one of the principal cities on the seaboard almost without opposition, is an indication of the weakness of the rebellion, and the hopelessness of their cause may induce the South to submit to terms of peace at an early day. With a fair prospect of peace, the value of our currency would greatly increase, and all domestic and foreign goods, held for consumption, would rapidly decline. Foreign goods in bond are generally held at the gold valuation, and would not be affected to any extent. The trade generally, however, in the city and in the country, hold but comparatively small stocks of goods, and their purchases for some time past have not been beyond their actual wants. It is believed on the other hand, that peace, which would open trade with all sections of the country, would lead to such a demand for goods as to check any very rapid decline in prices. Our market for merchandise during the year has been very much excited and fluctuating, and it is evident that prices will be unsettled and uncertain until the termination of our present struggle. Gold has been the The The fishing fleet were never more prosperous. Good fares and high prices have been the order of the day. The catch of Mackerel must show a large increase over previous years, as they were at times quite abundant all along the coast. demand has been very good during the year, and all kinds arriving have found a ready sale at full prices. The Government now supply the army with more or less Fish, and some considerable purchases of Mackerel, Hake and Codfish have been made for that purpose. There has been, in consequence, a largely increased demand for consumption, and notwithstanding the large catch of Mackerel, stocks are not large for the season. Our freighting business still labors under many disadvantages. Shippers of merchandise give preference to a neutral flag, and we cannot look for any decided change until the war is terminated. Vessels of all kinds The exports of Specie have been 1863, From From New York. $528,305 $50,113,809 2,758,340 49,754,065 2,776,806 have, however, been fully employed | current rates the past two months, during the year at remunerative rates, ruling principally in the range of 220 and now pursue their respective @ 240. voyages with less fear of capture. The destruction of the Alabama by as follows: the Kearsarge has destroyed the prestige of rebel privateers, and they 1864, have caused us very little trouble lately. Notwithstanding the care 1862, with which the Alabama was built, 1861, by the best English ship builders, 1860, and the fact that she was manned by 1859, British seamen and British gunners, 1858, an American national ship of equal 1857, size has been found more than her 1856, match. Previously the Alabama and Florida confined their attacks to un- The arrivals from foreign ports for armed merchantmen, and their deeds ten years past have been as follows: 1855, 1864, were heralded in Great Britain and The comparative value of some 228,134 1,666,547 59,403,618 4,216,250 42,161,909 6,049,420 69,648,528 2,708,353 26,000,000 9,712,759 44,400,000 1861, . . 187 391 713 1547 2838 1860, . . 187 of 1859, 248 1858, 1855, .. 227 Money has ruled quite easy throughout the year, the rates ranging from 5 @ 12 cent for first class paper, the principal transactions having been from 6 @ 8 cent. Gold opened in January last at 151 @ 152, and the rates steadily but gradually improved until the passage of the gold act in June last, when the market became completely unsettled and prices rapidly advanced, touching 285 on the 11th July, the highest point of the year. For the past six months the market has been very unsettled and more changeable than ever, going 1856, the fluctuations in gold, but the movement on the part of the people to obtain cheap Coal has interfered with the regular trade for some months past, and has checked to some extent the upward tendency of prices. There has been a good demand for manufacturing and steam purposes, but the high prices have led to increased economy for general consumption, and notwithstanding the falling off in receipts, the supply is considered fair for the season. imports of the year show an increase of 18,859 tons from the Provinces, and a falling off of 10,518 tons from Great Britain and 73,255 tons from coastwise ports. The highest and lowest prices for ten years have been as follows: 1864, 181 809 453,032 1858, The Sydney & Pictou. ton. $8.00 @ 14 00 6.00 8.00 4.50 @ 8.00 4 00 @ 6.00 4.40 @ 6 50 4.15 @ 6.50 4.00@4 62 4.67 @ 600 88.067 1859, 2d sort, 52 28,100 1857, 18 8,270 1856, 1855, 5.50 @ 9 00 9.00 4.67 @ 5 33 4.67 @ 6.00 The imports of Foreign and Do 1863, 1,352 774,171 mestic Coal at this port for ten years 1862, 1,021 527,643 have been as follows: Java. 40 @@ 55 298 @46 23 @32 183@29 11 @@ 19 11143 1418 9 @ 113 133 @ 15 77 @ 103 13 @ 18 9 @ 12 14 @ 16 10@11 13 @ 15 9 @ 114 124 @ 141 The stock in first hands, made up by Messrs. Hall, Bacon & Co., Brokers, Dec. 31, was as follows: 1855, COTTON. The receipts show an increase of 14,660 bales over last year. Prices of Cotton, opening at 81 @ 82c for middling in January last, steadily advanced to the close of August, when sales were made as high as $1 88 @ $1 90, prices no one in the trade could have anticipated. Since August prices have declined materially, but still rule at very high figures, and fluctuate almost daily with the ups and down of gold. Stocks are quite Pockets. exhausted and manufacturers now 36,456 rely upon the uncertain receipts from 2,500 day to day. The capture of Savan5,100 nah and the prospect that the whole 800 Southern seaboard will be in our 33,825 possession at an carly day, may lead 49,656 to more liberal supplies the coming 3,000 year, but to what extent this will be 13,102 realized is yet uncertain. The highest and lowest prices obtained during 24,700 the year have been as follows: Calcutta.. Hayti... Port au Prince.. ..180 Gonaives. St. Marc.... 1,206 ..510 DOMESTICS. .340 .144 .103 84 102 46 ..58 15 197 12 229 The year opened with a good demand for heavy Brown Sheetings and Brown Drills at from 41 @ 42c yard, and during the first five months of the year were quite uniform. From June to September there was an advance of 30 @ 35c yard, prices touching in September 75 @ 80c. The decline in gold at this time, however, led to quite a panic in the market, and, by forcing goods 28 through the New York auctions, a reaction of about 25c yard took ..356 place in a few weeks. Present current rates are from 60 @ 62 c yard. The stock of goods is now reduced to a very low figure, and unless more liberal supplies of raw material come forward, goods must continue very scarce and high for some time to come. The exports of the year have been very trifling, as follows: .87 St. Thomas. Texas.... New Orleans. 12,968 |