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1817.]
Register.—Commercial Report.
113

The most interesting of the other occurrences of this month, which our limits do not permit us to detail, were the severe gales, which have occasioned much damage on different parts of the coast;—the distressed condition of the labouring classes, partly owing to the last unfavourable harvest iind the high price of provisions;—and the unparalleled exertions made in every part of the united kingdom for their relief. The benevolence of the higher orders, while it was never at any former period so extensively displayed, has not been, on the present occasion, alloyed by that want of reflection which recognised no other mode of relief than by means of pecuniary donations. The practice has been, almost universally, to employ those who were able to work, and to allow them such wages as would save them from want, though at the same time so moderate as to induce them to return to their former habits of independent industry as soon as the demand for labour should revive. Happily, at the moment we are now writing, several of our manufacturing towns begin to resume their former activity; and our prospects are becoming daily less gloomy and doubtful.




COMMERCIAL REPORT.


Colonial Produce.Sugars have of late been in considerable demand, without much improvement in prices. Muscavados proper for refining have been purchased freely at a small advance. The stocks of Refined Sugars being very small, and considerable orders having arrived from the Continent, this article has a little improved. The sales of Brazil and East India Sugars, lately brought forward, have gone off briskly, at prices a shade higher. Coffee has been in some demand for exportation, though not such as to diminish greatly the superabundant stock of this article, which has for many years past been produced in too large quantity for the consumption. Cottons continue in steady demand, without much variation in prices. In East India descriptions there has been considerable briskness, at an advance of ¼d. to ½d. per lb. Tobaccos extremely dull, and prices lower. Rums having fallen considerably in price, the exporters were induced to come into the market, and much business has been done in this article. The last Tea sale at the East India House, which finally closed on the 14th ult. proved that the general freedom of trade with every part of Europe to China, and particularly the exertions of the Americans to supplant the English in the European market, have not had the expected effect: for the average prices shewed an advance of 2d. per lb.


European Produce.—In articles from the Baltic, little business is doing, and prices declining. Hemp from £1 to £2 per ton, and Tallow 1s. to 2s. per cwt. Sowing Linseed in considerable demand, and 110s. has been refused. Clover Seeds are also on the advance, and the stock of American very limited: Red 130s. to 140s. per cwt. There has been much briskness in the Provision trade, and prices have advanced. Brandies and Genevas a shade lower in price. The Wine trade with the Cape of Good Hope is increasing, and now may be called extensive. The remission of the duties has effected this; but, at the same time that it renders essential service to that settlement, it gives occasion to the introduction, by fraud, into the Cape, of large quantities of Foreign Wines, which are from thence exported to this country as the native produce, to the great injury of the revenue: the present prices, £28 to £32 per ton. In the demand for the Manufactures of this country, we are happy to announce some improvement, though not yet such as to be very generally felt; still we think the worst is past, and that the late universal depression will in a short time be considerably removed; not, however, that we hope the sanguine expectations of speculators, at the conclusion of the war, can ever be realized. From the most important Continental markets, France and Austria, our manufactures are completely shut out; and other states into which they are admitted, have been for a long time inundated, what with our excessive exports and the produce of native manufactures. The same applies to the North American market; and the present distracted state of South America has much diminished our trade with that important Continent.