Beeswax, unbleached, duty paid, per cwt.
Flour, U. States, duty paid, per bbl.
U. States, in bond, per bbl.
Canadian, duty paid, per bbl.
Canadian, sour, duty paid, per bbl.
Wheat, U. States, duty paid, per 70 lbs.
Canadian, duty paid, per 70 lbs.

Peas, Canadian, duty paid, per 504 lbs.
Barley, Canadian, duty paid, per 60 lbs.
Indian corn, duty paid, per 480 lbs.
Oatmeal, Canadian, duty paid, per 240 lbs.
Flaxseed, duty paid, per hhd.
Cloverseed, duty paid, per cwt.

7

Linseed cake, duty paid, per ton

Average price of the six weeks, which regulates the duty

Duty during the present week

Duty on colonial produce

Five per cent. extra is charged on the amount of the above duties; provisions for export or ship stores pay no duty; hams and bacon in pickle pay duty as pork. The cwt. is 112 lbs.; the imperial gallon is 9 lbs.; the tun is 252 imperial gallons; the quarter is 8 bushels; the barrel of provisions is 200 lbs.; the tierce is 304 lbs. A shilling is equal to 24 cents.

Beef.

Pork. Hams.

Tallow.

Lard.

Butter.

Cheese.

Ashes.

Wheat. Flour..

LIVERPOOL, January 3, 1845.

The result of the trade with America, during the past year, in provisions, and other articles of modern import, warrants us in speaking with still more confidence of its growing importance; for, while the aggregate imports show a considerable excess over those of the previous year, the real advance which the trade has made has been much greater, and more encouraging in other respects, than the mere increase in imports would evidence. In the previous years, large shipments of various articles were made in complete ignorance of the qualities suited to the English markets, and which resulted, generally, in loss to the shippers; whereas the operations of the past year, being regulated by the known wants of our market, and the guidance of past experience, have not only been attended with profit to those concerned, but have served also to place the trade on a more safe and permanent footing. The position of our market, too, in regard to stock, presents a favorable contrast to the preceding year; there being no accumulation of old and inferior parcels to interfere with the imports of the new season. Thus the stock of the following articles on the 31st of December, 1844, was onlyof beef equal to 3,427 tierces, pork 3,000 barrels, lard 100 tons, and cheese 160 tons, against 6,080 tierces beef, 863 barrels pork, 696 tons lard, and 285 tons cheese, on the same date in 1843; so that future arrivals will be met at once by the current demand as they come on the market. Under these circumstances, the prospects for a good and extending trade are more favorable than they have been at any former period since it opened.

In the past month, the arrivals of all produce to our port have been unusually small, owing to the uninterrupted continuance of easterly winds for the last few weeks. Stocks are, in consequence, very low, which, joined to the usual disposition evinced by buyers to avoid purchases as much as possible at the close of the year, has led to a restricted business in most of the articles which we quote.

In beef, the transactions have been few, from want of stock to operate on-the whole quantity in stock reported above consisting of inferior and unsuitable parcels. New is, consequently, much wanted; the few parcels that have arrived, so far, having met with immediate sale from the quay at 728. 6d. for "prime mess," while 80s. was obtained for a small shipment of "family" beef. Equal rates will be secured for all the early arrivals of prime quality; and though some reduction will take place as supplies increase, yet there is a prospect of a higher range of prices being maintained throughout the whole season than were current last year, while the absence of Irish from the market will secure a more steady and continuous, as well as a more extensive demand. The quotations above are still given for old. We have no change to notice in the value of old pork, which goes off slowly within the range of our quotations, while Irish continues to realize equally high rates as at the date of our last advice. A few parcels of new American have arrived, all of prime quality, and showing a decided improvement on any former imports-one of them being superior to the usual brands of Irish "prime mess"-and which was sold from the quay ot 61s. A higher rate will be obtained for parcels of similar quality arriving in the course of this month, and a continued supply of such quality would soon place American on an equal level with Irish in regard to price. The result of these late shipments proves the correctness of the opinion we have already expressed, that American curers possess advantages, both as regards the quality of

their pork and its cheapness of price, which, if rightly improved, will enable them to furnish the principal portion of the pork required by the English markets, as they already are likely to do with respect to beef. There being a considerable export demand for pork in this market, which can be much increased by continuous supplies of prime qualities at moderate rates, we would strongly recommend the trade to the notice of all parties who are interested in its extension.

Cheese has not had quite so free a sale during the month, the advanced prices asked being unwillingly paid by buyers. The prospects of the market, however, are still favorable-a further advance in price being much more likely than any decline from present rates. No decline in the value of cheese can in fact take place while our markets for other provisions remain in their present position; and as the late advices from America bring higher quotations from thence, with lessening shipments, the small stock held here is likely to be brought within still smaller compass before the end of the present month. Our market offers, therefore, every inducement for continued shipments, with the certainty of giving paying returns.

With regard to butter, we have only to confirm our previous advices, that shipments of middling and inferior qualities would result well; the duty being no obstacle in the present scarcity of Irish butter, which has again advanced from 4s. to 6s. per cwt. during the month. Grease butter would also have a free sale.

Lard has continued to meet a ready sale at our quotations, which do not vary from those of last month, except for the purest leaf in kegs, on which an advance of 28. per cwt. has been obtained. In the early part of the month there was some advance made on the finest qualities in barrels also, but which was again lost as supplies increased. The demand for such will, however, continue good; the high value of butter having thrown consump tion more upon lard, and the supply of Irish being unequal to meet the increasing demand. A process of bleaching American, and preparing it for culinary purposes, has been discovered, which is likely to lead to its extensive substitution for Irish. The middling and inferior sorts, suitable for manufacturing purposes, are already at their extreme value relatively with tallow, and are not likely, therefore, to alter materially from present rates. The stock, it will be observed, is light, as compared with the commencement of last year. The market for tallow has been dull throughout the month, and has declined 6d. to 9d. per cwt.; and as the home supply is found to be considerably in excess of that of former years, it is not probable that any advance will now take place on present rates, especially as the demand usually slackens after Christmas. No further decline is looked for, the market being now steady.

Ashes have further declined in price, several parcels of pot having changed hands at 22s. 9d., and extensive sales taking place at 23s., which is now the current price, though some holders do not offer under 23s. 6d. 25s. is the nominal value for pearls.

Hides have had a dull sale, and North American wet salted must be quoted d. per pound lower, 3§d. being now the highest quotation. The total stock of hides on 31st December last was 209,985 against 296,137 on 31st December, 1843: the former includes 1,921 North American. There have been no transactions in American hemp to record. Beeswax has not sold freely, and is lower-£7 15s. being now an extreme quotation.

Flaxseed has been arriving freely, and sales to some extent have been

made at 66s. and 67s., which is its present current vulue; but, in consequence of the great deficiency this year from the usual quantity exported from Riga to Ireland, there will be a large demand upon American, and which will lead to higher prices as the season advances. The season is still too early for any transactions of consequence in clover seed, the value of which at present is quite nominal. The prospects for the article are good, and high prices will be obtained for prime parcels. The sale for linseed cake has improved, and higher prices are now paid for the best parcels, with the prospect of a continued good demand during the winter.

Our corn market has kept very quiet throughout the month, (which, however, is usually the case in December,) all parties being indisposed to increase their engagements at the end of the year, if they can avoid it. Wheat and flour remain at low prices; but an opinion is generally held, that some movement upwards will take place after the turn of the year. The sale for Canadian flour is not brisk, the supplies of English and Irish being large, and the quality giving great satisfaction to the bakers. Sales of United States in bond, to the extent of 1,200 barrels, have been made at 17s. 6d.; which is some advance on previous rates.

We are yours, respectfully,

J. & C. KIRKPATRICK.