John Brown Jr. to John Brown, June 22, 1855

Brownsville, Brown Co.,* K. T.,

Friday Morning, June 22, 1855.

Dear Father, — Day before yesterday we received a letter from you dated Rockford, Ill., 24th May, which for some unaccountable cause has been very long delayed on the road. We are exceedingly glad to hear from you, and that you still intend coming on. Our health is now excellent, and our crops, cattle, and horses look finely. We have now about twelve acres of sod corn in the ground, more than a quarter acre of white beans, two and a half bushels seed potatoes planted and once hoed, besides a good garden containing corn, potatoes, beets, cabbages, turnips, a few onions, some peas, cucumbers, melons, squashes, etc. Jason's fruit-trees, grape-vines, etc., that survived the long period of transportation, look very well: probably more than half he started with are living, with the exception of peaches; of these he has only one or two trees. As we arrived so late in the season, we have but little expectation of harvesting much corn, and but few potatoes. The rainy season usually commences here early in April or before, and continues from six to eight weeks, during which a great amount of rain falls. This year we had no rain of any consequence before the 12th or 15th of May; since then have had two heavy rains accompanied with some wind and most tremendous thunder and lightning; have also had a number of gentle rains, continuing from one to twenty-four hours ; but probably not more than half the usual fall of rain has yet come. As the season last year was irregular in this respect, probably this will be to some extent. We intend to keep our garden, beans, and some potatoes watered if we can, so as to have something if our corn should be a failure. As it is, the prospect is middling fair, and the ground is ploughed ready for early planting next year. Old settlers here say that people should calculate on having the spring's sowing and planting all done by the middle of April; in that case their crops are more abundant. The prairies are covered with grass, which begins to wave in the wind most beautifully; shall be able to cut any quantity of this, and it is of far better quality than I had any idea.

In answer to your questions: Good oxen are from $50 to $80 per yoke, — have been higher; common cows, from $15 to $25, — probably will not be higher; heifers in proportion. Limited demand as yet for fine stock. Very best horses from $100 to $150 each ; average fair to good, $75 to $80. No great demand now for cattle or horses. A good strong buggy would sell well, — probably a Lumberee best. Mr. Adair has had several chances to sell his. Very few Lumberee buggies among the settlers. White beans, $5 per bushel; corn meal, $1.75 per bushel of fifty pounds, tending downward; flour, $7 per hundred pounds; dried apples, 12½ cents per pound; bacon, 12 to 14 cents here; fresh beef, 5 to 6 cents per pound. Enclosed is a slip cut from a late number of the “Kansas Tribune” giving the markets there, which differ somewhat from prices in this section. It is the paper published at Lawrence by the Speers.

I have no doubt it would be much cheaper and healthier for you to come in the way you propose, with a “covered lumber buggy and one horse or mule,” especially from St Louis here. The navigation of the Missouri River, except by the light-draught boats recently built for the Kansas River, is a horrid business in a low stage of water, which is a considerable portion of the year. You will be able to see much more of the country on your way, and if you carry some provisions along it is altogether the cheaper mode of travelling; besides, such a conveyance is just what you want here to carry on the business of surveying. You can have a good road here whithersoever you may wish to go. Flour, white beans, and dried fruit will doubtless continue for some time to come to be high. It is believed that a much larger emigration will arrive here this fall than before. Should you buy anything to send by water, you can send it either to Lawrence, thirty-five miles north of us, or to Kansas City, Mo., care of Walker & Chick, sixty miles northeast of us.

A surveyor would soon find that great numbers are holding more land, and especially timber, than can be covered by 160 acres, or even 320, and that great numbers are holding claims for their friends; so that I have no doubt people will find a sufficient amount of timber yet for a long time. Owing to the rapid settlement of the country by squatters, it does not open a good field for speculators.

The land on which we are located was ceded by the Pottawatomie Indians to the Government. The Ottawa lands are soon to be sold, each person of the tribe reserving and choosing two hundred acres; the remainder open to pre-emption after their choice is made. The Peoria lands have been bargained for by the Government, and are to be sold to the highest bidder without reservation. But Missourians have illegally gone on to these Peoria lands, intending to combine and prevent their going higher than $1.25 per acre, and then claim, if they go higher, a large amount of improvements, — thus cheating the Indians. The Ottawas intend to divide into families, and cultivate the soil and the habits of civilized life, as many of them are now doing. They are a fine people. The Peorias are well advanced, and might do the same but for a bad bargain with our Government.

[Here is drawn a plan of the Brown settlement or claim.]

There is a town site recently laid out on the space marked “village plat;” as there are two or three in sight, it is uncertain which will be taken. The semicircle is even ground, sloping every way, and affording a view in every way of from twenty to thirty miles in every direction, except one small point in the direction of Osawatomie; the view from this ground is beautiful beyond measure. The timbered lands on Middle Creek are covered with claims; the claimants, many of them from Ohio, Illinois, and the East, are mostly Free-State folks. There are probably twenty families within five or six miles of us.

Day before yesterday Owen and I ran the Peoria line east to see if there might not be found a patch of timber on some of the numerous small streams which put into the Osage, and which would be south of the Peoria line. We found on a clear little stream sufficient timber for a log-house, and wood enough to last say twenty families for two or three years, perhaps more, and until one could buy and raise more. Here a good claim could be made by some one. The prairie land which would be included is of the very best I have ever seen; plenty of excellent stone on and adjoining it. Claims will soon be made here that will have no more than two or three acres of timber; and after these are exhausted prairie claims will be taken, the claimants depending on buying their timber. Already this is the case, and many are selling off twenty, thirty, and forty acres from their timber claims to those who have none.

_______________

* This is now Cutler, in Franklin County.

 SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 194-7

Abraham Lincoln to Hannibal Hamlin, September 28, 1862

EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, September 28, 1862.

HON. HANNIBAL HAMLIN:

My dear Sir,—Your kind letter of the 25th is just received. It is known to some that while I hope some from the proclamation, my expectations are not as sanguine as those of some friends. The time for its effect Southward has not come; but Northward the effect should be instantaneous. It is six days old, and while commendation in newspapers and by distinguished individuals is all that a vain man could wish, the stocks have declined, and troops come forward more slowly than ever. This, looked soberly in the face, is not very satisfactory. We have fewer troops in the field at the end of the six days than we had at the beginning, — the attrition among the old outnumbering the addition by the new. The North responds to the proclamation sufficiently in breath, but breath alone kills no rebels.

I wish I could write more cheerfully; nor do I thank you the less for the kindness of your letter.

Yours very truly,

A. LINCOLN

SOURCE: Charles Eugene Hamlin, The Life and Times of Hannibal Hamlin, p. 440

Latest from Memphis

We conversed yesterday with a gentleman who left Memphis only a week since.  He says that extensive preparations are being made to receive the Yankees.  The foundry at the Navy Yard is turning out cannon very rapidly, and has cast four 100-pounders which are mounted on the earthworks and Memphis.

Clothing is very scarce and high, and woolen goods have almost disappeared from the shelves of the dry goods stores.  Boots sell at $14@$25 a pair.  Coffee $1.50 per pound.  Salt is worth $20 a sack, and the army is obliged to do without it, eating their fresh beef unseasoned.

Of course the rebels are still of the opinion that they will secure their independence, though they confess that Memphis will be in danger if our forces ever ascend the Tennessee River, and cut off their supplies.  A great deal of sickness prevails in the rebel army, and the hospitals are crowded. – Evansville Journal 29th.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 4, 1862, p. 2

An Advance In Wheat

Our Market is now in a condition which should give it the attention of growers of wheat throughout the North West.  By reference to our sales report it will be seen that there was an advance yesterday of about three cents per bushel over previously full figures – prime and choice fall grades selling at ninety to ninety-five cents.  Among the day’s sales were two lots of club aggregating twenty thousand bushels, which sold for future delivery.  These prices point to St. Louis as the best paying market in the West and Northwest at present, and sales of the above kind noted indicate that supplies are insufficient for the wants of buyers.

Our old customers on the upper rivers and at railway stations in Illinois, are too sparing in their shipments this season, probably because they think that we are cut off temporarily from our extensive southern trade connections, we have comparatively little want of the product of their wheat fields.  They know the height character of St. Louis flour, and the production of the mills of this city.  They should rather reflect therefore, that we have supplied and can still supply foreign as well as home ports, Northern States as well as Southern, and that the brands of our millers, particularly those for family use, reach kitchens and bakeries all across the continent from New England to Oregon.  This want, then, is again to be met, large quantities are needed for our immense armies now in the field, and shipments must go to New York and other seaboard ports to be sent thence to foreign distributing marts.  Railroad freights are falling, the Ohio river is in excellent navigable condition to its source, and everything favors the giving of good if not full employment to our mills.  They are ready for such employment, and only need liberal receipts of wheat to give it them.  Cannot our country readers consider that quick sales and fair await their consignments, and send down their grain in something like the old liberal fashion. – {Mo. Rep.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 2

Dry Goods

The market is dull.  The speculators in staple  goods who bought so largely some months ago are now very anxious to sell, and are distressing the market and disturbing the calculations of manufacturers and may very likely check a little the disposition to produce new goods. – The market does not respond to the pressure and the few buyers limit themselves to actual wants.

DOMESTIC GOODS. – Prints are inactive and holders are anxious to sell, yet domestic fabrics have nothing to fear from competition of foreign importations as few prints are now imported.  Old goods are however being liberated from bond and offered for sale.

Printing cloths are declining with a panic desire to force sales in presence of a better supply of the raw material.  In sheetings and shirtings there is no change.  The regular receivers are firm, but could not, nevertheless obtain current quotations if they were to press sales.  The export demand is very trifling.  In woolens there is also less doing.  Delaines do not attract much demand at present.  Jobbers are quiet.  Fancy cassimeres of desirable styles are active, both silk mixtures and wool good, but the demand is confined to these kinds.  Clothing houses are not buying much.  Western buyers and buyers from the Middle States are making a few selections, but the West holds a large quantity of inferior goods, which they want to sell.  Stocks are moderate in first hands.

FOREIGN GOODS. – The importations have increased considerably, and auction sales are now commencing.  British goods have been largely sold, though the regular trade has not fully opened.  The speculative demand is over and prices are less buoyant.  Low priced delaines are, however, in ready sale and low priced cloths are in some request.  Silks are more inquired for, especially staple kinds.  Fancy silks are dull.  Prices are steady.  There is considerable business in ribbons, and sales have been making to some extent to buyers from Boston, Philadelphia, Cincinnati and the West.

Military goods are now mostly sold for cash.  Many houses refuse to sell on any other terms. – Woolen goods are dull.  Fancy cassimeres, low priced German, Belgian and English cloths alone command a market and those of good styles. – French worsted are inactive.  The value of the goods imported last week is $1,500,000, which is an increase, though only half the amount imported in the corresponding week of last year.  Prints, linens, blankets, cotton goods, worsted, and silks are among the articles chiefly imported. – N. Y. Independent.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 8, 1862, p. 3

Later from Europe

PORTLAND, Me., Feb. 20. – The Bohemian from Liverpool 6^th, via Londonderry 7^th, arrived here this morning with one day latter news.

The Canada from Boston, arrived at Liverpool on the 5^th inst.

Both houses of Parliament had voted unanimously on an address to the queen in response to speech.

The Opposition approved the course of the Government in the Trent affair.

Lord Derby thought that the Federal Government had assented with a very bad grace to the demands of the British Government.

Lord Palmerston said the distress in the manufacturing districts of England, from the blockade of the Southern ports, would not justify the interference of the Government, and that they would continue in their neutral course.

The Bank of France has reduced its rate of discount to 4 per cent.

The product of the last cotton crop of India was pouring into Bombay.

The iron clad frigate Warrior, on her passage to Lisbon, labored badly.  Her decks and cabins were flooded, and in 9 cases out of 10, she would not mind her helm.

The Times’ city article says that the funds opened on the 6^th inst., at the decline of more than ½, but were firmer towards the close.

PARIS, [Feb.] 7. – The Moniteur of this morning says that Gen. Prime will not take supreme command of the allied forces in Mexico, but that each General will preserve the integrity of his own command.

The Federal gunboat Tuscarora left Cowes at 9 o’clock a. m. on the 6^th inst., and proceeded westward.  The Nashville had 40 hours start of her.  The engineer of the Nashville told the pilot who took her out, that it was agreed by all on board that she should never be captured.  That he had all the valves of the engines so arranged that she could be blown up in a moment, and that if the capture of the Nashville was ever heard of, a violent explosion would accompany it.

Private telegrams from China quote tea at Foo Choo as higher.  Silks were also higher. – Holders of manufactured goods held them at firm prices.

Singapore was in possession of the rebels.

(By Telegraph to Londonderry.)

Liverpool Cotton Market – Brokers’ circulars report sales of the week 28,000 bales, including 3,500 to speculators and exporters.  Market dull, with partial decline of ½.  Sales Friday 5,000 bales, including 5,000 to speculators and exporters, market closing quiet and unchanged.  On Saturday Orleans fair 14¼, do middling 12 7/8; Mobile fair 13½ do middling 12½.  Total stock in port 550,000 bales, including 205,000 American.

Breadstuffs market generally quiet and steady, except for corn, which has a downward tendency.

Consols closed at 92½@92 7/8 for money.

The weekly returns of the Bank of England shows a decrease in bullion of 334,000£.

American securities quiet and steady.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 22, 1862, p. 3

Foreign News

GREAT BRITAIN – On the 16^th in the House of Commons, Mr. Layard said the Government had received from Lord Lyons, a copy of the report of a Committee of the House of Representatives of the United States, on the operations of the reciprocity treaty, and no objection made to laying it on the table.

The Times editorially says the advantages gained in the West by the Federals, have been such as it is impossible to over rate, and are in singular contrast to the slow progress in Virginia.  It also expatiates on the capture of New Orleans, and says the North has a right to presume that the hour of final success is approaching.  The Times also says that the rebels are apparently as determined as ever but from the manner in which the military leaders have allowed themselves to be worsted on the Mississippi, the confidence of their people and foreigners must be shaken in their ultimate success.

Queenstown, May 18 – The Paris Bourse cloudy but from at 70½ to 80c for rentes.

The Spanish authorities in Mexico had notified President Juarez of their intention of leaving the country.  Juarez responded by eulogizing their conduct and offering them complete satisfaction.

American securities in London showed increased heaviness.

The Morning Herald of the 17^th believes the Confederate retreat from Richmond will be found a piece of masterly strategy to gain time when every week’s delay is of the utmost importance, compelling the enemy to keep up positions at a greater and greater distance from his base of operations, thus depriving the enemy of his chief source of strength and aid of the gunboats while they obtain a perfect concentration of the whole Confederate army in Virginia around Richmond, so rendering each Federal corps de armie converging upon the southern Capital exposed to a crushing attack from overwhelming numbers.  Richmond must be defended at all hazards.  It is universally admitted here that if that city fall[s] the Confederate cause on the eastern seaboard is lost by the Confederates.  It is hoped, no doubt the Federal victory will occur so late in the season and the victorious [sic] army so shattered that the time required for reorganization, will make further operations this summer impossible.

The Times remarks it would be mockery to ask Lancashire to send ships to Beaufort for cotton now that the great empire of the Mississippi where millions of acres of cotton growing lands are in the power of the Federals.  It is therefore an obvious policy to trade with New Orleans to get further supplies of cotton for the wants of Europeans of planters who still assert their allegiance to the Southern Republic.

LIVERPOOL, May 17 – Breadstuffs Market – R & Co & W N & co report flour dull and declined 6d@1s per bbl.  State 24@30s.  Wheat dull and 3d lower per cental since Tuesday red western 9s 9d@10s 6d, red southern 10s 9d @11s white southern 12s@12s 6d.  corn dull and declined 3d@6d mixed 27s@29s 3d yellow 27s 3d@27s 6d white 32s@32s 6s.

Provisions. – Beef nominal and downward.  Pork quiet and easier.

LONDON MARKETS – Wheat heavy and declined 1@2s per quarter.

American Securities. – Market firmer, sales Erie 33¾ Illinois Central 47 discount  U S 5 s 89@79½ Massachusetts 5 s 95 Virginia 6 s 52@ 54  Pennsylvania 5s 70 d0 6 s 72@74.

LATER.

LIVERPOOL, Saturday Evening – The Persia has arrived with American mails.  The new was generally canvassed, and opinions are conflicting.

Cotton for a time was dull and difficult of sale.

Breadstuffs – Market dull.  Corn firmer for mixed.

Provisions – Flat and downward.  Lard has an upward tendency and trifling advance.

LONDON, Saturday evening – Consols closed 93¼@93¾ for money.

American Stocks – The latest sales were Erie 34@35, Illinois Central 44@43½ discount.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 31, 1862, p. 3

Foreign News

PORTLAND, March 4.

The steamer Norwegian, from Liverpool on the 20^th, Londonderry 21^st ult. arrived this morning.

The political news possess no particular interest.

Sales of cotton for the four days were 11,000 bales.

Markets closing firmer.

Breadstuffs dull.  Provisions steady.

The Anglo Saxon from Portland arrived at Liverpool on the 20^th.

GREAT BRITAIN. – Parliamentary proceedings, on the 11^th were unimportant.  The bill authorizing marriage with a deceased wife’s sister was passed to a second reading in the Commons, 149 to 133.

The Morning Post has an editorial urging the removal of the prohibition in the West Indies against the efforts for obtaining colored laborers from any part of North America, and advocates the emigration of free negroes from Canada to the west Indies, to develop the cotton culture of those Islands.

It is asserted that the government has said there was confirmation of the news via America, that the Spaniards had sustained a declined defeat at the hands of the Mexicans, and that the dispatch of reinforcements is rendered necessary.

FRANCE. – It is rumored that the Prince Napoleon is dissatisfied with the terms of the address on the Roman question, and will move an amendment for more energetic language.

The bourse continued to be heavy, and on the 19^th the three per cent. rents further declined nearly half per cent., closing at 69.95.  The four and a half per cent. declined one per cent., closing at 99f.

A decree is published, admitting into France, free of duty, rough and purified cast iron, old iron bars, hoops and sheet iron, steel in bars and sheets, and rolled copper, when coming from abroad and destined for re-exportation, after having been converted in French workshops into ships, machines or any other work in metal.

One other decree reduces the interest on treasury bonds to two and a half a three and a half per cent., according to the time of the falling due.

The Moniteur says the government of the Emperor has requested information at Rome respecting the pastoral letter convoking all bishops to Rome for the canonization of the martyrs, the letter having been published in France without having been previously communicated to the government.  Cardinal Antonelli replied that the invitation was simply a friendly one and not obligatory in character – only tended to give weight to the religious ceremony on this reply the French government expressed the wish that the Bishops should not leave their diocese, and must not ask permission to quit the empire except where serious diocesan interests should call them to Rome.

The application for conversation of the 4 1-2 per cent. rentes had reached £70,000,000.

LONDON MONEY MARKET. – English funds dull but steady on the 20^th.

LIVERPOOL, 21. – It is reported that insurances are daily effected on ships and their cargoes to run the blockade of the Southern ports.  The highest premium paid is fifteen guineas, and the ships are entitled to select any port.  In some instances the risks to ports of easy access are as low as ten guineas.  The vessels insured are steamers of 1,500 tons.

The French Bourse is believed to be undergoing an improvement, owing to the receipt of gold from London.

The telegraph from the Red Sea to London is now open.

The iron plated frigate Warrior is ordered from Gibraltar to Portsmouth.

Advices from Manchester report goods and yarns upward, but quiet.

The Journal Espania demands a monarchy for Peru by universal suffrage.

ROME. 20^th. – The Police have made many arrests.

The proclamation of the national committee has been secretly posted here.  The committee hope for early success, but counsel patience.

It is believed that Napoleon has given assurance to the Pope that the French troops will not leave Rome.

Preparations were making to celebrate the anniversary of the Capture of Gaeta.  Numerous patrols traversed the streets to prevent its taking place.

BERLIN, 20^th. – The question between Prussia and Austria is continually widening.  The language of the Prussian and Austrian papers is daily more hostile.

The agitation in Germany is increasing.

Austria, by her recent conduct, had lost much of her influence in northern Germany.

PARIS, 21^st. – The Temps and other French journals demonstrate that a monarchical restoration in North America will only benefit Spain, and the Spanish monarchical interest alone existing.

It is believed that the speech of Prince Napoleon on the address of the Senate will express the real policy of the Emperor on the Italian question.

The following is a summary of the news taken out by the City of New York: The Tuscarora left Gibraltar on the 15^th inst. for the Spanish waters.  She had been watching the Sumter, which still remained at Gibraltar unable to procure coal.

In the House of Commons on the 17^th inst., the supplementary estimates for the naval and military expeditions in the Trent affair, amounting to over £973,000, were moved and unanimously agreed to.  In the debate on the subject, Mr. Bright severely denounced the policy of the government.  He said the money had been worse than thrown away.  The threatening menaces were quite uncalled for, and gave Earl Russell’s first dispatch, which he said had more the appearance of a declaration of war than a courteous demand for a just object which America could not fail to accede to.  He refuted the idea that the American Government was influenced by a mob, and argued that the interests of England were so bound up with America that it was in every respect inadvisable to inflict a sting that it might take centuries to remove.

Mr. Baxter endorsed the tone of the government, but condemned the tone of the press.

Orders had been received at Sheerness to dismantle all gunboats prepared for commissions under the American difficulty.

The Daily News and Star publish the correspondence with Mr. Seward relative to the passage of British troops through the State of Maine.  The latter accords great praise to Mr. Seward for his course in this respect.

The reading of the address to the Emperor of France had taken place in the Senate, and debate commenced upon it on the 20^th.  The address regrets the sufferings inflicted by the American civil war on trade and manufactures, but agrees with the Emperor that the friendly relations of the countries render neutrality incumbent, and believes that the quarrel will be all the shorter if not complicated by foreign influence.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, March 5, 1862, p. 1

Later from Europe

PORTLAND, Feb. 20.

The Bohemian, from Liverpool 6th via Londonderry 7th, arrived here this morning, with one day later news.

The Canada, from Boston, arrived at Liverpool on the 5th inst.

Both houses of Parliament had voted unanimously an address to the Queen in response to her speech.  The opposition approved of the course of the Government in the Trent affair.

Lord Derby thought the Federal Government had assented with very bad grace to the demands of the British Government.

Lord Palmerston said the distress in the manufacturing districts in England from the blockade of the Southern ports, would not justify the interference of the Government, and that they would continue in their neutral course.

The Bank of France has reduced its rates of discount to 4 per cent.

The product of the cotton crop of India was pouring into Bombay.

The iron clad frigate, Warrior, on her passage to Lisbon, labored badly.  Her decks and cabins were flooded and in nine cases out of ten she would not mind her helm.

The London Times city article says, that the funds opened on the 6th, at a decline of more than one-eighth, but gained firmness toward the close.

PARIS, 7. – The Moniteur of this morning says, that Gen. Prim will not take supreme command of the allied forces in Mexico, but that each Gen. will preserve the integrity of his own command.

The Federal gunboat, Tuscarora, left Cowes about 9 o’clock on the morning of the 6th inst., and proceeded Westward.

The Nashville had forty hours start of her.  The engineer of the Nashville told the pilot who took her out that it was agreed by all on board, that she should never be captured; that she had all the valves of the engine arranged so that she could be blown up sky high in a moment, and that if the capture of the Nashville was ever heard of, a violent explosion would accompany it.

Private telegrams from China quote tea at Foochou as higher.  Silks were also higher.  Holders of manufactured goods held them at firm prices.

Singapore was in possession of the rebels.

Advices from Manila say that all tobacco there is to be sent to Spain.

LIVERPOOL, Feb. 7. – Breadstuffs generally quiet and steady, except for corn, which has a downward tendency.  Consols closed at 92 1-4 a 92 7-8.  The weekly returns of the Bank of England show a decrease in the bullion of £334,000.  American securities quiet and stead.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 21, 1862, p. 1

Our Woolen Manufactures

So great has been the demand for army woolen goods, such as cloth, flannel and blankets, that all the woolen mills in the country have been stimulated to prodigious efforts in order to supply the demand made upon them.  Most of the factories have been engaged on army contract work, and it is stated that all the corporations have made handsome profits.  One peculiar effect of the war has been a great rise in the price of coarser qualities of wool, while the finer sorts have been lowered.  The army regulations specify that common army cloth shall be made of long, coarse staple, hence the great demand for this class of wool has raised it to a very high figure.  Thus the coarse Beckwell wool which used to sell at from twenty-five to thirty-five cents per pound has advanced to thirty-eight and forty-five cents.  The consumption of wool for army purposes during the past six months has amounted to no less than 15,200,000 pounds.  This allows for an overcoat, blanket, coat and pants, unitedly weighing sixteen pounds for 950,000 suits. – Scientific American.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 20, 1862, p. 2

New York, May 22 [1862]

FLOUR – Market without mat. change.  Sales at $4.25@4.35 for super state; $4.50@$4.60 extra state; $4.24@$4.35 super western; $4.50@4.75 common to medium extra western; $4.90@5.10 shipping brands extra R. H. O.

WHEAT – Market steady with good export demand. – Sales at 84@98 Chicago Spring.

CORN – Market dull.  Sales at 48@49 mixed western in store and delivered.

OATS – Market heavy.  Sales at 38@41c Canadian Western and State.

PORK – Market dull.  Sales 200 bbls. $12.31@12.50 mess; 9.87½@10 prime.

WHISKEY – Market heavy.  Sales at 24@24½.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 3

Chicago Market

CHICAGO, Thursday, May 22 – 4 P. M.

The Flour market was firmer to-day, but not quotably higher, with moderate sales at $3.65@ 3.70 for fair to good spring extras.  Wheat was firm, and 1@2c better, with a good demand and liberal sales at the range of 81@82c for Amber Iowa; 83c for No. 2 Red; 70@80c for No. 1 spring; and 68@70½c for No. 2 spring in store.  Corn was steady and firm, with fair sales at the range of 27@27½c for old mixed in store, chiefly at outside quotations; 22@23½c for new, and old and new rejected, mixed, 24c for new mixed in store; and 29c for old river mixed afloat – Oats were dull and easier, with limited sales at 25@25½c for No. 1 in store.  Rye was quiet and unchanged, with sales at 44@45c for No. 1 in store.  Barley was dull, with light sales @ 35@45c, as to quality.  Highwines were in good demand, and firm, with sales at 20c.  Mess Pork dull and unchanged.  Bulk Meats quiet.  Lard easier and less active, with sales at 7½c for prime country kettle leaf.  Lake freights easier and more active, with charters at 6c for corn and 6½ for wheat to Buffalo, and 10@10½c for corn and wheat to Oswego.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 3

New York Cattle Market

Tuesday May 20.

We find that the number of bullocks entered for sale at Allerton’s this week is over 1,000 head less than last week, and consequently the price is considerably advanced, and nearly or quite all of the 3,250 head on sale will be disposed of before the close of the day – a larger number than usual having been disposed of on Monday upon terms more favorable to buyers than to-day.  The brokers finding the arrivals very light this morning, held pretty hard for an advance equal to about half a cent a pound upon the quotations of our last weekly report, and buyers say that they got it every time they asked.  Some of the drovers and cattle brokers insist that the advance is not over a quarter of a cent, but facts are against them.  The price is not higher, but it is higher for an inferior class of bullocks, and the estimate of weight is against the buyers.  The quality and price of cattle run remarkably even this week, and a very large portion of all on sale will be sold at a price to just average 8 cents a pound for the net weight of meat, and many more will be sold above 8 cents than below.  Almost the entire stock on sale comes from Illinois.  Part of them are distillery-fed, all are well fed, and many are extra fat, but very few sell at or over 8½ c a pound, net.  The meanest lot in market came in this morning from Ohio, and the owner was offered a price fully equal to 7c, net, by a speculator.  Beside the number being so much less this week the Government buyers took about 300 head of the best, leaving the butchers with such a short supply that high prices are anticipated next week, and some of the speculators hurried through their sales in order to make an early start to meet drovers on the way here.  With the same number of bullocks at the next market, prices will, of course, run high.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 3

St. Louis Market

Tuesday Evening, May 20.

An improvement was noticed in the higher grades of wheat to-day – one lot of choice white being sold as high as 95c.  Whiskey, corn and hemp have but little demand.  Tobacco is higher, and in good demand.  One [illegible] fine leaf, grown by Mr. Groff, from Franklin county, Mo., sold at the state Tobacco Warehouse for the handsome sum of $32.85.

WHEAT – Market steady and advancing on choice grades.  We quote sales of 315 sks white fall at 88c; 397 red fall at 83C84c; 216 spring at 80c; about 625 sks spring and fall choice at 90@91c; 61 sks at 92c; 118 sks choice white at 95c, and about 3,500 sks on private terms.

CORN – Market dull with sales of 441 sks at 35c, 212 at 35½c, delivered as 1,200 sks at 34½@35.

POTATOES – sales of 300 sks neshannocks at 32c, 20 prime at 35c, and 180 sks damaged at 22½c.

OATS – but few transactions and those mostly on private terms.  We quote sales of 790 sks in lots at 40c; 40 sks at 38c, 117 sks at 39c; 239 sks at 40½c, and about 2,400 sks on private terms.

FLOUR – Market unchanged.  We give sales of 140 bbls country double extra at $4.25; 100 do at $4.80; 80 extra at $3.90, 175 sks at $3.50, 50 bbls extra on private terms; 340 sks at $1.57½, and 130 do at 1.62½.

HAY – Sales of 812 bales at $1; 200 bales at $1.08 and 200 bales private.

WHISKEY – Dull, with sales of 27 and 50 bbls in lots at 19c.

GUNNIES – 10 bales heavy new at 16c.

HIDES – Dry flint at 13c.

BARLEY – Sales of 63 sks fall at 80c; 50 spring at 55c; 110 do at 50c, and 690 sks spring at 54c.

RYE – Sales of 223 and 1204 sks at 50c, sks in; 192 and 46 at 44c, sacks out.

DRIED FRUIT – Sales of 300 bushels apples at $1.20; 20 sks poor peaches at $1.25.

SEED – Small lots of clover sold at $3.

EGGS – 5 bbls sold at 5½c, ad 20 bxs private.

PORK – Sales of 16 cks shoulders at 3½ ad 4c 10 cks rib sides, to arrive, at 5½c.

LARD – 150tcs at 7c; 13 manufacturing at 6½.

BROOMS – 76 doz at $1.

COOPERAGE – 135 whisky bbls at $1.15, and 427 flour bbls at 37c.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 3

Markets

FRIDAY, May 23, P.M.

The weather during the past week has been cool and pleasant – very favorable for growing crops.  The receipts of grain are on the increase.  Farmers are improving the time before corn is ready for plowing in bringing forward their remaining surplus from last year’s crop.  Wheat steady at 55 to 60 cents for common to choice Spring.  Winter rules about 10 cents higher, and if clean and free from Rye is in demand at 70 to 75 cents.  City Mills running full time.

Rye and oats are wanted for shipment to St. Louis, where we notice sales of the former at 50 cents, bags included, and the latter at 50 cents.  For details of St. Louis and Chicago markets we refer to the annexed reports.

The river at this point is gradually receding.  A large force is at work on the C. B. & Q. R. R. repairing the track, and hope to have the cars into East Burlington next week.  The Railroad east continues to move freight promptly via Quincy three times a week by steamer Fannie and live stock every day by the ferry boat to Oquawka.

SUGAR – 8½@9½ - crushed, 11½; refined white 11½c; clarified 10½c.

COFFE – 20@22c.

MOLASSES – By the bbl., Reboiled, 40; Syrup, 45; kegs $4.50.  Sorghum, 25@30c.

NAILS – Ass., $3 75@4.

RICE – 8c.

FRUIT – Raisins, prime, new $4.50.

BROOMS – $1 25@1 go per dozen.

FLOUR – Wholesale $4.50 to $5.00; Spring $4.00@$4.55.

WHEAT – Spring, 55@60, choice t0; Winter 65@70 choice.

CORN – 18@19c.

RYE – 28@30c.

BEANS – 60@75c per bush.

POTATOES – 25@30c per bush.

OATS – 20@22c.

BUTTER – 8@9c.

EGGS – 4c.

CHICKENS – 60@70c per doz.

ONIONS – 25c. – no market.

HAY – Timothy, $7@$9

WOOD – $2 50@$3 00.

HIDES – Green, 4½c.; Dry Fling 10@11c.  Green Salted 5½c.

GREEN CALF SKINS – 5c; salted, 6@7c.

SHEEP PELTS – 35@100.

WHISKEY – 21@23c.

LARD – 4@5c. per lb in bbl.

APPLES – 30@50c.

DRIED APPLES – 6@7c per lb.

TIMOTHY SEED – $1.25 to 1.50 per push.  No market.

HUNGARIAN GRASS SEED – 25@40c. [per] bushel.  No sale.

CLOVER SEED – $4 50@$5 00.  No market.

FLAX SEED – prime $1 25@$1 50.

CORN MEAL – 25@30c.

BACON – Hams 4 cents; shoulders 3 cents; side 4c.

RAGS – 2c per lb.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 3

Later From Europe

NEW YORK, May 21. – The steamer Nova Scotia arrived at 1 o’clock this afternoon.

The Sumter remained at Gibraltar.

Mr. Layard Stated in the House of Commons that as far as the Government knew that Mercier’s visit to Richmond was without instructions from France, and was attended with no political results whatever.

The Paris correspondent of the new Confederate organ, the Index, asserts that M. Mercier was under instructions to ascertain certain points and will report in person to the Emperor.

The Independent Belge asserts that to object of Lovalt’s recent Visit to London was to induce England to consent to common intervention in America, and England agrees on condition that  the Roman question was first settled.  The French Government gave ear to this and has led to conference relative to intervention.

Layard in announcing the conclusion of a slave trade treaty in the House of Commons said its conditions gave every reason to hope the traffic will be effectually suppressed.

Mr. Bright said Earl Russell’s late statement that he hoped in a few months that the Northern States would allow the independence of the South.  He said the war had paralyzed business in Lancashire for the time being, and showed how little he knew of the sentiments of the North.

The Times, editorially speaking of the distress in Lancashire, says it is for the honor of the nation that this distress be known to the world that it may see the sacrifices made in the cause of neutrality.  The Times regards the new slave trade treaty as the first fruits of secession, but says it is not a blow at the South, but a victory over the North.

The Paris correspondent of the Morning Herald says it is beyond question that the recognition of the South is seriously contemplated by the French Government.

The Bourse was flat 70f 80c.

Rumors of the approaching solution of the Roman question are more and more general.  It is reported that the Papal Government is prepared for sudden departure.

LATER. – LONDON, May 11, P.M. – Consols – further decline, closing today 92½@92¼.

American Stocks – I. C. 49½@46½ discount; Erie 32¼.

Liverpool Breadstuffs Market – Authorities report flour neglected and offered at slight reduction, 24s 6d@30s.  Wheat dull and nominally unchanged, red western 10s@10s 10d; white 11s 6d@11s 10d.  Corn in moderate demand but freely offered at 27s 9d@28s for mixed.; white 23s@33s per quarter.

LATEST. – May 10, P.M. – The market is nominally the same as yesterday, but holders would accept lower soles [sic] of buyers of approved provisions.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 3