The Daily Dispatch: September 27, 1861., [Electronic resource]

Richmond Markets," Sept. 28

Business is dull in the grocery market, notwithstanding the high prices of almost all articles in that line. The figures at which we quote Lime ought, we think, to be sufficiently large to induce our friends in the Valley of Virginia and the Southwest, where limestone is as plenty as sand is in Eastern Virginia, and who can make us good Lime for building purposes, and indeed for anything but white washing, as can be found anywhere, at a trifling cost to themselves, to put up thousands of kilns, and get possession of the market now and hold it forever. They should also make, as there is no reason in the world why they should not, fine white Lime for whitewashing purposes. Now is the time for them to seek new sources of revenue, and to aid Virginia in becoming independent of the North in respect to this particular article of commerce. Cotton is likely to fluctuate in prices somewhat at the present time, it being the season for the new crop to commence coming in, and accordingly we have quoted it as ranging from 12½ to 14 cents in price, as in quality. Sole Leather we quote at 60 cents--a most extraordinary price — and, scarce at that. This article should certainly be brought down. If we look at the immense number of beeves which are daily slaughtered for the use of our armies — so many that the tallow taken from them has glutted that market — and remember that Virginia has every means and appliance necessary to the manufacture of any amount of Leather, we may well conclude that there is a lack somewhere of a proper spirit of enterprise, or that article would not now command three times as high a price as it did one year ago. The Tobacco market remains as on Tuesday last we quoted it, as do the prices for most articles in our list.

Bacon.--Hog round, when bought in large quantities, 22 to 24 cents, and of very fall sale; Hams, which it is almost impossible to procure separately, are worth from 8 to 10 cents more by retail.

Butter.--26 cents by the quantity.

Coffee.--Rio, scarce, and worth 40 cents. No other kinds in market.

Corn.--58 to 60 cents per bushel.

cotton.--12½ to 14 cts. per lb., as in quality.

Feed.--Shipstuffs 40 cents per bushel; Brownstuffs 20 cents Shorts 15; Bran 12½

Flour.--By retail, $5 for Fine; $5.50 for Superfine — a slight decline; $6@6.25 for Extra Superfine, and $7@$7.25 for Family. There is also a variety of Flour called Cross Middlings, which makes as wholesome if not as white bread as any other brand, selling at $4.25@4.50.

Hay.--Clover Hay $1.25; Timothy $1.35.

Leather.--No Calfskin in market. It is difficult, too, to fix quotations for other kinds, the market being very variable. We quote Sole Leather at 60 cents; very scarce, and becoming more scarce daily; Upper scarce at $3.50@$5 per side; Harness Leather 50 cts. per lb. Hides — salted green, $8 to $8.50; green calf skins, $1.25@1.30--scarce.

Lime.--Next to none in market. The prices, therefore, are scarcely quotable. It would no doubt bring from $2.50 to $3 per barrel, if not more.

Molasses.--New Orleans 65 cents, with no other in market.

Lard.--20 cents in bbls.; 22 cents in kegs.

Oats.--37½ to 40 cts. per bushel. Balled Oats $1.25.

Rice.--4½5 cents, wholesale; a trifle higher by retail.

Salt.--$7. wholesale; $7.25@7.50 by retail.--No Ground Alum Salt in market.

Sugar.--New Orleans, in lots, 14 cents; Coffee Sugars 14 to 17½ cts.; Crushed 22@28 cts.

Tobacco.--Common lugs, $1.75 to $2.25; better grades, $2.75 to $3.50; common leaf, $3.50 to $5.60; medium, $5.50 to $7.00; fine shipping, $8.50 to $11.00; fancy grades, as high as $17.

Wheat.--90 cts. for Red; $1 for White.

Whiskey.--Quite a demand exists for this article. Among Common Whiskeys, Twenty Per-Cent. is worth 75 cents, and Ten Per-Cent, brings 82 cents. A good article of old Mountain Whiskey cannot be bought for less than $1.25, and from this price up to $2 per gallon.