Richmond markets.
Monday, December 18, 1865.
Gold remains stationary.
There have been but few days within the last month or more when we could not have quoted it at to-day's prices, which are — buying, 145; selling, 147.
Money continues to be very scarce and in great demand, as it will always be until the usury laws shall have been repealed.
We repeat, for the benefit of our lawmakers, what we said a week ago, that here, where the law forbids any man to take more than six per cent. per annum as interest, five per cent. per month is not only offered, but accepted.
We cannot say exacted, because, owing to the usury laws, those needing money are more anxious to make these bargains than are those who have the money to lend.
Trade continues dull.
The merchants are hoping for better times — next year.
The wealth of Richmond is to come from the country; and the country people have not the products, taken from the earth, which this city so much needs.
Nevertheless, there is, of course, quite a respectable trade, in a small way, going on between the wholesale merchants and the retailers.
Our report of the markets will be brief.
We quote wholesale prices where not otherwise states:
Tobacco.--No change since our last report.
Common lugs, $5 @$7; good lugs, $8@@$10; common leaf, $10@$12; good leaf, $18 @$26; good stems, $3.50@$6; fine shipping, $25@$30. No fancy light wrapping in market.
Manufactured.--Extra old pounds (tax paid), $50@$80; fine old pounds (tax paid), $45@$60; medium old pounds (tax paid), $25@$40; sweet old half pounds (tax paid), $50@$80; sweet old tens (tax paid), $60@$70.
Apples.--per barrel, $7; dried, per lb, 12
Peaches.--Dried, per lb, peeled, 22@25
Cherries.--Seeded, 25@31 per lb.
Flour.--Virginia Family, $13@$14; Extra, $11½ @$12½; Superfine, $9½@10½.
Northern Family, $13; Extra, $10 ½; Superfine, $9½@$10.
Buckwheat.--5½@6 for Virginia; 7 for Northern.
Corn Meal.--Bolted, $1.10; unbolted, $1@$1.10.
Corn.--80 cents.
Wheat.--No quotations.
Hay.--$1.20@$1.30.
Whisky.--Common, $2.10@$2.15; pure Rye, $2.40@ $3.20. Fine brands higher.
Holland Gin.--$3@$4.
Wine.--Port, $2.50@$3.
London Porter.--$2.75@$3.25 per dozen.
Brandy.--French, $14@$15; apple, $3.50; Philadelphia, $2.40@$2.75.
Rum.--$3.50@$6 per gallon.
Kerosine Oil--$1 per gallon.
Bacon.--Sides, 20@20½c.; hams, new, 24 @26; old, 20@a22; shoulders, new, 18@19; old, 16@17
Lard.--Prime, 25; leaf lard ("so-called" and branded, hut, in reality, pressed,) lower.
Salt.--Liverpool, $4 per sack.
Butter.--35@45 per lb. In market, pound rolls, 60
Molasses.--Common syrup, which is a good name applied to a bad article, 50@55; genuine golden syrup, $1.10@$1.20 per gallon; Cuba and Muscovado molasses, 65
Cheese.--Northern and Western, 20@21; English dairy, 25@30
Irish Potatoes.--$3.25@$3.50 per barrel.
Coffee.--Rio, 31@32; Laguayra, 35@36; Java, 42@45
Sugar.--Brown, 13@15; extra "C" and "B," 18½@19½c.; crushed and pulverized, 20½ @21
Teas.--Black, 65 @$1.45--the last a prime article; imperial, $1.25@$1.50; gunpowder; $2@$2.25.
Rice.--12
Candles.--Adamantine, light weight, 30; full weight, 32; tallow, 21@a22; parafine, 45
Soap.--Common, 9@10; best washing soap, 12
Powder.--$10.50 per keg of 25 lbs.
Shot.--$3.75@$4 per hag of 25 lbs.
Vinegar.--Cider, 50; manufactured, 40
Cider.--Apple, 50 per gallon,
Fish.--Herrings, $8@$8.50 per barrel — some $9; mackerel, No. 1, $19@$30; No. 2, $17.50; No. 3, $15.50; mess shad, in kits, $3.
Leather.--Sole leather, oak, 40@45; sole leather, hemlock, 28@43; upper, 40@45; kip, per dozen, $50@$80; harness, 30 @35; calf skins, French, $50@$60; domestic, $30@$40
Wool.--Unwashed, 40@45; washed, 57@65
Venison.--Green, per lb, 12½c@16
Beef.--From store, 9 per lb.
Pork.--From store, 14 per lb.
Peas.--Black-eyed, $1.25 per bushel. 