Financial and Commercial.
Tuesday, May 26, 1863.
Specie and Notes.--The rates continue to advance, although the stock to operate with is very light, and the business consequently insignificant.
The brokers to-day were offering $5 premium for gold and $4.75 for silver, and asking $5.50 premium for gold and $5.25 for silver — market firm.
For bank notes they were offering 70 per cent, and asking 80--a further advance.
Bonds and Stocks.--The sales of the past week by
Messrs. Lancaster & Co. indicate the following range of prices: Confederate bonds, 100 m, 103 to 109 and int, according to date; do, 8 per cent convertibles, 110 and int; do do, 15 m, 190 and int; do do, sevens, 100 and int; Va reg'd bonds 112 and int; City of Richmond do 135;
North Carolina sixes (old) 179;
Missouri sixes 170; Va Cent R R bonds, 1st mort, 130 and int;
Orange and
Alex R R eights 110 and int; do do sixes 110 and int; Richmond and York River R R bonds, eights, 110 and int; Va and Tenn R R, 3d mort, 110 and int; Farmers' Bank stock 125; Exchange Bank 125; Bank of Va 87½ Richmond and Danville R R stock 125; R, F a P R R do 110; Imp'g and Exp' Co 800.
Produce, &c.--
Wheat — nothing doing; we quote it nominal at $6.50 to 7 per bushel Flour — superfine $30 to 32, extra $35, family $37.50. Corn — the market is almost bare; we continue to quote at $9 to 9.50.
Corn Meal scarce and in demand at $10 to 11 per bushel.
Bacon $1.45 to 1.50 for hoground.
Lard $1.60 per lb. Butter $3 to 3.25.
Salt 45 to 50 per lb.
Rice dull at 18 to 25 Soap — a good article brings 70 to 80 Candles $3.25 to 3.50.
Hay $12 per cwt.
Sheaf Oats the same, Irish Potatoes $8 to 9 per bushel.
Groceries.--Sugar continues high under the news received from
Vicksburg last Friday, and speculators seem to have everything their own way. We quote brown firm at $1.50 per lb. Molasses $11 per gallon.
Coffee $3.25 to 4 per lb. Tea $7.50 to 10 per lb.
Tobacco.--Nothing doing in leaf for two days past.
Manufactured, 75c to $2.25 per lb, as to quality; Smoking; 60c to $1.25; a fancy article, $1.60.
Leather.--Sole, $4; Upper, $5.50 to $6; Harness, $4.25 per lb, $35 each.
Liquors.--
Apple Brandy, $24 to $25 per gal. Whiskey, $22 to $35; the last figure for an extra article.
French Brandy, per gal.
