11 JANUARY 1862, Page 8

MONEY MARKET

STOCK EXCHANGE, FRIDAY EVENING.

Tam demand for discount continuing moderate, and the news ar- riving that peace will be anamtatr ed with the United States the Bank. of England yesterday reduced their minimum rate of discount Rom 3 to 21 per cent. In the specie market there is an abundant supply of capital, partly from the release of the dividends on Consols, India Five per Cents, and other Government Securities, and the best paper is taken at about + per cent. below the Bank. On the Stock Exchange undiminished ease prevails, and the rate for short loans is nominally 1 per cent., with very few borrowers. As usual on the reduction in the Bank rate, the joint-stock banks and discount houses have lowered in a corresponding degree their allowance on deposits. The former give 11 per cent, for money at call, and 11 with seven days' noticeand the latter a uniform rate of 11 per cent. The London and Westminster Bank, however, allow 1 per cent. only on sums below 500/. ,

The Funds were rather dull at the commencement of the week,

but 'subsequently improved in a large purchase on American account. Later, the arrival of the news of the release of Messrs. Mason and Slidell, caused a great increase of buoyancy, and a further rise of nearly 1 per cent, took place. From this point, however, there was a partial reaction. Consols, after reaching 931, closed t evening at 93i, L both for money, and the account being fully 1 pe cent. higher than last Friday. Stock continues rather scarce fo delivery. India Five per Cents are only a fraction better, at 10614.

Foreign Stocks have also been influenced by the news from Amen especially the more speculative descriptions, such as Turkish, Yen ztila, and the like. Mexican also at one period improved, but htas since relapsed. Peruvian Bonds have been in demand and firm. Tile

new Italian Loan has somewhat recovered. a Railway Stocks have experienced a general improvement, notwitlh- standing that thy traffic returns continue to show a falling off, owiniv to the depression in trade caused by the American war. A satisfac- tory feature, however, is that peace will be, maintained between t • country and the Northern States. Firmness is also derived from th , limited supply of stock in the market. Midland has been cluefi in demand.

Colonial descriptions have also advanced, particularly Canadian4 Most of the foreign and American railway securities are also higher. c A general rise has taken place in Colonial Government Deben-L lures.

In the Miscellaneous Market, the principal feature is a good demand for Joint-Stock Bank Shares. St. J-ohn del Rey Mining are likewise better.

The imports of specie this week includes 63,0001. from America, and 422,0001. from Melbourne. The only export of any importance is 23,4421. to Brazil. About 10,0001. in gold was sent to the Bank to-day.

At a meeting of the East and West India Dock Company to-day, a dividend was -declared for the past half-year at the rate of 6 per cent, per annum, and at the CoMmercial Dock, at the rate of 5 per cent.

A prospectus has been issued of a Company called the India Free- hold Land. Colonization, Trust, and Agency Association, under limited liability. Its object is to purchase and settle waste lands.