12 FEBRUARY 1842, Page 10

MONEY MARKET.

STOCK EXCIIANOZ, FRIDAY ATTEIMON.

There was sonic degree of excitement in the Money-market during the first few days of the week, and rumours of all kinds were prevalent as to the in- tended course of the Government with respect to the Corn question and the Finances. The disagreeable intelligence received by the overland mail from India coming in addition to these reports, produced an unfavourable effect upon the prices of the Public Securities. Consols for Money fell from 893 to 884, and for Account the price declined 893 to 884. When, however, the true cha- racter of the Indian intelligence became known, it was found (as is usually the case) that the disasters had been much exaggerated. The market has conse- quently recovered, and Consols for Money have again today reached 893, while for Account the same quotation has been attained. The near approach of the settling-day will account for the diminution of the Continuation, or difference between the price for Money and thit for Account We may also add, that the demand for stock for investment has been on the increase, and that raoney generally is more plentiful than usual. To this cause may par- tially be traced the improved value of Exchequer Bills ; the premium upon which has risen 8s., and is today 23s. to 25s. We are, however, of opinion that another cause is operating in favour of these securities, viz, the belief that Government will be compelled to pay the bond fide holders of the repudiated Exchequer Bills the sums they may have advanced upon them. The anxiety of Lord MouxnaoLE to force on a discussion in the House of Lords upon the subject of the late Exchequer Bill frauds, has given rise to a belief that the report of the Commission inquiry will not be at all favourable to the Exchequer Bill Office, of which his Lordship is the head. It is now reported that the Commissioners attach great blame to the office for the laxity with which its proceedings have been carried on : the truth, how- ever, cannot be known until the report is laid before Parliament; which we suppose will hardly be until after the discussion upon Lord MONTEAGLE'S motion on the 17th instant. Judging, however, from the rise in Exchequer Bills, we should be inclined to attach more faith to the rumour that the report of the Commissioners will give evidence of such gross negligence on the part of The office as to leave to the Government no excuse for withstanding the claims of the boni fide holders. India Stock fell 43 per cent upon the arrival of the news from Afghanistan, namely, from 2474 to 243; but has since recovered, and is today 245. Bank Stock has risen more than 1 per cent, and is quoted today at 1684. The busi- ness of the Foreign Stock Exchange has, with the exception of Brazilian Bonds, been principally confined to the Non-dividend Stocks. The intelli- gence of the arrival of remittances for the Brazilian Dividends, which we noticed in a part of our last impression has caused a rise in the price of the stock, which was in demand at 66; hut since fallen back, and may now be quoted at 65.

A meeting of the Mexican Bondholders was held today, at the London Tavern, to consider certain propositions submitted to them by their Committee for the gradual payment of the over-due dividends upon the Converted Stock. These dividends amount to eight: it is proposed, in consideration of the in- tended provision to be made for four of them, that the Bondholders should relinquish their claim to the other four. At present one-sixth part of the customs-duties received at Vera Cruz and Tampico is set apart for the pay- ment of the dividends n n the Foreign Debt, and as the holders of bonds to the

extent of rather more t half the amount of the debt have availed themselves of the privilege accorded at the time of the conversion of the debt in 1837, of presenting their Coupons in payment of the customhouse-duties ;in Mexico at the ports before-named, an amount of Coupons equal to 252,0001. has thus been cancelled, or in other words, a sum equal to two years' dividend upon the whole amount of the debt has been paid. The present proposition of the Go- vernment, therefore, is to forbear for the next two years the payment of the dividend upon the Bonds on which the amount has been paid, and the Coupons of which have been cancelled, and to apply the amount to the liquidation of the two years of over-due dividends of which the Government now pro- pose to make payment; while for the more effectually securing such pay- ment, together with the accruing interest of the whole debt, it is further pro- posed to set apart one-fifth instead of one-sixth of the customs-revenue. The whole revenue is estimated at 6,000,000 dollars; and 20 per cent upon that amount will produce 1,200,000 dollars, equal at the exchange of 4s. 3.4. per dollar, to 255,000/. The amount requisite for the annual payment of 5 per cent upon the whole debt is 250,000/.; and as there is a prospect of an increase rather than of a diminution of the revenue arising from this fund, it is consi- dered that the future dividends are well-secured. Considerable opposition was made by some of the Bondholders, especially by Sir ROBERT WILSON, to the adoption of their proposals; but the meeting ultimately agreed to them. The price of the Stock has been as high as 324, but within the last day or two has declined to 314, and has been steady during the whole of today, at 314 32; but improved slightly when the determination of the meeting was known, closing at 32. The intelligence brought by the Lisbon mail on Tuesday caused a decline of 24 per cent in the price of Portuguese Five per Cents, and the Regency Bonds fell to 31, while the Three per Cents declined to 184. A better feeling has, however, since prevailed ; and as it is believed that the revolutionary move- ment at Oporto will not succeed, none of the large holders have brought stock to market. The Bonds generally have improved about 1 per cent from the lowest prices, and are today from 1 to 14 below the prices of lett week. Spanish Active Stock was heavy at the commencement of the week, and on Wednesday, on the report of an insurrectionary movement, fell to 24, thus marking a decline of per cent from the closing price of Saturday last. The satisfactory progress made in the arrangements for the conversion of the over- due Coupons caused an improvement, and in the course of yesterday the price reached 253, being a rise of 1 3 per cent from the lowest quotation. The market has not, however, been quite so firm today, and after being at 244, closes at 244 4. The business transacted has not been very important, with the excep- tion of a few influential purchases on Wednesday ; which were not, however, imfficient to check the temporary decline.

The Dividend-paying European Stocks are generally at our last prices, though in one or two instances rather firmer. Nothing of importance has occurred in Railway Shares. Yesterday was the day for receiving tenders for loan-notes to be issued by the Brighton Company, in accordance with the resolution passed at the last meeting ; and, as was antici- pated, considerably more than the required amount has been subscribed.

SATURDAY, TWELVE O'CLOCK.

The English Fonds are rather firmer this morning ; Consols for Account marking 893, while for Money the price is 89 to 3. The other varieties are firm, at yesterday's prices. Exchequer Bills are the same, viz. 23s. to 25s. i prem. India Stock s 244 to 24,5. In the Foreign Market prices are generally the same as yesterday, with the exception of Mexican, which are rather more in demand, and after being done at 32* are now 323 4. Columbian are also at a slight advance upon our last prices. Spanish Active declined to 244, at which price there were for some time sellers, but has since improved, and is 244 I. Dutch Two-and-a-half per Cents may also be quoted at a slight ad- vance, and after being at 514, are now 514 I. The business in the Railway Shares is quite trifling. We can only notice the following transactions—Bristol and Exeter, 37; Great Western, 853; Brighton, 36 ; North Midland, New, 3434. British North American Bank, New, 264.

SATURDAY. FOUR O'CLOCK.

The English Funds close at the morning's prices. Exchequer Bills have improved Is. and close at 24r. to 26s. premium. In the Foreign Market, the demand for Mexican Stock continues ; and the price has consequently advanced to 333 3, being a rise of 14 per cent upon the opening price. The others are at the morning quotations, and no business of importance has occurred in them.

We have to notice the following transactions in Railway Shares, in addition

to those given iii the morning : Eastern Counties, 84; Brighton, 35* and 365; North Midland, 70; South-eastern and Dover, 26.

Itia.r.v.torr Foos o'CLoctr.

The unexpected and unusual arrival of the Lisbon mail, bringing intelligence of the success of the revolt at Oporto, and resignation of the Marquis of PAX... BELLA, has produced a very unfavourable effect upon Portuguese Securities; and the Five per Cents Regency Bonds have been done as low as 313, being a fall of 4 per cent. The publication of the second edition of the Times, with the news, did not take place till after four o'clock ; and every description of Peninsular Stock is already lower; Spanish Active closing at 243 i; Portu- guese Three per Cents, 184 19; and the Converted Five per Cents, 264 to 27.

3 per Cent. Consols

Columbian 6 per Cents 211 21 Ditto for Account 89i 4 Danish 3 per Cents 81 82 3 per Cent Reduced 89i * Dutch 24 per Cents 5141 31 per Cent Ditto 901 4 Mexican 5 per Cents,. Cousd. 321 1 New 31 per Cents

984 f

Portuguese Regency 5 perCts. 32 1 Bank Stock 1671 81 Ditto New 5 per Cents 1841.

27 f

Excheoper Bills 2426pm. Ditto Spar Cents

19 4

ludia Stock Brazilian 5 per Cents

214 5

65 6

Russian 5 per Cents

Spanish (Active)

241151 1117 Belgian 5 per Cents

102 3