committed to the American Union, for its highest purposes, both in war and peace. It is for the honored head of the government now to show that, fully recognizing this solemn trust, he is ready, with the co-operation of Congress, to go vigorously forward, and complete a work so important to the American people, for all coming ages.

Respectfully submitted in behalf of the State of New York, by

Washington, June 9th, 1862.

SAMUEL B. RUGGLES.

THE STEVENS (HOBOKEN) BATTERY.

The Washington correspondent of the Philadelphia Press says :-It will be remembered that early in the present session of Congress a bill was passed making an appropriation of $783,000 for the completion of this battery, subject to the direction of the Secretary of the Navy. The Federal Government has expended nearly half a million upon the battery, and Mr. STEVENS Some three hundred thousand dollars. The commission to which the Secretary referred the measure, reported that the battery could not be completed unless certain alterations and improvements were made, and here the matter rested; but Mr. STEVENS is now in Washington, and yesterday made a proposition to Congress and the Administration to complete the battery out of his own funds. He asks that the government should convey to him all its right and title to the STEVENS battery, and cancel the mortgage given by his brother ROBERT, for the faithful performance of his contract, and he then binds himself under a penalty of $100,000 to finish it out of his own funds, as a war steamer, in one year, to throw a heavier broadside than any war steamer in the world now throws, and after its completion, the government shall have the option of buying it for $783,000, the amount of its appropriation, and the estimated cost by the late board. Should the government refuse to accept it, it will then become the property of Mr. Stevens.

STATISTICS OF TRADE AND COMMERCE.

1. DOMESTIC HIDE TRADE. 2. THE INDIGO TRADE. 3. HUNGARIAN WINES. 4. THE LUMBER TRADE OF CANADA. 5. THE SUPPLY OF COTTON.

DOMESTIC HIDE TRADE.

A CORRESPONDENT in the Shoe and Leather Reporter makes the following statements: "All direct attempts at estimating the actual production of domestic hides have failed. The census, which should aid us in this investigation, is either silent or so imperfectly compiled as to lead us to no satisfactory conclusion.

"Let me attempt an approximate estimate by a course of statement and reasoning, the fallacy of which can readily be detected if erroneous; but if true the importance of the conclusion to which we are led will be perceived by all.

"The cities of New York and Brooklyn contain a population of one million-and they consume the beef from two hundred thousand cattle. This is a fact which we know. Now if we here consume no more beef than the average of the population of the United States, then we conclude that the 30,000,000 population must consume the beef from 6,000,000 cattle-consequently there must be at least this number of hides taken off and enter into consumption.

"Do the people of these cities consume more meat on the average than the whole population of the United States? The first impulse is to answer, yes; and this may be so, and if so, then to the extent of this difference the estimate may be varied-but before coming to that conclusion, please consider that while we have a large wealthy class that consume poultry, game, and oysters, we also have a large number of poor who cannot afford meat, and then add for all classes the immense consumption of fish, lobsters, clams, &c., which are consumed to a much greater extent here than in any other portion of the United States, and then the further fact that very large quantities of cured meats from the West are brought here, besides the boat and car loads of beef and small meats from all along the lines of our railroads, and particularly the very large supply in the fall season from the Hudson River-and I think few will think the estimate an unfair one.

"All will concede that the amount appears startling, but I am convinced the estimate is within the truth, and all the more when I consider how very largely beef enters into our exports to the West Indies, the fisheries on our northeast coast, and to all parts of Europe.

"From another point of view we arrive almost at the same conclusion. "The consumption of leather made up in the form of boots and shoes is estimated at 40 per cent of the entire value of the consumption of these articles, 60 per cent being estimated for labor and other materials.

"In England, where economical statistics are more prized and more

fully kept, perhaps, than in any other country, they estimate the cost for the covering of the feet at sixteen shillings, or about four dollars. It must be much more here, since our people more generally wear boots than there; and besides our climate and the clearing and the occupation of new land must demand more substantial covering for the feet than in an old country with a much milder climate.

"Estimating then, as I think I am justified in doing, the cost of boots. and shoes for each inhabitant at four dollars, for a population of 30,000,000, we have $120,000,000, of which $50,000,000 is credited to leather and $70,000,000 to labor. Now add to this amount the leather used for belting, harness, trunks, and carriages, certainly not less than $10,000,000 more, and we shall have $60,000,000 worth of leather consumed.

"Where does the raw material come from for this vast aggregate. If we estimate the foreign importation at 1,500,000, and the domestic at 6,000,000 hides, and compute the value at four dollars each, we shall have $30,000,000 for the raw material. It will cost from $15,000,000 to $18,000,000 to manufacture this raw material, thus leaving us from $10,000,000 to $12,000,000 for calf, kip, and sheep skins, both foreign and domestic, which enter into the consumption of shoe leather; for be it remembered I have not included book-binders' and hatters' stock, nor provided for the thousands of other purposes into which leather enters and is consumed."

On the strength of these statements the writer concludes, that it is more important we should watch hereafter the causes which affect the domestic production, than foreign importation. He also enumerates the following as some of the causes which effect the production of native hides:

"1st. The demand for and price of beef, not only at home, but abroad; for if beef is low cattle are withheld.

"2d. The price and condition of the grain market. If grain is low cattle will be retained to consume it; they will be kept over.

"3d. An expanded cheap currency induces large outlay in, and increase of the stock of cattle, in this way sometimes affecting the hide market for several seasons.

"4th. The opening of new territory and the increase of wealth in the far West is now, and has been for twenty years, absorbing a large amount of cattle."

The hints thrown out by this correspondent are important, and deserve the attention of the trade.

THE INDIGO TRADE.

The following is condensed from an article in the London Shipping Gazette:

In all calculations respecting future value, it is necessary that the total produce should be fully considered. The growth of indigo in India, arising from the long-pending differences between the landholders and ryots, may exhibit a comparative deficiency; but the question for both importers and consumers to consider is-will the arrivals equal the demand?

The moderate production of indigo in India, combined, together with the late upward movement in the currencies, has led to the publication of certain statements at Calcutta calculated to mislead operators in England. Not that there is any commercial reason why indigo should become lower in price, but it is evident that reckless speculators have advanced statements unsupported by facts. Our readers, perhaps, recollect the great difficulties attending cultivation and production last year, and were prepared for a considerable falling off in the importations of Bengal qualities; but the result was of a very different character. Although indigo fell in price at one time, the imports of shipments from Calcutta were about 2,000 chests in excess of 1860. As, however, the consumption was nearly equal to the arrivals, the increased supply was not felt as a kind of dead weight upon the market. In order to show more clearly the position of the trade during the past ten years, as regards Calcutta shipments, we insert the annexed statistics of imports and deliveries into London:

These figures show that in the past ten years London dealers imported 173,112, and delivered 189,792 chests; consequently the deliveries, mostly accumulations in London warehouses, exceeded the arrivals by 16,680 chests. This is certainly a favorable report to make; but it proves, beyond a doubt, that more indigo was produced in the East last year than in 1860, notwithstanding the assertions that the quantity of land in cultivation was very small.

If we trace the trade this year-which opened well for importers and holders of stock-we shall find a falling off in the deliveries, arising, no doubt, from the high rates now prevailing, and an increase in the arrivals and consumption. In round numbers London has imported 4,500 chests East India, against 1,750 chests in the same time in 1861. The deliveries have fallen short of last season by about 400 chests, and the stock has increased from 10,700 to 12,600 chests. Nearly the same figures, as regards supplies, stocks, &c., apply to Spanish qualities; and yet our correspondents at Calcutta write us to the effect, that it is thought there is ample room for a further rise in the quotations of 20, 25, and even 30 per cent. France and Russia have forwarded large orders to Calcutta ; but it appears that from the 8th of January to the 3d ult., the quantity shipped to the latter country was only 1,200 chests, against 2,500 last year. The exports to Germany comprised only 557 chests, whilst in 1861 they rather exceeded 1,200 chests. America, however, appears to have operated more fully-the quantity forwarded being 603 chests, against 425 chests. France has taken 4,500 chests, or 1,700 less than in the previous season. There is only one inference to be drawn from these figures viz., that hitherto London dealers have purchased a full average quantity of Bengal indigo, and that, consequently, future imports will be equal to their necessities. But, even if those necessities are well met, both Russia and France, considering the very moderate quantities they bave purchased at Calcutta, may become larger buyers in the London market, and, in this

way, any accumulation of stock may be prevented, and firmness may be imparted to even the present high currencies. As we are not of opinion that much higher rates will prevail in this country as the year progresses, it is but just that we should insert the calculations made at Calcutta in reference to supply:

Stock at the beginning of the May sales... chests Shipments to arrive for the July sales from Calcutta. (Average 1854-61,) Madras and Pondicherry....

Deliveries between May and July, 1858.....

As regards the stock for the May sales, these figures appear to be tolerably correct, but our impression is, because it is admitted that, last year, the total available crop, including old stocks, was 67,430 maunds, the statement, or rather estimate, for the July sales is far too low, certainly by from 2,000 to 2,500 chests. Again, the probable shipments to the end of the year are certainly placed at too moderate a limit; consequently, we may anticipate a larger stock on hand at the close of the year than 8,741 chests. If other nations were buying largely in the Indian market, we could easily understand that a portion of our usual importations would be cut off; but when we find a positive deficiency in the shipments to various quarters, it is difficult to understand upon what principle we can safely contend for higher quotations. In 1857-58 America took direct 806 chests; in 1858-59 the quantity was 1,868; in 1859-60, 1,526; but in 1860-61 it declined to 730 chests. There can be no doubt but that the production of the indigo plant in Bengal has been greatly checked since the commencement of 1861; still, we see nothing in the advices since the beginning of the present year to warrant the belief that the total production will be from 10,000 to 12,000 chests less than the usual average, more especially as the sowings have progressed satisfactorily, and as an abundance of rain has fallen in most of the indigo districts.

Whilst several branches of trade in the United Kingdom have suffered severely, it is satisfactory to find the indigo market comparatively healthy. Unquestionably the production in the East of late years has not kept pace with the consumption, and even additional supplies from other sources are not likely to fill up the vacuum caused by dissensions in India between the cultivators and the owners of land. The differences now