settled state of the gold market and the uncertainties of trade generally. In July, however, the business took a decided start. Southern and Western buyers commenced purchasing quite freely, and in August, September, and October, more goods were disposed of than at any time for many years. Our manufacturers were unable to supply the demand, and large orders for future delivery have kept them busy until near the close of the year. The extent of our business can be judged of by a reference to shipments of goods South and West, showing a large increase over any previous year, and the value of the goods cannot fall much short of $30,000,000. The prospects of the trade the coming year are considered quite encouraging. It is believed that the demand for goods from the South and West will be fully equal to last year. Prices have been quite The highest and lowest prices have satisfactory throughout the year, all been as follows: Hemlock Sole. desirable goods commanding full and remunerative prices. The quantity of Boots and Shoes cleared at the Custom House has been as follows: The receipts have been 25 @ 40 37 @ 50 70 @ 1 40 28 @ 42 20 @ 311 16 @ 27 18 @ 25 55 @ Of which to California. 47,350 30,188 1861 .87,164 33,081 195,191 38,774 50,254 64,577 1857. 234,422 32,868 42,258 7,894 1,256 lows: New York Philadelphia Total, 1865 18:34 $1863 1862 320,016 131,123 BOOTS AND SHOES. The Boot and Shoe trade, the first six months of the year, was comparatively quiet and fell short of expectation, dealers purchasing only for immediate wants, on account of the un 49 Coastwise 6,872 884 993 1,042 1864... 5,060 303 880 1863. 11,444 564 2,277 690 1562 1865. $600 @ 25 00 10 00 @ 25 00 13 00 @ 35 00 1864.25 00 @ 46 00 30 00 @ 48 00 35 00 @ 60 00 1863.18 00 @ 45 00 18 00 @ 46 00 20 00 @ 49 00 1862.6 25 @ 16 00 675 @ 18 50 8 50 @ 20 00 1861. 1 20 @ 600 150 @ 800 1860. 1 20 (@ 1 80 1 30 @ 2 00 1859. 1 75 @ 187 1 87 @ 250 1858. 1 50 @ 195 175 @ 237 1,810 1857. 1 50 @ 1 95 180 @ 250 2 12 @ 12 00 2 00 @ 400 2 62 @ 6 00 2 25 @ 6 25 2 25 @ 600 1859. . 7,400 1857. ... 7,172 The imports for three years have 1856. 1,116 been as follows: . 1,055 546 552 Pitch . 6,605 Turpentine. . 16 OIL. The highest prices obtained for Linseed Oil during the year were in January and February last, when sales were made at $1 55 @ $1 60, and the lowest point was in May, when sales were made at $1 12. During the past six months there has been quite a speculative feeling, and prices have been fluctuating on account of the short supplies of Seed and Oil West. Since November the sales have been at $1 40 @ $1 50, and the closing price is $1 43 @ $1 44 P gal. The highest and lowest prices for some years past have been as follows: PETROLEUM, This article has been in good demand throughout the year, and a very fair range of prices has been sustained. The current rates in January last were 94 @96c. for Western refined up to $1 05 for Boston; but prices steadily declined, touching 68 @70c. for Western and 74 @ 75c. for Boston in July last. been tending upward; and the bulk of Since July, prices have again the sales the past six months have been from 75 @ 80c. P gal. The highest and lowest prices for three been as follows: years have Refined. The exports from the country during the year have been as follows:From Boston, gals New York Philadelphia. Baltimore. Portland. New Bedford Cleveland ..62 @ 88 .78 @ 105 1,499,836 .14,332,132 .11,353,623 1857. 1856. PROVISIONS. The Provision trade, the past year, has been far from satisfactory. The packing season at the West, early in the year, commenced with unusual against 83 @ 184c. in 1864, 64 @ 9c. in 1863, and 4 @ 64c. in 1862. The highest and lowest prices of Western Beef and Lard, for ten years, have been as follows: 1865. 1864. 1863. 1861. 1860. 1859.. 1858. 1857. 1856. : The stock of Beef, Pork, and Lard, on hand Dec. 31, was as follows: excitement, and the Hog product was Mess. 1865. 1857... 2,000 . . 1,500 1856. The exports to foreign and coast 16 00 @ 26 00 wise ports have been as follows: Lard has been a very scarce article throughout the year, the stock in the country having been sold up closer than in any previous year for a long time. Prices have ranged from 18 @ 30c. lb., sales having been made in October and November at 29 @ 30c. Plb. In December prices declined materially, and now range from 20 @ Butter, pkgs. 21c. P lb. There is a prospect of a more abundant supply of Lard the coming year, as the Hogs now arriving at leading points West are reported as fat, and yielding an unusually large per centage of Lard. Dressed Hogs have ranged from 12 @ 20c. BUTTER AND CHEESE. Butter has been quite fluctuating the past year. Opening in January last at 52 @ 55c. for good and choice New York and Vermont, and 45 @ 50c. for common, prices steadily de |