Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political

Communicated for the Alexandria Gazette.

LIVERPOOL, 5th June, 1811.

SIRS,

We have looked with considerable anxiety to the measures likely to be adopted in France towards the United States, believing that our ministry will persist in enforcing the Orders in Council, unless the Emperor sets them an example of moderation and justice, by revoking his decrees; from time to time rumor has stated this to have been done in fact. It is now understood that Mr. Smith received dispatches from Mr. Russell on the 27th ult. announcing to him that it had been notified by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, that his Majesty the Emperor had ordered all American vessels and cargoes arrived in France since the 2d November, to be placed at the disposal of their rightful owners. We are further enabled to say from a conversation we have had with Mr. Sharp of New-York, who left France on the 19th ult. and arrived here a few days past, that on the 16th several vessels and cargoes were given up, on condition that they take away the full nett proceeds of their inward cargoes one third in silks, and the other two thirds in produce or manufactures; and that previous to this some others had been restored under like conditions. On the arrival of a vessel the Emperor has to be petitioned in the same manner as we should have to do in this country for an Order in Council, to get leave to land prohibited articles. In cases of capture no restitutions have yet been made, but the petitioners referred to the Prize Courts, who are to decide. Sir Wm. Scott gave notice that it was his intention to proceed on the 28th ult. to determine the case of the Fox and others captured under the Orders in Council. The news from France caused a postponement to the 30th, and it is again put off without a day being fixed for the decision; but we do not expect that it will be favorable after the judge having given it to be understood, that were he to decide, it must be against the captured ships, without the Orders in Council were repealed with a retrospective clause relieving the property then under the jurisdiction of the Court. He does not believe in the repeal of the Berlin and Milan decrees; and we can hardly suppose that the United States will admit, under the present arrangement, that they have ceased to violate neutral commerce, or that their partial abrogation, with conditions annexed, will induce the continuance of the Non-importation law against this country, without also extending it to France. Some intelligent Americans in Paris think that the Emperor would make considerable concessions from his present policy in your favor, were he sure of its being the means of involving you in war with this country, and it is with this view only he is now manoeuvering, without giving up enough to cause the Orders in Council to be withdrawn, if he fails in accomplishing his wishes. We sincerely hope that none of our friends will have put any thing in his power; indeed there is no great inducement for them to hazard shipments to that quarter at present. The duties almost amount to a prohibition; besides substitutes have been found for many articles which were formerly sent there, and which will not at once be laid aside. The ground which the allies have been able to maintain in the Peninsula, has probably been the means of preventing a rupture this summer in the north of Europe, as it would seem the physical force of France is at present unable to hold what she had assumed, which will necessarily make the Emperor adopt more conciliatory measures to Russia: nor has Russia been able to hold an elevated tone; the Turks have kept her in check, at the same time that France has watched her with a strong corps of observation, so that as the season advances a continental vent seems to recede, which has the most unfavorable influence on our market, but is most severely felt by such articles as are altogether unfit for home use. Since the Prince of Wales's accession to the Regency, he has become very popular; it is generally believed, that in more than one instance the Ministry have been overruled by him, and should his Majesty not be able to resume the Kingly office before February next, at that time all restrictions cease, and it is more than probable that then the Prince's own immediate friends will supersede the present incumbents, who do not appear to possess his confidence.

Of the king's recovery, there is by no means so much expectation as there was; although we are given to understand that those violent paroxysms with which he was afflicted have ceased, yet it is supposed they have left a mental imbecility approaching to dotage. Within these few days our public journals speak of his being dropsical; nothing but his temperate mode of living could have enabled him to bear up against these accumulated diseases, at his advanced period of life. Should he be called to another and a better world, we have a confident expectation that there would not be much difficulty in adjusting matters with you;—mean time we may remark, that no state of affairs can make us in worse spirits about Cotton. Our imports for the two last years, have been fully equal to the four former, and the last exceeds by one third that immediately preceding. For the last month our arrivals were 23,596 packages, whilst the sales were not half that quantity; added to the accumulated and accumulating stock, there is no prospect of a demand for the manufactures and yarns any thing proportionate, no continental vent, no export to you, and not only your growth has increased, but that of South America exceedingly during the period your embargo gave it such encouragement. There was an attempt by ministers to lay an extra duty of 1d per lb. on all Cottons not British Plantation or Brazils; but it was opposed by their best friends, with Sir R. Peel at their head, as injurious to the manufacturing interest, and by the opposition, as treading on delicate ground with you: it is expected however that the duty in Ireland will be raised equal to what it is here. Tobacco will also have an increased duty in Ireland, equivalent to what is paid in England: the stock has been a little reduced, principally in the first fortnight of last month: it now stands 15,592 hhds. and it is held comparatively in few hands, who do not seem much inclined to recede from former prices. Ordinary qualities of every growth are totally unsaleable. Ashes remain without alteration in price; although the stock of good and merchantable is small, there is little doubt but that further imports from all countries, not British plantations, will have to pay 1s. 3d. per cwt. extra duty. Good qualities of Quercitron Bark are not plentiful. Wheat and Flour are in very little demand for home use; occasionally small lots in bond are taken for export at our quotations. By a return just laid before the house of commons, it appears that our imports from France last year were 202,932 cwt. of Flour, 33,806 quarters of Wheat: from America 210,209 cwt. of Flour, 31,829 quarters of Wheat; from Holland 189,016 quarters of Wheat; from Germany 115,186 quarters of Wheat; from Poland and Prussia 293,756 quarters of Wheat; from Denmark and Norway 110,935 quarters of Wheat: and from sundry other places about 309,321 quarters of Wheat. Hence America has not furnished more than about half of the Flour, and a fortieth part of the Wheat. Hides are again extremely dull and unsaleable. The demand for Tar continued brisk for ten days after we issued our last circular; since that there has been no life in the market: 1700 barrels of Virginia were offered a few days ago at auction without success, and for 400 barrels of Carolina 28s. was accepted; but as the stock is moderate, and principally in second hands, we do not anticipate a further depreciation, without the supplies from your side are infinitely more abundant than we look for. In Turpentine there has been no operation of interest for three weeks; we therefore conform to our last quotation, although since that time 6d per cwt. more has been obtained. Of Rice our stocks are small, but there is an equally limited demand: it is probable the present prices will be fully maintained, holders evincing no disposition to give way. Staves are gradually looking up as our supplies fall off; good Baltimore or Philadelphia would at present be very saleable. Timber moves off regularly.
Foreign Sugar, Coffee and Cocoa, are totally immovable at any price; as well as all bonded Dyewoods. Mahogany remains without alteration; the price is kept down by 1200 logs in one hand, being as it were held over the market, but not brought on sale. Jamaica Logwood goes off for home use regularly at our quotations. Little doing in Logwood, Fustic and Nicaragua Wood.