Alexandria Gazette

LATER FROM CANTON.

By the arrival of the Ship Venice, Captain Perit, at New York, we have advices from Canton to the 18th November, and a file of the Canton Press and the Register, to the 16th of the same month.

The American vessels lying in the Chinese waters on the 16th were the Cynthia, Johnson; Delhi, Crocker; Lema, Endicott; Niantic, Hepburn; Coromando, Scudder; Henry Pratt, Rogers; Luconia, Barlow; Cayuga, Bissell; Hannibal, Scott; and India, Nott.

Macao, Nov. 18th, 1841

Since my last of the 17th Oct., our commercial affairs have not undergone any change for the better. The last news from the north, confirms the anticipations which were entertained of the movements of the English in that quarter; at the latest dates no overtures had been made to the plenipotentiary, from either the Imperial or Provincial Governments, and it is now a matter of speculation what course the Emperor will pursue.

The British forces in the North are divided between Amoy, Chusan, Ningpo and Chinhae; they have not 500 men for each, and cannot pursue their depredations further, without abandoning their present conquests or receiving large reinforcements. Notwithstanding the official notification of the Plenipotentiary of an immediate resumption of hostilities in this province in the event of any warlike preparations being made, the Chinese are again actively engaged in preparing for defence - large fortifications granite are being built on the banks of the river below Canton, and where a frigate could pass last spring, an artificial bar of stone has been constructed, at an immense expense, which effectually impedes the navigation except for boats of light draught. Some heavy guns, and large quantities of muskets, have been imported within six months, and sold to them at high prices; and the truce which was agreed upon violated in several points - but there is no reason for supposing that the Mandarins have any intentions of commencing offensive operations.

It is believed by many that Sir Henry Pottinger will be down here in December, and as he stands pledged to resume hostilities, if he comes, there is but little doubt another attack on Canton, will be made, and the city occupied by the British forces.

The Hong merchants who paid six millions ransom money of the city last May, and who by order of the Emperor, are required to refund the remaining four which were paid by government, were called upon ten days ago to contribute a million of Taels towards payment for the defences now in progress, and not daring to refuse, $1,000,000 was immediately made up and paid. As no reasonable amount of wealth can stand the extortion these poor wretches are subject to, I should not be surprised if within a year the whole of them were to fail, except Honqua, who within six months has suffered to the extent of more than $2,000,000, but it is supposed he has some 26 or 28 millions left.

Some new Black and very Green Teas have arrived in market, and most of them been sold at high prices. Of the supply it is estimated that the quantity of Congos will be nearly equal to last year's crop, which was short. Ankoi, Ning-Yong, Mohea, Souchong, and Pouchongs, are reported very short, not more than two thirds the small supply of last year.

Except Congos, Black teas will be scarce. Those who are supposed to have the best information from the green tea districts, state that the crop will be fully one quarter short of the last, with great uncertainty as to the time of its being brought forward. There is not any old teas now remaining unsold in Canton. The total shipments to all countries westward of the Cape of Good Hope for 17 months past are over 500,000 chests short of the annual average for three years previous to the commencement of the difficulties in 1839. Taking this positive fact into view with every probability of a short crop this season, it is reasonable to suppose, even if the trade of Canton goes on without interruption, (which is very doubtful) that the quantity of teas received into the United States during the year 1842 will be considerably short of the consumption, and that no heavy accumulation of stocks can possibly happen.

The Venice leaves ten American vessels in China, several with amount of funds very inadequate to the purchase of tea cargoes at ruling high prices, and the rate of freight to the U. States being only 20 to $25 per ton, some of them will, without doubt, go to Manilla for cargoes. The ships to sail soon are the Delhi and Hannibal a few days, and Niantic about the 1st December, all for N York.

The market for every description of imported merchandise is in the same wretched state as before advised. All staple articles such as English and American cotton hosiery, cotton piece goods, cotton yarn, long-ells woollen cloths, raw India cotton, are losing heavily for the shippers, and from the large stocks, heavy supplies expected, and probable continued derangement of trade, there seems but little prospect for improvement. Owing to the unprecedented scarcity of money, bills of exchange are without any demand; - nominal rate 4-10, and supply in American hands not large. Republican dollars are worth 97 to 98 cents each; $500,000 in market.