we have heard of no difficulty during the past year, either in the disposal of exchange, or in the negotiation on favorable terms of good business paper. The Southern Bank of Alabama, chartered also last winter, will likewise commence operations in a few weeks, and will furnish additional facilities. The disabilities under which we have hitherto labored in this respect, we think will now be entirely removed. The appearance of our city, notwithstanding the recent loss of our two principal hotels, furnishes ample evidence of growing prosperity. Important improvements in real estate have taken place during the year, and we have scarcely a doubt that a considerable accession has been made to our permanent population. The works of a local character, to which we alluded in our last annual review, have steadily advanced towards completion. Two cotton factories are now nearly, if not quite ready for work, and in the course of a few weeks will commence active operations. The floating dock was launched some weeks ago, and will be in readiness for vessels in a very short time. The great and most important work connected with the prosperity of our city-the Mobile and Ohio Railroad-still continues under the management of its able and effective board of directors to advance in progress. Arrangements have been made for the purchase of the iron, and the directors, by the first of June next, expect to have cars running on the first section of thirty-three miles. The increased ability of our citizens, resulting from the prosperous business of the last two years, gives additional assurances that the enterprise will be pressed with unflagging energy. One disturbing element alone remains to mar the bright prospect which our prosperity opens to us. But we have yet an abiding faith that a benign Providence will so direct and control the public councils, that this dark cloud may be dispelled, and that the union, peace, and happiness of the country may be perpetuated. COTTON. When we closed our last annual review, the market, although dull, was extremely firm, the stock on sale being quite limited. The prospects of the growing crop were so adverse as to render certain a production far below that of the preceding year. The heavy stock in Liverpool operated, however, as a check upon any extravagant advance in prices, and influenced buyers to await the further developments of the season. The receipts of cotton during the month of September were on a fair scale for that season of the year. Prices, in view of the condition of the growing crop, ruled nearly two cents higher than the Liverpool quotations, and the sales of the month were limited to about 3,000 bales-middlings 9 a 10 c. During the early part of October, the market was dull and inanimate. The advices from Europe were not satisfactory to holders, and in the absence of orders, prices were supported by the confirmation of a deficiency in the production, which it was believed would finally produce its effect abroad. This expectation was to some extent realized by advices received in the last week of the month, announcing an advance of d. in Liverpool. This intelligence brought buyers more freely into the market, and considerable sales were effected at a slight advance-middlings closing at 10 c. The sales of the month were 11,000 bales, and the receipts 19,902. November opened with a fine demand, and at advancing prices. The advices from Europe, received in the early part of the month, were regarded as highly favorable, and produced a still further improvement in prices, but the original difference between our quotations and those at Liverpool, existing at the opening of the season, had scarcely yet been equalized by the advances in that market, and operators began to hesitate, and finally refused the rates demanded, on the ground that they were not warranted by the relative position of the markets, and prices which had advanced half a cent, fell back to ten cents for middlings. A continuation of the advances in Liverpool, however, assisted the market towards the close of the month, and brought forward a good demand, under which an improvement of c. was established-middlings ruling at 101 c. The sales of the month were estimated at 35,000 bales, and the receipts were 56,937 bales. The early part of December was characterized by a moderate de mand, the free receipts making holders rather easier in their pretensions, which being succeeded by unfavorable accounts from Liverpool, occasioned some decline in prices. A considerable amount of orders, however, being pressed on the market towards the close of the month, imparted more animation to the business, and large sales were effected, at an advance of to of a cent-middlings closing at 10 to 10 c. Sales of the month estimated at 39,200 bales. Receipts 66,682 bales. January opened with a very firm market, and a good demand, which was maintained throughout the month, the accounts from Europe being of a highly favorable character. The improvement during the month was fully one cent-middlings closing at 11 a 11 c., and holders very indifferent to accepting these prices. The sales of the month were computed at 63,000 bales. Receipts 82,267 bales. The early part of February was governed by the same views, and prices were fully sustained during the first week. The large stock pressing on the market, with less favorable advices from Europe, inclined factors to yield something about the middle of the month, and as the character of the foreign accounts was not calculated to sustain the market, a concession of a cent was established at the close of the month. Sales 47,400 bales. Receipts 42,542 bales. The month of March was marked by great uniformity throughout, prices having scarcely fluctuated more than a c. A reduction to this extent, which occurred in the early part of the month, having subsequently recovered, prices were well maintained, with a moderate demand. The quotation for middlings at the close was 10 c. Sales for the month estimated at 39,600 bales. Receipts 23,577 bales. There was no change from this state of things for April, until near the close of the month. Then the unfavorable character of the spring began to exercise some influence on the market, an increased firmness having, from this cause, been imparted to holders, and a stronger inclination manifested to take hold of the article by purchasers. This feeling resulted in an improvement of nearly cent towards the last week, and the closing quotations were placed at 11 a 113 c. for middlings. Sales 27,400 bales. Receipts 13,902 bales. May opened with a continuation of this feeling, which was further improved by the receipt of favorable advices from Liverpool. The transactions were considerable in the early part of the month, at an advance of nearly cent, but as the letters did not cover orders to the extent anticipated, and speculative purchasers being heavily stocked, the demand fell off, and but for the firmness of factors, prices would have given way considerably. Pressing lots, however, were disposed of by shipment or otherwise-the market was relieved and closed with middlings at 11 c. The sales of the month amounted to 27,800 bales, and the receipts were 11,992. There was scarcely any new feature during June. The demand was very moderate throughout the month, the continued unfavorable character of the weather inducing holders to offer their stocks quite sparingly. Prices, however, improved cent during the last fortnight-middlings being quoted at 11 cents. Sales 24,300 bales. Receipts 4,685 bales. The first week in July was dull, and prices receded a trifle, but after that, the market became animated under favorable advices from Europe, and quotations gradually advanced until the end of the month, when middlings reached 124 cents. The sales were 25,200 bales. Receipts 3,704 bales. From the commencement to the 17th of August, the market was dull, and prices feil offa of a cent. From that period to the close of the month, prices gradually stiffened, and the season closes with a firm market-middlings fully 12 cts. Receipts 1,747 bales. Sales 13,900 bales. Ninety-one bales of the new crop have been received, against 56 bales same time last year. The samples that have come under our observation, show care in the handling and a good staple. It classes from good middling to fair. LUMBER. The trade in sawed lumber with the West India Islands, which from local causes had fallen off materially last season, has resumed in a good degree its former activity and consequence, and the exports this year amount to 2,288,852 feet, against 692,146 feet the preceding season. The exports to Texas are 2,175,504 feet, which is about 700,000 feet more than last year, and the coast wise exports, including 153,825 feet sent to San Francisco, amounts to 2,085,317 feetmaking a general aggregate of 7,691,712 feet,- -more than double the quantity exported for the year ending first of September, 1849. We do not include in this account the lumber shipped to New-Orleans in licensed vessels, as we have no means of ascertaining its amount. It may be estimated at about 1,000,000 feet. This, it will be seen, is a very important branch of domestic industry, and it is capable of an indefinite extension. NAVAL STORES. The receipts of naval stores have increased largely over those of the preceding season, though as yet sufficient attention has not been turned to their production, and our market for these supplies, as yet, is but little known abroad. The total receipts of the season are 1,266 barrels spirits turpentine, worth 30 a 35 cents; 1,061 do. crude turpentine, $1,50; 3,404 do. rosin, 90 cents a $2,50; 277 do. pitch, $1,50 a $1,75, and 814 do. tar, $1,75 a $2. These articles, except such as were needed for domestic use, have been disposed of by shipments to New-York, New-Orleans, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Havana, Vera Cruz and Liverpool. The business is handsomely remunerative, and will soon attain to an importance commensurate with the extent and productiveness of our forests. MISCELLANEOUS EXPORTS. The domestic exports not included in our tables, are 104 casks and 185 barrels tallow; 25 tons iron; 430,000 shingles; 23,000 laths; 200 bbls. lime; 14 bales and 1,500 loose hides; 695 bbls. tar; 1,000 do. spirits turpentine; 1,030 crude turpentine ; 215 do. pitch; 3,200 do. rosin; 247 bales rope cuttings; 238 sacks rice; 40,000 brick ; 4,500 horns; 1,768 pieces leather; 4,300 bones; 293 hhds. and 48 bbls. sugar; 2,584 sacks corn; 233 ash logs; 54 pine masts; 16 yards; 2,752 deck plank; 167 beams; 1,421 square pieces timber; 6,500 oars; 4,100 hand-spikes; 74 empty tierces; 800 empty barrels; 1,604,368 staves, and 1,434 cedar logs. EXPORTS OF COTTON TO FOREIGN PORTS FROM MOBILE FOR TWO YEARS, To G. Brit. in Am. ves. 60,382 30,676,559 $3,492,361 69 139,517 71,326,732 $4,249,707 50 101,837 51,483,919 5,852,369 15 150,866 76,955,202 4,744,705 06 Total to G. Britain... 162,219 82,160,478 $9,344,730 84 290,383 148,281,934 $8,994,502 56 France, in Am. ves... Total to France...... Total to Spain..................... To Russia.. Holland.. Hamburg.. Sardinia Austria.. Cuba.. Mexico..... 39,968 20,385,173 $2,228,641 32 61,597 31,345,039 1,930,798 50 39,968 20,385,173 $2,228,641 32 61,597 31,345,039 $1,930,798 50 Tot. to other for. ports 3,920 1,956,665 $197,106 48 34,158 17,421,912 $1,061,848 57 Grand total...... 214,164 108,283,511 $12,236,367 56 396,341 201,983,580 $12,300,718 20 ABSTRACT OF THE VALUE OF FOREIGN MERCHANDISE, Imported into Mobile in 1849, and first six months in 1850. NUMBER OF VESSELS LOADED AT THIS PORT DURING THE YEAR 1849-'50. 158 00.......... $103,609 00 -$379,866 00 Four British and one French ship loaded with timber for France, aud one Dutch galliot for Holland. Six barks, 25 brigs, and 87 schooners, loaded lumber, &c., mostly for Texas and West Indies. COMPARATIVE VIEW OF THE EXPORTS OF COTTON FROM THE PORT OF MOBILE, FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS. PORTS. Liverpool... '49-'50 '48-49 '47-48 '46-'47 '45-46 '44-45 '43-44 '42-'43 ..151667.267477.212715.123792.193287.238038.189539.254301 1650. 1073. 1400. 1470.. Glasgow and Greenock.... 10552. 22906. 13814. 4845. 13395. 28581. 14601. 26088 Cowes, Cork, &c..... 1445........ 760... 2993 Total to Great Britain, .. 162219 290383 228179 131154 208082 268849 204140 283382 39968. 61597. 60328. 39293. 63878. 66928. 51955. 53471 Havre. Total to other For, ports.. 11977 44361 29070 19774 26832 52936 12381 27209 New-York. Boston.... Providence.. Philadelphia Baltimore. New Orleans.. Other American.. Total American...... Grand Total. 41175. 37418. 48117. 45548. 46025. 57970. 84676. 55422 26378. 45391. 38815. 33496. 34197. 37883. 34082. 24198 14602. 13712. 11022. 12279. 13206. 11836, 13719. 8084 2380. 2944. 1444. 3205. 2779. 4639. 6382. 5840 3190. 4977. 3574. 4661. 5168. 4357. 6329. 4922 40016. 35164. 10805. 16431. 7163. 12125. 47577. 10687 1131. 1486. 4391. 1181. 7360. 3272. 2914. 6729 ...128872 141000 118168 116801 115898 131282 195579 115882 ..343036 537431 437219 307022 417633 521996 465205 481894 RECAPITULATION. Great Britain. Other Foreign ports...... Total Foreign... .162219.290383.228179.131154.208082.268849.204140.283382 39968. 61597. 61832. 39293. 66821. 68929. 53005. 55421 11977. 44361. 29070. 19774. 26832. 52936. 12381. 27209 .214164 396341 319081 190221 301735 390714 269526 366014 U. States ports.......128872 141(90 118168 116801 115898 131282 195679 115882 Total.... ..343036 537431 437249 307022 417633 521996 465205 481894 VIEW OF THE IMPORTS Of the following Staple Articles, imported into the port of Mobile. |