FLUCTUATIONS IN FREIGHTS, 1859.

WE subjoin an extended statement of the ruling rates of freights to leading ports throughout the several months of the past year.

They partially show that the shipping interest has prospered; that is, relatively there was a recovery, somewhat, from the extreme depression which had prevailed so long in this important element of our national wealth. This improvement is, in a measure, due to the fact, that but very few ships have been built latterly; a much smaller number than have been worn out and lost at sea. A large fleet has been required to carry on the trade with our Pacific States, with China and the British East Indies. There have been two very heavy cotton crops, almost wholly dependent upon our ships to carry it to market. The imports have been enormous, and, indeed, the only line of shipping business which has remained wholly depressed, has been the export of breadstuffs. An active shipment of naval stores to Europe, and of staves to France during the Italian war, filled up very acceptably, what would otherwise have been a very dull season. In the aggregate, we estimate the improvement in the rates for freights and charters, within the year, to be fully 10 per cent. To Great Britain and the German ports the improvement has been much greater. Vessels for charter have been able to obtain much more satisfactory terms, throughout the fall, than for some time previously. The regular packets to Liverpool and some continental ports have been subjected, at times, to competition from the screw steamers, but we believe it has not been so severely felt as in the years immediately preceding.

Rates of Freight from New-York to Havana, from January to
December, 1859.

For the rates of freight to California, during the year 1859, compared

with 1856, 1857 and 1858, we refer to the report on California trade, page 284.

Rates of Freight from New-York to Galveston, from January to Decem

ber, 1859.

Rates of Freight from New-York to Vera Cruz, from January to Decem

Rates of Freight from New-York to Havre, (on four leading articles,) from January to December, 1859, both inclusive.

Rates of Freight from New-York to Liverpool, from January to Decem

ber, 1859, both inclusive.

Rates of Freight from New-York to London, from January to December,

First week in

1859, both inclusive.

January,

sterl. 28. 3d.

February,

2 1/2

March,

20

April,

19

May,

16

20

June,..

13

20

July,

1 1%

1 6

August,

1 1/2

10 6@ 12 0

58. Spirits of Turpentine.

September,

20 @ 26

66

October,.

November,

December,

10 6

THE CANAL TRADE.

THE tolls on the canals of this State, in the year 1847, amounted to $3,635,381, and declined annually thereafter until last year, (calendar year 1859,) when they were less than one-half that sum, or $1,723,945. A revolution may be produced by the more general use of steam as now contemplated. Last year there were seven new steam vessels built for use on the canals, out of 206 in all, viz.:

The total number of boats registered since the State canals were opened were as follows:

Of these there were built in eight years, 1844-1851, 3,655 in number; and in the eight years following 3,246 in number.

Up to the year 1853 there were no canal boats exceeding 180 tons register. Up to 1849 none over 100 tons.

The following table illustrates, in the first place, the total movement or value of freight carried on the canals for each year, 1836-1859, specifying-1st. The products of the forest, in tons. 2. Agriculture. 3. Manufactures. 4. Miscellaneous. Secondly. The tolls collected on all the canals each year. Thirdly. Tons arriving at tide water by canals; and Fourthly. The total tonnage carried by canals each year.

TOTAL VALUE OF PROPERTY CARRIED ON ALL THE CANALS, 1836-1859.

YEAR.

Products of the Agriculture. Manufactures. Merchandise. Other articles.

Total.

forest.

Total for 24 years,

$218,270,822 $855,812,711 $176,617,373 $1,660,011,773 $151,213,561 $3,061,926,240

Per cent. of each class,...

7.12

27.95

5.77

54.22

4.94

100.