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IMMERCIAL AFFAIRS. MONEY MARKET. Friday, May 12-3 P. M. Quotations for stocks to-day experienced a decline, nearly every fancy in the list having fallen off a fraction. At the first board Long Island declined 3/8 per cent; Harlem, 3/6; Canton, 1/4; Farmers' Loan, 3/6; Reading Railroad, /; Erie Railroad, 1/a; Reading Bonds, 1/4; Morris Canal, 1/6; Pennsylvania 5's, 1/6; Illinois, 1847, 1/8. There was no change in Treasury Notes. The sales were to a limited extent at the reduction, and there was no anxiety among holders to realize. Prices for most of the fancies rule very low-as low as at any time within the past twelve months, and they are held mostly by the strongest houses in the street. This in a measure accounts for the little variation in quotations, and for the small amount of transactions. We understand that specie to the extent of three hundred thousand dollars has already been engaged for shipment by the next packet for Havre. The shipments, BO far this week, have been upwards of one million of dollars, most of which, it is stated, is drawn from the Southern and Western banks. The banks of this city report that they have lost very little coin; but we are not disposed to place much confidence in the statement. The latest official report shows a diminished amount of specie on hand, and there is no doubt but that the large shipments since have reduced the amount much more than the banks are disposed to acknowledge. The Southern and Western banks have, undoubtedly, lost a large amount of specie, and the demand from this point upon them still continues. While they have been compelled to part with their specie, they have been unable to reduce their line of discounts, or curtail their circulation. The low prices ruling, both at home and abroad, for our principal staple productions, have induced the producers to hold for an advance, and the banks in the agricultural sections of the country have been obliged to extend their loans, and increase their circulation, in making advances on cotton, corn, sugar, tobacco, rice, wool, &c. &c. The result of this is an undue expansion of credits, and a serious, and, in some cases, an alarming reduction in the immediate available assets of the banks. The Bank of Mobile has already experienced a run from the bill holders, and reports have been in circulation relative to the banks of Charleston, S.C., calculated to alarm those holding their promises to pay. These reports, thus far, have proved groundless; but the condition of the banks of that city is by no means such as to strengthen public confidence. The banks of New Orleans are stronger in their specie department than those of any other city in the Union; but they are all debtor banks to those of this city, and a steady drain from this point must be calculated upon. New Orleans is favorably located for draining specie from an immense extent of country, and the supply there may at all times be equal to the demand; but it is the smaller banks of the interior of the Southern States, which are in danger. The banks of large cities drain the banks of the country, and in proportion to their paper issues generally, have at least dollar for dollar. The country banks, on the contrary, have a large circulation and very little specie, not calculating upon any sudden demand from the bill-holder, depending almost entirely upon the control they have over the precious metals. through their stock and other securities. We annex a statement exhibiting the condition of the banks of several States, according to the latest official returns:-
