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2,870,724 Total receipts the 12 months ending 31 Aug. 1855 COINAGE SINCE 1ST SEPTEMBER, 1854. 800 000 39,000 September, 1854 e 325,000 October 33,000 250 060 H November 82,500 190,000 December 70,000 ( 70,000 80,000 January, 1855 184,000 80,000 February 822,000 March 45,000 April coinage suspended from May June putting up new machinery. July no returns no returns August 329,500 1,571,000 ( 1,571,000 1,900.500 Total Coinage for seven months. The actual receipts of specie for the year from all sources, $4,124,907 exclusive of Mint, are 418,351 Add California gold dust received at the Mint. $4,563,258 Total receipts for the year ending Aug. 31 There was a transfer of $500,000 from the Assistant Treasurer St. Louis to the Assistant Treasurer or Mint here, which is not included in the above, because it was ordered here for a special purpose, and only took the place of so much foreign silver that is included in our account. Silver, with all descriptions of gold coin, meet with a ready sale among our dealers. The price is well maintained in Europe. Nearly twelve months ago Mexican dollars were sold in this market as high as 6½ to 7 per cent.; the ruling price now is 3% to 4, and in one instance, a fraction over. The demand for China has been gradually declining for several months, which has caused a reaction on our market and though the imports now are comparatively light with former years, nevertheless it is believed about one million of dollars will find their way to this market during the coming year. As the Branch Mint is not authorized to purchase, the competition will be open to private dealers, who have latterly been purchasing only for the New York market. Of course it is not to be expected that large sums as have at many periods of time been forwarded here for English account, will hereafter seek this market for investment, under the illusive arrangements of the Treasury Department, governed, as it is, by the absurd statute of Congress of March, 1853. on Stocks of old banks during the year have been favorite objects. Prices have ranged high-Bank of Louisiana having reached 150 to 151 State Bank 125 ; Canal 125, and Citizens' advanced from 110 in September last to 125% in July, the highest price attained. The stocks of the free banks have all ranged very low-from 1 per cent. S to 10 per cent. below par. Much of the stock of these banks, particularly the Bank of New Orleans and Union Bank, has been in the hands of weak parties, or those who f did not understand the science of banking. The pro1 visions of the general banking law prohibiting any loans being made on pledge or the stock of any bank working under its provisions, forced many holders of small amounts to sell, and the panio in the Bank of New Orleans in December last tended to create unfavorable impressions 0 strongly adverse to the system. These impressions have since been removed, and the provisions of the law seem to e be generally approved, and the institutions organized 0 under it are moving and working along prosperously. The Southern Bank stock appears only occasionally on et the market. A very large proportion is held for permsnent investment. Its exchange operations are ivery ex B tensive, being more devoted to that important branch of a commerce than the discounting of paper. The Mechanics' and Traders' Bank having been organized by the e proprietors of the old bank of that name, is generally held by strong parties, and moves along quietly in a conservan tive course. The Union embraces in all its operations the general requirements of an extensive mercantile commuIs nity, and a large share of its stock is in strong hands. a The old banks have but very limited amounts loaned on d stocks, and being conducted on the strong foundation of e specie, nothing need be said of their unquestionable and undoubted strength and solidity,