of wool last year from Hobart Town, Launceston, South Australia and India, the total supply from British possessions amounted to 329,417 bales, against 303,078 bales in 1860, being an increase of 26,339 bales. Notwithstanding that the export demand for the Continent was moderately active, prices gave way from 14d. to nearly 4d. per lb., leaving, in January, about 40,000 bales in warehouse, to be offered at the next public sales. The following statistics show the imports of wool into England from British colonies for two years:

Here we find a large increase in the supply from Sydney, Port Philip and Portland Bay, (the wool from which quarters, from its superior quality and length of staple, may be classed about the most valuable for general purposes,) and an unusually large quantity from South Australia, NewZealand and the Cape. The want of adequate labor in those colonies, however, has compelled the growers to continue shipping in the grease, and in packages which are often liable to damage on the voyage; hence, those particular kinds of wool have sold at comparatively low rates, and the demand for them has been otherwise than healthy. It will be perceived that there is a deficiency in the importations of East India wool of about 4,000 bales; but this has arisen from the immense quantities of cotton shipped from Bombay to England, and at higher freights than those offered by the growers of wool. Owing to the large supplies purchased at Liverpool by American manufacturers, East India wool has not fallen in value to the same extent as most other kinds, and the stock on hand last month was somewhat limited for the time of year.

In the aggregate, the imports from abroad last year were on a very moderate scale. It is fortunate for the colonial growers that they were not on the increase, because heavy additions to the English stocks would have led to a greater decline in the quotations than has been reported. Not that foreign parcels, however good they may be, can strictly compete with fine colonial samples, but it is evident that a rapid fall in the former is calculated to bring down the value of colonial wool, unless, indeed, under peculiar circumstances, such as a short supply and an increased demand. The extent of English imports of foreign wool in 1860 and 1861 is shown in the annexed table:

This comparison shows a falling off in the supply of 3,717 bales; and had it not been for a heavy import from Russia and South America, the deficiency would have been much greater. The arrivals from Russia, exhibiting, as they do, a large excess, must be chiefly attributed to the depressed state of the manufacturing industry in that country, and the closing of some large establishments from want of funds to meet the necessary outgoings; whilst the excess from South America seems to imply that, at length, the number of sheep in the various States has largely increased of late years. Spain and Portugal have, apparently, required more wool for domestic purposes; and it is just possible that such may have been the case in Germany. On this point, however, matters are not very clear, because we may presume that the German manufacturers have suffered severely from the high tariff in the United States. Official returns inform us that the total exports of English, Irish and Scotch wool last year were upwards of 17,000,000 lbs., against 11,500,000 lbs. in 1860, and that the increase in the shipments of foreign and colonial qualities was about 6,000,000 lbs. France stands first as the great consumer of British native wools; and Germany, as well as Belgium, has imported largely. But even these figures fail to show that the outward trade in woolen goods has extended itself.

Having commenced the present year with a large quantity of unsold wool on hand, some anxiety is now manifested by the British holders as regards the future course of the trade, more especially as it is known that heavy shipments will be shortly commenced in Australia. Fortunately for them, the home demand for manufactured goods is healthy; but doubt is entertained as to finding a good market in the United States. On this point the Gazette says:

"We apprehend that there is no prospect whatever of such a revision in the American tariff as shall induce more inquiry for woolens. As the States grow very little wool for export purposes, it is possible, in the event of the present struggle in the South being prolonged, that much of the low qualities now in this country will be purchased for New-York. In this way we shall get rid of a description which might otherwise have some influence upon good and medium qualities; but, at present, we see no reason to anticipate a recovery in price from the decline established at the last colonial sales held in London."

As to the prospect in the continental markets, it says:

"How far the consuming powers of the continent may influence prices

is a matter for consideration. That those powers have rapidly increased of late, is evident from the most authentic data; but we may observe that they have tended to cripple our own manufacturers. The working of the new French and Italian tariffs, and the promised opening of the Belgian markets to our woolen goods, may assist in placing the manufactures on a more favorable footing; nevertheless, it is clear that we are now producing much smaller quantities of woolens than in the ordinary run of years.'

The Gazette concludes thus:

"Let it not be supposed that we are surrounded with desponding influences as regards the wool trade. Our surprise is that, with such enormous importations, prices should have kept up so well, and that there is not a heavier accumulation in warehouse. Although our manufacturers have suffered from the high duties levied upon their goods in America, it is satisfactory to know that that country is the only one which has adopted such a system; and while army necessities have drawn from England large quantities of inferior wool, say some 20,000 or 30,000 bales, for American consumption, we may safely take it for granted, that no greater failure was ever concocted by Congress, or, more properly speaking, by the LINCOLN cabinet, than that of laying a high duty upon our woolen goods, with a view to enrich the treasury."

SALTPETRE.

The following annual review of the trade in this important article has been prepared by Messrs. ROBERT WILLIAMS & SON, of Boston:

The import of saltpetre into this market, the past year, exceeds that of the preceding year by 1,212 bags, and the imports into the United States exceed that of last year by 7,993 bags. As usual, the article has fluctuated considerably through the year, from various causes, the range of prices having been from 8 to 17 cents per lb. Early in the year the market was rather quiet, with moderate sales, at 91 to 9 cents per lb., six months, and prices gradually declined, with only small sales, through January and February. In March the demand was larger, but prices continued to decline, and on the 1st of April the article had reached its lowest point for the year, say 8 cents per lb. About the middle of April, higher quotations from England, aided by a speculative demand in consequence of the Southern rebellion, and also by a good demand from consumers, caused large sales, and the article advanced fully 1 cent per lb., say 9 to 9 cents, six months, and closed firm at these rates. The demand in May was rather small, but prices were well maintained. In June and July the demand, which was entirely for consumption, fell off still more, and most of the small mills had stopped operations. On the 1st of August prices had declined again to 8 @ 8 cents per lb., six months. In August and September the sales were larger, with some demand for speculation, but at no change in prices. In October the demand was very large from consumers, and, with large sales, and a great falling off in the shipments from India, prices began again to advance, and on the first of November were about 9 cents per lb. The demand through November continued large, for consumption and specu

lation, and prices still further advanced, and 1st December were 10 to 10 cents, six months, with small stocks in market, and an upward tendency. Early in December the article was in favor, and by the 12th of the month had reached 11 cents per lb., cash, with considerable sales on the spot and to arrive, at this rate. On the 16th of this month warlike accounts from England, growing out of the TRENT affair, and also advices that the export of the article from Great Britain to the United States had been prohibited, were received, and the market was greatly excited, and prices advanced rapidly, with considerable sales on speculation, at 14 to 17 cents per lb., cash. The article at this time is less active, with more disposition to sell, and with little demand, and prices are somewhat nominal, and may be quoted at 12 to 14 cents per lb. The stocks in the country and on the way are moderate, and we think the article will command high rates for some time to come, even if our affairs with foreign countries are amicably adjusted.

The imports from India into the United States, for the year, have been-(not including the 740 bags, per HERBERT, arrived at Provincetown, December 20, 1860, and Boston, January 5, 1861, which were included in the import for 1860 :)

In the above is included 1,525 bags from Bombay, 900 of which arrived at Boston, 625 at New-York. In addition to the above, there has been imported from Europe

Total imports into the United States for 1861,.. 101,633

The demand for export, as in the previous year, has been confined to small lots for Canada, say not over 200 bags through the year. The exports for the past eight years have been

38,490

894,020

Total,......... 739,864 115,666

The stock in Boston (January 1, 1862) is 8,200 bags, against 12,000 bags in 1861, 8,286 in 1860, 17,468 in 1859, 25,269 in 1858, 13,100 in 1857, 8,395 in 1856, 15,144 in 1855, 8,000 in 1854.

The quantity on the way, up to last dates, from Calcutta, November 8, 1861, is 14,760 bags, and the quantity loading at the same time was only 2,435 bags. There are also 886 bags on the way from London, bound to New-York, shipped early in November. A considerable portion of that to arrive has been sold to or imported by customers, and of the imports into the United States, this year, over 12,000 bags were on manufacturers' account. The principal manufacturers have had large orders from government for powder during the past six months, and are still busy on these contracts. The general powder business has been small for some time, particularly since our government has prohibited the export of powder. A fair estimate of the consumption for the year, taking stock in consumers' hands into consideration, is 75,000 bags. The consumption for 1860 was 75,000 bags, 1859, 100,000 bags, 1858, 70,000 bags, 1857, 80,000 bags, 1856, 63,000 bags, and 1855, 105,000 bags.

TRADE AND COMMERCE OF RIO JANEIRO.

We are indebted to L. H. F. D'AGUIAR (Brazilian consul at NewYork) for the following tables:

EXPORTS OF COFFEE FROM RIO JANEIRO.