188 COFFEE, 



manner of mixtures were sold with high-sounding names, and, 

 strange to say, often bearing an endorsement from persons pos- 

 sessed of a national reputation. 



The trade varied greatly during the year, being dull when 

 news of defeat came to the Union armies, and active when a vic- 

 tory was chronicled. Brazil sold at 11^ @ 18^ cents in January, 

 reaching its highest point, 31 @ 33 cents, in November — averag- 

 ing 23 cents for the year, against 14 cents in 1861. Java 

 sold up to 34 @ 35 cents, an advance from the lowest point 

 of 9 @ 9i cents. 



— 1863 — 



High prices led to a decrease in consumption, which was 

 about 35,600 tons, as against an average of 89,600 tons for the ten 

 years prior to 1861. The receipts were nearly 4,500,000 pounds 

 lighter than the consumption. During this year prices varied as 

 gold fluctuated in value. The average cost of Brazil was 31.18 

 cents, or 8.17 cents above that of the previous year. Java was 

 worth 41 cents at the close of the year, its average cost being 

 37.04 cents per poand, an advance over 1862 of 9.54 cents. 



— 1864 — 



The consumption increased 36.84 per cent., the Government 

 being a purchaser to the extent of 40,000,000 pounds. The mar- 

 ket for most of the year was excited and irregular. At the be- 

 ginning of January E.io sold for 22f cents, gold, or 34^ @ 34^ 

 cents, currency. In July gold sold at 285, making the currency 

 value of the same grade 53 cents, while its gold price was 18|- 

 cents. Six months later the currency quotation was 45 @ 45^ 

 cents, or 19-14 cents in gold, then selling at 227. 



These wide fluctuations in price show to what great disadvan- 

 tage dealers operated. In August, Java sold at 58 @ 60 cents, 

 the lowest prices being made in January, when the market ruled 

 steady at 40 @ 41 cents ; averaging for the year 49 cents. The 

 average currency cost of Maracaibo and Laguayra was 41.59 cents, 

 against 31.93 cents in 1863. 



-1865 — 



The consumption exceeded that of the previous year 19,059,653 



