Under the general depression which has characterized our leading industries for the past year, our coal trade has maintained itself more successfully than we, perhaps, had any right to expect. In our review of the market for 1869, we noted the extraordinary import of Sydney, which set in upon us in the last quarter of that year, depressing in an unusual degree the market, both of coal and tonnage. This extraordinary import has been more than maintained during the year 1870, producing like results, even in a more marked degree. Within our recollection prices never before touched the figures which have ranged through the past year; and, as a result, importers complain of heavy losses, and ship-owners of unremunerative rates. Upon the whole, however, our domestic mines seem to have maintained themselves remarkably well. Coos Bay shows an increased production of nearly 50 per cent., and though Bellingham Bay shows a decrease of some 33 per cent., in consequence of the interruption of work at the mine incident to important improvements which were in progress, the agent assures us that the demand for this coal has been largely in excess of the supply, notwithstanding the low prices of other favorite varieties for domestic purposes. We also learn the company is now in fine working order, and expect for the future to keep the market fully supplied. Our domestic steam coals, from Mount Diablo, seem also to have maintained themselves with gratifying success. We note that the Black Diamond Company has disbursed its dividends regularly through the year, notwithstanding the depression of prices and a somewhat diminished production. The aggregate import and production for the year shows but a small apparent increase of about 2,000 tons; but, as the calorific power of our imported coals is generally estimated to be about a third greater than that of our domestic production, the excess of 26,000 tons of the former is equivalent to about 35,000 tons of the latter in actual consumption, and, therefore, more than accounts for the decrease in the production of our domestic coals for the year. It is proper to note that for the first half of the year mining operations were carried on in the Corral Hollow District, which supplied, as we learn from one of the owners, some 3,000 tons to the Western Pacific Railroad and Stockton. We have, therefore, added this amount to the total product of domestic coals, as given in our. detailed tabular statement above. There has also been some coal brought from the Rocky Mountains, which is said to be a fine article for domestic purposes; but as to the amount brought, we have no figures. Classifying the various varieties as foreign, eastern, and domestic, and reducing Cumberland casks to tons at the rate of 1,600 pounds each, we submit the annexed comparative statement for the past five years: Banner State, White Pine County, Nevada.... Barry, Frank & Co., Calaveras County, California Bates-Hunter, Gilpin County, Colorado Battle Mountain, Humboldt County, Nevada. Beck, H., Deer Lodge County, Montana... Bedrock Tunnel Company, Nevada County, California. Belcher, Segregated, Storey County, Nevada... Belle Peck, Owyhee County, Idaho... Belleville, San Bernardino County, California.. Ben Franklin, Mojave County, Arizona.. Benton Cortes, White Pine County, Nevada. Big Treasure, White Pine County, Nevada.. Birdseye Creek Company, Nevada County, California. B. K. Thorn & Co., Calaveras County, California. Black Chief, Yavapai County, Arizona.. Blazing Star, Clear Creek County, Colorado.. Blue Bell, Mojave County, Arizona.. Blue Cloud, White Pine County, Nevada... |