Our weather has been, here as with you, cold and dry.  The thermometer has been at eight degrees.  The river closed here the first week of December, which has caught a vast number of vessels destined for departure.  It deadens also the demand for wheat.  The price at New York is one dollar seventy-five cents, and of flour eight dollars fifty cents to nine dollars; tobacco eleven to twelve dollars; there need be no doubt of greater prices.  The bankruptcies here continue:  the prison is full of the most reputable merchants, and it is understood that the scene has not yet got to its height.  Prices have fallen greatly.  The market is cheaper than it has been for four years.  Labor and house-rent much reduced.  Dry goods somewhat.  It is expected that they will fall till they get nearly to old prices.  Money scarce beyond all example.

The Representatives have rejected the President’s proposition for enabling him to prorogue them.  A law has passed putting off the stamp-act till July next.  The land-tax will not be brought on.  The Secretary of the Treasury says he has money enough.  No doubt these two measures may be taken up more boldly at the next session, when most of the elections will be over.  It is imagined the stamp-act will be extended or attempted on every possible object.  A bill has passed the Representatives to suspend for three years the law arresting the currency of foreign coins.  The Senate propose an amendment, continuing the currency of the foreign gold only.  Very possibly the bill may be lost.  The object of opposing the bill is to make the French crowns a subject of speculation (for it seems they fell on the President’s proclamation to a dollar in most of the States), and to force bank-paper (for want of other medium) through all the States generally.  Tench Coxe is displaced, and no reason even spoken of.  It is therefore understood to be for his activity during the late election.  It is said that the people from hence, quite to the eastern extremity, are beginning to be sensible, that their government has been playing a foul game.  In Vermont, Chipman was elected Senator by a majority of one, against the republican candidate.  In Maryland, Loyd by a majority of one, against Winder, the republican candidate.  Tichenor chosen Governor of Vermont by a very small majority.  The House of Representatives of this State has become republican by a firm majority of six.  Two counties, it is said, have come over generally to the republican side.  It is thought the republicans have also a majority in the New York House of Representatives.  Hard elections are expected there between Jay and Livingston, and here between Ross and M’Kean.  In the House of Representatives of Congress, the republican interest has at present, on strong questions, a majority of about half a dozen, as is conjectured, and there are as many of their firmest men absent; not one of the anti-republicans is from his post.  The bill for permitting private vessels to arm, was put off