Dear Sir:—

In my way to this place I was informed that salt sold in Maryland for 20 dollars a bushel, there are a considerable number of merchants in this and that State that make it their business, to buy up all the necessaries of life in order to fix what price they please afterwards. I suspect some of that tribe will be soon in No. Carolina to engross all our salt and other things, would it not be proper to keep a look out and prevent if possible such a pernicious practice. General Howe has left Brunswick in a very precipitate manner, our Troops are in pursuit of the fugitives and we are not without some hopes that they will be able to prevent our enemies getting out of the State of Jersey but with loss and disgrace. General Washington suspects that the willingness with which the militia turned out to oppose Howe was one reason for his wishing to get back to New York. The people here have agreed to postpone all their private disputes about their form of Government &c. &c. until the enemies of America are subdued, and it seems are now ready to turn out. Every thing near this looks well.