Spanish naval movements according to the Dutch newspaper Middelburgsche Courant dated 8 November 1781

According to an item dated Cadiz 14 October arrived that same afternoon the 70-gun ships of the line el Arrogante, el Guerrero and el Gallardo commanded by Morales with on board the treasure of Havana and a large amount of indigo and cochineal. They transport 8,200,000 ‘strong’ pesos belong to the crown and the merchants, 3,412 surrons cochineal and 732 surrons indigo. The three ships having special orders left off the Bermuda islands the convoy leaving Havana on 23 July. This convoy consisted of 72 merchant ships escorted by the 70 gun el Astuto and a frigate and which was expected to arrive daily. The cargo of this convoy consisted of 1,028 surrons cochineal, 234 surrons indigo, 1,477 fanegas cacao, 99,352 boxes of sugar and 9.651 skins and further more campeche wood, tobacco, jalap, sassa parilla and other merchandise. With this convoy returned the 3 lieutenant generals don Navarro, don Bonnet and don Navia, first commanding officer of Havana, the second of the navy and the third of the troops over there, ordered by the crown but unknown for what reason.