Bayonne, 13 February. The Spanish frigate Arethusa arrived 9 February with 50 guns and a large amount of war stores at Passage coming from Cadiz. According to letters from Naples dated 28 January arrived in the harbour on 24 January 4 transports with Austrian troops in board coming from Sicily. The newspaper le Courrier Francais reported that the Cortes decided 12 January as proposed by the minister of navy to supply letters de marque to every one who could prove being able to fit out one of more privateers. The commanding officers of these privateers were permitted to capture all ships of countries being enemies of Spain. Immediately after this decision was made were apparently all ready 40 letters de marque supplied to persons who asked for these even before the Cortes made her decision. The newspaper wasn’t able to confirm these tidings.
