Spanish expeditionary force underway towards Menorca, Baleares according to the Dutch newspaper Leeuwarder courant dated 8 September 1781Leeuwarder courant dated 8 September 1781

An item dated Utrecht, Netherlands 2nd referred to letters received from Madrid, Spain reporting that on the 6th the expeditionary force left Carthagena. The resistance at Menorca, Baleares was believed to be weak except for the strong fortress St. Philip with a garrison of at least 3.000 men. For the Dutch and other countries was this expedition of interest while the Mediterranean became safer for their merchant trade while the pirates of Mahon were then expelled.