Early in 1743, an impression upon some part of the continent of South America being resolved on, the conduct of these operations was entrusted to Captain Knowles, of the Navy, having on board his squadron four hundred of the regiment of Dalzell, and about six hundred Marines. They were first ordered to rendezvous at Antigua, from which island they sailed upon the 12th of February, with a view upon La Guira, a town in the district of the Caraccas, in Terra Firma. The attack against it was commenced on the 18th, but owing to a very heavy swell, the men of war could not approach the shore, and in consequence, the troops were not landed.--After a very heavy cannonade, which was only ended by the night, the ships withdrew from the combat. The town suffered extremely, many breaches were made in the fortifications, and the enemy sustained a loss of more than seven hundred men. The Spaniards behaved well, as the squadron suffered very considerable damages, besides having nearly four hundred killed and wounded. It proceeded to Curaccoa to refit, where they prepared for another attempt upon the sea-coast of Terra Firma. Having been reinforced by some Dutch Volunteers, Commodore Knowles sailed from this island upon the 20th of March, and shaped a course for Porto Cavallo, where there was a respectable force, and a town in the best state of defence. Owing to strong lee currents, it was not until the 15th of April that the ships anchored under the keys of Barbarat, to the eastward of the place. Having reconnoitred the different points of opposition, which were every where formidable, two ships were ordered upon the 16th of April against Ponta Brava, to commence upon it a flanking fire, which its low situation, and the injudicious construction of the works, evidently permitted. After they were silenced, it was agreed to land the troops of every description, in order to take possession, and to turn the guns against the Castle; their retreat being secured by a man of war within pistol shot of the shore.--By sunset the ships had accomplished their object, and by dark a force of twelve hundred sailors, soldiers, and Dutch Volunteers were disembarked under the command of Major Lucas. About eleven at night the Van gained one of the fascine batteries upon Ponta Brava, when a Spanish centinel discharged his musquet, and gave a general alarm. Two guns being fired from the other battery, which was the next for capture, put into an unaccountable confusion nearly the whole of this mixed detachment, when under the influence of a panic they retreated to the ships with precipitation.