The claim of the Spanish Government to the right of search, and the aggressions committed by that power on the commerce of Great Britain, in the West Indies, by the _guarda-costas_ and other ships acting by authority of the King of Spain, contrary to the existing treaties, led to a Convention between the two Crowns, which was concluded on the 14th of January 1739. This Convention stipulated, that compensation should be made by Spain to the English Government, in reparation for the hostilities committed on the British subjects in the American seas. The Court of Madrid, however, violated the Convention, and hostilities being on the eve of commencing, the THIRTY-SIXTH regiment was removed from Ireland to Great Britain in September 1739. On the 23d of October following, war was proclaimed by Great Britain against Spain. [Sidenote: 1740.] A formidable armament was prepared for the attack of the Spanish colonies in the West Indies, and the land forces were placed under the command of General Lord Cathcart. On the 12th of June 1740 the THIRTY-SIXTH regiment was ordered to proceed to Portsmouth for embarkation, but only a portion of the corps subsequently proceeded on this service. Some delay occurred by the fleet being twice driven back by contrary winds. On the 26th of October it sailed a third time, and was dispersed by a tempest in the Bay of Biscay; but the greater part of the vessels were re-collected, and proceeded on the voyage. Arriving at the neutral island of Dominica, to provide wood and water, the troops sustained the loss of their commander, Lord Cathcart, (then Colonel of the Sixth dragoon guards, or Carabineers,) who died of dysentery; the command, in consequence, devolved on Brigadier-General Thomas Wentworth, Colonel of the Twenty-fourth regiment. [Sidenote: 1741.] Lieut.-Colonel James Fleming was promoted from the Seventh Royal fusiliers to the colonelcy of the THIRTY-SIXTH regiment on the 9th of January 1741, in succession to Colonel Humphrey Bland, removed to the Thirteenth dragoons. Upon arriving at Jamaica, in January 1741, the expedition was joined by Vice-Admiral Vernon; but the season of the year for active service in the West Indies was fast passing away, and several circumstances concurred to create further delay. At length an attempt on _Carthagena_, the capital of a wealthy province in the country of Terra Firma, in South America, was resolved upon. This place was found strongly fortified, and the garrison was reinforced by the crews of a squadron of large ships. A landing was effected on the island of Terra Bomba, near the mouth of the harbour, on the 10th of March, and the siege of the principal fort or castle, named _Bocca-chica_, was commenced. On the evening of the 25th of March the grenadiers mounted the breach to storm the fortress, when the Spanish garrison fled, and the place was captured without loss.