And  thus  ended  this  enterprize  against  the  Sjpanish  settlements  in  Ame^
rica !  in  which  enormous  sums  were  expended,  and  ten  thousand  lives
sacrificed,  without  the  least  benefit  to  the  nation,  or  glory  to  tlie  com-
manders. That  General  Wentworth  wanted  die  intrepidity,  and  al»-
*  erity,  so  necessary  in  the  execution  of  such  enteiprizes  is  very  evident
And  it  is  also  certain  that  Admiral  Vernon's  contempt  for  Wentwoidi
pfevented  him  from  acting  so  cordially,  and  vigorously  as  he  ought  y»
have  done.  He  wished  to  have  had  the  sole  direction  of  every  operation
and  it  is  more  than  propable  if  that  had  been  the  case,  he  would  geneniy
have  succeeded.
On  the  return  oiT  Admiral  Vernon,  the  command  of  the  fleet  devolved  oa
Sir  Chaloner  Ogle,  who  in  the  month  of  February  detached  Captain
Knowles  with  eight  men-^f-war,[having  fi^ur  hundred  land  forces  on  board,
with  orders  to  make  an  attack  on  the  town  of  La  Guira  on  the  coast  of
Caraccas.  And  accordingly  he  began  his  attack  on  the  iSth  about  noon,
and  continued  firing  on  the  town  till  night,  without  any  other  cflfect  than


NAVAL  HltTOAV  OP  GRBAT  BftlTAlM.  g      439


thatofdesUofUigaoaiebQnMtttidcbiiiches.  His  ships  were  floihflttered
that  he  was  obliged  to  desist,  and  to  sail  for  Curaooa  in  order  to  lefil.
The  squadroQ  had  near  a  hundred  men  killed*  and  three  hundted
wounded.
