He transferred to the command of the sixth-rate HMS "Garland", still on the Carolinas station, in July 1728, then to the command of the fifth-rate HMS "Diamond" in the Channel Fleet in 1730, and to the command of the sixth-rate HMS "Squirrel" back on the Carolinas station in 1731. He was given command of the 60-gun third-rate in the West Africa Squadron in 1737 and, having been promoted to commodore with his broad pennant in HMS "Centurion", he took command of a squadron sent to attack Spanish possessions in South America at the outset of the War of Jenkins' Ear.