It was to be considered as preliminary to any operation--that the fleet and army of France should continue their aid until the enterprise should succeed, or be abandoned by mutual consent.
The Chevalier de Tunay did not long maintain his superiority at sea.
Three days after he reached Newport, Admiral Greaves arrived with six ships of the line, and transferred it to the British.

On his appearance off the Hook, Arbuthnot passed the bar with four ships of the line; and hearing that De Tunay had reached Rhode Island, proceeded thither, and cruised off the harbour.

The Count de Rochambeau had been put into possession of all the forts and batteries about Newport, and the fleet had been moved in a line so as to co-operate with the land forces.

This position appearing too formidable to be attempted by the fleet alone, Arbuthnot continued to cruise off Block Island.
As the commanders of the allied forces still cherished the hope of acquiring a superiority at sea, the design on New York was only suspended.

This hope was strengthened by intelligence that the Count de Guichen had been joined in the West Indies by a powerful Spanish armament.