The original plan had already been put in execution.

On the 9th of February, a sixty-four gun ship with two frigates, under Monsieur de Tilley, had sailed for the Chesapeake; and, as some of the British ships had been repaired, the French admiral did not think it prudent to put to sea with the residue of his fleet.
As had been foreseen by General Washington, de Tilley found Arnold in a situation not to be assailed with any prospect of success.

After showing himself therefore in the bay, and making an ineffectual attempt to enter Elizabeth River, he returned to Newport.

At the capes, he fell in with the Romulus, a fifty gun ship, coming from Charleston to the Chesapeake, which he captured.
Both the Count de Rochambeau, and the Chevalier Destouches, being well disposed to execute the plans suggested by General Washington, they determined, on the return of Monsieur de Tilley, to make a second expedition to the Chesapeake with the whole fleet, and eleven hundred men.

General Washington, therefore, hastened to Newport, that in a personal conference with them, he might facilitate the execution of an enterprise from which he still entertained sanguine hopes.
[Sidenote: March 6.] Early on the 6th of March he reached Newport, and went instantly on board the Admiral, where he was met by the Count de Rochambeau.