And
now, in the American Revolution, it was not forts on the Hudson,
nor maneuvers in the South, that were to decide the issue, but
the presence of a few more French warships than the British could
muster at a given spot and time. Washington had urged in January
that France should plan to have at least temporary naval
superiority in American waters, in accordance with Rochambeau's
principle, "Nothing without naval supremacy." Washington wished
to concentrate against New York, but the French were of a
different mind, believing that the great effort should be made in
Chesapeake Bay. There the British could have no defenses like
those at New York, and the French fleet, which was stationed in
the West Indies, could reach more readily than New York a point
in the South.
Early in May Rochambeau knew that a French fleet was coming to
his aid but not yet did he know where the stroke should be made.
It was clear, however, that there was nothing for the French to
do at Newport, and, by the beginning of June, Rochambeau prepared
to set his army in motion. The first step was to join Washington
on the Hudson and at any rate alarm Clinton as to an imminent
attack on New York and hold him to that spot. After nearly a year
of idleness the French soldiers were delighted that now at last
there was to be an active movement.
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