 At Williamsburg , Cornwallis received several letters from Clinton . Clinton was upset that Cornwallis had moved into Virginia , and ordered him to establish a suitable fortified point . He also ordered him to return any troops he could spare to New York . ( This request , written in mid @-@ June , reflected concern over the movements of the French army from Newport , Rhode Island to White Plains , New York , and intelligence that General Washington was considering an attack on New York City . ) Cornwallis reconnoitered Yorktown , and found it to be inadequate . He informed Clinton that he would move to Portsmouth , embark troops there for Clinton 's use , and assess whether Portsmouth was a more suitable location for a naval station . 
