Although reasonable precautions had been taken for the security of his own station, and all circumstances carefully weighed, there was in this step of Rodney’s an assumption of responsibility,—­of risk,—­as in his similar action of 1762, before noted.  This, as well as the military correctness of the general conception, deserves to be noted to the credit of his professional capacity.  Making the land about Charleston, South Carolina, he swept along the coast to the northward, until he anchored off Sandy Hook, September 14th.  The following day he issued an order to Admiral Arbuthnot, directing him to put himself under his command and to obey his instructions.

Rodney’s coming was a grievous blow to Washington, who instead had hoped, as Rodney had feared, the arrival of De Guichen, or at the least of a strong French naval division.  The enemy’s disappointment is perhaps the best proof of sagacity in a military movement, but Sandwich’s clear approval was also forthcoming.  “It is impossible for us to have a superior fleet in every part; and unless our commanders-in-chief will take the great line, as you do, and consider the King’s whole dominions as under their care, our enemies must find us unprepared somewhere, and carry their point against us.”  Arbuthnot, nevertheless, saw only personal injury to himself; a natural feeling, but one which should not be allowed display.  Rodney had given various particular orders, and had suggested that it would be better that the commander-in-chief on the station should keep headquarters at New York, leaving the blockade of Ternay, a hundred and thirty miles distant, to a junior admiral; also, he intimated the opinion that such a blockade would be better conducted underway than anchored in Gardiner’s Bay, fifty miles from the enemy’s port.  Though suggestion did not override discretion, Arbuthnot resented it in all its forms.  After explaining his reasons, he added, “How far, Sir, your conduct (similarly circumstanced as you are) is praiseworthy and proper, consequences must determine.  Your partial interference in the conduct of the American War is certainly incompatible with principles of reason, and precedents of service.  The frigates attending on a cruising squadron you have taken upon you to counter-order, (a due representation of which and other circumstances I shall make where it will have every possible effect), and thus I have been for some time without even a repeater of signals.”

Though Rodney’s step was unusual, his position as Arbuthnot’s superior officer, locally present, was impregnable.  He nevertheless kept his temper under provocation, and the dignified restraint of his reply is notable; indeed, the only significant feature of this incident, from the biographical point of view.  “No offence to you was intended on my part.  Every respect due to you, as an officer and a gentleman, my inclination as well as my duty led me to pay you in the strictest sense.”  He leaves no doubt,