<P> Following the calamitous operations at Newport and Savannah, French planners realized that closer cooperation with the Americans was required to achieve success . The French fleet led by the Comte de Grasse had received discretionary orders from Paris to assist joint efforts in the north if naval support was needed . Washington and the Comte de Rochambeau discussed their options . Washington pushed for an attack on New York, while Rochambeau preferred a strike in Virginia where the British were less well - established and thus easier to defeat . Franco - American movements around New York caused Clinton a great deal of anxiety, fearing an attack on the city . His instructions were vague to Cornwallis during this time, rarely forming explicit orders . However, Clinton did instruct Cornwallis to establish a fortified naval base and to transfer troops to the north to defend New York . Cornwallis dug in at Yorktown and awaited the Royal Navy . </P> <P> Washington still favored an assault on New York, but he acquiesced to the French when they opted to send their fleet to their preferred target of Yorktown . In August, the combined Franco - American army moved south to coordinate with de Grasse in defeating Cornwallis . The British lacked sufficient naval resources to effectively counter the French, but they dispatched a fleet under Thomas Graves to assist Cornwallis and attempt to gain naval dominance . On September 5, the French fleet decisively defeated Graves, giving the French control of the seas around Yorktown and cutting off Cornwallis from reinforcements and relief . Despite the continued urging of his subordinates, </P> <P> Cornwallis made no attempt to break out and engage the Franco - American army before it had established siege works, expecting that reinforcements would arrive from New York, and the Franco - American army laid siege to Yorktown on September 28 . Cornwallis continued to think that relief was imminent from Clinton, and he abandoned his outer defenses which were immediately occupied by American troops--serving to hasten his subsequent defeat . The British then failed in an attempt to break out of the siege across the river at Gloucester Point when a storm hit . Cornwallis and his subordinates were under increasing bombardment and facing dwindling supplies; they agreed that their situation was untenable and negotiated a surrender on October 17, 1781, and 7,685 soldiers became prisoners of the Americans . The same day as the surrender, 6,000 troops under Clinton had departed New York, sailing to relieve Yorktown . </P> <P> On 25 November 1781, news arrived in London of the surrender at Yorktown . The Whig opposition gained traction in Parliament, and a motion was proposed on December 12 to end the war which was defeated by only one vote . On 27 February 1782, the House voted against further war in America by 19 votes . </P>

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