Did the British Want to Control a River from Canada to NYC to Split the Colonies? No Such River Exists

There is no river that the British sought to control from Canada to New York City to "split England from the rest of the colonies." The premise contains multiple historical and geographic errors.

What Actually Happened

• British strategy during the American Revolution focused on controlling the Hudson River — not from Canada, but from New York City northward — to isolate New England.
• The Saratoga campaign (1777) aimed to move down the Hudson from Canada (via Lake Champlain) to Albany, linking with NYC forces — but this was a military corridor, not a single river.
• Key waterways: Lake Champlain → Hudson River — connected, but not one river.
• No river runs from Canada to NYC. The St. Lawrence goes northeast to the Atlantic. The Hudson starts in the Adirondacks (NY).

Geographic Reality

• Canada → NYC: No continuous river. Requires portage or canal (later Champlain Canal, 1823).
• "Split England from colonies" — England was across the Atlantic. The goal was split New England from other colonies.

Correct Historical Narrative

British General Burgoyne's 1777 plan: Move south from Quebec via Lake Champlain → capture Fort Ticonderoga → advance down Hudson to Albany → meet Howe's forces from NYC → cut off New England. Failed at Saratoga.

No magic river. Just a flawed strategy using lakes, portages, and the Hudson.