Why did the British feel that securing the colony of New York would allow them to win the Revolutionary War? A New York’s access to the coast would give the British a safe port in which to receive naval vessels. B Possessing New York would allow them to use the rivers for an assault on Philadelphia and the Continental Congress. C Possessing New York would allow them to cut the New England colonies off from the other colonies. D New York’s mountainous terrain would allow them to set up strong defenses.