The intention of the enemy was evidentl}^ to advance to Albany, which seemed doomed to share the fate of Kingston, and there to effect that conjunction with Burgo}^ne which was the object of the expedition. But Burg03me was in no condition to co-operate with any armv. The diversion had come too late. Almost

Rondout an( Kin^^ston 465

simultaneoush' with the mo\-ements of CHnton and his subordinates on the Hudson, the forces of Burgoyne and Gates were in mortal conflict, and the decisive victory of the latter put a sudden end to Vaughan s advance. The State Legislature, in session at Kings-

"^^^^^^^^i^^^, ^'

RIVER SCENE NEAR KINGSTON {From a drawing by the author)

ton when the British approached, hastily dispersed, to reassemble afterwards at Albany. Kingston, the modern town, was incorporated in the year 1805. Its growth at first was slow. From the third place on the river in point of population, it had been struck down at a blow, its trade ruined, its Iniildings destroyed, its prestige gone. To rcco\'er from such a crushing injury it was necessary that it should possess or develop some signal superiority in natural

466 The Hudson River

or artificial facilities for manufacture, agriculture, or trade. There were, unchanged, the same natural advantages ofsituation that had, in the earlier years of its settlement, made it more desirable than neighbouring villages. The deep mouth of the creek, sheltered yet accessible, furnished one of the most convenient harbours for the river boats, and the fertile and pleasant lands were inviting to the farmer. But farmers do not make villages, and facilities for the landing of boats do not make trade. The Indian traffic in peltries, which in the first centur\' of its growth had been so important an item of its commercial life, naturally flowed from the interior with the stream.