Colonial government in the Thirteen Colonies

Colonial government in the Thirteen Colonies of North America shared many attributes. While each of the Thirteen Colonies, destined to become the original United States had its own unique history and development, many common features and patterns emerged in their governing institutions and operations.

The representatives of the Government of the colonies represented in the colony an extension of the English government. Courts enforced the common law of England. The Governor's Council or the Governor's Court was a body of senior advisers to the appointed royal Governor in each province.

The legislative body, which went by various names from colony to colony and through time, was elected by the enfranchised voters. By 1750, most free white men could vote. In colonial New England there were annual town meetings, where each colonist had a voice.

Diplomatic affairs were handled by London, as were some trade policies. The colonies generally handled domestic matters (and wars with the Native Americans), but England – and after 1707, Great Britain – handled foreign wars.

Governor's council members were appointed, and they served at the governor's pleasure, who in turn served at the monarch's pleasure. Often the councilors' terms of service lasted longer than the governor's. The usual first act of a new royal governor was to re-appoint or continue the council members in their offices.

When there was an absentee governor or an interval between governors, the council acted as the government.

Members of the council included ex-officio members, who served by virtue of their position. Others were appointed in order to have a representative cross-section of the diverse interests in the colony. Council members were theoretically subject to approval by the London government, either the Secretary of State for the Southern Department, or after 1768 the Secretary of State for the Colonies. In practice, the distance and delay in communications meant that a veto occurred only in rare cases.

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