From the beginning of the 17th century (1600s) to the mid-18th century (1760s) in the American colonies. The policy was an attempt to maintain a relationship with the colonies without provoking them into war. The policy that was administered by the British was one in which laxer controls and parliamentary procedure was used.
The end of this period relates to the massive debts incurred by the British during the French/Indian Wars, which was a victory for the British, but a costly one. As such, the British needed to revert back to more strict enforcement of their policies towards the colonies, namely enforcing, as well as increasing taxation.
This of course became integral to the formation of the anti-British sentiment which grew during this period and is associated with the slogan, "No taxation without equal representation". This was due to the British enforcing taxes, as well as increasing what colonists were unfair taxes due to their lack of representation in the creation of these taxes which were imposed on them.
New Jersey Plan. The New Jersey Plan (also known as the Small State Plan or the Paterson Plan) was a proposal for the structure of the United States Government presented by William Paterson at the Constitutional Convention on June 15, 1787.