The colonies had British governors in place but many also had assemblies to represent the interests of the people. During the 1600's, the colonies were mostly left alone to monitor themselves and this remained as long as the economic relationship was good.
Virginia created the House of Burgesses which was the first representative government in the colonies. Landowners were the government officials and people responsible for running the colonial governments. New England colonies were represented by a council of elders and church leaders. They also agreed to a representative colonial government in which landowning men were the only people involved in the government.
