Royal Charters: The English Crown issued royal charters to the early English colonies in America, and these charters often included provisions that guaranteed the colonists the same rights and privileges as English citizens. For example, the Virginia Charter of 1606 stated that colonists should "have and enjoy all Liberties, Franchises, and Immunities within the said Colony or Fort...as if they had been abiding and born within this our Realm of England."
Common Law: The English legal system, known as common law, was also established in the American colonies. Common law protected individual rights and liberties, such as the right to property, the right to a fair trial, and the right to freedom of speech.
Political Representation: As English colonies grew and developed, they established representative assemblies, such as the Virginia House of Burgesses, where colonists could participate in lawmaking and have a say in their own governance. This allowed colonists to exercise some of the same political rights they had in England.
Influence of English Culture: The English settlers brought with them their cultural values and traditions, including a belief in the importance of individual liberty and self-government. These values influenced the development of American political and legal institutions.
The fact that English settlers in America retained the rights of Englishmen was a significant factor in shaping the development of American democracy and the protection of individual rights in the United States.