When Minister Roger Williams established Providence, it was with the primary purpose to eliminate any restrictions of faith in their legal system. Thus, a religious toleration policy became a crucial part of Rhode Island's law: The Rhode Island Charter of 1663 dictated,
“...flourishing civil state may and best be maintained with full liberty in religious concernments.”
Rhode Island Charter of 1663 (July 15, 1663)
NATIVE AMERICANS
Unlike many early settlements, Williams' government not only respected the rights of the European settlers, but those of the neighboring Native American tribes. When Williams founded Providence, he did not invade the natives' land—rather, he paid the Wampanoag people for Aquidneck Island, Providence Island, and Prudence Island. This was beneficial in that it helped establish friendly trade between the colonists and Native Americans in addition to preventing conflict.
Roger Williams and the Wampanoag Tribe
GOVERNMENT
While Roger Williams had been creating a settlement in Providence, Anne Hutchinson was inaugurating the town of Portsmouth and its new form of government. This government was adversely just in that its judicial system provided for trial by jury—all are innocent until proven guilty. It is of like importance that citizens are given a voice in colonial Rhode Island's political system.
Colonial Rhode Island' s Courthouse
Hutchinson also provided a foundation to the colony's separatist government. In the Puritan society from which she and other dissenters were banished from, religion and law were one and the same. This was a severe and strict policy. However, colonial Rhode Island practiced the separation of Church and State, allowing for more liberty in religion and other aspects.
POLITICAL STRUCTURE
Rhode Island's political structure demonstrated the balance of powers used by a limited government. This advocated a liberal and representative way of keeping order in the colony, eliminating absolutist ideals. The Governor held executive power. Appointed by the King, he represented the the English Crown. Below the Governor in the political hierarchy was the Council. These were a group of authoritative men who advised the Governor on bureaucratic decisions while performing judicial and administrative duties. Rhode Island's government was also largely constituent of an Assembly, elected by the the colony's citizens. It represented the colonists' rights and ideas, which were shared during regular town meetings, both individually and collectively.
CHARTER COLONY
The English government gained control over the colony with the Rhode Island Charter of 1644. King Charles II had declared the right to appoint a Governor of Rhode Island in addition to an approved provincial council. Thereby, Williams' Providence and Hutchinson's Portsmouth were joined to create one charter colony, called Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Colonial Rhode Island's Charter of Laws
Although this charter provided the King with the ability to ordain laws, these laws were not many and nor were they strictly enforced. Colonists still had a considerable amount of freedom.