Salutary neglect was Britain's unofficial policy to relax the enforcement of strict regulations imposed on the American colonies in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Colonies were considered politically subordinate to the King Goerge and parliament, they had no authority to reject or ignore British laws.
In 1619 the settlers in Jamestown formed a political assembly, a year later the Mayflower Pilgrims of Plymouth drafted a compact to form a civil body politic for government of their affairs.