What right did colonist have?

Answer 1

Colonists, such as the European people who colonised the American continent, believed they had the right to settle in those lands because they were "unclaimed" by anyone else (e.g. not part of another European state). Generally speaking they did not recognise any native American countries and also considered it a divine obligation to impose the Christian religion on the "uncivilized" and "pagan" native people of America who would otherwise live damned lives of ignorance and barbarity.

Of course, viewed with modern morality, the colonists had no "right" to take other peoples lands.

Answer 2

Each colony set it own charter and how people were to behave. Plymouth colony was very strict and really had limited rights. For instance Puritan Protestants wanted the only church to exist in each colony to be theirs and this became the "state". This meant establishment as term referring to the fact that the financial, legal, and privileges were to extend to that one church and others were to be seen as dissenters. Nine of the 13 colonies had this at one time or another. The founders of Rhode Island were the exception. Mainly Baptist they permitted all churches and believer equal status. William Penn also was determined that many faiths represented in Pennsylvania should have equal rights and that none should depend on civil authority for support. This is one reason that there is a amendment in the Bill of Rights that there is no establishment of religion.