Colonial governments had assemblies elected by colonists to make laws, but were overseen by royal governors appointed by the king. This caused tensions, as the governors did not always agree with the assemblies. Virginia had the most successful assembly, the House of Burgesses, which other colonies copied. It allowed laws on taxes, money, land, and militias. Famous early Virginians like Jefferson, Henry, and Washington served in the House of Burgesses. The colonists were inspired to govern themselves by documents like the Mayflower Compact, Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, and Magna Carta.