Colonial Councils

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COLONIAL COUNCILS

COLONIAL COUNCILS existed in all colonies. They comprised the upper house of the legislature and, with the governor, formed a supreme court of appeals in civil cases. The council was also an executive and administrative body for the governor and approved and implemented executive acts. Charters and instructions to the royal governor specified councils' duties, although their specific roles evolved over time. In royal colonies the crown appointed the council, in proprietary colonies the proprietor did so, and in charter colonies councils were elected. In the royal and proprietary colonies, council members served during good behavior and could be removed only by the crown or proprietors. Councils varied in size, ranging from ten to thirty.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Daniels, Bruce C., ed. Power and Status: Office holding in Colonial America. Middletown, Conn.: Wesleyan University Press, 1986.

Katz, Stanley N., and John M. Murrin. Colonial America. New York: Knopf, 1983.

O. M.Dickerson/s. b.

See alsoColonial Assemblies ; Colonial Charters ; General Court, Colonial .