Important measures might therefore be decided by the magistracy, not only against his judgment, but without his knowledge.

Then there was a variety of boards or colleges, all arrogating concurrent--which in truth was conflicting-authority.

There was the board of militia-colonels, which claimed great powers.

Here, too, the burgomaster was nominally the chief, but he might be voted down by a majority, and of course was often absent.
Then there were sixteen captains who came into the colonels' sessions whenever they liked, and had their word to say upon all subjects broached.

If they were refused a hearing, they were backed by eighty other captains, who were ready at any moment to carry every disputed point before the "broadcouncil." There were a college of ward-masters, a college of select men, a college of deacons, a college of ammunition, of fortification, of ship-building, all claiming equal authority, and all wrangling among themselves; and there was a college of "peace-makers," who wrangled more than all the rest together.
Once a week there was a session of the board or general council.