Here were the Council Chamber, "where the Governor and Council sit in very great state, in imitation of the King and Council, or the Lord Chancellor and House of Lords," and the great room of the House of Burgesses, "not unlike the House of Commons." Here, at the capitol, met the General Courts in April and October, the Governor and Council acting as judges.

There were also Oyer and Terminer and Admiralty Courts.

There were offices and committee rooms, and on the cupola a great clock, and near the capitol was "a strong, sweet Prison for Criminals; and on the other side of an open Court another for Debtors...

but such Prisoners are very rare, the Creditors being generally very merciful....

At the Capitol, at publick Times, may be seen a great Number of handsome, well-dressed, compleat Gentlemen.