SETTLEMENTS ON THE DEMERARY, $iC. 



75 



CHAPTER IV. 



STABROEK CONTINUED — FORM OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE 



GOVERNMENT VITIOUS CONSTITUTION OF THE COURTS 



OF JUSTICE ECCLESIASTIC JURISDICTION ORPHAN- 

 CHAMBER SALARIES OF OFFICE CUSTOM-HOUSE RE- 

 TURNS CONTIGUOUS VILLAGES CLIMATE. 



TPhE laws in force in the Dutch colonies were moulded on 

 the Roman or civil code, tempered and revised as the respec- 

 tive governors and council thought fit, guided by local cir- 

 cumstances and experience. The burghers, or inhabitants, 

 have the chief appointment of the administrators of justice, 

 through the body of keizers, who are their representatives, and 

 are regularly elected for that purpose, by the planters and 

 merchants. All those possessing twenty-five negroes are en- 

 titled to a vote. There is no dissolution whatever of this body, 

 but as fast as the members drop off, either by death or absence, 

 notice is issued by the governor for electing others in their 

 stead. This is done by sealed notes containing the votes, 

 which are left at one of the public offices. The whole number 

 of keizers consists of six only for each colony ; and when any 

 vacancy takes place, the English party being the strongest, use 



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