238 TlMEHRI, 
In all matters of any importance the Governor was 
obliged to summon the Court and to lay before it all 
cases and matters for deliberation and decision, the Court 
deciding by plurality of votes and the Governor being 
bound by its resolutions. 
It was further ena6led that the Governor as well as 
the Court of Policy, in all matters not specially provided 
for in the fundamental law and privileges of the colony, 
(the octroy) were bound to obey the orders of the W.I. 
Company, whose power and authority however could 
not in such case infringe the enactments contained in 
the fundamental octroy or go beyond the special orders 
or instructions transmitted to the Governor by the 
Sovereign authority at home. The Court of Policy thus 
constituted, had also jurisdiction in criminal matters. 
The administration of justice in civil matters was vest- 
ed in a Court of Justice, under the presidency of the 
Governor, consisting of six members elected from the 
most respectable and intelligent inhabitants, either 
members of the Court of Policy or not. On the first 
occasion, twelve persons were nominated and elected by 
the Governor and the Court of Policy, by plurality of 
votes, out of which the Governor selected six, to be 
members of the said Court. The term of office of half 
the members expired after two years. Their seats 
were consecutively filled by the Governor out of a num- 
ber of six of which three were chosen among the inhabi- 
had increased. The nomination to fill a vacant seat was made by the 
Court, the members being then the Kiezers for the inhabitants. Too 
great an official element began to invade the Court. It did not increase 
or advance her independence. See Petition of the Planters of Surinam 
of 23 March, 1753. Hartsinck, vol. 11. p. 818-854. 
